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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Development Authority - Minutes - 03/13/2008DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Regular Directors' Meeting Jack Wolfe, Chain 495-1298 (W) Kelly Ohlson, Council Liaison 219-9814 (W) Kathaykennels, County Liaison 498-7010 (W) MINUTES of March 13, 2008 REGULAR MEETING The Board of Directors of the Downtown Development Authority met in Regular Session at 7:30 a.m. on March 13, 2008 at Home State Bank located at 303 East Mountain Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80524. PRESENT McCabe Callahan; Kim Jordan; Ryan Keiffer; Kelly Ohlson; William Sears; Patty Spencer; Steve Taylor; Ellen Zibell STAFF Chip Steiner, DDA Executive Director; Matt Robenalt, DDA Project Manager; Joanna Stone, DDA Staff, Carol Bennis, Beet Street, Executive Director; Kathy Cardona, DDA Staff; Jean Lamm, Beet Street; Lucia Liley, Legal Counsel GUESTS INCLUDED Darin Atteberry, City Manager; Scott Allen, Matt Evans, Ty Smith, JJ Hannah, Fort Collins Real Estate; Blue Hovatter, Interested Citizen; David Short, DBA; Ben Manvel, City Council; Josh Guernsey, Brinkman Partners; Cari Merrill, Coloradoan; Judy Dorsey & David Wortman, The Brendle Group; Tamara Todres, FRCC; Matthew Campbell, Wolverine Publishing; Chris Murray, Assessors Office; Gary Schroeder, Fort Collins Utilities; Brianna, Neil & S. Callahan; Julie Keith; David Linder; Alex Platt & Mark Kovomy, Solar Village CALL TO ORDER Ms. Spencer called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m. Roll call was taken. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Sears moved to approve the minutes of February 14, 2008. Seconded by Mr. Keiffer, and passed unanimously. BIG IDEAS No Big Ideas were presented. BEETSTREET Discussion of the DDA/Beet Street Memorandum of Understanding and bonding of Executive Directors was deferred for later discussion. Governance: Beet Street has added two representatives to the Board — Steve Taylor, immediate past chair, and Blue Hovatter. Beet Street is now a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Statement of Operation: Ms. Bennis presented the Beet Street Statement of Operation for Board approval. The Statement outlines Beet Street's mission and operating principles. Moved by Mr. Taylor, seconded by Ms. Zibell, to ratify the Beet Street Statement of Operation. The motion was carried unanimously. Programming: "Life on a Shoestring" has been very successful with lots of participation and press coverage. The third Science Cafe has held last night and continues to draw a good audience. Jazz festival programming is complete. The program for the discussion of social media is scheduled for release next week. The biggest programming challenge is the Peace Corps Reunion. POUDRE RIVER ARTS CENTER Mike Jensen and Fort Collins Real Estate have requested funds to redevelop the plaza and make some improvements to the alley and parking at the Poudre River Arts Center. Mr. Steiner noted that a TIF investment had already been made in the property and that there was not demonstrable tax increment to be generated by the proposed improvements. However, he still felt that the Board should consider the request because of the location of the arts center at the entry to the River District and evolving redevelopment area, their contribution to the larger vision of downtown as a cultural center, and because the owners have helped encourage arts and culture downtown by significantly reducing rents to building tenants. Staff recommended paying 50% of the estimated cost of $99,000. Board discussion divided into those who felt that the project should be funded because of the location as portal to the river, the proximity to Bas Bleu, the Northside Azatlan Center, and the future redevelopment potential in the area. Board members also appreciated the contribution to the cultural life of Fort Collins. Other Board members felt the concept was good, but funding the project at this time would be premature as there was not overall plan for the area. There was also reluctance to fund a project that was basically private with no tangible public benefit. Moved by Mr. Sears, seconded by Mr. Keiffer: To fund the proposal at 100% of the estimated cost. A roll call vote was held. Mr. Sears and Mr. Keiffer voted for the motion; Mr. Callahan, Ms. Jordan, Mr. Ohlson, Ms. Spencer, Mr. Taylor, Ms. Zibell voted against the motion. The motion failed. The Board felt that the concept was a good one, but needed to be incorporated into a larger plan. Mr. Steiner will come back to the Board with suggestions on how to approach an area plan. Mr. Atteberry suggested the City also be at the table as the City owns property in the area. NEWS RACKS City Council approved on first reading the replacement of individual distribution boxes for publications in the downtown area with condominium boxes that would be purchased by the DDA. The ordinance currently stipulates that there would be up to nine distribution points downtown. Mr. Steiner recommended that the Board consider increasing funding from nine to twelve locations. Those locations would be determined by the City, which will also pay $25,000 for the condominium racks. Moved by Ms. Jordan, seconded by Mr. Taylor: To fund up to an additional three (3) condominium news racks and a recommendation for City Council to consider up to three (3) additional locations with the requirement that there are no mid -block locations. The motion passed unanimously. LIBRARY PARK (BLOCK 142) ANNEXATION Resolution 2008-02 recommends that City Council approve the change in DDA boundaries to include all of block 142. This was approved by the Library Board of Trustees in February. The purpose is so that the Library and Museum can collaborate on events with Beet Street. Moved by Mr. Taylor, seconded by Mr. Keiffer: To adopt Resolution 2008-02 annexing Block 142 into the DDA boundary. The motion passed unanimously. FINANCIAL REPORT Kathy Cardona prepared the updated DDA checkbook to give staff and Board members a current financial picture. Board members commented that it was very helpful and Mr. Taylor requested that the revised checkbook be included in the board packet every month. SALES TAX REPORT Mr. Atteberry presented the February tax report for January sales. Overall it is good news for downtown which showed a 3.8% increase. The City overall was down.2%, with a decrease in home electronics and general merchandise. UPDATES TIF Legislation: In response to a question from Mr. Keiffer, Mr. Steiner explained that the TIF bill has to go to the appropriation committee, then the Senate floor, then to a House committee followed by the House floor and finally to the Governor. Mr. Ohlson requested that Mr. Steiner meet with him to discuss the revised provisions of the bill. Wavfinding: Mr. Taylor reported that the DBA Board discussed wayfmding priorities at their monthly meeting and progress is being made. Hotel: W. Steiner noted that the neighborhood meeting about the hotel was very positive. The primary concern was parking, which attendees were reassured was being taken into account. The Planning and Zoning work session on the height variance is tomorrow night, with the matter being decided by the P & Z Board next week. Mr. Steiner emphasized the positive aspects of the project in providing public parking, convention center space downtown and more space for Beet Street events. These activities will help, rather than hinder, fill hotel beds in other parts of town. He also noted that the developers and architects were chosen through an open and competitive process and the best proposal was chosen. EXECUTIVE SESSION Moved by Mr. Taylor, seconded by Ms. Zibell: To move to Executive Session to discuss real estate issues. This Executive Session for the purpose stated is authorized pursuant to CRS 24-6-402 (4) (1) (1). The motion passed unanimously. Moved by Mr. Taylor, seconded by Ms. Jordan: To move from Executive Session back to Regular Session. The motion passed unanimously. ADJOURN There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m. gry UD:\v Q't& sear-s' V sC� Secac'