HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Development Authority - Minutes - 01/08/2009DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Regular Directors' Meeting
Jack Wolfe, Chairperson 495 1298
Kelly,Ohlson, Counwl Liaison 219 9814 '
Kathay Kennels, County Liaison 498 7010
Joanna Stohe; Staff Liaison 484 2020
MINUTES of January 8, 2009
The Board of Directors of the Downtown Development Authority met in Regular Session at 7:30 a.m. on
January 8, 2009 at Home State Bank, 303 East Mountain Avenue, Foil Collins, CO 80524.
PRESENT
George Brelig; McCabe Callahan; Ryan Keiffer; Wynne Odell; Kelly Ohlson, William Sears; Patty
Spencer; Jack Wolfe; David Zamzow
ABSENT
Kathay Rennels; Ellen Zibell
STAFF
Matt Robenalt, Arnie
Executive Director; Aspen, Project Manager; Carol Bennis, Beet Street, Executive
Director; Kathy Cardona, Financial Coordinator; Joanna Stone, Administrative Manager; Lucia Liley,
Legal Counsel
GUESTS INCLUDED
Darin Atteber y, City Manager;.Blue Hovatter: Chuck Secst, City Finance Director; Doug Johnson, UCC;
Ben Marvel, City Council; Joshua Liley, Liley, Rogers & Martell; David Short, DBA; Vivian Armendariz;
Tom Peters & Tina Peters, Fort Collins Brewery; Jody Roth & Wendy Foster, Indigo Galleries; Brendan
McGivney, Odell Brewing; Rebecca Spears, RB+B Architects; Kevin Brinkman, Brinkman Partners;
Ashley Haas, Brinkman Construction; Ian Shuff, Aller-Lingel-Massey; Jonathan Sweet, Jim Sell Design;
Hill Grimmett, NCFI; Doug Murray, CFATS,' Mike Jensen, Keller Williams
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Wolfe called the meeting to order at 7:35 a.m. Roll call was taken.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
William Sears moved to approve the minutes of December 11, 2008 as amended. Seconded by Ryan
Keiffer, and passed unanimously.
BIG IDEAS
No Big Ideas were presented
BEETSTREET
Carol Bennis gave an overview of programming efforts: Jean Michel Cousteau is appearing on January
I P as part of the Thought Leaders series; Science Cafe will discuss DNA evidence; details of the
immigration series are being finalized. At the next meeting, details of the Imagination Street Fair will be
given, with events planned all over Old Town ending with a concert by Laurie Anderson. An article by
Ms. Bennis on the arts as an economic driver appeared hi The Coloradoan today.
DDA Minutes
January 8, 2009
Page 2
PRIORITY PROJECTS UPDATE
Hotel: Corporex is ceasing all spending on the project and the DDA agreement with them has expired.
Staff, legal counsel and the City are reviewing options. Darin Attebeny, Lucia Liley and City Attorney
staff will meet next Tuesday to formulate a legal agreement acknowledging the termination of the
agreement. Board discussion focused on the staff recom-mendation to pay Corporex $75,000, while
recognizing that there is no legal obligation to do so, and obtain the geotechnical, design and survey work.
Corporex has acted in good faith and has been the victim of the economic downturn. Mr. Atteberry stated
that it was beneficial to keep the relationship and recognize the work Corporex has done.
Amphitheater: HOK and Crossroads Consulting are preparing a summary of responses to questions posed
during their presentation in December. The consultants will return late January to report back to the
Feasibility subcommittee.
Community Marketplace: Proposals forprofessional services considered later in the agenda.
Master Plan for Downtown Alleys & I»tegrated Walkways: Anne Aspen, Project Manager, will
prepare the draft plan for submission to appropriate City Boards and Commissions for presentation,
followed by submittal to City Council. Russell+Mills Studio is preparing a proposal for final design and
construction oversight for the three priority alleys.
Petitions for Inclusion Update: Two areas of downtown have presented voluntary petitions for inclusion
in the DDA district. These are properties in the Leinay/Lincoln/Buckingham area and in Howes/Laurel
Street area. Mr. Robenalt reminded the Board that when Mountain View Church first came before the
Board, it was recommended that they find other interested properties in the area and that several properties
would be considered at once. Three properties have expressed an interest in the Lemay/Lincoln area.
Brinkman Partners and the owners of 306 W. Laurel also approached the DDA several months ago and
adjacent property owners have now requested inclusion. Staff will continue to work with these property
owners and will compile the petitions into,a single presentation for Board consideration next month.
CONSENT AGENDA
200913ond Debt Payment Appropriation Resolution: Resolution 2009-01 recommends to City Council
the appropriation of $3,604,813 for payment of debt service on the 2008 outstanding tax increment bond.
Coca-Cola Sign Cash Match Appropriation: Staff recommends Board approval of the appropriation of
$10,000 cash match for the City's SHF grant award, and authorization for the Board Chair to enter into an
Inter Governmental Agreement with the City for transfer of funds. Chair Jack Wolfe noted that this was an
example of a Big Idea at work.
Employee Contract: Finance Coordinator Kathy Cardona's contract is up for renewal. Mr. Robenalt
strongly recommended renewal with a 5% increase in salary.
141 S. Montezuma Fuller Alley — Changes in Value Notification: In May 2008 the DDA committed
$20,000 to purchase an easement on the east facing fagade of the alley residence building being developed
by Bud Frick. Mr. Frick recently notified the DDA of a $30,000 reduction in the anticipated value of his
project due to a reduction in projected rent revenues. The County Assessor shows a reduction in increment
in the amount of $852, leaving the annual increment of $1,439 for a total of $28,780 for 20 years. There
will be no change in design and the revised projected tax increment still supports the original DDA
commitment. Staff recommended Board approval of the revision of project terms reflecting the reduction
in valuation.
Moved by Mr. Ohlson, seconded by Mr. Keiffer: To approve the Consent Agenda as presented: the
motion passed unanimously
DDA Minutes
January 8, 2009
Page 3 .
REGULAR AGENDA
117-119 West Oak -Indigo Galleries: Owners Jody Roth and Wendy Foster presented their fagade grant
request for the new Indigo Galleries location at 117-119 West Oak Street. They propose to install a new
fagade; similar in character to the renovation completed on Jay's Bistro. The project will include new
storefi•ont doors and windows, canopy and awnings and a true cement -based stucco fagade. Improvements
to the north and west are eligible for DDA funding since they front Oak Street and the public alley.
Estimated costs of improvement are $37,880. Eligible expenses are $25,844. Since the fagade grant
program supports up to 50% of eligible improvements, staff recommended a fagade grant of $12,922.
Moved by Mr. Ohlson, seconded by Mr. Callahan: Approval of a grant in the amount of $12,922 for
fagade improvements at Indigo Galleries, contingent upon owner submission of all DDA
requirements for project reimbursement including actual cost accounting documentation, certificate
of liability insurance, and grant of fagade easement by the owners. The motion passed unanimously
Odell Brewing Company -Preliminary Design Review:
Board members Wynne Odell and George Brelig recused themselves for this discussion.
Mr. Robenalt noted that this was the first example of the way staff will present projects to the Board.
Projects will be brought forward in two stages: the first meeting will be a design review and the second
meeting will consider the funding request. Rebecca Spears of RB+B Architects and Brendan McGivney
from Odell Brewing presented the design. This plan almost doubles the brewery's physical plant and
parking; increases office size, tap room, and restrooms; improves traffic access; and upgrades the building
fagade and landscape design. There are still outstanding issues with the City regarding the redesigned site
access, but they are hoping that these will be worked out. The project incorporates quality materials and
green elements in both the landscape and building designs.
306 West Laurel Avenue (Oval Flats) -Preliminary Design Review: The Oval Flats mixed -use
development will provide 56,000 square feet of street -level retail, and residential rental units designed for
the student market in a four story building. Any funding for this project will be tied to a petition for
inclusion into the DDA district that will be considered at the next board meeting. Mr. Robenalt noted that
its proximity to the CSU Oval is important and that the project needs to reflect CSU, be of high quality, and
be complementary to the.historic architecture of the University. Design presenters were Kevin Brinkman
of Brinkman Partners, Ashley Haas.of Brinkman Construction, ]an Shuffof Allen-Lindle-Massey, and
Jonathan Sweet of Jim Sell Design. Mr. Shuff said the design was challenging in such an eclectic
neighborhood and the design included elements and materials from CSU buildings while creating a more
modern, urban look. Landscape improvements and green building elements were also reviewed. The
Board had several design suggestions: extending masonry to the vertical elements on the upper stories;
show real landscape in the design plan; add hanging baskets or brick planters; work on the southwest corner
&; show the alley enhancements; consider that three facades are on eligible public rights of way; improve
the boxy feeling on the Laurel Street side and enhance the patio; provide more bike parking; consider
whether there are elements that would qualify for a DDA green building grant.
Fort Collins Brewery -Preliminary Design Review: Fort Collins Brewery has purchases land at the
corner of Lemay and Lincoln and plans to build a new home for the brewery housed in a 30,000 square foot
mixed -use facility. Their funding proposal will also be tied to a petition for inclusion to be presented at the
next Board meeting. Owner Tom Peters and project manager Tina Peters presented the design to the Board
for review. Staff noted that the design includes enhanced materials, strong pedestrian connectivity, and an
attractive use of heavy timber accents on the Lincoln Avenue side. in response to Board questions about
the Lemay fagade, Mr. Peters said that the design had concentrated on the Lincoln side of the project, as
that is where the public access is located. The proposers were encouraged to show the landscape plan in
their future presentation and to consider some enhancements to the Lemay side of the building.
DDA Minutes
January 8, 2009
Page 4
Community Marketplace Professional Services Contract: Matt Robenalt asked the Board to consider
three organizations for professional services to support key portions of the Phase I feasibility of the
Community Marketplace concept. The CSU Center for Fair & Alternative Trade Studies and the Northern
Colorado Food Incubator will assist in determining program feasibility and management structures for both
the Market Hall and the Conscious Consumer Trust. These entities would be utilized throughout Phase I of
the project, subject to decision milestones. Staff would also like to engage the services of Corporation for
Positive Change to design and facilitate a forum planned for February 18-19th.
Moved by Mr. Keiffer, seconded by Mr, Brelig: To approve funding for professional service related
to the Community Marketplace Phase I Feasibility, and to authorize the Chair to enter into contracts
with the Northern Colorado Food Incubator in the amount of $55,900; with the Center for Fair &
Alternative Trade Studies in the amount of $136,650; and, with Corporation for Positive Change in
the amount of $8,000. The motion passed unanimously
TIF Agreement Update -Legal Counsel: DDA Legal Counsel Lucia Liley gave the Board an overview of
the pending TIF agreements with Latimer County and Poudre School District. Ms. Liley thanked Kathay
Rennels for her help in negotiating the agreement, which was discussed at the December 16'h meeting of
the Board of County Commissioners. The agreement provides for a bundle of projects and programs that
will receive 100 percent. A second tier of projects which includes affordable housing and recreational
facilities will be subject to negotiation between the DDA and County. A third catch-all group has been
added. In regard to the agreement with the school district, discussions have resulted in the outline of an
agreement which could allow 100 percent of the District's general fund mill and 50 percent of the mill
override and bond mill to be used by the DDA beginning tax year 2011 and continuing to the end of the 20
year extension. The balance of both the override and the bond mill would go into a special fund to be used
for investment in projects mutually agreed to by the Authority and the school district. This would be used
for educationally oriented projects in the DDA footprint. For example, the school district is very interested
in setting up a faculty training center. These discussions are continuing between the school district and
DDA staff.
OTHER BUSINESS
Sales Tax: December sales tax figures were handed out. The DDA district was down by 2.7% but did
better than anticipated. City collections were up slightly
UPDATES
Written updates were included in the Board packet. No further comments were made.
ADJOURN
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 10:50 a.m.
6AI
George Brelig, Sec tary