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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Development Authority - Minutes - 11/13/2008DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Regular Directors' Meeting Jack Wolfe, Chairperson 495-1298 Kelly Ohlson, Council Liaison 219-9814 Kathay Rennels, County Liaison 498-7010 Joanna Stone, Staff Liaison 484-2020 MINUTES of November 13, 2008 REGULAR MEETING The Board of Directors of the Downtown Development Authority met in Regular Session at 7:30 a.m. on November 13, 2008 at the Elks Club, 140 East Oak St., Fort Collins, CO 80524. PRESENT George Brelig; McCabe Callahan; Kim Jordan; Ryan Keiffer; Kelly Ohlson; William Sears; Kathay Rennels; Patty Spencer; Steve Taylor; Jack Wolfe, Ellen Zibell ABSENT William Sears STAFF Chip Steiner, Executive Director; Matt Robenalt, Project Manager; Joanna Stone, Administrative Manager; Carol Bennis, Beet Street Executive Director; Kathy Cardona, Financial Coordinator; Lucia Liley, Legal Counsel GUESTS INCLUDED Darin Atteberry, Mike Freeman, Marty Heffernan & Bill Whirty, City of Fort Collins; Blue Hovatter; Ben Manvel, City Council; Joshua Liley, Liley, Rogers & Martell; David Short, DBA; Vivian Armendariz; Brad March & Willy Rowan, Elk Club; Jean Lamm, Beet Street; Cari Merrill, Coloradoan CALL TO ORDER Mr. Wolfe called the meeting to order at 7:35 a.m. Roll call was taken. APPROVAL OF MINUTES McCabe Callahan moved to approve the minutes of October 9, 2008 as amended. Seconded by Ryan Keiffer , and passed unanimously. BIG IDEAS No Big Ideas were presented BEETSTREET Carol Bennis presented the Beet Street Work Plan for 2009. Acting on the advice of consultants, Beet Street has concluded that they cannot restore the Elks piano to concert quality without affecting its integrity as a historic instrument. Staff recommended that the piano be offered to the Fort Collins Museum from the Elks, to be displayed in a stable environment in a new facility as a permanent exhibit. Programming details for the rest of the year and 2009 continue to be refined. There was good attendance at their "Afternoon in Space" and Science Cafe continues to attract and audience. The Thought Leaders series DDA Minutes November 13, 2008 Page 2 is coming together with the first speaker, Morgan Spurlock, scheduled for December 2vd, followed by Jean - Michel Cousteau in January. The series on immigration scheduled for spring 2009 will bring many organizations together. Ramsey Lewis has been confirmed for the Jazz Experience. PRIORITY PROJECTS UPDATE Hotel: This item was moved to the end of the agenda. Amphitheater: Staff has received the revised feasibility study. Some issues in the document still need to be clarified. Mr. Steiner asked the Board for guidance on next steps when the study is finalized in the next few days — could the DDA ask for an independent audit of the document and methodology or does Board want a second full study? The cost of a second feasibility study would be approximately $40-$50,000. Discussion followed, with Mr. Ohlson noting that City Council would like the most complete and thorough information possible when reviewing the matter. Mr. Atteberry added that he felt that both the City and Council want this project to happen and are requesting a thorough understanding and vetting of the issues. Board discussion concluded that a thorough study of the current feasibility study was needed before deciding on whether to conduct a second report. A committee representing a cross section of interests will take up the matter. This committee will include DDA and Beet Street staff; Darin Atteberry, Marty Heffernan, Ken Mannon and Mike Freeman of the City; Ben Manvel from City Council, DDA board members Ryan Keiffer, Kathay Rennels and Patty Spencer, and David Short and Kevin Jones of the DBA. The consultants will also be asked to present to both boards and the committee in December. Alleys: The draft proposal will be presented for Board approval at the December board meeting. The current estimate for public right-of-way improvements in ten alleys is $7,600,000. Staff also recommends setting up a design grant fund to help with design costs for business owners to get them started on private improvements. Community Market: The project team is currently planning a multiday community/stakeholder meeting to further refine the concept and receive input from key entities. Contracts for services with the Northern Colorado Food Incubator and CSU Center for Far & Alternative Trade Studies will soon be ready for Board approval. CONSENT AGENDA: Holiday Lights: Approval by the Board for the expenditure of $35,696 for replacement, expansion and installation/take down of holiday lights. Ice Rink: Approval of $40,000 for the set up and break down of the Old Town Square ice rink. GID Resolution: Resolution 2008-12 recommends to the Fort Collins City Council the approval of the allocation of 100% of the City of Fort Collins General Improvement District No. 1 property tax increment be paid into the DDA's Tax Increment Fund during our TIF extension period. Community Market Resolution: Resolution 2008-13 request Board approval of $700,000 for the pre - development budget of the Community Marketplace. This was endorsed at the annual retreat. Moved by Mr. Brelig, seconded by Mr. Keiffer: To adopt the four items on the Consent Agenda as presented. The motion passed unanimously. DDA Minutes November 13, 2008 Page 3 REGULAR AGENDA Downtown Security: The DDA has participated in the downtown security co-op since June 2007, in partnership with the library and museum, the downtown transit center and the Downtown Business Association. Fleming Security patrols the partner locations 9 hours a day with approximately 3 hours spent in Old Town Square. Staff feels that Fleming has performed the duties asked of them well. Concerns remain about security downtown, with a perception that problems have been increasing in the Square. The Board discussed the idea of funding extra police presence in the area. Mr. Atteber y offered to discuss the issue with Mr. Robenalt and Mr. Short. A business improvement district was suggested. Mr. Steiner will bring information on this matter to the next board meeting. 2009 Landscape Enhancements: The DDA is being asked by City and DDA staff to fund additional landscaping in 2009. It will cover the cost of additional planters and hanging displays. The request is for $50,031. Moved by Ms. Jordan, seconded by Mr. Taylor: To approve the expenditure of $50,031 for landscape enhancement. The motion passed unanimously. Cortina & Armstrong Hotel Amendments: Counsel Lucia Liley explained the request to amend agreements with Cortina and the Armstrong Hotel. At the time these agreements were entered into the DDA had a short life span, resulting in deficiencies. Counsel recommends amending these agreements in light of the legislative changes, extending the agreements allowing the DDA to capture the full increment owed by both projects. Moved by Mr. Taylor, seconded by Mr. Ohlson: To approve the extension of the payback term for both Cortina and the Armstrong Hotel and authorize the Board Chairperson to sign those new agreements. The motion passed unanimously. Elks Amendment: Legal counsel is drafting an amendment to the DDA agreement with the Elks to address two issues. The Elks would like to extend its use of the building for a few more months. Also, when the DDA originally purchased the building the intention was to soon deconstruct. In light of that intention, the original agreement gave the Elks the right to remove anything they wanted from the structure, which included the HVAC system, the elevator, plumbing fixtures and more. Some of these items would go for charitable purposes and others to salvage. Since the DDA no longer wishes to immediately demolish the building, the Elks have verbally agreed to leave the building functional until it comes down. Patio Agreement Discussion: Legal counsel requested Board direction concerning the Old Town Square and Opera Galleria patio license agreements and whether to change the fees assessed to conform with City policy on other sidewalk patios downtown. Counsel's recommendation is to include maintenance agreements and performance standards are more important than fee structure in these agreements. Moved by Ms. Jordan, seconded by Mr. Brelig: To align DDA patio licenses with City policies, adopting a lower fee schedule with the primary focus of such agreements being on performance. In addition, the Board chairperson will be authorized to sign such agreements. The motion passed unanimously. Executive Director Contract 2009: The Executive Committee recommended that the Board approve authorization for the Chair to enter into a contract with Matt Robenalt as the new Executive Director upon Chip Steiner's resignation on January 2, 2009. The main provisions of the contract are a one year term; a base salary of $97,500; four weeks vacation and other leaves in accordance with usual DDA practices; and a 9% contribution to the ICMA retirement account. Moved by Ms. Jordan, seconded by Mr. Taylor: To approve the contract for the new Executive Director for Matt Robenalt. The motion passed unanimously. Project Manager Position: This will be an immediate posting to fill the position being vacated by Matt Robenalt. With the growing number of major projects, staff hopes to add a program manager later in 2009. Moved by Ms. Jordan, seconded by Mr. Keiffer: To post the position of project manager. The motion passed unanimously. DDA Minutes November 13, 2008 Page 4 OTHER BUSINESS Bike Advisory Committee: David Kemp, City Bicycle Coordinator has set up an advisory committee. Kathy Cardona of the DDA will serve on that committee. UPDATES Sales Tax: Sales tax collections in the DDA footprint aligned with City figures for the month of October. Collections reflected a 10.7% drop in retail, with hotels and restaurants posting a 4% increase. Old Town Square Sculpture: Mr. Atteberry announced that the sculpture will be moved to a City property to make way for future art projects in the Square. EXECUTIVE SESSION Moved by Mr. Taylor, seconded by Mr. Keiffer: To move to Executive Session to discuss legal issues in connection with the contract with Corporex. This Executive Session for the purpose stated is authorized pursuant to CRS 24-6-402 (4) (1) (1). The motion passed unanimously. The meeting moved from Executive Session by declaration. No further action was taken. ADJOURN There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 10:45 a.m.