HomeMy WebLinkAboutEconomic Advisory Commission - Minutes - 10/21/2015MINUTES
CITY OF FORT COLLINS
ECONOMIC ADVISORY COMMISSION
Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Location: CIC Room, City Hall, 300 Laporte Ave.
Time: 11:00am–1:30pm
For Reference
Wade Troxell, Mayor & Council Liaison
Josh Birks, Staff Liaison 221-6324
Dianne Tjalkens, Minutes 221-6734
Commission Members Present Commission Members Absent
Sam Solt, Chair Kim Dale
Linda Stanley
Denny Otsuga
Ann Hutchison
Kristin Owens
Ted Settle
Glen Colton
Staff Present Staff Absent
Josh Birks, Economic Health Director
Dianne Tjalkens, Admin/Board Support
Guests
Dale Adamy, citizen
Kirtane Chiron, citizen
Meeting called to order at 11:05am
Review and Approval of Minutes:
Ted moved and Glen seconded a motion to approve the September minutes as presented.
Motion passed unanimously, 5-0-0. Linda and Ann arrived after vote.
Agenda Review—Ted, Josh and Sam met last week to discuss agenda planning. Will ensure items are
relevant and the commission is able to make constructive comment. Economic growth will be major topic
forthcoming.
Public Comment—None
Commission Member/Staff Updates—Rockies Venture Club had Colorado Capital Conference. Eight
companies pitched ideas (none from Fort Collins). EnConnect is strategic partner of RVC and is
presenting Pitch Academy, a course that teaches how to present to angel investors. First course December
2. Will occur quarterly.
• City can publicize and will entertain writing a scholarship if there is interest.
• Innosphere has separate agreement with RVC to provide the course to their partners.
• 88 companies applied; narrowed down to 8 to present.
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AGENDA ITEM 1— Midtown Plan Area Modification
Substantial change to Midtown Urban Renewal Plan (Prospect to Fairway, along College, including
commercial properties on east and west sides, and the mall). House Bill 2015-1348 requires the URA
board have representation from underlying taxation entities: county, school districts, other special districts
(health district, library district, etc.). Poudre and Thompson school districts will appoint one elected board
member. The special districts will have to agree up on one member as well. The mayor can appoint an
additional member to create an odd number of participants. Mayor Troxell has chosen to use an election
process similar to the current board member appointment process. Any plan that is created after January
1, or is amended or modified, must go through negotiations to determine how much funding is allocated
to that plan area. However, it is unclear in the statute what constitutes an amendment or modification.
There are two tax districts in the Midtown URA, one at Prospect and College and the second at the mall.
The Prospect and College district includes commercial property north of Prospect, east and west of
College. The URA is allowed to spend tax increment outside the area boundaries if there is a clear nexus,
but better to use only within the district. End result will be new Midtown plan area that will connect the
two districts with a College right-of-way, since the area must be contiguous. If wanted to look at Kmart
property, for example, would have to start at the beginning, looking at blight, existing conditions,
boundaries, financial arrangements, etc. Have been working with underlying tax districts to create a
regional impact model for any proposed project that impacts those districts. This went to Planning and
Zoning Board and the plan is in compliance. City Council approved a resolution to hold a public hearing
December 1, at which point City Council will consider the proposed amendment. Sending County Impact
Report to County; the City is removing property from the boundaries so there is no impact. This should be
good news to County and other underlying tax districts. Showing that we are planning to be in
compliance with new statute.
Discussion/Q & A:
• Putting two properties into Midtown prevents having to renegotiate entire area?
o If follow strategy previously used, if amended Midtown Plan to create new tax districts
could cause City to have to renegotiate both existing tax districts. Choosing to remove
areas where might create new districts to protect existing activities.
o If didn’t do that and had to renegotiate, who would be on the hook? Ex: Mall, some of the
money has to go back to the district, but there is a pre-existing agreement?
Bond was issued assuming access to 100% of underlying tax increment. Whole
bond could get called into question. Want to ensure not doing any activity that
would trigger renegotiation of existing areas. Ensuring isolation of things we
have already done and compliance with future regulations.
• What if someone comes in and wants to do URA project at Prospect?
o Not clear in statute as written. Is a new building in the district a “project” or
“activity/undertaking”? Hoping this will be clarified.
o Alternative is to take out areas that have not been redeveloped.
Already collecting increment in the defined areas. Do not want to call financial
arrangements into question.
• Why do tax districts need to be connected?
o Legally, there is a contiguousness requirement. Some have asked about created a new
plan for each district, but that could trigger starting over negotiations.
• Aggregate impact is of interest. How many plans do we have and how do they work together?
o New statute means future urban renewal will occur on smaller scale, one project at a
time, rather than having a big district turning on increment and hoping projects will come
in. Adds time to process by having to go back to existing conditions survey and impact
study. Will make some definition changes in plans to make sure language is consistent
with new statute.
• TIF is used too much and other entities lose out. Prudent to make these changes. Tax payers bear
the brunt if this goes south.
• Prudent and conservative way to take care of this issue. Have been concerned about overuse of
TIF, more so in other parts of the state. Glad state legislature passed a statute that allows other
entities to have more say.
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Linda moved and Ann seconded the following motion:
The Economic Advisory Commission recommends Council approve the proposed changes to the
Midtown Urban Renewal Plan area boundary.
Motion passed unanimously, 7-0-0.
AGENDA ITEM 2— Quarterly Staff Update
Council commitments include innovation economy, Foothills Mall, and cross departmental projects.
Innovation Economy includes focus groups and public engagement and potential IEP (innovation and
economic prosperity) designation for CSU to determine how it links its activities into the community for
economic development. CSU has indicated they would like a ½ time staff person from the City, but EHO
does not have the capacity. Also looking to work with County on economic asset mapping project. EHO
is supporting five clusters. Also looking at energy, health care, and advanced manufacturing sectors.
For Foothills Mall, still working on underpass. Found major telecommunications trunk line below north
bound lanes of College. It is not as deep as expected. Potential solution is to enter and exit pedestrian
underpass at 8’, but with “headache bars” for raised area at 7’4”. Adding more cost than anticipated.
Original plans only replaced one side of bridge, but don’t want to accept infrastructure with no useful life
left. Now have to replace entire bridge, adding additional cost. Overall increase is $700-800K. Activity
Center is under construction. Experienced significant weather delay. Expect soft opening, with grand
opening by end of the year. Planned activities starting January 1. Will include community room, kids
room, dance/aerobic room, basketball gym, cardio/weight lifting area—similar to Northside, but smaller.
Center will be deeded to the City once construction is complete and City will operate. Working on third
amendment to redevelopment and reimbursement agreement. Funds added for enhancements beyond
original scope.
For broadband, suggest voting. Proceeding with benchmarking and will resume market study and public
engagement after election. Wrapping up public engagement on Trolley Barn Reuse project. There are
questions around environmental contaminants on the site. Trying to understand what it would take to
make the building habitable for use. Could proceed with an RFP, or instruct staff to find grants to
remediate first-cost issues for any use. Top use identified by public is marketplace. Alternately could put
together coalition partners to address issues to deliver community marketplace. RFP would leave use
open to bidders. Last option is to delay action on this item. Sending memo to Council.
Other ongoing items:
Primary employer assistance sometimes includes financial assistance. Have about 8 active leads on
financial assistance packages. Managing past recipient rebates, compliance with agreements,
appropriating pledged assistance, etc.
NCEDC and NCEA have merged. NCEDC has provided remaining resources for NCEA to move
forward. NCEA is acting as regional entity with Larimer and Weld counties, and wants to focus on
outbound marketing to primary employers. City involvement is to make sure marketing message is
consistent with Fort Collins image and values. City is picking up some of NCEDC’s activities,
including facilitation of solicitations. NCEA will make sure have high quality data on labor force and
related issues.
Limited URA activity. Small project on North College—assistance with stormwater system. Will
handle some surface flows from adjacent properties and Hickory. Total cost is $136K, and will
generate over $70K increment annually. Good investment of tax increment dollars. A portion of cost is
eligible for repay when adjacent projects develop. Presenting to Council Finance on Monday.
Talking with developer of Downtown hotel about partnership for parking structure.
Received $0.5M from EPA to do brownfield assessments. Will fund cleanup for 6-8 properties. One
site considering is Trolley Barn. This grant intended for private sites; EPA may have other funds to
help with Trolley Barn.
Discussion/Q & A:
• CSU doing IEP project will be statewide answer, not City.
o CSU receiving this designation will reflect well on Fort Collins, but it is a CSU activity.
We can cheer them on as a stakeholder.
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o What will they get from this designation?
Don’t know benefits.
Discriminator, feather in the cap.
Self-assessment required to apply is a positive process to go through. Already
doing this on smaller scale with asset map.
• Trolley Barn as National Preservation site?
o Local, and perhaps national already. Could probably qualify for grants. Need to
understand issues and get outside grant money to resolve.
o Is DDA involved?
A stakeholder. Could provide assistance on facade enhancements. Costs to get it
ready exceed what DDA can provide. With limited resources DDA has decided
to focus on alleyways and other public improvements. De-prioritized a
community marketplace. They are engaged as a stakeholder.
• Broadband issue is to get exemption from the state statute?
o Yes. Municipality is prohibited from supplying telecom infrastructure. There would have
to be another vote if create another utility, even if public-private partnership.
• City giving any funds to NCEA?
o City used to donate $10K to NCEDC as well as paying on a contract for services. That
has ended as NCEDC no longer exists. NCEA has not asked for funds.
o Larimer County strategy?
NCEA wants to focus on marketing strategy for region. Employers care about
labor shed. Larimer County is focused on providing economic development
services to businesses in the county. County is developing regional economic
development strategy that can set up for grant funding. Movement toward better
regional cooperation.
Will the County talk to the commission?
• Yes. Next month will give presentation and continue with updates.
Thought the County was focusing on farms, local farms, etc., not attracting
primary employers to rural areas.
• Their role is open at this point. Going through stakeholder engagement
process to determine. Commissioners will determine.
• Things EHO is not doing?
o Many items on strategic plan are on hold. In process of hiring another staff member.
o Commission should know what EHO is unable to do, in order to advocate for staff.
o Also timetracking. Determined 20% spent on unanticipated projects, 20% on five projects
last year. Also projecting time per staff person per project. Will help show how
unanticipated projects interfere with work plan.
• What is happening with Upstate?
o Hired new ED, Rich Werner, who is well connected.
AGENDA ITEM 3—2016 Work Plan
Josh modified 2015 plan as starting draft. EAC was formed in 2005, out of a City convened group that
published a report that became an economic health action plan. Purpose is to provide input to City
Council as well as stay up to date on issues that affect the local economy. Overview topics in work plan
can be used as a filter for presentations. Might also consider creating a list of what must be done versus
what the commission would like to work on. The focus is exploration of the area of growth, with possible
product of recommendation to Council. Section on prioritization, meeting structure (listen & clarify vs.
discuss & act), and agenda reviews. Also includes current topics based on 6-month planning calendar.
Discussion/Q & A:
• Trying to become more relevant, so want to get things like growth on the agenda to talk about in
constructive way. Want to get ear of City Council and visible traction.
o Every board has this discussion, about becoming more relevant. Think this is because of
how things are translated to Council. Issue is in avenue of being heard.
Council has huge packets. Items get buried.
o Weitkunat has commented to the commission on its work. So has Mayor Troxell.
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o There is no silver bullet.
o Every person on the commission has an opinion on growth, and we can come up with a
position statement representative of this group.
o Commission role is providing insight to Council, not to take action. Feedback.
• Missing innovation as a topic. Key part of EHO work plan. Will impact work force.
o Agree.
o Growth is the head, and all the other pieces are topics within.
Growth is something we discuss often.
• List is way to filter requests to visit; should be areas of economic impact that are of interest. May
be good to narrow the field to things that impact or are impacted by the economy.
• Would like to look more closely at how EHO integrates with other two legs of TBL.
Communities that have focused on economic vitality have suffered in environmental and social
arenas. Traffic congestion, unaffordable housing, increased poverty, I-25 issues, etc. What are we
trying to protect? Don’t want to become Silicone Valley.
o Growth is the overarching term: can be positive or negative, and plan to discuss all
aspects.
o Becoming more thoughtful/aware of interactions of TBL, effect of growth on community,
can be addressed in descriptive paragraph.
Growth is more people, more business, more built environment.
• Recommend moving Main Focus paragraph before the overview topics.
o Living document. Can adjust as we learn.
• Growth is large/intangible topic. May want to outline positive growth aspects, and address
negative impacts in discussions.
o Is the GMA a given?
It is subject to change, but has been ratified a number of times by the community.
Culture would have to change for any significant future changes to be made.
Hitting natural boundaries as well: mountains, other communities, etc.
• Is the commission still in the mode of being reactive, or will it have an element of proactive?
o In 2016, the growing community and its impacts is the proactive piece. Agenda outline
has six sessions of discussions on this topic throughout the year, including
presentations/data. Plan on presenting information to Council at end of year.
o Should we list specific topics of the six sessions on growth? Large conference center
would have great economic impact to this city.
Can list out individual topics, and/or can be more than six sessions. Actionable
policy recommendation should be end product of growth conversations. Will
have presentation on how City Plan works with anticipated trends based on
historical data. Can have conversation on whether current strategy is right
direction.
o Would like to see language about including proactive direction in plan.
Make sure includes dual-function. Mayor and Council still need feedback.
• Also include water.
o Go broader with utilities: water, broadband, power/energy, etc. effected by growth.
• Include diversity, racial and cultural, as well as economic diversity (business type, industries,
local production, etc.)
ACTION ITEM: Josh will make revisions based on discussion. Will be distributed for further input via
email. To be voted on in November meeting.
Other Discussion:
New members in January, elections in February.
Meeting Adjourned: 1:32pm
Next Meeting: November 18
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