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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Estes Park Urban Renewal Authority 2007-09-19RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, September 19, 2007 Minutes of a AUTHORITY Meeting held Center, 1895 Commissioners: Attending: Also Attending: Absent: Regular meeting of the ESTES PARK URBAN RENEWAL of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, at the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Conference Fall River Road on the 19th day of September, 2007. Chairman Swank, Commissioners Cope, Ericson, Little, Repola, Steige, and Wilcocks Chairman Swank, Commissioners Cope, Ericson, Little, Repola, Steige, and Wilcocks EPURA Director Smith, Finance Director McFarland, Attorney Windholz, Lee Sammons, Bob Eck, Tom Pickering, Deputy Town Clerk Deats None Chairman Swank called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. COMMUNITY COMMENTS Paul Fishman/14ers Cafe stated that he had reviewed the Blight Study prepared by Terrance Ware and Associates. He noted that the narrow roadway lanes on MacGregor Avenue north of Park Lane were included in the study and questioned whether improvements to that area were being considered as an EPURA project. He also inquired as to EPURA’s interest in forming public/private partnerships to address renewing the appearance of the downtown area, and the extension of the Riverwalk in me area of the Park Theater Mall with the possible inclusion of restrooms. Chairman Swank stated that the Blight Study confirms the presence of blight in the survey area but does not necessarily define where future projects will be located. He noted that as a tenant of the Park Theater Mall, Mr. Fishman’s comments are important to EPURA as projects are identified. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS. onoe01/!5 j°ner ^ricson thanked Finance Dir. McFarland for providing copies of the 2006 Audit to the commissioners at the last regular meeting for review; 2) stated that cmfoA*0*611 Committee would tie-in with the partnership aspects of bPUr<A: and 3) stated that, in regard to eminent domain and other topics, the new urban renewal plan should be more inclusive, rather than to require additions and amendments to the plan at a later date. MINUTES. The minutes of the regular meeting held August 15, 2007, were approved. ACCEPTANCE OF 2006 AUDIT. Finance Dir. McFarland presented the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), calling attention to the auditor’s statement that the report is a fair representation of the respective financial position of the governmental activities and each major fund of the Estes Park Urban Renewal Authority as of December 31, 2006. He recommended the inclusion of a Management Discussion and Analysis, a narrative explaining the financial statement, for next year, and the Commissioners agreed. It was moved and seconded (Repola/Wilcocks) that the 2006 Audit be accepted as RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Estes Park Urban Renewal Authority - September 19, 2007 - Page 2 presented and it passed unanimously with Commissioner Little absent for the vote. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT. 1. Wiest Plaza - Dir. Smith stated the project is 99.9% complete and a final walk­ through is scheduled for Friday, September 21st at 9:00 a.m. The roof for the gazebo is being painted and scheduled for installation within the next few days. Scott Zurn, Director of Public Works, is working with CDOT to review options for striping the crosswalk on Moraine Avenue at Wiest Drive to ensure the safety of pedestrian traffic, due to the crosswalk’s proximity to the intersection of Moraine and Elkhorn Avenues. A press release will be prepared and sent to the local media and a dedication of the area will be scheduled. 2. Wiest Plaza - Emergency Vehicle Access - Dir. Smith is in receipt of a letter from Attorney Verd Bailey, who is representing Wiest Drive property owners Leta Nefzger and Mike Haber, regarding loading zones, the width of the roadway, and access to the area by emergency personnel and equipment. Chief Dorman evaluated the situation and found the area to be accessible. Attorney Windholz has written a response to Mr. Bailey’s correspondence. 3. Wiest Parking Lot Repair - Public Works Dir. Zurn requested EPURA’s participation in the repair of the Wiest parking lot. The lot would be over-layed with asphalt and re-striped at an approximate cost of $30,000. Dir. Zurn is proposing EPURA contribute half of the funds necessary to complete the repairs. Since the machinery used in the Wiest Drive project was a contributing factor to the condition of the parking lot, the Commissioners concurred. Dir. Zurn will get a written estimate of the costs and present the Commissioners with a formal request at the next regular EPURA meeting for consideration. 4. Extension of the Riverwalk - A goal of EPURA is to continue the Riverwalk on the east side of Moraine Avenue in the area of Park Theater Mall. Dir. Smith intends to pursue discussions with the property owner regarding the continuation of the Riverwalk provided financial resources remain to address this project. Commissioner Little joined the meeting at 9:30 a.m. WORK SESSION - PREPARATION OF URBAN RENEWAL PLAN. Lee Sammons of Sammons/Dutton and Bob Eck of DSW were present at the meeting to report on progress being made towards the development of a new urban renewal plan. Mr. Sammons stated that he had categorized the initial list of projects received from EPURA as either a Public Improvements Project or a Private Development Project and requested that the Commissioners provide input as to the completeness of the list. He stated that it was not necessary to prioritize the projects at this time, but to consider additions, deletions, or changes that may be necessary. The Commissioners discussed: 1. prioritizing the list of projects based on their importance to the community, 2. some projects may be addressed with remaining funds under the current urban renewal plan making it unnecessary to include them in the new plan, 3. a complete understanding of the projects including financial projections from Sammons/Duttons is necessary to prioritize the projects, 4. cost of the projects and how they will be funded, 5. Town financial support for EPURA and bonding, 6. property tax increment resets to zero at the end of 2008, 7. creating a detailed vision for the Town Board as to what the renewed EPURA will look like, 8. the importance of community involvement and the contributions of both the public and private sector, 9. natural growth would not have equaled growth realized with EPURA involvement. Discussion continued with the Commissioners addressing Projects 1-12 on the Public Improvement Projects list and Projects 14-17 on the Private Development Projects list RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Estes Park Urban Renewal Authority - September 19, 2007 - Page 3 individually. Mr. Sammons will edit the lists making changes, additions, and deletions as per the discussion. Mr. Sammons will also address the urban renewal area boundaries relative to the discussion of future projects, their locations, and the inclusion of the existing urban renewal area. Mr. Sammons expects the basic plan to be completed and presented to the Town Board by the end of the year. As a former member of the 2017 Committee, Commissioner Ericson stated that the Committee was interested in making the downtown more vibrant. He asked what role EPURA could play in revitalizing the look of the downtown area. A discussion followed in regard to implementing a fagade improvement program and methods of financing such. Attorney Windholz stated that a function of an urban renewal authority is to provide programs as well as projects, and suggested the Commissioners contact the Colorado Community Revitalization Association (CCRA) and local banks to research funding an improvement program. Dir. Smith also requested that the Commissioners consider whether EPURA should pursue the continuation of the kayak course project through Town which would attract kayakers and spectators to the area. Attorney Windholz recommended that the Commissioners begin discussions with Larimer County and other local taxing entities as soon as possible and obtain their positive participation and cooperation in the renewal of EPURA. Attorney Windholz reiterated and emphasized the points that must be addressed in the new urban renewal plan, and suggested bond attorney Rick Buddin be consulted in regard to funding. A listing of proposed projects, utilization of eminent domain, discussion of all types of financing and funding opportunities, should all be included in the new plan, as well as the points outlined in Mr. Windholz’s memo dated September 4, 2007. Whereupon, Chairman Swank adjourned the regular meeting at 12:10 p.m. /ia Deats, Deputy Town Clerk