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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Estes Park Urban Renewal Authority 2009-12-16RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, December 16, 2009 Minutes of a Regular meeting of the ESTES PARK URBAN RENEWAL AUTHORITY of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the Municipal Building in said Town of Estes Park on the 16th day of December, 2009. Commissioners: Attending: Also Attending: Absent: Chairman Newsom, Commissioners Blume, Halburnt, Little, White and Wilcocks Chairman Newsom, Commissioners Blume, Halburnt, White and Wilcocks EPURA Executive Director Richardson and Deputy Town Clerk Deats Commissioner Little Chairman Newsom called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m. COMMUNITY COMMENTS. Jim Cope, Town resident, spoke about the significant, positive impact a performing arts center would have on the Town of Estes Park and requested that the Commissioners consider working with the Supporters of the Performing Arts (SOPA) to move towards getting such a facility built. He asked the Commissioners to consider a performing arts center a priority on a list of possible future projects and stated that SOPA is not looking for EPURA to finance the whole project, as SOPA currently has over $1 million in cash and pledges and sees EPURA’s support as a way to garner more pledges. The Commissioners discussed the topic and all concurred that research has been done that indicates a theater would be a boost to the economy and an asset to the community. They pointed out that, at this time, EPURA does not have monies available to dedicate to a performing arts center and that the project would require the approval and support of the Town Board. It was moved and seconded (Wilcocks/White) that a performing arts center be considered a top priority project as EPURA moves forward into the future, and it passed unanimously, with Commissioner Blume abstaining due to a conflict of interest. Charley Dickey, Town resident, voiced his support for the continuation of EPURA. He said the expeditious replacement of the Park Theater Mall is paramount to downtown businesses and posed a question as to how EPURA could work with the owner of the Mall in a public/private partnership to rebuild following the fire. He questioned the Town’s commitment to EPURA by noting that the Town has not committed sales tax tax increment financing (TIF) to EPURA. Commissioner Halburnt pointed out that there has never been a year that EPURA did not receive $200,000 in sales tax TIF from the Town. She underscored the fact that the Park Theater Mall is a privately owned property and that a decision to work together would be that of the property owner. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS. Commissioner Blume thanked Paul Fishman for his dedication and loyalty to our community. Chairman Newsom thanked the League of Women Voters for conducting a forum regarding EPURA, and the Friends of EPURA for conducting meetings to provide information about EPURA to the public. He said that a formal ground breaking ceremony will be held on Thursday, December 17th at the grandstands construction site. MINUTES. The minutes of the regular meeting held November 18, 2009, were approved. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Estes Park Urban Renewal Authority - December 16, 2009 - Page 2 RESOLUTION #393 - 2009 SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION. Finance Officer McFarland reported that EPURA currently operates with three different funds: a general fund, a capital fund, and a debt service fund. Resolution #393 adjusts the balances in these funds to comply with state statutes and closes out the capital and debt service funds. He stated EPURA received $200,000 from the Town of Estes Park for operating expenses and an additional approximately $20,000 in TIF and interest. He reported that EPURA realized a savings of approximately $60,000 in payroll and legal expenses during 2009 resulting in a transfer of $1,348 million from the capital to the general fund. These funds will be utilized for the Fagade Improvement Program, the Grandstands project, and as a contingency account for funding needs in 2009. Any unspent funds will be returned to the fund balance for 2010. It was moved and seconded (BlumeAA/hite) to approve Resolution #393 adopting supplemental appropriations to the 2009 budget, and it passed unanimously. CHANGE ORDER - GRANDSTANDS PROJECT CONCESSION AREA FINISHES. Executive Director Richardson stated that as a result of negotiations with the Lions Club regarding construction of the new concessions building at the grandstands, the Lions Club has requested that the following items be paid for by EPURA/Town of Estes Park as owner finishes: Sinks, fixtures and plumbing Countertops Cabinets Shelves and racks The Ad Hoc committee concurred with the Lions Club request, the cost of which will raise project costs above the approved $2,121 million. Based on Finance Officer McFarland’s report on the budget earlier in the meeting, EPURA has the additional $40,000 to $50,000 required to cover the cost of the change order making it unnecessary to approach the Town Board for additional monies at this time. Joe Evans, Lions Club President, stated that the Lions Club is currently negotiating their concession stand lease agreement with the Town of Estes Park. He said that although the Lions Club has not yet committed to a new agreement to run the concession stand, the decision to approve the change order will prepare the facility for future concessionaire(s). It was moved and seconded (White/Blume) to approve the change order to the concession stand and increase the cost of the grandstand project by a not to exceed amount of $50,000, and it passed unanimously. FACADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AND PARK THEATER MALL BUSINESSES. Executive Director Richardson informed the Commissioners of a Fagade Improvement Program application made by Charlie Fauts, owner of Wynbrier. Wynbrier was previously located in the Park Theater Mall and is relocating to 238 E. Elkhorn Avenue. Following review of the application and a conversation with Mr. Fauts, Executive Director Richardson requested that the Commissioners consider waiving the Fagade Improvement Program’s matching requirement for the twelve businesses affected by the Park Theater Mall fire if the business owners choose to relocate their businesses or wait for the mall to be rebuilt. He proposed that the twelve displaced businesses be eligible for an $1800 grant without a matching expenditure, for a total cost of $21,600. Discussion followed and is summarized: the extraordinary circumstances of the fire might merit an increase to the grant amount; waiving the match requirement is problematic as business owners are expected to invest in the improvements; this is an opportunity to provide support to the businesses affected by the fire; the proposal deviates from the original plan and violates the guidelines of the program; both the property owner and the tenant can submit applications for fagade improvements and be considered on a case by case basis; and the guidelines of the Fagade Improvement Program do not eliminate the ability for requests for partnerships to come before the EPURA Commissioners. Paul Fishman, 14ers Cafe and Town resident, concurred with the Commissioners that RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Estes Park Urban Renewal Authority - December 16, 2009 - Page 3 business owners should be required to make a matching investment and suggested a separate program with a different match percentage and a time limit be created for business owners affected by the fire. A motion made by Commissioner Wilcocks to not move forward with changes to the Fapade Improvement Program based on Mr. Fauts’ request died for the lack of a second. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT. Ad Hoc Committee — At a recent Town Board meeting the Trustees discussed the Grandstands Project and the role of the Ad Hoc Committee. The Trustees concurred that the participation of the Ad Hoc Committee would be valuable throughout the project and that the Committee should remain available at Executive Director Richardson’s discretion, in an advisory capacity only, to discuss issues related to the Grandstands. The Ad Hoc Committee will be provided updates on a five to six week basis. Reports on the project are provided to the Town Board and the EPURA Commissioners monthly. 2. Financial Report - The total dollar amount committed to the Grandstands Project by EPURA and the Town Board is $2,121 million which includes a contingency amount of $25,575. Cost increases and change order costs will be monitored closely and all options explored in order to complete the project within the budgetary guidelines. Commissioner Halburnt requested a full financial accounting of remaining EPURA funds subsequent to committing an additional $50,000 to a change order which was approved earlier in the meeting to determine whether there may be additional funds to add to the project contingency. UPDATE - GRANDSTANDS AT STANLEY PARK FAIRGROUNDS. Roger Thorp, Thorp Associates, provided an update on the grandstands project. He stated that despite unseasonably cold weather, the barrier wall between the grandstand and the arena has been poured and utility work continues on site. A cost for the changes related to redesigning the facility to accommodate year-round use is being compiled by the contractor. He said that the steel building provider has been difficult to work with and noted that the building, which will go up quickly once received, is the most critical element in completing the project on time, and estimated that the project is approximately 15% to 16% complete at this time. Whereupon, Chairman Newsom adjourned the regular meeting at 9:56 a.m. CynWa^eats, Deputy Town Clerk