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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/16/2001 ORIGINAL MINUTES OF WHEAT RIDGE URBAN RENEWAL AUTHORITY January 16,2001 7:00 p.m. 1. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER The Wheat Ridge Urban Renewal Authority meeting was called to order by Norm Burkpi1e at 7:00 p.m. Marilyn Force and Kandi Arce were introduced as new members of the Authority. 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS Commissioners present: Kandi Arce Norm Burkpile Sandra Collins Vance Edwards Marilyn Force Jim Goddard Janet Leo Margy Platter Commissioners absent: Rae Jean Behm Dick Matthews Elwyn Kiplinger Also attending: Alan White, Planning Director Jim Windholz, Urban Renewal Attorney Ann Pitinga, Grants Administrator Roger Loecher Ann Lazzeri, Secretary 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the regular meeting of December 19, 2000 were presented for consideration. It was moved by VANCE EDWARDS and seconded by SANDRA COLLINS to approve the minutes as presented. The motion passed unanimously. 4. PUBLIC FORUM There were none present to address the Authority. 5. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business to come before the Authority. WRURA Minutes 01/16/01 Page 1 6. NEW BUSINESS A. Election of Officers - It was moved by VANCE EDWARDS and seconded by SANDRA COLLINS to elect Dick Matthews as Chair and Norm Burkpile as Vice Chair ofthe Wheat Ridge Urban Renewal Authority. The motion passed unanimously. B. Blil!:ht Studv - Selection of Consultants to Interview - Alan White informed the Authority that three proposals had been received in response to RFQ's to perform a blight study at 44th and Ward and the area near 44th and Wadsworth and asked how the Authority wished to proceed in . selecting firms to be interviewed. Jim Windholz requested direction regarding a late submittal from Clarion. The application was not accepted by the purchasing department because it arrived ten minutes late. However, Clarion explained that they sent the proposal with a courier at 11 :30 with a promise that it would be delivered on time. The courier decided to take a lunch break and did not deliver the proposal until 2: 1 0 p.m. There was discussion regarding the importance of selecting the most qualified consultant for this project. Rules provide guidelines but should not be so strict that they would prevent the achievement of a desired objective. There was a consensus of the Authority to accept the proposal from Clarion contingent upon approval by City Council. Mr. Windholz received a copy of the proposal with the following letter which he read into the record: Dear Jim: I'm sure you have already heard the details regarding the rejection of our proposal. We were very disappointed that a circumstance beyond our control prevented its acceptance. Regardless, Chris has asked me to mail you a copy of the proposal, so here it is. Please let Chris or myselfknow if you have any questions or comments. Sincerely, Heidi Henderson. Copies ofthe proposal sent to Mr. Windholz were made for members of the Authority to review in addition to the other three proposals. Bids were received from the following firms: HTNB Corporation; Arthur L. Anderson & Associates, Inc.; BRW;and Clarion Associates, LLC. All firms, with the exception of Clarion, bid on both projects. Clarion bid only on the 44th and Ward road project. In response to a request from the Authority, Mr. Windholz offered his opinion on each of the consultants as it related to his experience with them. WRURA Minutes 01/16/01 Page 2 There was discussion regarding whether or not to have both studies done by the same consultant. Clarion is at a disadvantage by only bidding on one. Alan White commented that it would be to staffs advantage to have the same consultant for both studies in terms of the time it takes to familiarize a group with all the aspects ofthe project. . Vance Edwards informed that the city is planning to do a test redevelopment project using $500,000 from the capital improvement fund and $100,000 from community development block grant (CDBG) funds to provide funding and architectural services for businessmen along a portion of 38th A venue to upgrade the front of their buildings. The reason for considering 38th A venue is that many basic elements have already been installed; for example, the street lighting. The test project, by adding the finishing touches, would result in an example of a completed redevelopment area. In addition, the city is also looking at the Main Street USA program that would require a half-time director. This program would assist in developing a merchants' group which would be involved in the determination of business districts, etc. There was discussion concerning the possibility of adding 38th A venue from Sheridan to Wadsworth as an additional urban renewal area. Designating an urban renewal area would establish a base and any taxes in the future above that base would go directly to the Urban Renewal Authority. This would allow that money to be refunneled into the urban renewal area. Jim Windholz advised the Authority of a recent District Court ruling that says urban renewal authorities do not come under the Tabor Amendment. However, the case will be appealed. It was moved by Vance Edwards and seconded by Sandra Collins to add 38th Avenue from Sheridan to Wadsworth as a third project for the blight study process. The motion passed unanimously. Vance Edwards will present this information to City Council at the February 23 study session. He asked for the Authority to work on the urban renewal matter and bring information back to the Authority. He asked for volunteers to form a subcommittee. It was moved by Vance Edwards and seconded by Marilyn Force that a subcommittee be formed to work directly with businesses and staff and present findings and recommendations to the Urban Renewal Authority and WRURA Minutes 01/16/01 Page 3 City Council. The subcommittee will consist of Vance Edwards, Sandra Collins and Marilyn Force. The motion passed unanimously. It was moved by Marilyn Force and seconded by Sandra Collins to interview Clarion, Anderson and HTNB as possible consultants to do the blight studies. The motion passed unanimously. Interviews will take place on Friday, January 19,2001. As many WRURA members as possible should participate in the interview process. 7. OTHER MATTERS A. Wheat Ridl!:e Town Center Tax Increment (December 2000) Alan White presented a report on the December sales tax figures for the Wheat Ridge Town Center. 8. EXECUTIVE SESSION - It was moved by Sandra Collins and seconded by Margy Platter to adjourn to executive session with staff and attorney to discuss negotiation strategies for the potential acquisition of properties for redevelopment purposes. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned to executive session at 8:27 p.m. It was moved by Vance Edwards and seconded by Sandra Collins that the executive session be adjourned to the regular meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The executive session was adjourned to the regular meeting at 8:50 p.m. 9. ADJOURNMENT - It was moved by Vance Edwards and seconded by Janet Leo to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:00 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. '" ~p~ ~ t:L~A~ Ann Lazzeri, Secretary WRURA Minutes 01/16/01 Page 4