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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/15/2005 MINUTES OF WHEAT RIDGE URBAN RENEWAL AUTHORITY February 15,2005 5:30 p.m. ORIGINAL 1. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER The meeting of the Wheat Ridge Urban Renewal Authority meeting was called to order by Chair Williams at 5:32 p.m. in the council chambers of the Municipal Building, 7500 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS Commissioners present: Janet Leo Tom Mallinson Terrell Williams Pete Ziemke Also attending: Alan White, WRURA Executive Director Jeff Parker, WRURA Attorney Ann Lazzeri, Recording Secretary 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Tom Mallinson and seconded by Pete Ziemke to approve the minutes of January 18, 2005 as presented. The motion passed unanimously. 4. PUBLIC FORUM Mayor Gretchen Cerveny Mayor Cerveny requested to be placed on a future Urban Renewal meeting agenda to present the strategic plan developed by City Council in July. There was a consensus of the Authority to schedule Mayor Cerveny's presentation for the meeting of March 1,2005. Kelly Zielbauer 5280 W. 38th Avenue Ms. Zielbauer asked to know the status of the 38th and Sheridan project. Chair Williams explained that since the project was cancelled six months ago, Cornerstone Development filed a lawsuit against the Authority. The initial hearing was held in December at which time a ruling was made to require court approval for any and all WRURA expenditures. To this date, the judge has not made a final ruling on the case. Therefore, no further settlements with property owners can be made at this time. WRURA Minutes 02-15-05 Page 1 Ms. Zielbauer stated that she has entered into negotiations to sell her property and that on two occasions (one on February 4, 2005) prospective buyers came to the city building and were told that her property is earmarked for a Walgreens and that they wouldn't suggest entering into a contract with Ms. Zielbauer. Chair Williams asked Ms. Zielbauer to identify the individual(s) who gave the information to the prospective buyers. Ms. Zielbauer replied that she did not know the name(s) but was in the process of obtaining statements that would identify the people. Chair Williams reiterated that the project had been cancelled by WRURA and there are no intentions on the part ofWRURA to do anything with this location. He asked legal counsel if it were fair to assume that the urban renewal project at 38th and Sheridan could never be revived. Mr. Parker replied that there is only an extremely remote chance that could happen. Kelli Zielbauer requested the Authority to either purchase her property or compensate her for damages. If this doesn't occur, she stated that she would enter into a lawsuit against the Authority. Robert Wallace 3749 Sheridan In light ofWRURA funds being frozen, Mr. Wallace stated that he "would bet" that Don Ostrander was still receiving compensation for his services. Chair Williams explained that, to his knowledge, the judge has given no approval for expenditures of any funds since the initial ruling. Danica Filonowich 5280 W. 38th Avenue Ms. Filonowich is co-owner of the above property with her sister, Kelli Zielbauer. She stated that she concurred with her sister's comments and that she did not believe the Authority had honored its obligation to them. Since their former tenant moved out, they have been unable to rent or sell the property because the newspapers have published information about the lawsuit between WRURA and Cornerstone. Chair Williams stated that the Authority has attempted to be sensitive to the tenants' and property owners' situations. The Authority has, through its attorneys, made efforts to negotiate settlements with each tenant and property owner. He assured those present that the Authority will do whatever it can as quickly as it can to resolve their concerns; however, it is not known at this time when that will be. Janet Leo requested that Ms. Zielbauer provide the names of those at the city who provided information to prospective buyers to Alan White as soon as possible. WRURA Minutes 02-15-05 Page 2 5. NEW BUSINESS Alan White introduced Tim Sittema and Evan Lichtenfels of Sittema Properties and advised that Mr. Sittema had expressed interest in developing an urban renewal project at 44th and Wadsworth. Mr. Sittema reviewed his past experience in developing urban renewal type areas. He requested an executive session to discuss the specific details of his plan. Mr. Parker ruled that it would be legal to hold an executive session for this purpose. 5. EXECUTIVE SESSION It was moved by Janet Leo and seconded by Tom Mallinson that the Wheat Ridge Urban Renewal Authority enter into an executive session on February 15,2005, to determine positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations, develop a strategy for negotiations and/or instruct negotiators, pursuant to CRS Section 24-6-402(4)(e). The motion passed unanimously. The regular meeting was adjourned at 6: 1 0 p.m. The executive session was convened in the lobby conference room at 6: 12 p.m. Those present for the executive session were as follows: Janet Leo, Tom Mallinson, Terrell Williams, Pete Ziemke, Alan White, Jeff Parker, Ted Sittema, Evan Lichtenfels, Barbara Delgadillo and Ann Lazzeri. The executive session was adjourned at 6:37 p.m. 7. RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING The regular meeting was reconvened at 6:38 p.m. 8. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Authority, it was moved by Tom Mallinson and seconded by Janet Leo to adjourn the regular meeting at 6:40 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. ------- =VVvif};?~~ Terrell Williams, Chair /7 V {LJr;:k ~ Ann Lazzeri, sec~ WRURA Minutes 02-15-05 Page 3