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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/26/2008 ORIGINAL MINUTES WHEAT RIDGE URBAN RENEWAL AUTHORITY February 26, 2008 1. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER The meeting of the Wheat Ridge Urban Renewal Authority was called to order by Chair Williams at 6:00 p.m. in the council chambers of the Municipal Building, 7500 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS Authority Members Present: Rick Adams James Bahrenburg Janet Leo (left meeting at 7:21 p.m.) Walt Pettit Tom Radigan Larry Schulz Terrell Williams Also attending: Patrick Goff, Deputy City Manager Jeff Parker, WRURA Attorney Rob Osborn, Wheat Ridge 2020 Director Jerry DiTullio, Mayor Ann Lazzeri, Recording Secretary 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - January 29, 2008 There being no additions or corrections, the minutes of January 29, 2008 were accepted as presented. 4. PUBLIC FORUM . Rob Osborn reviewed the due diligence procedures which resulted in an option agreement for properties at 44th and Wadsworth. He stressed the importance ofWRURA proceeding with purchase of these properties for the following reasons: a large portion of which has sat vacant for thirty years; $10.50 per square foot seems a reasonable cost for this land; and the due diligence that has been accomplished along with PMUD zoning and availability of CDBG funds makes this property valuable to developers. There are developers who have indicated they are favorable to WRURA being the catalyst for redevelopment of this property. Mr. Osborn concluded by encouraging WRURA to move forward with the purchase of this property. . Mayor DiTullio thanked members for serving on WRURA. Bank financing would be available at 100% ofthe appraised price. The difference between WRURA Minutes - 1 - February 26, 2008 the asking price and the appraised price could be made up from WRURA's budget. He reminded Authority members that the city will loan up to $1.5 million toward purchase of this property and encouraged WRURA to move forward with the purchase. Rick Adams expressed some concern about paying the asking price when the appraisal came in lower. He was concerned that this could set a precedent for future purchases. Mayor DiTullio disagreed that this would set a precedent because each property purchase would be negotiated on its own merits. Larry Schulz commented that there have been instances where the city has purchased land to prevent development and this could be an opportunity to change the way the business and development community views opportunities in Wheat Ridge. . Susan Cordova of Bailey, Colorado addressed the Authority to encourage purchase of the property for redevelopment even ifit is necessary to pay a little more than market value. 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Resolution establishing a designated public place for the posting of meeting notices as required by the Colorado Open Meetings Law It was moved by Walt Petit and seconded by Larry Schulz to adopt a Resolution No. 01, 2008, a resolution establishing a designated public place for the postiug of meeting notices as required by the Colorado Opeu Meetings Law. The motion passed unanimously. There was discussion about amending WRURA bylaws which presently require three days written notice of a public meeting in a publication. Rick Adams commented that publishing in one of the daily newspapers is extremely expensive. Patrick Goff noted that publishing in the local newspaper requires several days advance publication notice. Janet Leo commented that information can be brought before the public in a timely manner via the city's website. Mr. Goffwas directed to bring a resolution back for the Authority's consideration which would amend the bylaws in regard to publishing notices. There was also a consensus for WRURA to meet on a regular basis, the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 6:00 p.m. WRURA Minutes -2- February 26, 2008 B. Engagement of Boud Counsel Based upon direction given at the last meeting, Terrell Williams stated that he had signed the letter engaging the services of Sherman & Howard LLC to act as bond counsel to the Authority. C. Revisions to the Karl Purchase Contract aud Lease Pertaining to Environmental Issues The services of Norman Higley PC were obtained for the purpose of reviewing the Karl Purchase Contract and Commercial Lease in order to provide recommendations to the Authority to limit its liability regarding the enviromnental contaminants found in the Antique Mall building. The revisions have been shared with Mr. Karl but, to date, no response has been received. The revisions were reviewed by the Authority. Mr. Higley recommended that an Asbestos Operation and Maintenance Plan be provided to Mr. Karl. Tenants of the Antique Mall would have to comply with this plan. HWS Consulting Group has quoted $4,795 to draft the plan. Other recommendations were to be discussed during executive session. Rick Adams expressed concern that water leaking through the ceiling could bring asbestos contamination with it. Patrick Goff stated that he would talk to the company that did the original enviromnental assessment to ask them to address this issue. It was moved by James Bahrenberg and seconded by Walt Pettit to accept the Lease Agreement as amended. The motion passed unanimously. There was a consensus to direct Patrick Goff to have an Asbestos and Operation Plan drafted in correlation with the lease ifWRURA makes the decision to proceed with the purchase agreement. 6. EXECUTIVE SESSION It was moved by Janet Leo and seconded by Rick Adams to enter into executive session to consider the purchase, acquisition, lease, transfer or sale of real, personal or other property pursuant to c.R.S. Section 24-6-402(4)(a); and to enter into an executive session under C.R.S. Section 24-6-402(4)(b) for the purpose of receiving legal advice regarding specific legal questions regarding the terminated 38th Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard redevelopment project. The motion passed unanimously. WRURA Minutes - 3 - February 26, 2008 The regular meeting was adjourned to executive session at 7:18 p.rn. The executive session was convened at 7:19 p.m. The executive session was adjourned at 8:44 p.m. The regular meeting was reconvened at 8:45 p.m. Jeff Parker made the following statement: 1, Jeff Parker, do hereby certify that the conversation I had with the Urban Renewal Authority under the attorney- client privilege involved all attorney-client privilege matters pursuant to C.R.S. Section 24-6-402(4)(b). 7. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Walt Petit and seconded by Tom Radigan to adjourn the meeting at 8:46 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. ~~ Terrell R. Williams, Chair /'7 V ~c7h - Ann Lazzeri, ReC~ry WRURA Minutes -4- February 26, 2008