HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/15/2000MINUTES OF WHEAT RIDGE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND REVITALIZATION COMMISSIOn
FEBRUARY 15, 2000
7:00 P.M.
1. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER
The Wheat Ridge Economic Development and Revitalization Commission meeting was
called to order by Chairman ROACH at 7:00 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS
Commissioners present:
Norm Burkpile
Sandra Collins
John Hall
Elwyn Kiplinger
Janet Leo
Richard Matthews
Margy Platter
Jerry Roach
Also attending were: Valerie Adams, City Manager
Vance Edwazds, City Councilman
Alan White, Planning Director
Martin Orner, Economic Development Specialist
Ann Lazzeri, Recording Secretary
3. CONSIDERATION OF ABSENCES
There was consensus of the Commission that the absence of Rae Jean Behm be excused.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Commissioner BURKPILE and seconded by Commissioner MATTHEWS
to approve the minutes of the January 18, 1999 EDARC meeting. The motion carried
unanimously.
5. PUBLIC FORUM
No one appeared to speak.
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Scope of Services for Economic Revitalization Plan - Alan White presented this matter
and asked for input from the Commission regazding the outline prepared by staff for a
request for proposal (RFQ). He also invited Commission members to attend a joint meeting
EDARC Minutes
02/IS/00
with the City Council on February 22, 2000. The purpose of the meeting is to revisit
EDARC's role w•ith the new council members.
There was discussion about refining the definition of "economic revitalization plan". There
was a suggestion that the word "economic" could be eliminated from the title. Another
name (Plan to Ensure the Economic Vitality of Wheat Ridge) was also suggested.
There was discussion of the RFQ process:
9 Requests for cjualifications (RFQ) should be sent out before proceeding with requests for
proposals (RFQ's). The RFQ would establish a firm's qualifications.
• A pre-qualification meeting could be held in conjunction with a tour of the city. The
tour would- give prospective applicants an idea of what the city's needs are in prepazing
their proposals. Only serious applicants would be interested in attending such a meeting.
• A vision should be developed for specific azeas of the city for that time when an
opportunity for development or redevelopment occurs. If there is a good idea of what
coald happen in specific azeas such as infrastructure requirements, financing options,
design standazds, etc., it would be helpful in promoting interest in certain properties.
• The RFQ should list other developers the consultant has worked with.
~ There was discussion as to whether consulting firms should be given very specific
criteria as opposed to being given some general ideas that would allow the firms to
respond in their own creative ways. There was some concern that firms would, with a
general type of request, simply take an RFQ they had already prepazed for another
situation and submit it. Requests for proposals should ask for a plan that is visionary but
also functionaL
There was discussion regarding the development of a priority list of sites with the most
potential for the consultant to focus on. It was noted that a group of citizens developed
an economic survey in 1994 which actually became the basis of the current economic
development strategic plan. There was a consensus that the Spartan pad is a very good
example of a property that needs to be evaluated by a consultant.
It was determined that EDARC funds be may be used for planning efforts and site specific
proposals outside of EDARC District.
Staff will continue to refine the scope for the RFQ's based upon input from EDARC as well
as the joint meeting with City CounciL
EDARC Minutes Page 2
02/15/00
V"alerie Adams provided copies of a sun ey which indicated the types of erowth desired b%
citizens in the Denver metro area. She also susieested that consideration be ~-nx en to the cii%
becomin_ a member of the ICMA's Smart Gro«th Nemork. She prm ided copies of
information reQarding this oreanization.
Alan White provided copies of a CML survey that dealt with urban renewal areas and tools.
such as tax increment financing, which have been used by other municipalities.
It was moved by Commissioner MATTHEWS and seconded by Commissioner
COLLINS that the requesYfor qualification focus on redevelopment of the Spartan
pad, not to preclude the environment of the Spartan pad.
Jerry Roach offered a frieadly amendment that, in addition to the focus on the Spartan
pad, other areas considered to be important may also be included. The amendment
was accepted and the motion carried unanimously.
There was consensus of the Commission that Jerry Roach attend the meeting on Februazy
17, to formulate plans for the joint meeting with City Council on Februan, 22. There was a
consensus that good communication between EDARC and the City Council will be
beneficial in moving forward with a revitalization plan.
Vance Edwards stated that the Public Works Advisory Committee (PWAC) wi11 be
evaluating the comprehensive design policy statement regazding streetscaping, community
development block grants, etc. to come up with recommended streetscapes in the City. This
evaluation will include the Wadsworth Corridor Study. PWAC wants to be active in
working with EDARC and other boazds and commissions in the development of this policy.
B. Propertv Acquisitions - Staff will gather inFormation on the properties and report back to
EDARC at the March meeting.
7. NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business to come before the Commission.
8. ADJOURNMENT_
It was moved by Commissioner BURKPILE and seconded by Commissioner
MATTHEWS that the meeting be adjourned at 8:35 p.m. The motion passed
unanimously.
JERRY ROACH
Chair
EDARC Minutes
02/15/00
Ann Lazzeri
Recording Secretary
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