HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-09-03 Council Agenda BOOK 55 PAGE 141
SPECIAL MEETING
WORKSHOP
CALDWELL CITY COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 3,2014—12:30 P.M.
CALDWELL AIRPORT TERMINAL CONFERENCE ROOM
The special meeting of the Caldwell City Council convened at 12:30 p.m. with Mayor Nancolas presiding. Roll was
called by the City Clerk.
Council Members Present: Blacker, Hopper, Callsen, and Pollard. Absent: Ozuna. Staff Members Present: Steve
Fultz,Brent Orton,and Robb MacDonald. The Mayor introduced Community Marketing Specialist Roger Brooks.
(ROGER BROOKS PRESENTATION)
41: Need for a Downtown Plaza Area:
Mr.Brooks explained the need for Caldwell to invest in constructing a downtown plaza. He referenced the success of
Rapids City, South Dakota and their recent downtown revitalization efforts. He noted that the plaza should include
active amenities such as an ice skating rink,splash pad for the children,and possibly a sunken amphitheater. Continuous
events(approximately 250 days out of the year)should be scheduled in order to draw local citizens and tourists to the
downtown area. He noted that the estimated cost to construct the plaza would be$5 million. He reported that Rapids
City downtown organization allocates a yearly operational budget of$500,000 and has three full-time employees who
organize events for the community within their plaza. He noted that developers and investors look at the economic
stableness of a downtown area before locating or investing within a community.
92: Urban Renewal Agency Involvement:
Mr.Brooks recommended that the Urban Renewal Agency concentrate their efforts to the downtown. URA funds could
be used to improve buildings or purchase existing buildings needing to be revitalized and then flip the ownership to re-
establish the buildings back onto the tax role.
3) Plaza Location and Timeframe:
Mr.Brooks recommended that the plaza be located at the proposed site on the corner of Kimball and Arthur with the
potential of it spilling over into Arthur Street or Kimball Avenue to create a pedestrian walkway and community
gathering place. An area of approximately 45,000 square would be ideal for construction. It will take approximately
three to five years to complete the downtown plan. The visuals of a potential plaza design will be provided to the
Destination Caldwell Committee through his consulting company. He emphasized that downtown property owners
must partner with the City and the Urban Renewal Agency in order for the project to succeed.
Discussion was held concerning the financial limitations of the existing Urban Renewal Agency in light of its upcoming
date of completion and limited funding.
Mr.Brooks emphasized the need for the involvement of the private sector to include establishing Local Improvement
Districts,Business Improvement Districts,and Main Street USA programs. It was suggested that bonding for the project
could be an option.
The Mayor and each of the Council Members provided comments on Caldwell's unique marketing points. Mr.Brooks
stated that an online survey would be available over the next three weeks to capture input from the citizens on rebranding
Caldwell.
Chamber of Commerce Director Theresa Hardin provided comments concerning the recent article in the American
Cowboy Magazine in July and the tourists who have visited Caldwell due to this feature story.
(ADJOURNMENT)
The meeting adjourned at 2:17 p.m. No decisions were made or action taken.
APPROVED AS WRITTEN THIS 15TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER
MAYOR
COUNCILPERSON COUNCILPERSON
COUNCILPERSON COUNCILPERSON
COUNCILPERSON COUNCILPERSON
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK