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Home My WebLink About2013-12-03 URA MinutesPage 1 of 4 Regular Meeting CALDWELL URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY December 3, 2013 – 12:00 Noon Caldwell City Hall, Mayor’s Conference Room The regular scheduled meeting of the Caldwell Urban Renewal Agency convened at 12:00 Noon on December 3, 2013 in the Caldwell City Hall conference room with Chairman ElJay Waite presiding. Roll was called: Present: ElJay Waite, Theresa Hardin, Scott Syme, Leona Fouts Ex-Officio: Mayor Nancolas Guests: Steve Fultz, Dave Erlebach, Darrell Gustaveson, Bob Carpenter, Bob Jenkins, DeEtta Ewing, Joe Shreve, Chris Allgood, Dolores Schamp Motion to approve the agenda: Fouts/Hardin M/S/P Motion to approve the minutes from the November 5, 2013 meeting and the November 22, 2013 Special Meeting: Fouts/Hopper M/S/P OLD BUSINESS #1: CEDC Activity Report provided by Steve Fultz. Highlights for November 2013 • Project Plane: Continued negotiation with current property owner for potential sale to Knight Aviation. Considering 3 properties in Caldwell for expansion • Project Revisit: Discussions continue…consolidation of two businesses. Submitted letter of intent for 12 acres in Sky Ranch for development (1st phase a 50,000 sq ft building…total employment in 1st phase is approximately 60 mfg jobs (40 newly created jobs) • Project I-Way: working with an existing manufacturer on the expansion of their current operations. • Project Grow: company from Indiana 30 employees, sent information, good conference call…still an active project, looking for building to lease. May locate in the U of I incubator temporarily while finding permanent site. • Project Knot Wood: Still interested…looking at 65,000 sq ft building with creation of 60-70 jobs • Project northern Gem...food processor business needing 10 acres…lead from State Commerce…no update since last report • Project Femur…lead from BVEP seeking 20 acres for 100,000 sq ft mfg facility. Submitted site options…no update since last report • Project Snow…lead from BVEP seeking 10 acres in light industrial park…submitted site information…no update since last report • Project Radio…lead from BVEP, company seeking 10,000 to 15,000 sq ft light mfg. Submitted site options. Site visit this week • Project LW…retail developer seeking site information and incentive opportunities through URA. Shared information with the developer. No update since last report • Project chill: Met with developer on potential site and building. Considering 40,000-70,000 sq ft building with 60-70 employees. Site large enough to host additional buildings (spec) Page 2 of 4 • Project Aim: Still active project…no update since last report • Project Barrel: Continued discussion…no update since last report • Project Target: potential development in Sky Ranch, could be an important development of regional impact. Connected with the firearms/ammo industry. Working closely with Freehold development and local law enforcement agencies. • Project CW: new project, looking for 2-3 acres for small manufacturing facility. Considering Sky Ranch. Site visit later this week. More details to come. • Project Wildlife: New project, meeting scheduled for next week. Potential sites in UR area • Project White: project from 2012…considering sites in Caldwell and Nampa Manufacturers Alliance Update: • Kick-off meeting scheduled for December 4th with the theme “Taxing issues facing manufacturers of the Treasure Valley.” Speakers to include Rich Jackson and Tom Shaner from the Idaho State Tax Commission, Randy Million, CPA, and Sheri Johnson (President, Johnson Thermal System-Caldwell). Next meeting scheduled in Caldwell. #2 FTZ Update • Third and fourth application being drafted by existing companies to the area…currently in the local review process. Expect to submit to the National FTZ Board by end of year. NEW BUSINESS #1 Hear Request from Optimist Club Regarding King’s Building Dolores Schamp, Joe Shreve and Chris Allgood presented a request for temporary use of the vacant King’s building for the Youth Boxing group. They will be losing their current site in January and they are in need of a new location and have offered to clean, paint, dispose of abandoned furnishings, install a bathroom on the main level, and other necessary improvements. It was noted that Planning & Zoning would need to issue an occupancy permit and the building would have to meet code which will probably include installation of sprinklers. Chairman Waite stated that recent discussions have centered around the demolition of the building, however no decision or timeline has been determined. He encouraged all attendees to be aware of the need and consider others options for Youth Boxing in the event that the King’s building is not available or code requirements limit its use. #2 Discuss Disposition of King’s Building Chairman Waite asked the commissioners for feedback on what to do with the King’s Building. Scott Syme spoke in favor of demolishing the building now to open up the space and remove the vacant building and eventually creating a plaza or park. Theresa Hardin also spoke in favor of a plaza. Rob Hopper stated that creating a plaza and opening up the surrounding buildings with store fronts to face the plaza is a good idea. He further stated that he would like to see the building demolished by spring, however there is no plan in place for a plaza and a vacant lot would be another eyesore. Rob also expressed concern about letting the Youth Boxing utilize the building and then having to kick them out in the near future. Leona Fouts also spoke in favor of the plaza noting that it’s the most popular option being discussed, and voiced concern Page 3 of 4 about the Optimist Club’s potential cost to renovate the building for short term usage. Chairman Waite stated that the City Master Plan must be considered. He announced a special City Council meeting scheduled for January 13th to discuss current projects and opportunities and encouraged everyone to attend. Bob Carpenter and Bob Jenkins both spoke from the perspective of downtown building owners and noted that the expense for bringing buildings to code, cleanup, façade improvements, etc. is not cost effective until Caldwell has tenants that are willing and/or able to pay market rents. Scott Syme suggested that URA obtain bids for demolition of the King’s building. Rob Hopper stated that he would like to see the building demolished, however a bare lot will not spur investment in the surrounding buildings and a plan should be in place before the building is demolished. Motion to obtain three bids for the demolition of the King’s building: Syme/Hardin Votes in favor: Syme, Waite, Fouts, Hardin Votes in opposition: Hopper #3 Discuss Letter of Intent from Project Revisit Steve Fultz, Executive Director, CEDC, presented a request from Project Revisit to purchase 12 acres of URA property for 50,000sf of buildings. The site would house Johnson Thermal, Industrial Builders and an equipment lay-down yard. Johnson Thermal anticipates expansion of their current job force from 20 to 40 jobs in 2014 and increasing to 80 by the end of 2015, and would expect to continue their eligibility for the URA Business Incentive Grant that was previously approved with the potential purchase of a different parcel. The average wage of their workforce is $18.50/hour. The preferred site will require Pioneer Irrigation’s cooperation in burying the drain in an expedient manner. Considerable discussion and questions ensued. Chairman Waite acknowledged the buyer’s need to move forward quickly and stated that the Letter of Intent will need to be reviewed by legal counsel, after which time a special meeting would be held to act on the request. #4 Review Commissioner Term Expirations and Accept Renewal Requests Chairman Waite announced the upcoming expirations of commissioner terms for Rob Hopper, ElJay Waite and Theresa Hardin. All three commissioners expressed a desire to remain on the URA commission. Appropriate documentation will be submitted City Council for consideration of reappointment for all three commissioners. #5 Consider YMCA Facility Transfer Request Chairman Waite presented a Transfer Agreement between the YMCA and URA to allow the YMCA to exercise its option to purchase URA’s fractional interests in the facility as stated in the July 22, 2004 Development, Ownership and Operation Agreement. Legal counsel has reviewed and approved the Transfer Agreement and all terms of the purchase. Motion to approve the transfer request and authorize Chairman Waite to execute the Transfer Agreement on behalf of URA: Hopper/Syme M/S/P #6 CEDC MOU Update No update available. Agenda item will be continued to the January meeting. #7 Update on Attorney Review of UR Bonded Projects Sunset in December 2014 Chairman Waite and Mayor Nancolas will be meeting with Rick Skinner on 12/4/13 and will provide a report at the January meeting. #8 Finance Report provided by Rob Hopper: Page 4 of 4 Bank of the Cascades Business Ckg Ending Balance Earnings November 30, 2013 1,662,961.54 220.55 TCD Interest Bank of the Cascades Time CD#1 Ending Balance Earnings November 30, 2013 250,000.00 Qtrly to checking acct Balance will remain constant. Interest earnings deposited to Business Ckg Local Government Investment Pool Ending Balance Earnings November 30, 2013 108,281.52 9.82 Zions Bank (Bond Debt Service) Ending Balance Earnings November 30, 2013 3,008,450.40 $25.56 Motion to approve the financial report: Fouts/Hardin M/S/P #9 Invoices presented for payment presented by Rob Hopper. $ 24.91 City of Caldwell URA lunch, 11/22 meeting $ 23.56 Pioneer Irrigation 215 S. Kimball $ 78.94 Pioneer Irrigation 217 S. Kimball $ 1,055.18 Pioneer Irrigation KCID Road $ 1,562.12 Pioneer Irrigation Hwy 20/26 & Smeed Pkwy $ 694.50 Pioneer Irrigation Marble Front Rd $ 330.60 Pioneer Irrigation 205 S. 6th Avenue $ 3,750.88 Canyon County 215 S. Kimball Property Tax $ 2,572.53 Skinner & Fawcett LLP 2013 Bond Followup $ 663.00 Hamilton Michaelson Hilty Misc Professional Services $ 10,756.22 Motion to approve the invoices for payment: Fouts/Hardin. M/S/P #10 Mayor’s Report No report. #11 Chairman’s Report of Activities Chairman Waite presented a request from the Bird Stop to acquire the metal sign hanger currently affixed on the King’s building. Motion to allow the Bird Stop to remove and take possession of the sign hanger: Syme/Fouts M/S/P #12 Commissioner Reports No Commissioner reports. The next meeting will be held January 7, 2014 at City Hall, 411 Blaine St., in the Mayor’s conference room. Motion to adjourn: Hopper/Fouts M/S/P Meeting concluded at 1:55pm. Respectfully submitted, Leona Fouts Secretary