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Home My WebLink About2009-01-06 URA MinutesPage 1 of 3 Regular Scheduled Meeting CALDWELL URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY January 6, 2009 – 12:00 p.m. City Administrative Offices, Conference Room The regular scheduled meeting of the Caldwell Urban Renewal Agency convened at 12:00 noon on January 6, 2009 in the Conference Room at Caldwell Administrative Offices with Chairman ElJay Waite presiding. The roll was called: Present: ElJay Waite, Mayor Garret Nancolas, Rob Hopper, Steve Rule, Leona Fouts Guests: Dennis Cannon and Steve Fultz Motion to amend the agenda to include lease agreement approval for property at 215 & 217 S. Kimball, appointment of commissioners and election of officers, and approve the agenda as amended: Rule/Nancolas M/S/P Motion to approve the minutes of the December 18, 2008 meeting: Fouts/Rule M/S/P OLD BUSINESS Dennis Cannon provided an update on the Indian Creek and City Center Catalyst projects. The highlights include: FEMA Flood Mapping  The Bureau of Reclamation has signed a statement to the Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security acknowledging that they will operate the NY Canal to protect the safety and property of the communities. FEMA has indicated that this statement would not likely suffice to establish a specific operating procedure to protect the communities.  FEMA has stated that they would give credit for the open creek channel in the downtown and that they would likely give credence to the fact that the NY Canal would overflow toward Lake Lowell, not toward Nampa and Caldwell.  FEMA did not feel that additional mapping would be critical to their decisions and recommended not performing that work now.  By January 16th, the City will provide FEMA with a consolidated summary of technical and historical findings that have been developed in the appeal process by the City and the Idaho Homeland Security Office. This data and information shows that downtown Caldwell will not flood.  The City will ask FEMA to develop a schedule and face-to-face meetings to resolve the flood mapping issues expeditiously. Brownfields Assessment  Additional Brownfields testing in the downtown will be done in the area of the Catalyst Project footprint to complete due diligence research prior to the purchase of the Pilote and Hardy properties, and to provide DEQ with additional vapor testing data. Indian Creek Project  The backfill of the old channel is awaiting an agreement with the Calvary Church. That work and a few follow-up actions will be taken in the near future, including completion of the swale for the storm-water treatment. C/CEDC activity report was provided by Steve Fultz, Executive Director: Highlighted Activities – November/December 2008 Page 2 of 3  Continued work with TVCC and Norfleet Development  Continued efforts for Wine Region marketing  Submitted site options to one lead (small professional business)  One site visit (small professional business)  Working with chamber on 2009 Business Expo  Working with Jim Toomey on wine incubator at the U of I Business Incubator  Discussion with Oppenheimer Group on downtown development  Continues meetings and strategies with TVCC and Wine Commission regarding viticulture program in Caldwell  Attended meeting of community leaders to address statewide transportation issues  Working with City of Caldwell and Chamber on downtown business ideas and strategies Chairman Waite presented a Real Estate Lease Agreement for the property at 215 & 217 So. Kimball between CEURA and Arlene Yamamoto for the purpose of operating a tax accounting service. The terms of the agreement are: 1,000 square feet at $500 per month for four months, commencing January 1, 2009. Motion to approve the lease agreement with Arlene Yamamoto pending legal review and recommendation: Hopper/Rule M/S/P with Mayor Nancolas abstaining. Chairman Waite noted that the tenant displaying works of art in the 1,000 square feet adjacent to the space being leased by Arlene Yamamoto has requested a renewal on their lease. The current tenant provides an attractive store-front and a positive civic contribution, however CEURA does have a responsibility to generate revenue at a more marketable rate. Discussion emphasized the need to continue advertizing the space as available to attract a higher revenue client. Motion to approve a month-to-month lease with a 30-day termination clause: Hopper/Fouts M/S/P NEW BUSINESS Motion to accept Caldwell City Council’s re-appointments to CEURA Board of Commissioners as follows: Leona Fouts, Rob Hopper, Steve Rule; with all appointments extended through January 2010, pending letters of confirmation from Caldwell City Council and Canyon County Commissioners for Rob Hopper and Steve Rule respectively: Nancolas/Fouts M/S/P Chairman Waite opened the floor for nominations for the offices of Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary for 2009. Motion to reinstate the current officers as follows: ElJay Waite, Chairman; Garret Nancolas, Vice Chairman; Leona Fouts, Secretary: Hopper/Nancolas M/S/P Chairman Waite asked Mayor Nancolas to present new options for TVCC Educational Building Project. Mayor Nancolas stated that CEURA has been fiscally responsible in every project and has gained broad based support. CEURA is also consistently aware and responsive when conditions change. There is tremendous momentum with TVCC, our downtown redevelopment and the city hall catalyst project. The current economic climate is an indicator reminding us to review all options with our current projects. Discussions are currently being held regarding the financing options for TVCC and the suggestion has been made to consider bringing TVCC downtown by adding another level to the city hall building. This will enhance our opportunities to recruit business downtown, help with critical mass, and create an economic and financial benefit. In lieu of two half-full buildings (current TVCC plan and city hall), we will have one full building with the availability and opportunity to build the originally planned TVCC building when the time is right. The suggestion has gathered favorable response from TVCC, Oppenheimer, city leaders and others. Councilman Rob Hopper noted that serious attention must be given to the parking issue this will create. Mayor Nancolas stated that Oppenheimer will conduct a Needs Assessment. Page 3 of 3 Financial Report provided by Rob Hopper: November 30, 2008 Ending Balance Earnings Local Gov’t Pool 873,349.20 1,847.63 December 31, 2008 Ending Balance Earnings B of C Money Mkt 998,321.34 1,019.25 B of C Business Acct 14,187.58 n/a B of C Indian Creek -0- -0- Local Gov’t Pool 875,159.90 1,810.70 Motion to approve the financial report: Fouts/Nancolas M/S/P Rob Hopper presented the following invoices for payment: $ 30.61 Pizza Hut URA lunch 12/18/08 $ 28.37 Pizza Hut URA lunch 1/6/09 $ 15,000.00 C/CEDC Last Qtr Commitment $ 2,250.00 Wells Fargo Rev. Alloc. Bond 2006-A Admin Charges Motion to approve the invoices for payment: Nancolas/Fouts M/S/P GENERAL DISCUSSION Chairman Waite informed the commissioners that City Council approved the recommendation made by this board to increase our number of commissioners from five to seven. Chairman Waite will request a Resolution from Rick Skinner, City Attorney, so we can move forward with appointments. The commissioners agreed that representation from the elected school board officials from Caldwell and Vallivue School Districts will bring a needed dimension to the board. Chairman Waite and Mayor Nancolas will approach the superintendents from each district to begin the selection process. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 3, 2009. Motion to adjourn: Rule/Fouts M/S/P Meeting adjourned at 1:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Leona Fouts Secretary