Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSSN071910CITE ®F CENTRAL P®INT City Council Study Session July 19, 2010 I. MEETING CALLED TO ®RDER Mayor Williams called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. II. ATTENDEES Mayor: Hank Williams Council Members: Bruce Dingier, Matt Stephenson, Allen Broderick,, and Carol Fischer were present. Mike Quilty was excused. Kay Harrison was absent. City Administrator Phil Messina; Interim Parks and Public Works Director Matt Samitore; Assistant City Administrator Chris Clayton; Finance Director Bev Adams, Flood Plain Coordinator Stephanie Holtey, Planning Manager Don Burt, Parks and Recreation Manager Jennifer Boardman, and City Recorder Deanna Casey were also present. III. BUSINESS A. Urban Renewal Discussion Planning Manager Don Burt explained that the City's strategic plan identifies a strategy for the revitalization of the downtown and the use of urban renewal. This is a financing tool commonly referred to as tax increment fmancing. The objective of urban renewal is to finance a series of projects designed to facilitate the revitalization of designated areas within a city or county. The State authorizes the use of tax increment financing to fund projects and activities as defined in the urban renewal plan adopted when the district is created. Some samples of what an UR district could do: Enhance Central Point's downtown as a culturally unique and vibrant focal point that bridges the past and present and embraces the future as stated in the strategic plan. ® Provide a pleasant and safe downtown environment that is characterized by ease of use for pedestrians and those in vehicles accessing our businesses. e Help preserve the historic and small scale character of a pedestrian -oriented segment of Pine Street.. • Reinforce the image of the downtown as the "heart" of the Rogue Valley. ® Develop a strategy for downtown beautification through sidewalk and alley improvements and periodic neighborhood cleanup events. Staff would recommend Hwy 99, most of the older parts of Central Point centered around Pine Street and a section on the east side of I-5 as a district. These areas are all in need of assistance to help increase economic growth. Capital projects for the district could include economic growth, streetscapes, transportation and infrastructure issues. He explained that most districts have 25 year durations. The maximum areas permitted within an urban renewal district are based on a city's population. For cities with less than 50,000 the maximum allowable urban renewal area is 25% of the total area. Staff is recommending approximately 12% of the Central Points total area. City of Central Point Study Session Minutes July 19, 2010 Page 2 A key mandatory requirement of an urban renewal plan is establishment of a maximum indebtedness figure. This is the amount of the principal of indebtedness, included in a plan and does not include indebtedness incurred to refund or refinance existing indebtedness. It is the amount needed for administrative expenses, engineering and consulting costs, and construction costs associated with the UR plan. Mr. Burt explained how the UR District would affect other districts in our area. It would take tax dollars away from the other districts. This is a tool that cities all over the state use to help areas in need of improvement and economic stimulus. The school district would receive the money regardless of the UR because their funds come directly from the -state through a different formula than the other districts. There was discussion about what the district could and could not do depending on the original plan An UR District provides a steady stream of money to complete projects without concerns of SDC shortfalls or other sources of revenue. The next steps would be: 1. Create an Adhoc Committee to evaluate the need for an urban renewal district. This committee will evaluate in more detail the advantages and disadvantages of forming a district, as well as types of projects and boundary parameters. 2. Committee reports to the City Council with a recommendation regarding the use of urban renewal. 3: Council directs staff to prepaze an ordinance declaring blight and the need to create an urban renewal agency. 4. Urban renewal agency commences preparation of the urban renewal plan. 'This will involve numerous public meetings. 5. The Agency forwards urban renewal plan to the Planning Commission for their review and recommendation. 6. Agency forwards Planning Commission recommendation to City Council for consideration. 7. City Council holds public hearing to consider urban renewal plan. Conclusion: Council would like to have a few more study sessions at consecutive meetings in order to understand more fully the effects of an Urban Renewal District on other districts and the azeas within the plan. Some of the Council members are not sure this is the only option to get these projects completed. B. Flood 1VIap ><Tpdate Floodplain/Stormwater Coordinator Stephanie Holtey updated on the process and timeline associated with the Central Point Flood map project. She explained the implications to the Twin Creeks Mitigation and Rail Crossing construction projects. FEMA is working with the City on these time lines but there is always a chance the new maps will not be adapted prior to the construction deadline for the rail crossing. She wanted the Council to be aware of that possibility. Due to significantly increased boundaries of the regulatory floodway on Griffm Creek, Twin Creeks Development is working on a large scale mitigation project. This project must undergo a FEMA review prior to approval but the map adoption is slowing down that process. City of Central Point Study Session Minutes July 19, 2010 Page 3 She explained FEMA's grandfathering rules and the importance of property owners to take advantage of the program which will save them money. There aze several activities that the City is doing through outreach and education which improves the Community Rating System (CRS) to earn flood insurance discounts for property owners. Staff would like to know how far to go regarding the CRS. There aze different levels that get increasing difficult as you reach them. Currently the city is rated at Class 7 which allows a 15% discount for property owners. Staff would like to know what Class to try for. There aze building requirements and codes as you increase the Class. Staff believes they will reach Class 6 in 2011 when the Hazard Mitigation Plan and map is adopted. There will be a Public Review and Education Session in the Council Chambers on August 10, 2010 at 5 pm. She would like to encourage Council members to attend so the citizens know they have their support. She has been successful in receiving grants to help get the word out about the FEMA map process, and providing elevation certificates to residents that will be effected by the new maps. Conclusion: After discussion regarding the CRS Class requirements Council is in favor of working towazd a Class 5 Rating. C. 4th of July Discussion Pazks and Recreation Manager Jennifer Boardman reviewed the events regarding the 4th of July celebration. There was some confusion regarding the Chamber being in charge of the Parade and the City in chagge of the pazk activities. The city did receive a letter complaining about the insurance requirement for venders in the park. The Cities insurance carrier has asked the city repeatedly to make sure these events are covered under some sort of insurance or the city could be responsible for any accident that happened at an event. We have asked the Chamber to provide proof of insurance in the past but they always failed to provide the documentation for the event. The City researched and found the best price for aone-time event policy which is approximately $50 per vendor. This was the first year the City was in charge of the 4th of July festival in the park. We will be working on policies for future events. There are specific deadlines and requirements that must be followed or it becomes a mess and hazd to keep a handle on. The city and Chamber need to be able to communicate better and work together on these projects. The city will start looking into the possibility of a fireworks event in future years. Conclusion: There was discussion about the city picking up the cost of the insurance for the vendors. Staff will look into the cost and report back. IV. ADJOITItNI~N~' The Study Session for July 19, 2010, was adjourned at 8:46 p.m.