Blackfoot Urban Renewal Agency (BURA)

BLACKFOOT URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY November 1, 2V4 City Hall - 7 am Meeting minutes Present: Jason Moulton, Bart Brown, Michaelene Herbst, Commissioner Whitney Manwaring, Wayne Mikesell, Jordan McLaughlin, Garrett Sandow, Ginette Manwaring Absent: Guests: Mayor Carroll, Janis Groesbeck, Michael Johnson, Katie Harris Jason Moulton called the meeting to order at 7: 02 am and welcomed all guests. The board was asked if anyone had any conflicts of interest. No other conflicts of interest were disclosed. Jason Moulton asked for approval of the minutes for September 27, 2022. A motion to approve the September 27, 2022 meeting minutes of the Blackfoot Urban Renewal Agency was made by Bart Brown and the motion was seconded by Wayne Mikesell. All in favor. Motion was unanimously adopted. Downtown District: Michael Johnson (RMK Ventures) update and discussion: ACTION ITEM Michael Johnson provided an update on his building ( Blight) project. Progress is being made on the building renovation as demolition has been done and containment procedures in place for asbestos. Michael has also met challenges and incurred increased costs with such additional things as permits from the City, fire suppression system, design and engineering planning and water and power additional costs. Michael asked the board if there were any additional funds or opportunity for additional funds from BURA available to offset these additional costs he has accrued. Garrett Sandow spoke first to this.. Garrett said that his concern with this is that funds have already been committed to Michael in a district that is now closed and can not amend any project in a closed district. Michael Johnson asked questions and the board discussed . The board noted the limit that was set on Michael Johnson' s project. Garrett clarified the dollar limit on the city amount is to only be up to $ 100, 000. Bart Brown asked for clarification on the commitments to the DT closed district. Jason Moulton noted that in his view it looks like there could be money that could be moved around. Jason asked Ginette about the budget. Ginette responded that the budgeted and committed money for FY23 included any open projects that still had unused dollars which included Micheal Johsons project funds which were committed from the FY 2023 budget as forecasted and published through September 30, 2023 including additional tax dollars coming in FY23 in January and July. Ginette Manwaring clarified that according to the discussion and minutes of  the Sept 27th meeting, the dollars that were committed to the City was what was left and carried forward from the FY2022 budget. Bart Brown expresses his thoughts regarding use of tax dollars legally with issuing additional funds to Michael for the DT project when the DT district is closed now. Garrett Sadiw explained the modification of committee money in a closed district. The concern is changing the committed money in a closed district. Commissioner Whitney Manwaring asked if Garrett can look at borrowing money from the Riverview district now or not. Bart suggested this area where Michael' s building be put back into a new district to cover these additional costs Michael has accrued. Jason Moulton expressed his agreement with this suggestion. Jason Moulton tabled Michaels Johnson discussion about additional funds until the board discussed more about the new areas for new districts. According to Sept 27th meeting the board intends that Michaels money is out of FY 2023 and the city's money approved is coming out of the remaining FY2022 Riverview District: Nothing to report or discuss. Other Business: Discuss Development of New Districts: Garrett Sandow had some maps drawn up of new areas to consider for new BURA districts. He said that a new area can only be 10% of the total city value. The board discussed the possibilities of new areas and costs in and around the Old Sugar Factory out to Mark Lane or the Sugar Factory down to Alice Street. Bart Brown noted that the RV district will also close in only a couple of years ( 2025). Ginette Manwaring asked about whether the RV District boundaries could be enlarged to pick up the two projects that have been discussed. Garrett noted that BURA could pick up the Wagon Wheel area but not the Vanorden area. Board discussed and Garrett noted the risks of adding more than 1 or 2 new districts at a time. Board discussed options and ideas of how to fund a new district. Bart Brown asked what cash was in RV and Ginette responded, noting close to $ 1. 3 million. Jason Moulton noted he talked to Mike Anderson recently about their project in the old Wagon Wheel property area and asked if it made sense to do a new district to extend RV to include the Vanodon/ Cannon project and the Anderson project that seem ready to move forward. This would allow for the money in the RV district to fund the new district over by the existing RV district which would be parkview/Riverside plaza area It is Jason' s opinion to do a new district that would have revenue sooner than not and Bart expressed his opinion about the Sugar Beet factory area as a new district because of opportunity over there. The Board discussed the new areas and opportunities of new districts and areas along the North highway from the old sugar factory down to Short Stop at the south end of town or the river. Jordan McLauglin noted he is building a new building by Stingers. Wayne Mikesell added his opinion about staggering the new districts. Bart noted there is a good argument with both ideas of adding these 2 new areas that have potential projects. Garrett Sandow will get some additional evaluations on the new areas discussed. Wayne asked if the board wanted to decide on a district now and the board noted that it wanted to wait until Garrett came back with additional maps and information. Jason Moulton asked Garrett about the other areas and Garrett noted they are: Bangeter to Les Schwab, Hwy 91 coordider, and the Parkway area. Financial Report: Action Item Ginette Manwaring presented the financial report and reported on the balances available in each of the districts. DT has $ 1. 7 million in committed funds and RV has about $ 1. 3 million The total fund balance is $ 2. 9 million, before current loan obligations. The DT portion is all committed money to previously approved projects and per Garrett any new money can only be paid for those projects or paid down on the loan. The RV District has uncommitted funds. Jason Moulton, Chairman, asked for a motion to approve the financials. Bart Brown made a motion to approve the Financials as presented. Jordan McLaughlin seconded the motion. All in favor, motion unanimously adopted. November Payables: Action Item Jason Moulton presented the November payables as follows totaling $ 68,082.40 Garrett Sandow $ 800.00 Ginette Manwaring $ 1, 500.00 City Of Blackfoot - Twin Bridges $ 392. 90 Movie Mill $ 2/ 389050 RMK Ventures $ 63,000. 00 Bart Brown made the motion to approve the November 2022 payables as presented. Wayne Mikesell seconded the motion. All in favor, motion unanimously adopted.  Mayors Update The Mayor gave an update regarding city projects as follows: Paving roads over on Seefried and Hepworth are being completed The sewer line replacement on Ash street is done. Engineers are working on a water treatment for the city - all wells in the city will be treated. Project to start on Fisher Street will be next spring/summer to repave Walker to Alice. Twin Bridges project - the engineering concept is being finished up. The board asked that Alan come to the next BURA meeting to give an update on the Twin Bridges project. Mayor Carroll will send the board the plan prior to the next meeting. There is no need for a motion to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 7: 58 am. The next meeting is December 6, 2022 City Hall Chamber Room