Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency Commission

A G E N D A Thursday, December 17, 2015 - 4:00 p.m. Executive Conference Room Farmington City Hall, 800 Municipal Drive, Farmington, NM 1. Call to Order 2. Approval of the MRA November 19, 2015 Minutes 10 3. Brownfield Grant Report/MRA Incentives Report-Cindy Lopez 4. MRA Fund Current Amount-Cindy Lopez 5. MainStreet Annual Work Plan/Downtown Assoc, Updates-Shaћa Reeves 1 6. Approval of Meeting Schedule for 2016 7 7. Business from: a. Floor b. Chair c. Members d. Staff 8. Adjournment ATTENTION PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: The meeting room and facilities are fully accessible to persons with mobility disabilities. If you plan to attend a meeting and need an auxiliary aid or service, please contact the City Clerk's office at 599-1101 or 599-1106, prior to the meeting so arrangements can be made  Annual Work Plan March 1, 2015 (Last review November 17, 2015) For 2016 Calendar Year Mission Statement The mission of the Farmington Downtown Association is to promote commerce, culture, and community in Downtown Farmington. Role and Purpose The Farmington Downtown Association will focus on aggressively exploring, promoting, and implementing key components from the New Mexico MainStreet Four-Point Approach. Strategic Direction In 2015, the Farmington Downtown Association adopted six strategies for advancing its mission: 1. Support the development of improved major infrastructure in the downtown, including: water lines, storm water drainage, sidewalk, underground electrical upgrades and a community wifi project. 2. Continue to prepare for Arts and Cultural District designation application process, when NMMS releases the RFP. 3. Expand and enhance communication with the downtown merchants and property owners. 4. Continue to advocate for policy and activity that supports downtown. 5. Continue to foster economic development and positive physical changes in downtown through the conceptual place-making plan provided to the City of Farmington by Blue Zones. 6. Continue to promote events and activities that attract visitors and community members to the downtown area. 2015-2017 Project Implementation Plans Through community collaboration and organized efforts the Farmington Downtown Association plans to implement the following to meet the 1 COMMITTEE/TASKFORCE: ORGANIZATION FARMINGTON DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION STRATEGIES: #2. Prepare for Arts and Cultural District designation application process. #3. Expand and enhance communication with the downtown merchants and property owners. #4. Continue to advocate for policy and activity that supports downtown. Actions Responsibility Deadline Cost Revenue Volunteer Assets to Apply Needs • Grow the Downtown Associations mobile and Shaña Reeves, March 2016 0 0 5 • Use of current Facebook, on-line audience: 1. create compelling/fun and Michael CivicSend program consistent content for the FDA Facebook Bulloch Page, 2. create e-news content on a monthly and/or quarterly basis, 3. Create a monthly business feature, 4. Update contact list. • Help the promotions committee develop new Shaña Reeves, December 2016 0 0 0 • FDA existing budget events & promotions and evaluate existing Michael programming: 1. Develop an after-event action Bulloch form that will help determine the success of an event and help the promotions committee make any needed adjustments, 2. Create surveys for each event for the public and 2 Downtown businesses, 3. Create a sponsor list for specific events, tailoring opportunities for local businesses to sponsor events that are aligned with the business brand or product, 4. Research foundations for possible grant opportunities. • Recruit and train Volunteers for special events Shaña Reeves, March 2017 0 0 20-50 • Mayor’s Volunteer Program and committee work: 1. Develop Volunteer Job Michael Descriptions for specific tasks, 2. Create a Bulloch, plan to approach businesses about volunteer Kandy opportunities for their on company time in exchange for in-kind sponsorships, 3. Solicit LeMoine volunteers through meetings, emails, facebook, and e-news, 4. Provide a training session a few days before an event and before their shift begins. • • • • COMMITTEE/TASKFORCE: DESIGN FARMINGTON DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION STRATEGIES: #1. Support the development of improved major infrastructure in the downtown, including: water lines, storm water drainage, sidewalk, underground electrical upgrades and a community wifi project. #5. Continue to foster economic development and positive physical changes in downtown through the conceptual place-making plan provided to the City of Farmington by Blue Zones. Actions Responsibility Deadline Cost Revenue Volunteer Assets to Apply Needs • Beautification and improved street appeal: 1. Michael January 2017 $75,000 15-20 • Farmington Clean and Re-institute the “Front Porch Initiative” for Bulloch, Beautiful program businesses as well as introducing the Shaña Reeves, • MRA funding program to new businesses, 2. Set dates and Mary Holton, • Mayor’s Volunteer Program, work with the Organization committee to recruit volunteers for a Spring and Fall Cindy Lopez, Downtown clean-up program, 3. Work with MRA the Organization Committee to develop a Commission “planter refurbish” program, 4. Finish the 3 Gateway Monument Project. 5. Secure funding for construction ready documents for the implementation of the Blue Zones’ “Complete Streets” conceptual plans. • • • • • • • • COMMITTEE/TASKFORCE: ECONOMIC VITALITY FARMINGTON DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION STRATEGIES: #1. Support the development of improved major infrastructure in the downtown, including: water lines, storm water drainage, sidewalk, underground electrical upgrades and a community wifi project. #2. Continue to prepare for Arts and Cultural District designation application process, when NMMS releases the RFP. #3. Expand and enhance communication with the downtown merchants and property owners. #4. Continue to advocate for policy and activity that supports downtown. #5. Continue to foster economic development and positive physical changes in downtown through the conceptual place-making plan provided to the City of Farmington by Blue Zones #6. Continue to promote events and activities that attract visitors and community members to the downtown area. Actions Responsibility Deadline Cost Revenue Volunteer Assets to Apply Needs • Educate and market Downtown real estate Michael July 2017 0 0 5 • Local realtors to Realtors, the general public, and potential Bulloch, • San Juan County Assessors investors: 1. Update and use the ESRI retail Shaña Reeves, Office Website reports to provide information on appropriate Tom Taylor, • City of Farmington MRA business mix for the Downtown, 2. Create a current list of vacancies for the district Mary Holton, Commission including contact information, rent, sq. local realtors 4 footage maintain that list on the FDA website, 3. Create window displays for vacant buildings featuring conceptual businesses for the district, 4. Update current building and business inventory • Create a successful atmosphere for current Michael • San Juan College Small and potential businesses: 1. Work with the Bulloch, Business Development Center Small Business Development Center Shaña Reeves, • San Juan College Quality (SBDC), Quality Center for Business (QCB) Mary Holton, Center for Business and the Four Corners Economic Development Board (4CED) to provide class Judy • Four Corners Economic opportunities in Downtown locations, 2. Act Castleberry, Development Board as a liaison between the SBDC, QCB, 4CED Ray and potential entrepreneurs to create sound Hagerman, business plans San Juan College • Implement the Downtown Farmington Shaña Reeves, July 2017 $500,000 0 • Conceptual design from Blue Revitalization – Complete Streets Phase I. Michael Zones Bulloch, MRA • Possible Grant funding Commission, through NMMS & NM State COF, NMDOT,  NMMS • • • • COMMITTEE/TASKFORCE: PROMOTIONS FARMINGTON DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION STRATEGIES: #1. Support the development of improved major infrastructure in the downtown, including transportation, housing, parking, and downtown plaza(s). #2. Continue to grow and sustain MS/ACD operations. #3. Expand and enhance communication with the downtown merchants and property owners. #4. Continue to advocate for policy and activity that supports downtown. #6. Continue to promote events and activities that attract visitors and community members to the downtown area. Actions Responsibility Deadline Cost Revenue Volunteer Assets to Apply Needs • Event communication with the public and Michael March 2016 $0 $0 0 • Current website and Downtown merchants: 1. Post Downtown Bulloch, Facebook page Events to the website and Facebook, 2. Shaña Reeves Create event specific email blasts for the contact list 5 • Add additional Downtown Michael March 2016 $0 $0 5-10 • Downtown business events/promotions: 1. Research Main Bulloch, merchants, Street events that might be a good fit for Shaña Reeves, • existing programs Farmington, 2. Build on existing Art Walks. Artifacts, Liz • Mayor’s Volunteer Program Stannard, • NMMS Studio 116 • Provide Customer Service/Hospitality Michael December $0 $0 5-10 • Farmington Convention and Training: 1. Work with the Farmington Bulloch, 2016 Visitors Bureau Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (CVB) Shaña Reeves, • Farmington Chamber and Chamber on the annual Hospitality Tonya training, 2. Promote other community • AIR Program trainings to downtown businesses. Stinson, Audra Winters • Promote shopping local: 1. Continue to Michael March 2016 $0 $0 5-10 • Existing Holiday Art Walk have the Holiday Art Walk on Small Bulloch, Business Saturday (create an all day Shaña Reeves event) 2. Create co-op advertising opportunities. • • 6 METROPOLITAN REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MRA 2016 Regular Meeting Schedule Date Time & Location January 21, 2016 rd February 18, 2016 DAY: 3 Thursday of each month March 17, 2016 TIME: 4:00 p.m. April 21, 2016 May 19, 2016 LOCATION: June 16, 2016 Farmington City Hall July 21, 2016 Executive Conference Room August 18, 2016 800 Municipal Drive Farmington, New Mexico September 15, 2016 October 20, 2016 November 17, 2016 December 15, 2016 7 8 Community Development Department – November 2015 • Administration 1. Staff in the Planning, CDBG, and MPO Divisions attended data users training and the New Mexico Data Affiliates Conference in Albuquerque November 18-20. • Building Inspections Activities: Permits were issued for the following projects: 1. Tenant improvement for Papa Murphy's, 3554 East Main Street. 2. Foundation only for A to Z Auto Sales, 2107 East Main Street. 3. Six (6) building permits for new single family residences. Plans are currently under review for the following projects: 1. Interior remodel for Target, 4900 East Main Street. 2. Interior remodel for Hog Wild, 2101 Bloomfield Highway. 3. New Carl's Jr., 2300 East Main Street. 4. New Building for A to Z Auto, 2107 East Main Street. 5. New fuel tank for United Rentals, 171 Browning Parkway. 6. Tenant Improvement (Distillery) for Three Rivers, 101 East Main Street. 7. Interior remodel for Bank of the Southwest, 320 West Main Street. 8. New Chick-Fil-A, 4910 East Main Street. 9. Tenant Improvement for the Daily Times, 203 West Main Street. 10. Tenant Improvement for Ashley Furniture, 5200 East Main Street. The Division issued a total of 74 building permits with a valuation of $1,615,097, performed 2 final non- residential inspections, 3 final inspections of new single family residences, and performed a total of 622 inspections. The Division also processed 5 public record requests. • Planning Division Activities: 1. Staff accepted, reviewed, processed, and/or presented the following: 1 rezone petition; 1 final plat petition; 1 right-of-way abandonment petition; 2 variance petitions; 30 summary plats; 11 business license zoning verifications; 3 address verification/assignments; 1 auto dealer certification; 8 well site inspections; 15 UDC violation complaint inspections; 15 UDC violation complaint re-inspections; 28 zoning code violation letters; 2 municipal court cases; 1 public record request; reviewed 74 sets of building permit plans for UDC compliance; and, met with 55 counter visitors to answer inquiries and/or approve permit plans. 2. Staff continues to coordinate the Main Street Complete Streets Project, including researching costs and funding opportunities. • Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Activities: 1. Staff continues to complete tasks necessary for the 2015 Action Plan projects to begin. Most of the public service contracts have been executed, all of the public service environmental clearances have been completed, and staff has begun working on the environmental clearances for the capital projects. 2. The Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for the 2014 Annual Action Plan was made available to the public for review and comment on 11/6. It will be considered for adoption by the City Council after a public hearing on 12/8. It must be submitted to HUD before 12/29. • Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Activities: 1. The MPO Technical Committee met on November 5 and the MPO Policy Committee met on November 19, to consider/adopt the 1st Amendment to the 2016-2021 TIP. Proposed amendments to the Public Participation Plan and the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) were also presented for discussion at those meetings. 2. Staff submitted reports to NMDOT on the MPO’s Public Participation Plan and UPWP. 3. Staff provided orientation training to a newly appointed MPO Policy Committee Member. 9 4. Staff attended NMDOT’s projects inception to completion training in Albuquerque Nov 3-5.  MINUTES Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency Board of Commissioners – November19, 2015 Commissioners Present Carletta Thompson, M.D., Chairman Derald Polston, Vice-Chair John McNeill, D.D.S. Commissioners Absent Linda Barbeau Staff Present Michael Bulloch Bob Campbell Cindy Lopez Shaña Reeves Cory Styron Karen Walker Others Present None 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. by Chair Carletta Thompson, and there being a quorum, the following proceedings were duly had and taken. 2. APPROVAL OF THE OCTOBER 15, 2015 MEETING MINUTES A motion was made by Commissioner Polston and seconded by Commissioner McNeill to approve the minutes of the October 15, 2015 meeting. The motion passed unanimously 3-0. 3. BROWNFIELD GRANT-CORY STYRON Mr. Styron discussed the possibility of obtaining the EPA Brownfield Grant for the MRA south of Broadway in the Animas District. Mr. Styron requested $7,500 from the MRA fund to hire Ayres and Associates to help write the grant for the $200,000 Brownfields Assessment Grant. The grant is due on December 18, 2015. Commissioner Polston made a motion to approve the hiring of Ayres and Associates to help obtain the EPA Brownfield Grant. Dr. McNeil seconded the motion. Commissioner McNeil asked that the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Commission participate by making this one of their priorities. 4. MRA COMMISSION AND STAFF ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES-BOB CAMPBELL Bob Campbell addressed the Commissioners and expressed the desire to discuss how communication can be improved between the Commissioners and the City. The role 10 of the MRA Commissioners, he stated, is to formulate and administer MRA plans for redevelopment and to cause redevelopment plans to be developed by staff or developers for MRA Commission review and recommendation to Council. Mr. Campbell went on to state that Staff’s role is to prepare development plans for the MRA, conduct research, and bring projects within the MRA to the Commission for review. Chairman Thompson asked staff to include the MRA early when projects are presented to the City. Commissioner McNeill commented that some people have ideas but have not made definite plans for future developments. He asked if someone can be appointed to mentor those people to help them develop their plans. Mr. Campbell explained that Ms. Holton, Ms. Lopez, and Ms. Reeves are available to help in that capacity. Chairman Thompson stated that she wanted people to know the role of the MRA. 5. MRA SENIOR LIVING PROJECT DISCUSSION-BOB CAMPBELL Mr. Campbell presented a Senior Living Project that was brought to him and Rob Mayes by Dr. Lehmer and Rebecca Morgan. He explained that Ms. Morgan is interested in developing an independent living facility. The property Ms. Morgan is currently interested in is in the Animas District of the MRA. That area is designated as mixed-use in the MRA Plan. Mixed-use, according to the MRA Plan, is buildings that includes retail and/or restaurant space on the first floor, and professional office space on the floors above. A mixed-use project would provide on-site services such as restaurants or copy shops that serve as amenities for building tenants. Mr. Campbell stated that he had met with Mary Holton and discussed the project. He said Ms. Holton’s concern involved a density issue. Mr. Campbell stated the acreage available in the Animas District would not provide the amount of room Ms. Morgan needed for the development. Mr. Campbell stated he was discussing options with Ms. Morgan. Mr. Campbell explained that the City was trying to acquire additional property near this site. The plan is to assemble enough land to put out a Request for Proposals for a mixed-use project at this location. Commissioner McNeill noted that Ms. Morgan had come to him and Commissioner Barbeau to discuss the project. Dr. McNeill said the master plan for this area included grocery stores, personal care and health facilities, detached homes, as well as parks and other amenities that would benefit semi-independent living. Dr. McNeill asked if there was any other area that the City could acquire to fit Ms. Morgan’s needs. Mr. Campbell said this is the best location, but the next possible location was Tammy Price’s property to the North. 11 Commissioner Polston commented that the Animas District property is a prime location because it links Totah Park to the Civic Center. He thought a mixed-use project here would create the catalyst needed to jump-start development in the MRA. Mr. Campbell suggested Dr. McNeill set up a meeting with Ms. Morgan, Ms. Lopez, and Mr. Campbell to discuss options with Ms. Morgan. Commissioner McNeill said he can see other uses for the Animas District property, but it was nice to see what Ms. Morgan would like to do with it. 6. LEADERSHIP SAN JUAN-BUSINESS DAY REPRESENTATION FROM MRA Ms. Lopez explained that she had gotten an email from Judy Castleberry asking if someone representing the MRA and the Downtown Association would be interested in coming to Leadership San Juan Business Day on December 11, 2015 to discuss plans for the revitalization of the downtown Farmington area. Ms. Lopez said she and Ms. Reeves would also participate. Dr. McNeill said he would represent the MRA. Mr. Campbell said that staff would be willing to do handouts or anything necessary to support Dr. McNeill in the presentation. 7. MRA INCENTIVES PACKAGE-SHÃÑA REEVES Ms. Reeves presented the final draft for the Application for MRA Incentives and the brochure insert. With the MRA Commissioners approval, Ms. Reeves will take the application and brochure insert to City Council for approval. Ms. Reeves mentioned that the incentives are vague because of the various possibilities and needs for each project that may be presented in the MRA district. Commissioner Polston thanked Ms. Reeves and said the MRA Commission has wanted this type of information for interested developers. Commissioner McNeill made a motion to adopt the incentives package and the brochure insert. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Polston. 8. DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION UPDATES-SHAÑA REEVES Ms. Reeves commented that although a formal notification has not been received, Farmington did not get the Great Blocks Grant. Tucumcari was presented with the grant. Raton had gotten the grant the year before. Ms. Reeves mentioned that Tucumcari had worked with Charlie Deans, a MainStreet consultant. Ms. Reeves said that Ms. Holton had put together a list of other funding sources and Ms. Reeves was looking into those possibilities. Other downtown activities that are coming up soon, according to Ms. Reeves, are the Turkey Trot and Gobble Wobble on November 21, Small Business Saturday and Artwalk on November 28, Miracle on Main Street on December 6, and the Reindeer Romp and North Pole Stroll on December 19. Ms. Reeves said she was working on the annual plan for Farmington MainStreet. 12 Commissioner McNeill asked if there is a definite amount for the cost of construction documents for Main Street. Ms. Reeves said there is not a definite dollar amount. Commissioner McNeill said New Mexico MainStreet was having a meeting in February. Dr. McNeill suggested both Tucumcari’s and Farmington’s grant documents be made available for them to see. Ms. Reeves said she will run the suggestion by Richard Marchese to see what he says about the suggestion. 9. BUSINESS FROM: a. Floor – There was no business from the Floor. b. Chair – There was no business from the Chair. c. Members –Commissioner Polston pointed out properties that would help make the Totah Park work. Mr. Styron said he is looking at Quince Street and other areas, but cost for the purchase of property south and west of the MRA is an issue. Commissioner McNeill said he is working on the Wi-Fi issue for downtown. He said Durango is using fiber optics for their Wi-Fi. Dr. McNeill felt it was important that Farmington think of this when the Main Street revitalization is involved. Commissioner McNeill said he has met with the MPO in regards to a Red Apple Transit Hub. He wished to encourage the City to look at places in the MRA to bring traffic downtown. Dr. McNeill made a motion to support the relocation of the Red Apple Transit Hub to a vicinity in the MRA. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Polston. Commissioner McNeill said it has not been determined yet if there is a real need for a cooperative work space in the downtown area of Farmington, but the possibility is still there. d. Staff- Ms. Lopez asked if the MRA Board was willing to submit a letter of support for the Brownfields Grant. Ms. Lopez said she will draft the letter and get with Chairman Thompson to sign it. Commissioner Polston made a motion for Ms. Lopez to draft the letter and have it signed by Chairman Thompson. Commissioner McNeill seconded the motion. Ms. Lopez stated that she is working on the possible costs for roundabouts. She has contacted communities Dan Burden has worked with and is putting together information on the cost ranges for roundabouts. Commissioner McNeill noted that when the RFP, Request for Proposal, goes out for construction documents for Main Street it needs to include Wi-Fi conduit, water lines for sprinklers, electricity upgrades for poles, new street lights with outlets, sidewalk widening, street scape changes, and gateways. Dr. McNeill proposed the MRA fund the construction documents to get the process moving. 13  Mr. Campbell stated that he has been working with engineering and Public Works. Electric Utility is budgeting for the street light improvements. The City is also budgeting in the Capital Improvement Fund for some of the other upgrades. Mr. Campbell said he will have better calculations for costs at the January meeting for the MRA. Chairman Thompson asked for a total of the MRA finances for the January meeting. 10. ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made by Commissioner McNeill and seconded by Commissioner Polston to adjourn. The Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency Board of Commissioners meeting was adjourned at 5:34 p.m. ___________________________________ ____________________________________ Carletta Thompson, Chair Karen Walker, Administrative Assistant 14