Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency Commission

A G E N D A Thursday, January 21, 2016 - 4:00 p.m. Executive Conference Room Farmington City Hall, 800 Municipal Drive, Farmington, NM 1. Call to Order 2. Approval of the MRA December 17, 2015 Minutes 5 3. Recommendation from the MRA concerning the proposed Tattoo Parlor at 115-A E. Main Street 4. Discussion and recommendation of unwarranted street lights on Main Street at Locke, Allen, and Court - David Sypher 5. Discussion and approval for recommendation to City Council 1 for the expenditure of MRA Funds for Construction Drawings for Downtown Main Street Complete Streets Project. 6. Main Street Project-Electrical - John Armenta 7. RFP for MRA Animas District - Bob Campbell 3 8. Red Apple Transit Update – Andrew Montoya 9. Downtown Association Updates - Shana Reeves a. Winter Quarterly in Santa Fe b. Upcoming Annual Assessment c. MRA folders - consolidation of information 10. Business from: a. Floor b. Chair c. Members d. Staff 11. 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 1 2  Metropolitan Redevelopment Area Animas District Mixed Use Retail and Office RFP November 30, 2015 (Revised January 12, 2016) Introduction: The Metropolitan Redevelopment Area (MRA) Plan identifies mixed use retail and office space as potential “catalyst projects” for the City of Farmington’s Animas District . The MRA Plan describes mixed use projects as “a building that includes retail and/or restaurant space on the first floor, and professional office space on the floors above would be an excellent and supportive use in this area”. As part of the overall strategy, including housing units within the mixed use community, such as single family homes, patio homes​ ,​ ​r townhomes and small apartments​ o ,​ with densities as high as forty (40) residential units per acre are highly desirable. Objectives: The City envisions vibrant mixed use development in the Animas District with ground floor retail/restaurant space or professional office space. The residential component on the upper floors may either be rental or owner occupied. Condominiums or other for sale units are highly desirable. It would be desirable if a percentage of the housing available within this development was affordable housing for low or moderate income individuals. The ground floor must include retail/commercial component, and the developer may determine how to address the inclusion of this into the project. Retail, commercial or office professional space may include restaurants, coffee shops, parlors, grocery stores and other retail shops. Professional office space could include medical, dental, legal real estate or accounting offices as an example. Architecturally, care should be taken to ensure that the appearance and design sets the standard for future developments. There should be an emphasis on pedestrian friendly street edges and landscaping. 3 Financial Terms: The developer assumes all development costs including without limitations: acquisition of property, relocation costs if any, development costs​,​ and financing costs. The developer will pay full property taxes and all standard governmental fees. The City views this project as a public­private partnership. The City will consider selling its owned property to the developer under terms necessary to assure financial feasibility, subject to independent verification of the developer’s economic justification. Other incentives may be available including donation of all or part of City owned property for the ideal project, expedited plan review and permitting process, and reduced or waived plan review fees. The City will consider permanent closure of streets at the developer’s request. Creation or revision of zoning regulations and special use permits as necessary. Developers can be allowed to build at densities up to 100% greater than those for which the land is zoned. The City may assist with the construction of sidewalks, curbs and gutters or other infrastructure. 4  MINUTES Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency Board of Commissioners – December17, 2015 Commissioners Present Carletta Thompson, M.D., Chairman Derald Polston, Vice-Chair Linda Barbeau John McNeill, D.D.S. Commissioners Absent None Staff Present Michael Bulloch Bob Campbell Derrick Childers Cindy Lopez Shaña Reeves Karen Walker Others Present None 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 4:02 p.m. by Vice-Chair Derald Polston, and there being a quorum, the following proceedings were duly had and taken. Chair Carletta Thompson had not arrived yet. 2. APPROVAL OF THE NOVEMBER 19, 2015 MEETING MINUTES A motion was made by Commissioner McNeill and seconded by Commissioner Barbeau to approve the minutes of the November 19, 2015 meeting with the following changes requested by Dr. McNeill: Under item 3, the last of the sentence was changed to read, “Commissioner McNeill asked that the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Commission participate by making Totah Park their top priority.” Under item 4, the last paragraph was changed to read, “He suggested the creation of a City of Farmington Economic Development Coordinator who would have as one of their responsibilities assisting people who approach any City department with incomplete plans for a business or project. The assistance in this regard would be to direct them to the appropriate department to complete the next stage of their plan or to refer them to outside agencies and resources to help complete a business plan and/or business organization. The Coordinator would track the project and assist at 1 various stages of the project development and make the developer aware of assistance available to them from any known source.” The motion passed unanimously 3-0. 3. BROWNFIELD GRANT REPORT/MRA INCENTIVES REPORT-CINDY LOPEZ Ms. Lopez stated the Brownfield Grant Report and the MRA Incentives Report were presented to City Council on December 8, 2015. The Brownfield Grant was approved for $7,500 and is to be used to hire Ayres and Associates to help write the grant for the $200,000 Brownfields Assessment Grant. The MRA Incentives Report was also approved at the December 8, 2015 City Council meeting. This report provides an application for MRA incentives as well as a brochure to help perspective business owners and developers in the MRA district. 4. MRA FUND CURRENT AMOUNT-CINDY LOPEZ Ms. Lopez presented a report from Teresa Emrich, the City Budget Officer, which outlines the current amount of MRA funds available. Total money available is $1,278,779.87. This total takes into account the $75,000 committed for the Gateway Monument project. It does not take into account the $7,500 that was recently approved at City Council for the Brownfield Grant. 5. MAINSTREET ANNUAL WORK PLAN/DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION UPDATES-SHANA REEVES Ms. Reeves announced the New Mexico MainStreet program will have their annual assessment meeting sometime in January 2016. Commissioner McNeill asked if an ad could be put in the newspaper to let others know of the meeting. Ms. Lopez said she could place the ad if three or more of the commissioners would be attending. Ms. Reeves presented a new Annual Work Plan for the downtown area. The plan includes six strategies. These strategies include: 1. Support the development of improved major infrastructure in the downtown, including: water lines, storm water drainage, sidewalk, underground electrical upgrades and a community Wi-Fi 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. Chair Thompson arrived at the meeting at 4:10 p.m. 2 Ms. Reeves explained the various categories of the Work Plan. The first category is Organization. Included in this category is the goal to grow the Downtown Associations mobile and on-line audience, help the promotions committee develop new events and promotions and evaluate existing programming, and recruit and train volunteers for special events and committee work. Ms. Reeves stated Mr. Bulloch will be working on a quarterly newsletter for the downtown business owners. Ms. Reeves, Kandy LeMoine with the Farmington Museum, and Mr. Bulloch will be working with downtown merchants to find out what changes will help the merchants. The next category is Design. This category includes beautification and improved street appeal. Ms. Reeves said there are five points in this category. She would like to reinstitute the “Front Porch Initiative, recruit volunteers for a Spring and Fall clean-up program for the downtown area, develop a planter refurbishing program, finish the Gateway Monument Project, and secure funding for construction ready documents for the implementation of the Blue Zones “Complete Streets “ conceptual plans. Commissioner McNeill asked if the final point could be moved to the top of the list. Ms. Reeves responded that it could be moved to the top. The third category is Economic Vitality. Ms. Reeves explained this category includes educating and marketing downtown real estate to realtors, creating a successful atmosphere for current and potential businesses, and implementing the Downtown Farmington Revitalization Complete Streets Phase I. Ms. Reeves commented that she and Mr. Bulloch were working on an online database for the public that would show information on each available building in the downtown area. She noted that this project is very time consuming. To create a successful atmosphere Ms. Reeves and Mr. Bulloch are working with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the 4-Corners Economic Development Board (4CED), and the Quality Center for Business (QCB). A rough draft of the Incentives Program is currently in progress to be presented to these centers and boards. Ms. Reeves stated that she is working with Judy Castleberry, San Juan College, the City Clerk, and Community Development to highlight the process involved in developing a downtown business. Ms. Reeves noted that she would like to have Building Inspection, the Fire Marshal, Ray Hagerman from 4-Corners Economic Development, and Judy Castleberry at the next MRA meeting to review the rough draft incentives package and explain what the purpose of the package is for. Then distribute a finished packet to have the same information for everyone involved in the development of the MRA. Commissioner McNeill asked if the final point in this category, implementing the Downtown Farmington Revitalization Complete Streets Phase I, could be moved to the top of the list. Ms. Reeves commented that she would put it at the top. Commissioner McNeill asked if an economic retail report is available to help show before and after figures on downtown improvements. Mr. McNeill commented that showing before and after figures could help with future funding for the following phases of the Downtown Revitalization. Ms. Lopez stated that those figures might be available 3 through the Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) or from the Census Bureau. Commissioner McNeill also asked if the promotion of the Navajo Art Museum could be added as an Economic Vitality incentive for downtown. Ms. Reeves stated that she could add the request. Ms. Reeves explained the final category involves Promotions. This category includes event communications with the public and downtown merchants, adding additional downtown events/promotions, providing customer service/hospitality training, and promoting shopping local. Ms. Reeves discussed a Tuesday evening Vintage Fair in Orchard Plaza that would incorporate the Growers Market. Commissioner McNeil commented that Judy Castleberry has mentioned to him that she has programs she would like to present downtown. These programs could work into the Tuesday evening events. Dr. McNeill asked if the Miracle on Main Street event could be added. Ms. Reeves said she would add the event and added that this Work Plan would be presented to New Mexico MainStreet in January. 6. APPROVAL OF MEETING SCHEDULE FOR 2016 Ms. Lopez commented that the MRA meeting schedule had been approved previously with the Open Meetings Resolution. She asked the Commissioners to look at the schedule in regards to holiday conflicts. There were no conflicts with holidays in the schedule and Commissioner Polston made a motion to approve the MRA Meeting Schedule for 2016. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Barbeau. 7. BUSINESS FROM: a. Floor – There was no business from the Floor. b. Chair – Chair Thompson asked if the Commissioners had gone over the budget report before she arrived at the meeting. c. Members –Commissioner McNeil reported that the downtown Wi-Fi project is still in the progress of implementation. Dr. McNeil asked if Community Development had a report on the remodel of the Bank of the South West, the distillery at 3-Rivers Restaurant, and the remodel at the Daily-Times. Ms. Lopez stated that Mr. Childers would be informing them on those topics. Dr. McNeill stated that he, Bob Campbell, Shana Reeves, Cindy Lopez, and Mary Holton had met with Rebecca Morgan and Cory Watson to discuss the Assisted Care Living facility Ms. Morgan is interested in developing. Dr. McNeill reported that the meeting went well and it was made known to Ms. Morgan that assistance would be available if needed to help in implementing the facility. d. Staff - Mr. Childers stated that a building permit had been issued to the Daily- Times today for the building located at 203 W. Main Street. The Daily-Times planned to remodel the 5,000 square foot area on the eastern half of their building. 3-Rivers was almost finished with their responses and should go forward soon. The Bank of the South 4 West is remodeling the front of the building with a very expensive entrance cover that extends over the sidewalk to the curb line. This is a large encroachment which is revocable. Mr. Childers presented drawings of the encroachment for the Commissioners to look at and explained the engineering design involved. Ms. Lopez stated that a tattoo parlor is going in at 115A E. Main Street. Chair Thompson asked if there have been issues with previous tattoo parlors. Mr. Bulloch stated that there have not been issues. Commissioner McNeil asked what the plan was for the window and façade of the building. Ms. Lopez said the state regulates some conditions, and restrictions or conditions could be put in place to ask that the façade be tasteful. Personal property rights had to be taken into consideration when asking for any restrictions or conditions. The City has to consider legal ramifications when regulating signs. Commissioner Barbeau asked that the sign style not include any type of graffiti. She asked that the sign be professional. Ms. Lopez noted that only the sign size and placement could be regulated. Also, the sign could not be sexually explicit. Commissioner McNeil asked Mr. Campbell if he would like to discuss a Request for Proposal (RFP) for an area of the MRA. Mr. Campbell stated that it was not on this agenda and he would present it at the next MRA meeting on January 21, 2016. 8. ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made by Commissioner Barbeau and seconded by Commissioner McNeill to adjourn. The Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency Board of Commissioners meeting was adjourned at 4:53 p.m. ___________________________________ ____________________________________ Carletta Thompson, Chair Karen Walker, Administrative Assistant 5