Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency Commission

A G E N D A Tuesday, October 15, 2019 - 4:00 p.m. HQ, 119 W. Main Street Farmington, NM 1. Call to Order 2. Approval of the September 17, 2019 Minutes 1 3. Update on the Between The Waters Trail – Rachelle Crosby 4. Discussion on local vendors at local events – Beth McNally 5. Main Street Complete Streets Update – Sherry Roach 6. Downtown Farmington Update – Michael Bulloch 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  MINUTES Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency Board of Commissioners – September 17, 2019 Commissioners Present John McNeill, D.D.S. – Chair Jill Tanis – Vice Chair Doug Dykeman Elizabeth McNally Greg Mills Commissioners Absent None Staff Present Michael Bulloch Beth Escobar Sherry Roach Karen Walker Warren Unsicker Others Present None 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. by Chair John McNeill, and there being a quorum, the following proceedings were duly had and taken. 2. Approval of the August 20, 2019 Minutes A motion was made by Commissioner McNally and seconded by Commissioner Tanis to approve the minutes of the August 20, 2019 meeting. The motion passed unanimously 5-0. 3. Comprehensive Plan Update – Warren Unsicker Warren Unsicker discussed how the Comprehensive Plan would influence the efforts of the MRA in terms of the MRA Plan and how it might change the face of the downtown area. Mr. Unsicker asked the Commissioners to participate in an interactive website that allowed them to input their vision for Farmington’s future. The outcome was for a vibrant, diversified, and thriving future. 4. Main Street Complete Streets Update – Sherry Roach Sherry Roach presented a PowerPoint presentation that was previously presented to City Council. Ms. Roach discussed several objectives for the Downtown Farmington Revitalization. These objectives included right-sizing Main Street, increased safety with roundabouts and lighting, creating a friendlier corridor, increased walkability, celebrating the historic and cultural character, and creating an attractive corridor with streetscapes. 1 Ms. Roach discussed improvements with traffic, streetscapes, water lines, electrical upgrades, gateway features, and storm drain upgrades. Several enhancements include lighting features, various attractive plantings, and stone and aggregate features. Ms. Roach presented a listing of projected expenses for the Complete Streets project and the projected funding. She said there are possibilities for added funding that would allow adding more streetscape features. The projected timeline to finalize funding and approvals would allow the City to begin the Complete Street project on January 6, 2020. Ms. Roach said preparation for the 2020 construction in regards to store owners and the public is ongoing. Public relations, stakeholder meetings, road diet demonstrations, and identifying parking areas have been discussed. The focus is on communication with the public and storeowners. Ms. Roach said Julie Baird, Assistant City Manager, updated City Council on the aspect of historical preservation in the downtown area. The Historical Preservation Division has been involved with the historic preservation aspect of the Complete Streets project. Last week the City responded to HPD’s suggestions by letter, accompanied by several exhibits. Chair McNeill asked to be included on those aspects. 5. Downtown Farmington Updates – Michael Bulloch Michael Bulloch said a new restaurant would be opening in the old Sonia’s restaurant. They also want to open a restaurant downtown. Mr. Bulloch said a new outdoor recreation business is moving into the building at 213 W. Main Street. Scott Nygren may have a possible tenant for the old Mid-Town Credit building. For the Breezeway Plaza project, solar powered festival lights will be used. The ‘coffin’ planters along Main Street are in the process of being recycled or repurposed. Conceptual plans have been received from Amy Bell for the Hidden Garden project. Mr. Bulloch presented a handout showing the conceptual plans that included softscapes and trellises. The Off-road Downtown Takeover and the Four Corners Film Festival were both successful. There were great turnouts for both events. The New Mexico Mainstreet Autumn Leadership Quarterly will be held in Tucumcari this year. The focus will be on economic vitality. Staff attendance at the Western Planners Conference was cancelled. The Annual Review site visit from New Mexico Main Street will be September 25, 2019. The site visit will consist of a 30-minute tour, a 30-minute meeting with Chair McNeill, and 2 a 1-1.5 hour session with the MRA Commissioners, staff, the ACD Team, and City of Farmington officials. Mr. Bulloch presented the Economic Transformation Strategies for the MainStreet Project. Mr. Bulloch explained the strategies involved included: 1. Continuation of Creative Placemaking projects within the Historic Downtown Corridor. 2. Rehabilitate buildings for economic reuse. A motion was made by Commissioner McNally to accept the Economic Transformation Strategies as presented. Commissioner Dykeman seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0. 6. Business from: a. Floor – There was no business from the Floor. b. Chair – There was no business from the Chair. c. Members – Commissioner McNally said she would get with Commissioner Tanis to work on the Animas District questionnaire. Ms. McNally suggested having a beer fest and linking it with an event such as the Road Apple Rally. Ms. McNally asked if the downtown businesses saw an increase in sales due to the Connie Mack event. Sherry Roach, Warren Unsicker, and Michael Bulloch each commented that increased revenues to the downtown business during the event were not tracked. Ms. McNally asked to discuss bringing local businesses to sell food and beer to local events at the next MRA meeting. d. Staff – There was no business from Staff. 7. Adjournment: A motion was made by Commissioner McNally and seconded by Commissioner Dykeman to adjourn. The Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency Board of Commissioners meeting was adjourned at 5:24 p.m. ___________________________________ ____________________________________ John McNeill, Chair Karen Walker, Administrative Assistant 3