Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency Commission

A G E N D A Tuesday, November 19, 2019 - 4:00 p.m. HQ, 119 W. Main Street Farmington, NM 1. Call to Order 2. Approval of the October 15, 2019 Minutes 10 3. Discussion and approval to cancel the December 5 , 2019 MRA meeting 4. Update on the Comprehensive Plan Update – Beth Escobar 1 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 PHASE 1. FOUNDATION & VISIONING An Outreach Summary The City of Farmington is updating its 2002 Comprehensive Plan to reflect the City’s transformation from an economy traditionally reliant on oil, gas, and coal extraction, to one that is much more diverse. Following extensive and meaningful stakeholder engagement, the updated Comprehensive Plan (the Plan) will provide recommendations to assist Farmington’s governing bodies in decision-making, and to move policy and development forward in an intentional and productive way that is conducive to transforming Farmington into a healthy and sustainable economy for the future. PHASE 1 INTRODUCTION As illustrated on the image to the right, the first phase of the Plan included a Public Outreach Series. Events and outreach were designed with the intent to gather feedback on the community’s values to help inform a shared Vision, and to begin to identify opportunities conducive to Navigating Farmington into 2040. As the consultant team wraps up the Plan’s first phase, it is essential to make sense of the findings. The following summary, combines the feedback from the following events: Activity Date No. of attendees/ participants One-on-one Interviews #1 On-going 11 Public Kickoff (Event #1): Downtown 4 x 4 Friday, Sep. 6 Approx. contacts 55 Takeover Questionnaire #1 Sep. 27 to Oct. 118 responses/ 94% completion 16 rate Steering Committee Friday, Sep. 6 24 Technical Advisory Committee Friday, Sep. 6 13 We want to take this opportunity to thank all who have participated in the Plan this far and to invite those that are still to participate. There will be other opportunities. Visit http://fmtn.org/865/2040-Comprehensive-Plan to learn more. Your time and knowledge will make a difference in navigating Farmington’s future. 16 October 2019 1|P a g e PHASE 1. FOUNDATION & VISIONING An Outreach Summary WHO WE HEARD FROM During the kickoff public event at the Downtown 4x4 kickoff, it was noted that participants were mostly young adults and families, and included residents and visitors to Farmington. Cars at the Kickoff Event, Downtown 4x4 Takeover City’s Booth at Kickoff Event, Downtown 4x4 Takeover One-on-one interviewees generally represented a variety of local business owners, recreation groups, and community interests. Responses to the online questionnaire not only showed a diverse age group but also revealed other key demographic characteristics like residency, community association, and occupation, among other. Following are the questions/results. What is your age? (Responses: 112) Prefer not to 19 or younger state 3% 1% 70 or older 20 - 29 6% 13% 60 - 69 22% 30 - 39 18% 50 - 59 40 - 49 21% 16% 16 October 2019 2|P a g e PHASE 1. FOUNDATION & VISIONING An Outreach Summary What is the general location of your neighborhood and/or business? (Responses: 111) I live outside of Farmington 8% District no. 1 17% District no. District no. 4 2 41% 19% District no. 3 15% Do you live or work in Farmington? (Responses: 113) I live in Farmington part of the I do not live or year or a have second home in work in the Farmington. City. 2% 2% I work in Farmington, but live outside the City. 11% I live in Farmington, but I live and work work outside in Farmington the City. 77% 8% 16 October 2019 3|P a g e PHASE 1. FOUNDATION & VISIONING An Outreach Summary What is your relationship with the City of Farmington? (Check all that apply) (Responses: 114) Business Owner Developer Real Estate Government Employee Board or Commission Member Student Visitor Resident 0 20 40 60 80 100 Count How long have you lived in San Juan County? (Responses: 114) Less than 1 year 1-5 years 6% 6% 6-10 years 8% 30+ 40% 11-20 years 20% 21-30 years 20% WHAT WE HEARD 16 October 2019 4|P a g e PHASE 1. FOUNDATION & VISIONING An Outreach Summary The community was asked about their understanding of the planning effort as well as what they would or would not like to change about the City of Farmington. Why do you think planning is important for the future? Community Character Sustainability Resiliency Economic Development and Diversification Public Safety Thoughtful Growth Patterns New Housing Options Preservation of Open Lands Encouraging Redevelopment and Infill 0 20 40 60 80 100 Count Some participants suggested that PLANNING should… “Find ways to keep our youth from leaving” “Streamline/enforce zoning regulations” “It will keep in touch with its past history but embrace new and creative thinking; it will develop thoughtfully and with input from all ages, cultures, and abilities.” 16 October 2019 5|P a g e PHASE 1. FOUNDATION & VISIONING An Outreach Summary What do you LOVE about Farmington? (Responses: 122) The following graphic highlights the aspects of the community that should be preserved into the future. The pre-populated choices listed below were based on previous planning efforts. Respondents were able to select up to 5 options, and able to directly enter any additional thoughts. Small City Feel Family Friendly Overall Quality of Life Downtown Outdoor Lifestyle Parks & Recreation Schools Education and the University Jobs Shopping/Services Housing Options (Public) Transportation Public Utilities and Services Public Facilities Other: Please enter your ideas (Required, if… 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 Count Some participants also LOVE Farmington’s “‘Location’ – NM as a whole is on the verge of being discovered” “Climate Friendliness” “Growing arts & media industry” “People” “Multiculturalism”; “Diversity” 16 October 2019 6|P a g e PHASE 1. FOUNDATION & VISIONING An Outreach Summary Using a text-polling software, the same question was asked to the Steering Committee members. Here is what they LOVE about Farmington: (Responses: 27) KEY COMMUNITY CONCERNS The following chart depicts key issues and opportunities for the future of Farmington. The pre-populated choices listed below were based on previous planning efforts. Respondents were able to select up to 5 options, and able to directly enter any additional thoughts. 16 October 2019 7|P a g e PHASE 1. FOUNDATION & VISIONING An Outreach Summary What would you like to IMPROVE to make Farmington a more healthy and sustainable City? multi-modal transportation network… Job sectors/ employment opportunities Land use integration and compatibility Infill and revitalization Downtown neighborhoods Farmland and open space preservation Housing options City boundaries (growth and annexation) Urban design Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Public Utilities, Facilities, and Services Emergency preparedness Water wise practices Other: Please enter your ideas… 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 Count Other things to IMPROVE or attain in Farmington… “More family-friendly activities” “Mental Health rehabilitation” “More volunteer opportunities in general for young kids and their families” “Ways to keep our youth from leaving” “Technology centric” 16 October 2019 8|P a g e PHASE 1. FOUNDATION & VISIONING An Outreach Summary A similar question was asked to the Steering Committee members. What are the biggest opportunities to make Farmington a more healthy and sustainable City? Here is what they had to say: (Responses: 22) 16 October 2019 9|P a g e PHASE 1. FOUNDATION & VISIONING An Outreach Summary FUTURE VISION The community was asked an open-ended question about what they feel Farmington should be in 2040. While hard to think that far into the future, the community responded with a range of ideas that have been categorized by identified themes: Community Parks & Recreation Economy  [A unified], inclusive community  Offer an RV Resort  A diversified economy of where everyone enjoys each  Improved access public lands; businesses and jobs that other trails embrace our unique cultural  Integrate tribal/native with  Mountain biking trails and scenic landscapes everyone  With places for kids, public  A hub for energy, trade,  A great place to raise children plazas medical, retail, agriculture, and start a family.  Become a recreation entertainment (film), and  A thriving and diversified destination for families and recreation. community with top notch adventure seekers  Self-sustaining with no quality of life in an affordable  Be the outdoor rec epicenter dependency on natural setting  Be fun and safe resources and booming with  Widely known for its sacred activity! native history  Become a conference  A robust and quality destination. educational system from Pre-K  A flourishing example of a through San Juan College modern rural city with amenities that serve to promote a prosperous, regionally diversified economy Downtown Arts & Culture Transportation  Hiking trails connections to  More entertainment; culture  Infrastructure/traffic downtown  Bring concerts and theater improvements  Downton improvements back  Address roundabouts  A thriving downtown that  Home to largest folk festival in  Expand/diversify Airport includes a mix of restaurants, the southwest. services shopping, businesses, and  The epicenter of arts and  More destinations on the west housing entertainment in the Four side. Corners.  Improved signage (wayfinding) Next Steps The information gathered from Phase 1 public outreach efforts will set the stage for ongoing research and analysis and will be used to refine and update the vision for Farmington’s Comprehensive Plan. To our valued stakeholders, you will continue to have opportunities to participate at future public events and other online questionnaires. Please get involved and invite your peers to do the same. Your input is key to the success of this Plan. Visit http://fmtn.org/865/2040-Comprehensive-Plan to learn more. 16 October 2019 10 |  MINUTES Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency Board of Commissioners – October 15, 2019 Commissioners Present John McNeill, D.D.S. – Chair Doug Dykeman Elizabeth McNally Greg Mills Commissioners Absent Jill Tanis Staff Present Julie Baird Rachelle Crosby Beth Escobar Sherry Roach Karen Walker Others Present Hannah Grover Bob Lehmer 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 September 17, 2019 Minutes A motion was made by Commissioner McNally and seconded by Commissioner Mills to approve the minutes of the September 17, 2019 meeting. The motion passed unanimously 4-0. 3. Update on the Among the Waters Trail-Rachelle Crosby Rachelle Crosby, Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs (PRCA) Planner, stated the PRCA is trying to complete a trail system along the river internally through City departments rather than using subcontractors. PRCA and Public Works will do the majority of the work, along with the Streets Department. Ms. Crosby noted on a map the path the trail will take along a one-mile section of the Animas River to complete the trail system linking the confluence of the Animas and San Juan rivers to the trail system that goes along the river to Browning Parkway. Ms. Crosby noted that pedestrian bridges will be needed and one of those bridges may span a portion of the Among the Waters trail near the Farmer’s Ditch. 1 Chair McNeill asked if there are any plans for water or electric connections for food trucks or other amenities. Ms. Crosby said PRCA has not made plans for those connections. At this time, only the path is being constructed. The timeline to finish the construction of the path is next spring. After that, other amenities can be added. Bob Lehmer mentioned discussing right of way access with a few of the property owners that have not given access yet. Julie Baird noted that the trail would go under W. Murray Drive and cross at Miller Street. 4. Discussion on local vendors at local events – Beth McNally Commissioner McNally asked to have this agenda item discussed at a later date. 5. Main Street Complete Streets Update – Sherry Roach The Clean Water state revolving fund went before City Council on October 8 and was approved and the loan is in the process of being closed. The bid will be published on October 20. Construction will begin in January 2020. 6. Downtown Farmington Updates – Michael Bulloch Mr. Bulloch was at the Autumn Leadership Quarterly in Tucumcari, but submitted a report prior to leaving. The wall mural on the back of HQ has begun. A new business for a make-up artist opened at 214 W. Main Street in one of the office spaces in the Allen Theater. There will be a workshop to build chairs from wooden pallets on Saturday, October 19 in the plaza for the Breezeway Plaza project. On October 26, the planter boxes on the sidewalks will be taken apart. Used bicycle wheels are being sought to build a trellis for the Hidden Garden. The Autumn Art Walk had low attendance due to the cold weather. The Story Teller’s Festival had approximately 150 attendees. The Holiday Art Walk is on Small Business Saturday and coincides with Miracle on Main Street. The events will be held on November 30, 2019. 7. Business from: a. Floor – There was no business from the Floor. b. Chair – There was no business from the Chair. c. Members –There was no business from the Members. d. Staff – Beth Escobar noted that MRA Secretary Karen Walker has accepted a position as Assistant Planner. 2 8. Adjournment: A motion was made by Commissioner Dykeman and seconded by Commissioner McNally to adjourn. The Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency Board of Commissioners meeting was adjourned at 4:27 p.m. ___________________________________ ____________________________________ John McNeill, Chair Karen Walker, Administrative Assistant 3