Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency Commission

AGENDA TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020 - 4:00 P.M. The Regular Meeting of the Metropolitan Redevelopment Area Commission will be held Tuesday, December 15, 2020, 4:00 p.m., virtually using Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/98512959717?pwd=U0ZaZmlobG9Bb3dxM21pNmxGSzBsdz09 1. Call to Order 2. Approval of the November 17, 2020 Minutes 3. Discussion/Presentation Regarding the DuTremaine Projects Downtown - Warren Unsicker 4. Continuing Discussion Regarding the Comp Plan Update and the MRA District – John McNeill 5. Northwest New Mexico Art Council Updates – Flo Trujillo 6. MRA Staff Updates – Warren Unsicker 7. Main Street Complete Streets Update – Sherry Roach 8. Business From: a. Floor b. Chair c. Members d. Staff 9. Adjournment ATTENTION PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: If you plan to attend the virtual meeting and will need an auxiliary aid or service, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 599-1101 prior to the meeting so that arrangements can be made.  MINUTES Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency Board of Commissioners – November 17, 2020 Held virtually using Zoom https://zoom.us/j/93963162544?pwd=cGFFcmxaY1Z1TWlUYnQrTSt0bXdVZz09 Members Present: John McNeill, D.D.S. - Chair Jill Tanis – Vice Chair Doug Dykeman Elizabeth McNally Members Absent: Greg Mills Staff Present: Julie Baird Beth Escobar Sherry Roach Elizabeth Sandoval Warren Unsicker Karen Walker Others Present: Councilor Janis Jakino Kim DuTremaine 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 15, 2020 Minutes The minutes of September 15, 2020 will be amended as follows, correct the date under item #3 to March, 2021. A motion was made by Commissioner McNally and seconded by Vice Chair Tanis to approve the amended minutes of the September 15, 2020 meeting. The motion passed unanimously 4-0 through a roll call vote. 3. Adoption of Resolution Setting and Establishing Regular Meeting Day, Time and Place or the Metropolitan Redevelopment Area Commission 1 Vice Chair Tanis moved to adopt the resolution. Board member Dykeman seconded. A roll call vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously. Chair McNeill requested the Commission move to agenda item # 6. 4. Continued Development of Outdoor Dining Opportunities Downtown Board Member McNally asked how can the MRA be helpful in playing up and accentuating the new downtown? Is there any outreach we can do in the downtown area to encourage use of the new complete streets? Mr. Unsicker mentioned the tenuous situation due to the public health crises. The governor will be reopening on a tier-by-tier basis. A specific Facebook page is being created for Small Business Saturday. Restaurants can sell gift cards through this page. Chair. McNeill asked what kind of limitation do restaurants wanting to do outdoor dining face? Mr. Unsicker stated we have provided a streamlined outdoor dining permit process. It is really up to the Governor and her office. The best thing we can do as a community is to practice COVID presentation best practices to keep our numbers low. Dr. McNeill asked if restaurants can expand into public parking areas. Mr. Unsicker responded that yes, we have already permitted that type of encroachment. Ms. Escobar explained we issued more permits outside the Main Street area. If you are on City property, you are required to carry an insurance rider. The community really stepped up to support businesses. Ms. McNally asked about serving liquor outside. Mr. Unsicker stated that the state temporarily extended the premise license to respond to COVID through the end of April. Ms. McNally asked whether this costs money? Ms. Escobar responded that the temporary liquor license extension has no fee. Ms. Baird shared with the Commission that they are beginning to brush off the description for the Downtown Coordinator and that person will have the role of supporting the businesses and celebrate the reopening of Main Street. 5. Comp Plan’s Developer’s Zoning Ideas for Downtown – John McNeill Chair McNeill shared some slides from the last presentation by the consultants for the Comp Plan update, including the Future Land Use Map draft. He pointed out the legend listing the possible land uses. Chair McNeill proceeded to briefly summarize the land use categories. He pointed out that several of the concepts within the land use categories fit into different portions of the MRA district. He asked how do we designate specific uses in this area? What do we as the MRA get out of the comp plan to benefit 2 the MRA? The most likely benefit we could get is being a priority for the City to plan for this area to be predictable and ready for developers. Chair McNeill asked what everyone thought was the best approach. Commissioner Dyekman stated he needed some time to absorb this information. Chair McNeill stated that the best thing we need to get into the Comp Plan is that a specific development plan is needed for the MRA district. Then we will have something that supports the investment in the area. Vice Chair Tanis thinks the City should engage in a consultant to develop a comprehensive plan for the MRA district. She would like to have time to review the information presented by Chair McNeill. Chair McNeill asked that this discussion be continued at the December meeting. Ms. Escobar informed the Commission that the City Council voted to suspend the Comp Plan process indefinitely effective December 18 due to negative impacts of the current health crises. The process will be resumed once vigorous public comment is possible. An 85 percent complete draft of the Comp Plan will be presented to the Steering Committee for discussion at a virtual meeting on December 11. She will forward the link to review the draft plan to all of the MRA Commissioners. 6. Discussion and Recommendation on Incentive Application – Warren Unsicker Mr. Unsicker summarized the proposal from Kim DuTremaine for a semi-public gymnasium at 324 W Main and food truck court on three empty lots to the north of this building along N. Locke Ave. The building will be renovated and converted into a gym that would serve Ms. DuTremaine’s clients and be open to employees of businesses downtown. The food truck pavilion will be fully fenced, have a central pavilion with parking, fire pit, and picnic tables. The design shows the intent to bring signage back to meet the design elements of other buildings downtown. Ms. DuTremaine is requesting an incentive of $113,000 to essentially complete the food truck park and the exterior improvements to 324 Main Street. Total construction cost is around $438,335. Chair McNeill called for questions and discussion. 3 Vice Chair Tanis asked for clarification on the boundaries. Mr. Unsicker stated the space would scan from Main to ½ up to Arrington. Ms. Tanis asked if that back lot is private or public parking. Ms. Roach clarified that the Bank of the Southwest owns this property and it is private parking. The lot along Arrington has driveway access. There are no curb cuts along the alleyway to east. Vice Chair Tanis asked about the gym, and whether this market is becoming saturated. Mr. Unsicker stated this gym will be client specific. Commissioner McNally said it sounds like a great project. Will we get a drawing of the food truck pavilion? Per Mr. Unsicker, those details will be brought forward in the future. Ms. McNally would like to see how many food trucks would fit and a proposed traffic circulation plan and parking plan. Per Mr. Unsicker, a good example of a ‘permanent’ food truck installation is at 11th Street in Durango. Commissioner Dykeman echoed Commissioner McNally, a drawing would be nice. What kind of fence are we looking at? Would like to see details. Chair McNeill agrees with the question about a chain link fence. Also suggest adding some potted trees and plants. Asked what is their timeframe is and what would be the source of funding. Mr. Unsicker stated it would be CTED funding which is well encumbered this year. The time frame will have to be confirmed. Chair McNeill stated that the Commission will move on now to address agenda item #4. 7. MRA Staff Updates – Warren Unsicker Mr. Unsicker provided an update on the TIF balance for the MRA. To date we have gathered a little over $6,000. We do not have a good true barometer yet to judge the magnitude of the impact of the construction project. This not sales tax revenue, it is only property tax. Mr. Unsicker will provide another update at the end of the fiscal year. Small business Saturday has been curtailed, by a virtual Festival of Trees will be launched on December 1. Trees will be placed in the windows of businesses downtown and a virtual tour will be posted on line. Mr. Unsicker is coordinating with the Chamber to support businesses. We have awarded $650,000 dollars in small business grants. We are still encouraging people to shop small this year. The Chamber will be marketing every Saturday through the 4 Ms. McNally asked if the Festival of Trees could be a drive-by event. Mr. Unsicker said that you could both walk and drive by to view the trees. There is a tax holiday on Small Business Saturday. Ms. Roach asked if the dates have changed. She believes they will start December 1st and go through the 6th. Ms. Baird confirmed that the Mayor’s tree lighting has been scheduled for December 1st at 6:00 p.m. Mr. Unsicker stated that there was a pre-bid conference for the Totah Theatre project and we have received notification that the state is considering Farmington for allocation of capital outlay funds for purchase of projector and speakers for the theater. 8. Main Street Complete Streets Update – Sherry Roach Ms. Roach pointed out the weekly summary for Week 44 was included in the packet. Completeness is still a moving target. The next big milestone is getting Phase II road open. Placement of the bricks will continue along with electrical connections, planting and dirt work after the holidays. 9. Business from: Floor – Chair McNeill thanked the visitors for attending. Ms. Du Tremaine asked about the status of her application for incentive funding. Chair McNeill explained that the Commission is looking for additional details on the project. He stated we would love to see this project be successful. Ms. DuTremaine explained the funding request was two fold, first upgrades to the building at 324 Main and second the food truck court. She will pull all this together and present in December. Mr. Unsicker asked the breakdown of the funding request. Ms. DuTremaine stated $44,000 is for the building on Main Street, the remainder of the amount being requested is for the food truck court. Ms. DuTremaine asked if she needs to submit two applications? Mr. Unsicker stated he didn’t think so, and we will have to see what funding is available. Chair McNeill explained that the MRA is strictly a consulting body to the Council who makes the final decision. Ms. Baird clarified that the project does go to Council for approval. Vice Chair Tanis acknowledged Commission McNally and staff for their work on the brownfield grant submittal. Chair – Chair McNeill asked whether the Headquarters Building would be available for the Downtown Coordinator. Ms. Baird replied that a request for letters of interest for this building has been submitted so this building could become a contributing factor to the downtown area. The new Downtown Coordinator would be housed in the refurbished Totah Theatre. Vice Chair Tanis asked where the MRA Commission will be housed if the Headquarters Building is sold. Mr. Unsicker said there are other City facilities would be available. 5  Chair McNeill asked about the City having its own concierge in the downtown area to direct people to restaurants, businesses, civic buildings. Ms. Baird pointed out that funding for that staff person is only part-time and the focus for this position will be to recruit businesses to the downtown area. She suggested we should reach out to the Convention and Visitors Bureau to be ambassadors to our town and post pandemic we can re-up the passion for this program. Chair McNeill asked about the potential of a downtown ambassador program. Ms. Baird said it is certainly something to explore. Chair McNeill asked about the Art in the Alley program. Ms. Baird stated that there is a cohort board of the Art’s Council. We have not had the opportunity to identify that group’s role due to the pandemic but they will have a significant role in continuing Art in the Alley and placement of art in City right-of-way. Members – Commissioner McNally would like to invite someone from River Reach to provide an update on their work on a national trails designation for the Animas River. Staff – Ms. Roach stated that we have three business owners that are actively developing new businesses in the area, including 324 Main and a hair salon and wedding event, plus the new soap company is up and running and had a successful grand opening. 12. Adjournment: A motion was made by Vice Chair Tanis and seconded by Commissioner Dykeman to adjourn. Roll call was taken and the motion was approved unanimously. The Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency Board of Board Members meeting was adjourned at 5:22 p.m. __________________________________ _______________________________________ John McNeill, Chair Beth Escobar, Planning Manager 6