Downtown Revitalization Committee (DRC)

DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE TUESDAY - FEBRUARY 27, 2024 - 5:30 PM Notice of AGENDA Liberty Hill Municipal Court / City Council Chamber 2801 RR 1869 Liberty Hill, Texas 78642 Sheila Nardelli Daniel Scott Kristan LeBaron LIVE VIDEO ACCESS Live video of the meeting will be displayed on the City's Facebook page. PLEASE SILENCE YOUR CELL PHONES 1) CALL TO ORDER a) Establish quorum 2) PUBLIC COMMENTS Regarding items not on this agenda/Public Comments: Those desiring to speak on a topic not listed on the agenda, please complete a speaker form and present to the City Secretary before the meeting. Speakers will have three minutes each to speak, this time cannot be transferred or shared. Committee members may not take action during this item and any responses will be limited to factual statements, recitation of existing policy, or request for the topic to be placed on a future agenda. Regarding topics listed as an agenda item/During specific agenda item: Committee Members request that speakers complete a speaker form, indicate which agenda item they are interested in speaking about, and submit form to the City Secretary before the agenda item is addressed. Speaker forms may be emailed to the City Secretary before the meeting at esimpson@libertyhilltx.gov. 3) REGULAR SESSION a) Discussion, consideration and possible action regarding the January 23, 2024 Regular meeting minutes. (K. LeBaron) 1.23.2024 draft DRC Meeting Minutes.pdf 1  b) Discussion, consideration and possible action regarding the November 28, 2023 Regular meeting minutes. (K. LeBaron) 11-28-2023 Draft Downtown Revitalization Committee Regular Meeting Minutes.pdf c) Discussion, consideration, and possible action regarding a Public Arts Program (K. LeBaron): Update on arts program research, mural quotes on the cistern/old water tower in Wetzel Park. Review updated draft of Public Art Program Guidelines. d) Discussion on Volunteer historic building survey. Extents, criteria, schedule, and possible use for the city. (D. Scott) e) Discuss, consider and possibly take action to forward a recommendation to City Council regarding filling the vacancy left by Kellie Olisky and Danyel Cake. (D. Scott) f) Discussion, consideration and possible action regarding forwarding a recommendation to City Council regarding Main Street Width. (K. LeBaron) CoverPage_MainStreetLane_Width (1).docx g) Update, discussion, consideration and possible action regarding Wayfinding signage. (K. LeBaron) 4) REPORTS 5) FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Issues, topics, items for consideration at a future meeting may be identified and scheduled for a future agenda. No deliberations on the items may occur. 6) ADJOURNMENT The City Council, Boards, and Commissions reserve the right to reconvene, recess, realign, change the order of business, or adjourn into Execu ve Session at any me during the course of the mee ng, prior to adjournment, to discuss any item listed above, as authorized by Texas Government Code Sec on §551.071 (Consulta on with A orney), §551.072 (Delibera ons about Real Property), §551.073 (Delibera ons about Gi s and Dona ons), §551.074 (Personnel Ma ers), §551.076 (Delibera ons about Security Devices), and §551.087 (Development). In compliance with the Americans with Disabili es Act, the City of Liberty Hill will provide reasonable accommoda on for persons a ending mee ngs. To be er serve you, requests need to be received 48 hours prior to the meeting. Contact the City Secretary at 512-778-5449 – Extension 125. 2 POSTING CERTIFICATION: I, ELAINE SIMPSON – CITY SECRETARY – CITY OF LIBERTY HILL certify that the attached notice of meeting was duly posted on the bulletin board at City Hall located at 926 Loop 332, Liberty Hill, Texas 78642 and on the City website (www.libertyhilltx.gov) on the ______ day of ____________________, 202_ at ______. Elaine Simpson – City Secretary. REMOVAL CERTIFICATION: I ELAINE SIMPSON – CITY SECRETARY – CITY OF LIBERTY HILL certify that the attached notice of meeting was removed from the bulletin board at City Hall located at 926 Loop 332, Liberty Hill, Texas 78642 on the ______ day of __________________, 202_ at _______. INITIALS _______ 3  DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE TUESDAY - FEBRUARY 27, 2024 2801 Ranch Road 1869 - Liberty Hill AGENDA ITEM 3.a Discussion, consideration and possible action regarding the January 23, 2024 Regular meeting minutes. (K. LeBaron) 4  City of Liberty Hill, TX Liberty Hill Downtown Revitalization Committee Minutes Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at 5:30 PM City Council Chamber / Municipal Courthouse 2801 Ranch RD 1869, Liberty Hill, TX 78642 1. CALL TO ORDER The Downtown Revitalization Committee Meeting was called to order at 5:37 PM by Chair Daniel Scott Downtown Revitalization Committee Members Present: Daniel Scott, Chair Kristan LeBaron, Secretary Sheila Nardelli Committee Members Absent: Danyel Cake (submitted resignation) Kellie Olisky, Vice-Chair (submitted resignation) City Staff: Paul Brandenburg – City Manager McKenzi Hicks – Interim Director of Planning and Development Elaine Simpson – City Secretary Liz Branigan – Mayor Katie Amsler – Director of Communications and Community Involvement. Mary Poche’ – Executive Director of Liberty Hill Economic Development Corporation PLEASE SILENCE YOUR CELL PHONES 1) CALL TO ORDER a) Establish quorum Liberty Hill DRC Meeting minutes January 23, 2024 Page 1 of 5 5  2) PUBLIC COMMENTS Regarding items not on this agenda/Public Comments: Those desiring to speak on a topic not listed on the agenda, please complete a speaker form and present it to the City Secretary before the meeting. Speakers will have three minutes each to speak, this time cannot be transferred or shared. Committee members may not take action during this item and any responses will be limited to factual statements, recitation of existing policy, or request for the topic to be placed on a future agenda. Regarding topics listed as an agenda item/During specific agenda item: Committee Members request that speakers complete a speaker form, indicate which agenda item they are interested in speaking about, and submit form to the City Secretary before the agenda item is addressed. Speaker forms may be emailed to the City Secretary before the meeting at esimpson@libertyhilltx.gov. No Comments. 3) REGULAR SESSION a) Presentation and Update on the Downtown Strategic Masterplan. (Yida Capriccioso, Halff Associates) Ylda Capriccioso with Halff Associates gave a presentation of the Liberty Hill Downtown Master Plan. The presentation is attached to these minutes. Ylda went over the downtown area on the map that the plan will cover. Ylda also went over the guiding principles of the downtown plan and the character areas. Ylda went over the Special Features and New Concepts for downtown. Ylda asked the Committee to review and evaluate the two framework concepts and provide feedback and let Halff Associates know which of the two the Committee prefers. Or of the two which do you like the most and Halff will create a preferred downtown framework that all the recommendations, strategies, and priorities matrixes will be based off. Ylda asked the Committee to take some time and think about and digest, talk to others on the Committee and evaluate for pros and cons and let staff know. Staff will get feedback to Halff Associates. Ylda updated the Committee on next steps: (1) In February Halff will begin drafting strategies based on Committee’s feedback. (2) Halff will come back to the Committee to present the draft recommendations. (3) In April, Halff will have the final list of recommendations and final report. No formal action was taken. Liberty Hill DRC Meeting minutes January 23, 2024 Page 2 of 5 6  b) Update on the Central Feature for the Roundabout. (K. Amsler/P. Brandenburg) Katie Amsler, Director of Communications and Community Involvement, presented the item. Katie went over the two main options: (1) the star feature and (2) straight xeriscape feature that incorporates some sculptures. The star feature has different options (1) xeriscape around the star, (2) put turf around the star, (3) rock around the star or (4) rock with xeriscaping. The star can be a (1) rock star, (2) granite star. There is also an option for a different colored sign: (1) rustic or (2) black powder coated sign that matches the railing. Katie asked the Committee for their thoughts and invited them to City Council Workshop on January 24th to provide input if they would like to. The Committee reviewed and discussed the different options. Chair Daniel Scott moved, and Kristan LeBaron seconded, to approve the star option for the center of the roundabout. The motion carried unanimously by a 3-0 vote. Ayes: Nardelli, LeBaron, and Scott. Absent: Cake and Olisky Chair Daniel Scott moved, and Kristan LeBaron seconded, to approve the turf option with the black sign. The motion carried unanimously by a 3-0 vote. Ayes: Nardelli, LeBaron, and Scott. Absent: Cake and Olisky c) Downtown EDC Initiatives. (M. Poche'/P. Brandenburg) Mary Poche’, EDC Director, presented item. The EDC is looking at some other properties on the block with the VFW so it can complete the block. The VFW property will be the heart of phase 1. The EDC has a contract out on the Project Vintage property. Today, Mary sent a letter of intent to Project Farm. No action was taken. d) Update on 13' lane width adoption as it relates to the streetscape development on the Main Street Business Corridor. (D. Scott) Chair Daniel Scott, asked if there are options to recommend to City Council a more narrow and walkable Main Street width. Katie responded that as a Committee they could make a recommendation to Council to modify that minimum lane width. Katie informed the Committee that this item was on the January 24th Council meeting but it was postponed to another meeting. Katie informed that this evening they could not take action and make a recommendation to Council because it is not worded correctly on the agenda. However, the Committee could add this item to its next agenda to take action and make a recommendation to Council. Liberty Hill DRC Meeting minutes January 23, 2024 Page 3 of 5 7 McKenzie Hicks suggested may want to wait until the Master Plan is complete, and then amend the Comp Plan. Katie suggested that we may need to move forward because we are proposing to extend the sidewalks in May once the PEC poles and lines are moved. Katie expressed concern that the lane width will determine the width of the sidewalks. Katie asked McKenzie if there is something temporarily the City could do for that section of Main Street. McKenzie responded that she will figure out a process. Chair Daniel Scott asked Ylda Capriccioso with Halff Associates if they have measured street width from building to building. Ylda responded they do not have the precise lane width from building property line but she can get that information. No formal action was taken. e) Discussion on 2024 event schedule and possible incorporation of public art piece on Main Street. (D. Scott) Chair Scott presented the item to start the conversation on what the event plan is for 2024. Katie Amsler responded: May 18, 2024 – Whimsy & Wonder July 3, 2024 – Independence Day Spectacular October 19, 2024 – Sculpture Festival December 14, 2024 – Christmas Festival Chair Scott asked about reaching out to the new owner of the Old Independent Newspaper building about painting a mural of the side of the building and getting documentation for permission. Chair Scott also asked about painting the water tower. Katie responded at one time there was discussion about painting it but there was concern about the structural integrity on the inside. Kristan LeBaron will work on updating the draft of the public arts program guidelines document. No formal action was taken. f) Discussion regarding suggested timeline for Downtown revitalization with various projects and their associated companies. (M. Poche') Katie Amsler, presented the item and thought it would be good to get things down on paper to see where we are at and the timeline. Katie went over the timeline she created. The Downtown Masterplan is in process and will be complete in May, the roundabout is complete, the turn lane addition is complete, the VFW is in brainstorming phase, PEC line relocation on Main Street is in design right now hope to be complete by June, shared use path extension is currently being built, the middle of the roundabout is in the design phase and hope to have Liberty Hill DRC Meeting minutes January 23, 2024 Page 4 of 5 8 complete by the end of May, Main Street sidewalk expansion in the future, streetscape elements, wayfinding signs and benches is pending the results of the Downtown Masterplan. The Committee discussed grant options for widening of sidewalks. No formal action was taken. g) Accept Resignation of Danyel Cake. (E. Simpson) Chair Daniel Scott moved, and Kristan LeBaron seconded, to accept the resignation of Danyel Cake from the Downtown Revitalization Committee. The motion carried unanimously by a 3-0 vote. Ayes: Nardelli, LeBaron, and Scott. Absent: Cake and Olisky 4) FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Issues, topics, items for consideration at a future meeting may be identified and scheduled for a future agenda. No deliberations on the items may occur. Main Street Width Public Arts Program (rolling standing item) for upcoming events 5) ADJOURNMENT With no other items on the agenda, and no objections from the committee members, Chair Scott adjourned the Downtown Revitalization Committee at 7:06 PM. PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE Downtown Revitalization Committee of the City of Liberty Hill, Texas on _____ day of February, 2024 on vote of _____ ayes, _____ nays, and ______ abstentions. ______________________________ Chair Daniel Scott ______________________________ City Secretary Elaine Simpson Liberty Hill DRC Meeting minutes January 23, 2024 Page 5 of 5 9  DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE TUESDAY - FEBRUARY 27, 2024 2801 Ranch Road 1869 - Liberty Hill AGENDA ITEM 3.b Discussion, consideration and possible action regarding the November 28, 2023 Regular meeting minutes. (K. LeBaron) 10  City of Liberty Hill, TX Liberty Hill Downtown Revitalization Committee Minutes Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at 5:30 PM City Council Chamber / Municipal Courthouse 2801 Ranch RD 1869, Liberty Hill, TX 78642 1. CALL TO ORDER The Downtown Revitalization Committee Meeting was called to order at 5:32P.M. by Chair Daniel Scott Downtown Revitalization Committee Members Present: Daniel Scott, Chair Kristan LeBaron, Secretary Sheila Nardelli Committee Members Absent: Kellie Olisky, Vice-Chair Danyel Cake City Staff: Paul Brandenburg – City Manager Elaine Simpson – City Secretary Liz Branigan – Mayor Katie Amsler – Director of Communications and Community Involvement. Mary Poche’ – Executive Director of Liberty Hill Economic Development Corporation PLEASE SILENCE YOUR CELL PHONES 1) CALL TO ORDER a) Establish quorum Liberty Hill DRC Meeting minutes November 28, 2023 Page 1 of 5 11  2) PUBLIC COMMENTS Regarding items not on this agenda/Public Comments: Those desiring to speak on a topic not listed on the agenda, please complete a speaker form and present it to the City Secretary before the meeting. Speakers will have three minutes each to speak, this time cannot be transferred or shared. Committee members may not take action during this item and any responses will be limited to factual statements, recitation of existing policy, or request for the topic to be placed on a future agenda. Regarding topics listed as an agenda item/During specific agenda item: Committee Members request that speakers complete a speaker form, indicate which agenda item they are interested in speaking about, and submit form to the City Secretary before the agenda item is addressed. Speaker forms may be emailed to the City Secretary before the meeting at esimpson@libertyhilltx.gov. No Comments. 3) REGULAR SESSION a) Discussion, consideration and possible action regarding the October 24, 2023 Downtown Revitalization Committee meeting minutes. (E. Simpson) Kristan LeBaron moved, and Chair Daniel Scott seconded, to approve, as presented, the meeting minutes from October 24, 2023. The motion was carried unanimously by a 3-0 vote. Ayes: Nardelli, LeBaron, and Scott. Absent: Cake and Olisky b) Discussion of the impact of the 13' lane width adoption and how it relates to the downtown masterplan and main street streetscape. (D. Scott) research from the National Association of City Transportation Officials here: Lane Widths: https://nacto.org/publication/urban-street-design-guide/street-design- elements/lane-width/ Sidewalks: https://nacto.org/publication/urban-street-design-guide/street-design- elements/sidewalks/ Chair Daniel Scott presented the item and the research he has done. Chair Scott asked if there was any flexibility to the 13-foot lane width that can drive the downtown masterplan consultants which relates to walkability and industry standards? Chair Scott explained his calculation by using the standards provided by the comp plan. The Committee went over the graphics in the packet. Kristan LeBaron asked for staff to research other cities similar to Liberty Hill that have taken away street parking in front of businesses and whether or not those businesses survived. Chair Scott suggested having wayfinding parking management to inform people where to park. Liberty Hill DRC Meeting minutes November 28, 2023 Page 2 of 5 12  c) Discussion, consideration and possible action regarding evaluation of concept of 'Vacancy Tax', and discussion of alternative options for improving downtown properties. (P. Brandenburg) This agenda item was routed to Downtown Revitalization Committee from City Council meeting of October 25, 2023. Council Members would like the Committee to review and consider the concept of 'Vacancy Tax' as a tool for encouraging rental of existing buildings downtown. Since this concept is customarily used in larger cities, the Council wanted opinion from DRC on possible merits for use in Liberty Hill at our current population (size). Paul Brandenburg, City Manager, presented the item. Paul informed the committee of the findings of the research he did on vacancy tax. The vacancy tax tended to be for much larger cities for example Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York. The reason for it was because of bigger apartment complexes that were mostly empty and blighted with crime. The vacancy tax was created to deter blight. Paul was unable to find any cities the size of Liberty Hill that had a vacancy tax. Paul suggests looking at other ways as to why is the property vacant. Maybe the city could have a way to incentivize the property owner instead of penalize. Michelle Wetzel spoke about the shop she purchased in 1997 and has not been open to the public but she still uses it. d) Review and Finalize List of DRC achievements for 2023, and goals for 2024. (Chair D. Scott) Chair Scott went over the list he drafted prior to the October meeting. Kristan LeBaron will get with Elaine and Katie to make sure the list is updated. e) Discussion, consideration and possible action regarding idea of Arts Council, Public Art Policy, and/or Mural Program. Chair Scott introduced the item and commented that he hasn’t had a chance to work on since last meeting. Kristan LeBaron will follow-up with Chair Scott and update. Katie informed the board about the 4 sculptures that are located in City Hall and maybe those could be used on the pedestals on the shared-use path. Chair Scott suggested contacting Continental Cut Stone for large limestone blocks that were donated and saved for use by the City. Have material up front before the Sculpture Fest for the artists. Kristan has been working on a draft of qualifications and guidelines. Chair Scott commented he will begin working on a draft ordinance to share with planning for feedback. Katie suggested creating a timeline and goals for when the Committee would like to roll this out. Chair Scott suggested an Arts and Culture Board. Chair Scott will do some more research. Liberty Hill DRC Meeting minutes November 28, 2023 Page 3 of 5 13  f) Update, discussion and possible action regarding the feature for center of the Roundabout on Main ST. (P. Brandenburg) Paul Brandenburg, City Manager, presented the item and that the City now has options for engineers for designing. City is now reaching out to these engineering firms to see if they have architects on staff to assist with this task. Mary Poche’, EDC Director, informed Committee that there is a meeting with PEC on December 5th to discuss how long, costs and when they can start. g) Update, discussion and possible action regarding Downtown Master Plan. (M. Poche, P. Brandenburg) Mary Poche’, EDC Director, introduced item. The survey closes on December 1st. Halff & Associates is moving along and are on track. Mary has a meeting with Halff & Associates scheduled for December 7th. Katie Amsler informed the Committee of the concerns Halff had at the last meeting which were the 13 foot wide lanes. Katie mentioned that Halff said the main point of the Downtown Masterplan is to increase pedestrian activity and the 13 foot lanes go against their goal and the City’s goal. Mayor Branigan suggested having Halff put out an additional survey for what people would want for the center of the round about. h) Take a group photo for Board Appreciation Night. (K. Amsler) Katie Amsler took a photo of the Downtown Revitalization Committee. 4) REPORTS a) Report from the November 16, 2023 meeting of the Cross-Committee Communications group, as compiled. Chair Scott was unable to attend the Cross-Committee meeting but his report contained items from the October meeting that included murals, roundabout, and other committee information. Liberty Hill DRC Meeting minutes November 28, 2023 Page 4 of 5 14  5) FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Issues, topics, items for consideration at a future meeting may be identified and scheduled for a future agenda. No deliberations on the items may occur. Streetscape – will go straight to Engineers Downtown Masterplan Middle of Roundabout Halff will work on signage Discussion of Events for 2024 No Downtown Revitalization Committee meeting in December. 6) ADJOURNMENT With no other items on the agenda, and no objections from the committee members, Chair Scott adjourned the Downtown Revitalization Committee at 6:42 P.M. PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE Downtown Revitalization Committee of the City of Liberty Hill, Texas on _____ day of Feburary, 2024 on vote of _____ ayes, _____ nays, and ______ abstentions. ______________________________ Chair Daniel Scott ______________________________ City Secretary Elaine Simpson Liberty Hill DRC Meeting minutes November 28, 2023 Page 5 of 5 15  DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE TUESDAY - FEBRUARY 27, 2024 2801 Ranch Road 1869 - Liberty Hill AGENDA ITEM 3.c Discussion, consideration, and possible action regarding a Public Arts Program (K. LeBaron): Update on arts program research, mural quotes on the cistern/old water tower in Wetzel Park. Review updated draft of Public Art Program Guidelines. 16  DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE TUESDAY - FEBRUARY 27, 2024 2801 Ranch Road 1869 - Liberty Hill AGENDA ITEM 3.d Discussion on Volunteer historic building survey. Extents, criteria, schedule, and possible use for the city. (D. Scott) 17  DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE TUESDAY - FEBRUARY 27, 2024 2801 Ranch Road 1869 - Liberty Hill AGENDA ITEM 3.e Discuss, consider and possibly take action to forward a recommendation to City Council regarding filling the vacancy left by Kellie Olisky and Danyel Cake. (D. Scott) 18  DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE TUESDAY - FEBRUARY 27, 2024 2801 Ranch Road 1869 - Liberty Hill AGENDA ITEM 3.f Discussion, consideration and possible action regarding forwarding a recommendation to City Council regarding Main Street Width. (K. LeBaron) 19  City Council Meeting Date: 1/24/24__ Item No. Requested By: _Katie Amsler____ Submitted/Prepared By: Katie Amsler_____ Type: (Action/Discussion Only /Consent/Exec. Session/Public Hearing) :Action___ AGENDA ITEM COVER SHEET ITEM/TITLE: Minimum Lane Width for Main Street AGENDA ITEM WORDING : Discussion and action to set a minimum lane width for Main Street. EXECUTIVE / BACKGROUND SUMMARY: The Comprehensive Plan suggests 13-ft lane widths citywide; however, the consultants for the Downtown Master Plan recommends 11-ft lane widths for Main Street for the following reasons:  To allow more room to expand sidewalks and add a landscape buffer for a more pedestrian- friendly downtown, which was the most requested item on the downtown survey  To slow traffic down through Main Street Once we have established the minimum lane width, staff will move forward with designs to bump out sidewalks on Main Street. The designs will include two options: (1) no parking spaces on Main Street and (2) a few spaces sprinkled in where it makes sense. FISCAL NOTES/FINANCIAL BACKGROUND/FINANCIAL IMPACT: None SUGGESTED WORDING FOR MOTION(S) REGARDING ORDINANCES OR RESOLUTIONS: I move to make the minimum land width on Main Street __ feet. ATTACHMENTS: None Page 1 of 1 20  DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE TUESDAY - FEBRUARY 27, 2024 2801 Ranch Road 1869 - Liberty Hill AGENDA ITEM 3.g Update, discussion, consideration and possible action regarding Wayfinding signage. (K. LeBaron) 21