City Council

Minutes of Joint Session of Redevelopment Agency of Ogden City, Utah, March 8, 2016 Page Minutes of the Joint Study Session of the Ogden City Redevelopment Agency, also acting as the City Council, held on Tuesday, March 8, 2016 at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Work Room on the third floor of the Municipal Building, 2549 Washington Boulevard, Ogden City, Weber County, Utah. Present: Chair Marcia L. White Vice Chair Bart E. Blair Board members Neil K. Garner Richard A. Hyer Ben Nadolski (arrived at 5:37 p.m.) Doug Stephens Excused: Board member Luis Lopez Board Administrator Bill Cook Board Deputy Administrator Janene Eller-Smith Board Policy Analyst Glenn Symes Communications Manager Amy Sue Mabey Also present: Chief Administrative Officer Mark Johnson Community and Economic Development Deputy Manager Brandon Cooper Planning Manager Greg Montgomery Chief Deputy Recorder Lee Ann Peterson The purpose of the Joint Study Session was to discuss the agenda items for the Redevelopment Agency and Special City Council meetings scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m., receive a Redevelopment Agency project update, and discuss Board and Council business. Redevelopment Agency Project Update Board Deputy Director Eller-Smith noted that the Board has agreed to allow the Community and Economic Development Department to forego submittal of formal quarterly reports and, instead, provide the Board with an update regarding various projects underway in the community. She noted she provided Community and Economic Development Deputy Manager Cooper with a list of projects the Board would like information about and Board member Nadolski also asked that Mr. Cooper provide the Board with information regarding the River Project. Mr. Cooper approached and provided the Board with information about the seven projects for which he was asked to provide an update. He displayed photographs of several of the projects, beginning with property at the corner of 17 th Street and Washington Boulevard. The Redevelopment Agency (RDA) entered into a development agreement with the owner of the property to demolish the old building and help entice a retailer or commercial user to the site; the project will include an auto parts building, which is currently under construction. According to the development agreement, the City will be conveying to the developer $20,000 per year for the next five years beginning in April of 2017 as long as the project is completed by October of 2016 and a certificate of occupancy is issued by December of 2016. Another condition of the agreement is that the business must generate over $1 million in sales and they will need to provide sales receipts to the City in order to receive the incentive. Mr. Cooper provided an update regarding the Oak Den Urban Renewal Area; the Board approved a resolution defining a survey area for which a blight study was commissioned. Agency staff received the blight study this week and the consultant indicated a finding of blight. The study will be forwarded to Board staff to initiate the scheduling of a blight hearing before the remainder of the process can commence. Mr. Cooper then reported on the Tower View Apartment project at the corner of 23rd Street and Washington Boulevard; the project is currently under construction and he provided photographs of the progress of the project. Board member Stephens asked if the project includes retail space on the corner. Mr. Cooper answered yes and noted the lower level of the apartment complex is programmed for retail and office space. Chair White asked if the units will be considered market rate apartments, to which Mr. Cooper answered yes, but noted they are being marketed as luxury apartment units. Mr. Cooper provided a report regarding the Rite-Aid project at 24th Street and Monroe Boulevard; the project is moving forward as planned and Agency staff is still working with multiple parties to carry out the terms of the two optional projects that have been discussed with the Board in the past. Mr. Cooper then discussed the Trackline Project; he noted Amer Sports recently purchased ENVE Composites, which was the first company with plans to locate in the project area. He stated he feels the transaction is a great thing and will not negatively impact the Trackline Project. ENVE has indicated they feel the partnership will bring more production value to the space and allow them to grow faster than they otherwise would have; it also further entrenches both companies into the community.  Board member Hyer asked if the business acquisition entailed a change in ENVE’s business management or staff. Mr. Cooper stated ENVE’s Chief Executive Officer will remain in her position and he is unaware of any planned management changes. Amer Sports will be leasing the building as ENVE Composites for five years, with an optional five year renewal term. Chair White asked if there has been more interest in the Trackline Project. Mr. Cooper answered yes and noted Agency staff is working with two other bike companies interested in locating in the project area. He discussed the recent developments with Quality Bike Products (QBP); the company is walking away from their facility near Business Depot Ogden (BDO), but one piece of good news is that the majority of the QBP employees that would have otherwise been unemployed have been hired by other bike companies in the City. The QBP building is currently for sale, but there is a slim market for it as it is very specialized. He stated the City is hopeful the building will be acquired by another company, but has no plans to influence such a transaction at this point in time. He then reported on movement on the Gibbs property, which is the property made of seven parcels east of the Ogden LDS Temple between Ogden and Adams Avenues. The Agency has sent a letter to current tenants of the property to inform them of the transaction and directing them to reach out to the City to discuss any concerns or questions they may have. Board member Stephens inquired about the status of redevelopment of the old Fred Meyer building on 12th Street between Washington Boulevard and Wall Avenue. Mr. Cooper stated the property is under contract by a private group who has entered into a contract with a commercial user who will likely demolish the building and build something new in its place. Mr. Cooper then responded to Board member Nadolski’s request for information about the River Project. He reminded the Board of recent action taken to convey property in section two of the project to Lotus Development; the developer has a timeline for development, but the project may be accelerated as a result of recent interest by a new commercial user. The townhomes are still under construction, but they are progressing rapidly. He also reported on the apartment units underway on 20th Street; the project is being managed by PEG Development and of the 144 units available in the complex, they have leased 60. Board member Stephens asked if open space near the river is still a component of the River Project. Mr. Cooper answered yes and stated staff is working to revise the high adventure park in the area to improve the hardscape and landscape to make it more aesthetically pleasing. Board member Stephens inquired as to the amount of green space leading to the river on its south bank. Mr. Cooper stated that is part of the master plan for the project, but the City has not received plans for that portion of the project to date. Agenda Review Board Administrator Cook and other members of Board staff briefly reviewed the items listed on the RDA and Council meeting agendas for the meeting scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. Mr. Cook also reviewed the items listed on the City Council work session notice. Board member Nadolski referenced the item listed on the Council agenda dealing with proposed amendments to Council Norms and Rules of Procedure. He indicated that when he was elected to this body he vowed to himself and others that if he were to disagree he would not do so in a disagreeable manner and he apologized if he was disagreeable in last week’s meeting during the discussion regarding the Council Norms. He thanked Chair White for reaching out to him about that matter. He stated his goal will always be to add value to the body; he will always have his principles and beliefs, but it will never be personal for him. Board member Stephens stated he thought the discussion last week was very healthy and the purpose of work session meetings it to have discussions about the groups thoughts and feelings. Board member Nadolski stated that in the future when making comments he will do so in a more constructive manner. The meeting adjourned at 5:57 p.m. ________________________________________ LEE ANN PETERSON, MMC CHIEF DEPUTY CITY RECORDER ________________________________________ MARCIA L. WHITE, CHAIR APPROVED: June 7, 2016