Corridor Improvement Authority

CITY OF STERLING HEIGHTS CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING FEBRUARY 14, 2007 – 5:30 P.M. CITY CENTER – ROOM 201 Luke Bonner called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. Members present at roll call: Pat Lehman, Mary Marcinak, Douglas Skrzyniarz, and Rose Tocco Members absent: Daniel Crombez (excused), Salvator D’Angelo, Denice Gerstenberg (excused) Also in attendance: Luke Bonner, Economic Development Manager; Jim Buhlinger, Deputy Treasurer; Kimberly Stulz, Recording Secretary With the absence of Chairman Daniel Crombez, Luke Bonner commissioned the meeting. Motion to Approve the Agenda with omitting #4 on the Agenda Moved by Lehman, supported by Marcinak, to approve the agenda as presented and omit #4 of the agenda (CIA Website – Steve Guitar). Ayes: All Nays: None Motion carried. Motion to Approve the January 10, 2007 Minutes Moved by Marcinak, supported by Skrzyniarz, to approve the minutes from January 10, 2007. Ayes: All Nays: None Motion carried. Motion to receive and file memorandum from Assessing regarding property values Discussion: Ms. Marcinak had a question of special assessing on properties. She wanted to make sure that they could not be added to the properties after the corridor improvements were done. She asked Mr. Bonner how that would work. Mr. Bonner said that special assessments are usually paid annually based on linear frontage and doesn’t increase the property value. It’s paid with an annual invoice. Ms. Marcinak wanted reassurance that no special assessments would be added to these properties. Mr. Bonner told her that the CIA can create such assessments but would not go down that road. Ms. Marcinak was satisfied with Mr. Bonner’s answer and withdrew her request to have an additional memorandum stating that special assessments would not be put forth. Moved by Marcinak, supported by Skrzyniarz, to receive and file memorandum from Assessing regarding property values. Ayes: All Nays: None Motion Carried. Motion to approve the 2007/2008 Fiscal Year Budget Moved by Marcinak, supported by Lehman, to approve the 2007/2008 fiscal year budget. Ayes: All Nays: None Motion Carried. Discussion on Proposed Improvement Cost Estimates Mr. Bonner started out addressing the $40,000 budget for the traffic study. Ms. Lehman immediately questioned why the C.I.A. is being billed for it. She thought it was something that City should be paying for. Mr. Bonner stated that this was put in the development plan of the Corridor Improvement Authority and was identified by the C.I.A. The traffic study is specific for the traffic pattern and flow based on the improvements the C.I.A. Mr. Skrzyniarz made a point to stress that this study would not be done unless the C.I.A. had asked for it. Ms. Marcinak asked about the round about study. Mr. Bonner explained that this is a different study being done by MDOT. Ms. Lehman asked if the traffic study would address the boulevard. Mr. Bonner stated that this would be apart of the projected traffic study and the $40,000 budget would be forwarded from the general fund to the C.I.A. and would be repaid to the general fund when the money was available down the road sometime. Mr. Skrzyniarz asked whether this was a standard cost or was there built in variance. Mr. Bonner said that this was the price he was given by the consulting & engineers and the results would be available in a few months. Ms. Tocco asked when the study was being started. Mr. Bonner did not know at this time. Ms. Marcinak asked if this had to go through City Council for approval. Mr. Bonner pointed out that this is under the 2006/2007 budget and has been accounted for through the general fund as explained earlier. Mr. Bonner started discussion in regards to the 2.875 million budget for construction. Ms. Marcinak introduced the article from the Sterling Heights Sentry from February 7, 2007 called “Improvements to Roads and Sewers on Tap for 2007”. Mr. Bonner stated that the 2.875 million budget is the best case scenario and right now the projected revenue for the C.I.A. is around 17,000. With inflation only, the C.I.A. should be able to receive a bond of $1,000,000. Ms. Gerstenberg has put in for the 1.8 million MDOT transportation grant, which Mr. Bonner pointed out requires a 25% match. This would address the entire corridor. Even without the grant the C.I.A. should be able to get the bond for 1 million dollars. There are other possibilities, including projected growth in the district creating more tax value monies. Ms. Marcinak was concerned that the 2.875 million from the article was coming from the capital improvement fund. Mr. Bonner pointed out that all improvements are part of the capital improvement fund regardless of funding source but the money for the corridor would be funded by the C.I.A.’s money only and would not come from the general fund. There would be a separation of money. Ms. Lehman & Ms. Marcinak wondered about the conflict of improvements wanted between the C.I.A. and City Council and the funding. They wondered if City Council would require items not intended and the C.I.A. would have to fund these projects instead of the general fund. Mr. Bonner stated that this is collaboration between both parties and that it would be presented to City Council and they would either accept or reject C.I.A ideas. These improvements are being done because of the C.I.A. and that shall be so recognized. Ms. Lehman inquired about the costs and whether they were estimates. Mr. Bonner stated as soon as they know that amount of money which will be granted and obtained that with the coordination of the consultants and engineers in summer / early fall there would be more accurate pricing. Bus Tour Ideas Mr. Bonner stated this would be a great opportunity to see what other cities have done and what looks good and what would be a priority for our improvement ideas. He stated that he had not gotten the videos that were requested last time. Ms. Lehman asked if a priority list was put together as requested. Mr. Bonner pointed out that prioritizing right now without knowing how much money we will have wouldn’t be ideal. Ms. Marcinak, Ms. Lehman and Ms. Tocco thought underground utilities be number one priority. Mr. Bonner stated that this is around 10,000,000 dollars and would take the life of the C.I.A. in order to try to get it. He thought the C.I.A. should focus on other improvements such as decorative streetlights, which are quite expensive in themselves or if there isn’t enough money they can concentrate on intersections only. Ms. Lehman, Ms. Marcinak, Ms. Tocco and Mr. Skrzyniarz would like to receive correspondence from DTE in regards to the pricing of underground utilities. They additionally requested that Mr. Bonner speak with City of Troy and see how they were able to complete their underground utility project. In regards to traffic signals, they thought is should be a partnership with MDOT and the Road Commission and not solely the responsibility of the C.I.A. Mr. Bonner stated that next Friday there will be a dry run for the bus tour that will include most likely Ford Road in Canton, Plymouth in Livonia, a 6-mile stretch in Taylor, Squirrel Road in Auburn Hills and a section in St. Clair Shores. It would be a whole day excursion and he would like to invite members of City Council. Ms. Marcinak wanted to make sure that they would focus more on the areas with underground utilities. Public Comments Ms. Tocco wondered what happened to the website presentation and wanted to make sure that it will be covered at the next meeting. She stated that the Mt Clemens website is very nice and very easy to navigate. The website was given as www.dowtownmtclemens.com. Ms. Marcinak asked whether or not Mr. Bonner called Tempe, Phoenix and Scottsdale. Mr. Bonner said that he did but no one returned his call. He will follow up with them again. Ms. Marcinak said he should try contacting the Public / Community Relations Department instead of the Directors. Adjournment Moved by Skrzyniarz, supported by Marcinak to adjourn. Ayes: All Nays: None Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m. KDS