HomeMy WebLinkAbout008.20.19CHUBBUCK
The urban renewal agency for the City of Chubbuck, Idaho
City of Chubbuck
5160 Yellowstone Avenue
PO Box 5604
Chubbuck, ID 83202.0006
208.237.2400
Minutes of the Chubbuck Development Authority meeting held at Chubbuck City Hall Council Chambers,
5160 Yellowstone Avenue on August 20th at 5:30 pm.
Chairman Dan Heiner. Commission Members: Mecinna Price, Rick Keller, Ernie Moser, Tom Nield,
Annette Baumeister. Executive Director; Rodney Burch. Associate Director; Devin Hillam. Attorney; Tom
Holmes. Secretary; Kami Morrison
Chairman Heiner called the meeting to order at 5:30pm.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: for July 16, 2019 (action item)
Heiner entertained a motion to approve the minutes as emailed. Moser moved the minutes of July 16
2019, be approved as emailed; Baumeister seconded. All voted to approve.
GENERAL BUSINESS
1. Discussion of Canal Trail System and Funding Opportunities
(Staff will discuss funding options for canal trails)
Devin Hillam, Associate Director, provided update on the City's strategic plan for walkability. Staff has
had discussions with the Fort Hall Irrigation Project in regards to a canal trail system. The strategic plan
of the city calls for increased multi -modal transportation and canal trails have been identified as one of
those items that the City would like to see progress on. Hillam has become a member of the Portneuf
Greenway Foundation and is trying to get them to push their efforts into the Chubbuck area in addition
to the Pocatello area. There are some good opportunities for CDA to be involved in future creation of a
canal bank system. Hillam showed map of potential canal trails. Staff have had discussions with
Pocatello regarding Hiline canal connecting from Chubbuck to the Winco area. Hillam described
different lateral greenway paths and ones that will be built in the future along current roadways
including Siphon and Tyhee. Staff met with the Fort Hall Irrigation Project about a year ago and had a
great meeting. Hillam feels the City has a good opportunity to pursue canal greenway projects. He has
had conversations about long-term visions to connect Chubbuck/Pocatello through Fort Hall to
Blackfoot with those entities along the Hiline Canal and all parties were generally acceptable. Greenway
typically pays around $200,000 /mile for trails. Literature shows canal trails and river walks are very
popular and draw people into communities. Trails decrease congestion on roads and additionally
provide recreational opportunities. Hillam stated he would like to research project further and identify
some tactical locations along existing canals. Greenway Foundation may or may not participate, still to
be determined. Not sure ability of Greenway, but lots of potential from state funding, potential CDA and
city funding or nonprofits such as the Portneuf Health Trust.
Keller voiced concerns that many of these walkways go into backyards and/or cross private property and
that there is little to no maintenance after they are complete. Examples are broken fences that aren't
repaired, trespass issues, debris, and most residents don't have any recourse. Keller stated the
discussion needs to consider local people having these in their backyards and need to be very careful
they are not overlooked.
Nield questioned the fundraising event that the Portneuf Greenway Foundation discontinued and asked
how they would help finance. Hillam stated that this was an event that they were losing money on.
Their funds are received mostly from private donations and grants. But also mentioned that the
Greenway Foundation will not the biggest player in this project.
Moser asked if it was common to have along canals. Hillam stated it is popular across the nation to use
the open space to create corridors. Brief discussion was had about cleaning and maintenance and
making sure the trails were constructed where it logistically makes sense to accomplish those tasks.
Price mentioned that Hiline runs in front of her house and they have dog walkers, runners all day long.
Have had no issues with garbage litter or trash. When canal is cleaned out it is usually cleaned pretty
well and the debris is gone within a week.
Hillam stated literature overwhelmingly has shown a positive benefit to communities. Staff can work
through potential private property issues.
Baumeister felt Hiline is a good place to start where there are not many private property issues. Helps
connect to road that leads to interchange. Trail will help with concerns about Hiline being busy.
Baumeister questioned if staff foresees potential property rights negotiations. Hillam stated the
property lines were fairly clear. Redman canal through Cotant area is a little more congested with the
built environment but that a trail there would likely be the area that would be most beneficial to
connect schools and parks to the neighborhood. Would work through property concerns in blocks as
paths were planned.
Moser commented this is not a one-time deal, ongoing maintenance would be required. Hillam stated
the Greenway Foundation has been doing the maintenance in Pocatello in partnership with Pocatello
but the City has recently committed to taking over as the Parks Department felt they should maintain
the public facility and public space. For a Chubbuck greenway network, it would require a City Council
discussion for a long-term dedication to maintenance.
Brief comments were made regarding doggie bag dispensers, volunteer maintenance, and potential
extension of path from Mary's park to Wellness Complex.
Hillam will do some additional work on project and bring back to board in a coming meetings.
2. Resolution to accept Updated T.I.F. Eligibility Study west of 1-15 (action item)
(CDA board will discuss Updated Eligibility Study to add additional parcels)
Rodney Burch, Executive Director, stated since the eligibility study was completed the city has had two
additional properties that have annexed or will annex into the city. Both parcel owners have asked to be
included in eligibility study. Property adjacent to railroad previously annexed, other is in process. To
accommodate that, Burch stated that the City needed to create a supplemental eligibility study, which
was done internally with staff and reviewed by Elam & Burke. Summary of that is on page 6 of packet.
Key item was to make sure the City didn't exceed 10% of valuation. Both parcels only add an estimated
value of just over $91,000. The properties may have agricultural exemption and could fluctuate but noy
much. Even including both parcels, it is only at 6.8% of valuation of city. In the conclusion paragraph of
the study is a statement indicating a belief that the parcels are eligible under Idaho code and should be
included in the study and eligible to participate in TIF district. The resolution provided on page 4 states a
finding of this board that statements of eligibility are true and acknowledge and accept the study and
will act to move to City Council for them to act on and accept eligibility study, if approved would
authorize CDA to move forward with the creation of a TIF plan. The eligibility study being discussed was
largely identify to what was approved in two previous eligibility studies, just adding two new parcels.
Burch asked the board to accept and execute resolution.
Keller made motion to accept resolution as presented. Baumeister seconded.
Roll call vote: Price — yes; Keller — yes; Moser — yes; Baumeister — yes; Nield — yes; Heiner — yes. Motion
carried.
3. Patriot Commercial Properties Reimbursement Request (action item)
(CDA board will review TIF reimbursement request)
Director Burch stated request is per original agreement with Patriot Commercial Properties they are
eligible to receive additional reimbursement of $20,416, asked board to approve that payment as part of
claims.
Heiner entertained a motion. Nield motioned to approve payment. Price seconded.
Roll call vote: Heiner — yes; Nield — yes; Baumeister — yes; Moser — yes; Keller — yes; Price — yes. Motion
carried.
4. Pine Ridge Mall Reimbursement Request (action item)
(CDA board will review TIF reimbursement request)
As represented in memo, Pine Ridge Mall is eligible for 11.7 million of eventual reimbursable costs and
has completed just under 3.1 million of those costs. Reimbursing them at about $250,000 per year
working towards that repayment. Request is for total reimbursement of $214, 804 (incremental amount
of $229,000 less administrative fees). Burch requested approval to provide reimbursement.
Moser motioned to approve payment. Keller seconded.
Roll call vote: Price — yes; Keller — yes; Moser — yes; Baumeister — yes; Nield — yes; Heiner — yes. Motion
carried.
5. Downtown / City Hall Property Agreement (action item)
(CDA board will discuss property acquisition adjacent to City Hall site)
Burch provided handouts to Board members. Burch explained that the four pages are a representation
of the City Hall site location from four different views Burch explained that the concept has a courtyard
in front, parking in rear, potential pad sites around and building two new streets to provide better
access into downtown. Conceptual design for area. The City Hall building faces Linden and already has
utilities easements and installed to Chubbuck Road. Future roads from the site to Chubbuck Road will
extend as developed by private developers in the future. There are potentially at least three entrances
to the City Hall site, with one off of Yellowstone via Linden and eventually two off of Chubbuck. Burch
received a site plan from the architectural firm and presented a funding proposal based on the plan.
Blue box in center is the building itself and parking and courtyard. Orange is new right-of-way and street
improvements. All boxes are potential developable pad sites. Public space on the western edge goes
back to Fort Hall Project irrigation system. Future property acquisition from ICCU identified in orange.
Property in blue has not been acquired, would need to seek that acquisition as it consumes portion of
roadway and pad sites. Hope to add that parcel.
Keller asked if the City would exercise eminent domain. Burch stated they had conversations with
individuals during moratorium on industrial zoning in that area so homeowners are aware of what's
happening. Holm stated typically that discussion does not come up. If there's interest, would get
appraisal, complete negotiations and acquire. Associate Director Hillam stated that discussions with
homeowners during the moratorium and rezoning phases in the area didn't seem to indicate they were
opposed to moving.
Burch continued with the presentation stating the City believes there is an opportunity for partnership
between City and CDA. Urban renewal agency has ability to acquire, repurpose, and dispose of property
while the City does not. Burch described different areas and those entities responsible for purchase of
those sites as well as how the contractor assigned construction costs to different areas. Total
assignment of responsibilities for the City would be $635,000 and CDA would be approximately
$1,050,000 not including the proposed pads near the park/plaza at the south as it would not be critical
to develop and could delay action on that if deemed appropriate. Burch programmed those expenses
into the current CDA budget and stated there are sufficient funds with excess to accomplish.
Referencing cash balance chart, blue represents program money and red represents admin funds.
Should still have around two million dollar balance in 2022.
Baumeister asked if funding this project meant cutting others. Burch stated that no projects would be
cut. Planning Director Hillam also mentioned that pad monies from the CDA would be investments and
that the CDA would get those monies back as they sell.
Burch requested to know if CDA is interested in partnership and if so will work on agreement for action
in September. Secondly, Burch requested approval to pursue acquisition of home.
The City has already budgeted funds and the new City Hall not require an increase in taxes. If CDA does
not participate the City won't develop surrounding pads and may delay construction of one of the
planned streets. CDA involvement provides cost savings to the City and would create more momentum
in the planned downtown but it would not jeopardize the City Hall project.
Keller made a motion for CDA and city to enter into negotiation on responsibilities as outlined and
report back to board with agreement. Nield seconded.
Roll call vote: Price — yes; Keller — yes; Moser — yes; Baumeister — yes; Nield — yes; Heiner — yes. Motion
carried.
Baumeister motioned for approval to pursue acquisition of home, Price seconded.
Roll call vote: Heiner — yes; Nield — yes; Baumeister — yes; Moser — yes; Keller — yes; Price — yes. Motion
carried.
Zion's Public Finance — Municipal Advisor (action item)
(CDA board will discuss agreement for financial advisory services)
Director Burch stated that Zion's Public Finance represents the City of Chubbuck relative to bond type
financing transaction. Zion's Public Finance is not a lending institution for the City but just represents the
City as financial experts in municipal transactions. The City received proposal from the Pine Ridge Mall
that would include CDA issuing bonds to repay three million debt owed immediately so they can
reinvest capital back into the mall site per the urban renewal plan. Revenue bonds from tax increment
already established as standard practice in urban renewal. Farmer's Holding will be bringing that
proposal to CDA next month. Critical for CDA to have representation for experts. The proposal is to
enter into a contract with Zion's Public Finance, Christian Anderson, to represent if CDA chooses to
move forward with bonding with mall. Costs would be borne by the Mall, not by CDA. Burch stated he
would like to have representation in place before presentation. Burch requested board to approve
execution of contract with Zion's to be financial advisor.
Keller asked if due diligence was done in selecting an advisor. Burch stated that it has, and that the City
has signed almost identical contract and CDA Attorney has reviewed. Moser stated he was not
comfortable signing documents with blanks. Burch explained contract is Zion's all-encompassing
contract so he has selected those options and identified what each blank was for. The first blank was to
select to have Zion's represent on revenue bonds lease bonds, the next was to identify Zion's as not
being a lending institution to the City but a financial advisor, and the remaining blank was the date that
CDA would enter into agreement.
Moser motioned to approve contract. Nield seconded.
Roll call vote: Heiner — yes; Nield — yes; Baumeister — yes; Moser — yes; Keller — yes; Price — yes. Motion
carried.
7. Review and approve claims to be paid (action item)
(CDA board will review and approve payments of obligations)
Board had already approved two items, third is $206,784 to Knife River for Country Acres project. The
claim not related to any additional work and that they at end of contract and that this claim is a release
of money they have already earned to close out contract.
Nield motion to pay claims as presented. Price seconded.
Roll call vote: Price — yes; Keller — yes; Moser — yes; Baumeister — yes; Nield — yes; Heiner — yes. Motion
carried.
8. Discuss and add agenda items for future meetings (action item)
(CDA board will discuss possible items for future agendas)
September will include presentation from Zion's and the Mall.
ADJOURN:,loser motiorgd to adjourn, all approved at 6:27pm
NEXT Wal NG: SepOmber 17, 2019
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ission Chair Kami Morrison, Secretary