GOVERNMENT

Downtown Medford

Board of Directors Board Minutes

  • Minutes
  • Agenda
    1.9.2007 Medford Urban Renewal Agency Board of Directors - Minutes

    A.
    Executive Session

    A meeting of the Medford Urban Renewal Agency Board of Directors was called to order in Executive Session at 6:36 p.m., on the above date, in City Hall, Third Floor, Employee Break Room of the City of Medford by Chair Eric Stark, with the following members in attendance:

    BOARD MEMBERS:
    Present
    Eric Stark, Chair
    Bill Dames, Vice-Chair
    Peter Naumes, Secretary
    Dick Entinger
    Skip Patterson
    Joy Pelikan
    Greg Yechout
    Jason Anderson, Council Representative (arrived approximately 6:50 p.m.)

    STAFF:
    Present
    Jackie Rodgers, Executive Director
    Eric Iversen, Senior Planner
    Terri Rozzana, Administrative Support Technician

    Pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(e), “The governing body of a public body may hold an executive session to conduct deliberations with persons designated by the governing body to negotiate real property transactions.”

    EXECUTIVE SESSION CLOSED AT 6:57 P.M.

    B.
    Open Session
    I.
    Roll Call

    1.1 A meeting of the Medford Urban Renewal Agency Board of Directors was called to order in Open Session at 7:03 p.m., in City Hall Council Chambers of the City of Medford, on the above date, by Chair Eric Stark, with the following Members and Staff in attendance:

    BOARD MEMBERS:
    Present
    Eric Stark, Chair
    Bill Dames, Vice-Chair
    Peter Naumes, Secretary
    Dick Entinger
    Skip Patterson
    Joy Pelikan
    Greg Yechout

    Absent
    Jason Anderson, Council Representative

    STAFF:
    Present
    Jackie Rodgers, Executive Director
    Eric Iversen, Senior Planner
    Terri Rozzana, Administrative Support Technician

    1.2 Election of 2007 Officers

    A. Chair Eric Stark opened the floor for nominations for Board Chair for 2007.

    NOMINATION: Skip Patterson nominated Eric Stark for Board Chair. Peter Naumes seconded the nomination. There were no other nominations.

    VOTE: The following Board members passed the motion with an affirmative vote: Bill Dames, Dick Entinger, Peter Naumes, Skip Patterson, Joy Pelikan, Eric Stark and Greg Yechout.

    B. Chair Eric Stark opened the floor for nominations for Board Vice-Chair for 2007.

    Skip Patterson nominated Peter Naumes for Board Vice-Chair. Dick Entinger seconded the nomination.
    VOTE: The following Board members voted with an affirmative vote: Bill Dames, Dick Entinger, Peter Naumes, Skip Patterson, Joy Pelikan, Eric Stark and Greg Yechout.

    C. Chair Eric Stark opened the floor for nominations for Board Secretary for 2007.

    NOMINATION: Skip Patterson nominated Joy Pelikan for Board Secretary.

    Joy Pelikan declined the nomination.

    NOMINATION: Skip Patterson nominated Greg Yechout for Board Secretary. Pete Naumes seconded the nomination.

    VOTE: The following Board members voted with an affirmative vote: Bill Dames, Dick Entinger, Peter Naumes, Skip Patterson, Joy Pelikan, Eric Stark and Greg Yechout.

    II.
    Minutes

    2.1 Minutes for the December 12, 2006 Medford Urban Renewal Agency Board of Directors meeting were submitted.

    Chair Eric Stark inquired whether there were any corrections to the Medford Urban Renewal Agency Board Minutes of December 12, 2006. Hearing no corrections, he stated that the Minutes stand approved as submitted.

    III.
    Communications from the Audience

    There were none.

    IV.
    Communications from Staff

    4.1 Project Updates

    a. Transportation Enhancement Application

    Staff reported that the Agency submitted requests for a Transportation Enhancement Grant for 4th and Bartlett Streets bike lanes and streetscape and Evergreen Streetscape project. On January 25, 2007 the Transportation Enhancement Advisory Committee denied the Agency’s request for 4th and Bartlett Streets bike lanes and streetscape. The Transportation Enhancement Grant request for Evergreen Streetscape Project is currently active.

    b. All Projects (Taken out of Sequence)

    Agenda Item 4.1.b was deferred to after Agenda Item 7.1.a

    V.
    Written Communications

    There was none.

    VI.
    Report from Chair

    6.1 Presentation to Skip Knight

    Eric Stark presented Skip Knight with a plaque and appreciation certificate for his participation as a Medford Urban Renewal Agency Board Member from 1999 to 2006.

    Skip Knight stated that he is proud of the Agency’s accomplishments in downtown Medford.


    VII.
    Reports of Committees

    7.1 Parking Committee

    Staff reported that the next Parking Committee meeting is scheduled for January 10, 2007 at 8:00 a.m. in the Medford Urban Renewal Agency Conference Room.

    a. Parking Presentation: Jerry Miller

    Staff introduced Mr. Jerry Miller, Parking Committee out-going Chair, who will be resigning from the Parking Committee at the end of January 2007. Mr. Miller has been on the Parking Committee since 2001 and has been the Parking Committee Chair since 2005.

    Mr. Jerry Miller reported that 2006 accomplishments of the Parking Committee include: 1) Reviewed eight (8) requests to change on-street parking time limits and forwarded recommendations to change the signs to the City of Medford Public Works Department; 2) Reviewed and responded to three written parking complaints; 3) Installed handicap parking signage in two parking lots, per requests; 4) Installed bicycle parking signage in the Middleford Parking Facility; 5) Reviewed and responded to two parking citations as requested by Municipal Court; 6) Established parking time limits for Evergreen Way and Evergreen Parking Facility; 7) Addressed vandalism issues in Evergreen Parking Facility; 8) Addressed merchant/parking enforcement relations; 9) Disabled parking enforcement changes to match State of Oregon mandated fines; and 10) Partnered with multiple Downtown events (Pear Blossom, Art in Bloom, Medford Cruise and Jazz Jubilee) to help ensure their success.

    Bill Dames inquired whether Staff has noticed a decline in vandalism at the Evergreen Parking Facility since its opening. Staff reported that there has been a significant decline in vandalism of the Evergreen Parking Facility.

    Staff noted that Mr. George Schroeder was also in attendance and his input on the Parking Committee is appreciated.

    Dick Entinger inquired as to a missing exhibit that was listed on the Parking Committee Agenda but not included in the packet. Staff reported that the Agenda is for the Parking Committee’s meeting on Wednesday, January 10, 2007 and exhibits have not been included due to the Parking Committee wanting to review them first, but wants the Board to be aware of what the Parking Committee is addressing.

    Greg Yechout requested information regarding the Voluntary Customer Parking Validation Program and whether merchants were aware of the program. Staff reported that the Voluntary Customer Parking Validation Program became effective in 2003 and the Agency has notified downtown merchants on several occasions of the Voluntary Customer Parking Validations Program.

    7.2 Committee Memberships
    (Taken out of Sequence)

    4.1 Project Updates

    b. All Projects
    (Taken out of Sequence)

    Staff reported that the Downtown’s most obvious visual changes in the past year have been the Evergreen Parking Structure, which opened in December 2005, Evergreen Way along the west side of the railroad tracks from 4th Street to 10th Street, and the demolition of Miller Motors and Oak Merchant buildings as part of SOU/RCC’s joint educational facility project. The SOU/RCC joint educational facility project is a result of influence provided by our legislators such as Senator Alan Bates. Gratitude was extended to them for their support. The SOU/RCC joint educational facility project is the proto type for combining a four-year university with a community college. Results of the venture will be that the educated employee base will be strengthened, benefiting local employers and attracting new investors in the area. The Agency’s participation in the project was donation of property and participating in construction of surrounding streetscapes. According to SOU/RCC’s project manager: Site demolition is complete; Several underground storage tanks and assorted abandoned other debris were also located and removed; The existing chain link fence will remain for the duration of the project; The design work is 100% complete; Sub-contractor bids will be solicited in mid January due in February; Construction is estimated to begin in March with an estimated completion date of June 2008.

    The Bartlett Street Improvement project is anticipated to break ground in September 2007 with substantial completion in June 2008, coordinating with SOU/RCC’s construction schedule. The project’s architectural design and landscaping firm and the civil engineer have recently been selected by the Board. Bartlett Street connects the education and the entertainment centers of the downtown from 9th to Main Street. Improvements will include increased pedestrian access and will feature pedestrian amenities.

    The Bella Vita project is the three-phase mixed-use project to be built alongside Evergreen Parking Facility located on the block between Main and 8th and Evergreen and Fir Streets. The mixed-use project will include residential, retail and office space. A new orange construction fence has been installed surrounding the property. Cook Development’s agreement with the Agency is to begin construction in June 2007.

    The Middleford Commons project is continuing. The Agency is continuing its partnership with the City of Medford and Lithia. Any updates or information on the Middleford Commons project is available through the City of Medford, which is acting as the information contact.

    The Façade Grant Program is continuing through this fiscal year. The Agency has facilitated the completion of the Wilkenson/Swem building (Hot Pots!) on Main Street, the Miller Building on South Central Avenue, and the Smith-Dynge Lumber Company/KOBI Building on 8th Street. To be completed in Fiscal Year 2006-2007 is Habaneros, Hubbards, Scan Design, Rack’Em and Norris Shoes. To date, thirty-five (35) buildings have completed the Façade Grant Program, with a range of 7-15 private/public dollars to 1dollar. Continuation of this Agency program after Fiscal Year 2006-2007 will depend on the 2007-2008 budget and revenues.

    Miscellaneous programs that the Agency oversees include: 1) Banner Program, with the light pole banners being changed out seasonally; 2) Middleford Alley Trash Program, as part of the alley beautification; and 3) Real Property Management of the parking structure retail businesses in Middleford Alley.

    Staff reported, as a side note, that Skip Knight was the Agency’s City Council Representative for several years and his replacement is to be determined by the City Council and announced to the Agency. Staff expressed their gratitude to Mr. Knight for his outstanding contribution to the Agency and Downtown.

    Eric Stark commented that Staff presented a nice project synopsis.

    7.2 Committee Memberships
    (Taken out of Sequence)

    Staff reported that the Agency’s committees are comprised of volunteers and those committees are Budget, Downtown Design, Marketing and Parking. All four committees have vacancies and the Agency invites interested citizens to contact the Agency for an application.

    VIII.
    Business

    8.1 Consideration of Resolution No. 07-01-01 authorizing the selection of Bank of America, N.A. to purchase bonds and direct Staff to proceed with final negotiations.

    Staff stated that on November 14, 2006 the Board directed Staff to proceed with the preparation and distribution of a proposal for competitive bank placement bond sale. The Board further directed Staff to include in the proposal provisions to continue use of the selected bank over the course of the next three years.

    The Agency’s financial advisor (Rebecca Chao, Regional Financial Advisors, Inc.) distributed proposals to Bank of America, Key Bank and US Bank. Proposals were received from Bank of America and Key Bank. US Bank declined to submit.

    Bank of America submitted the most favorable proposal with an interest rate of 4.55% versus Key Bank’s proposal of 5.63%. It is important to note that the final interest rate will be based on market conditions at time of closing. The first bond sale of approximately $2,550,000 is expected to close mid-February of 2007. At that time the Board will be updated on the interest rate. Interest rates for future similar bonds will be determined in the same fashion as the 2007 bond was determined. Both the bank and the Agency can opt-out of the future year’s bonds. Having the bank in place for future bonds, saves time and money, by eliminating the Request for Proposals (RFP) and bid processes. The purpose of the bond sale is to facilitate development of the Middleford Commons project in accordance with the approved schedule set forth in the Disposition and Development Agreement.

    Staff’s recommendation was that the Board approve Resolution No. 07-01-01 to: 1) Select Bank of America, N.A. to purchase bonds and negotiate terms of the final bond documents for the bonds; 2) Prepare and present to the Board of Directors a resolution authorizing the sale of bonds; and 3) Negotiate with Bank of America, N.A. for the purchase of future bonds.

    Dick Entinger inquired whether the $2.5M is for infrastructure work in the area that is identified as Middleford Commons.

    Staff reported that the $2.5M bond will accommodate the acquisitions of properties this year.

    Greg Yechout inquired for clarification for future bond issues, whether the Agency has a right of refusal clause for future rates.

    Staff reported that both, Bank of America, N.A. and the Agency have the opportunity to opt-out.

    MOTION: It was moved by Bill Dames to adopt Resolution No. 07-01-01 authorizing the selection of Bank of America, N.A. to purchase Agency tax increment revenue bonds. Pete Naumes seconded the motion.

    VOTE: The following Board members passed the motion with a unanimous affirmative vote: Bill Dames, Dick Entinger, Peter Naumes, Skip Patterson, Joy Pelikan, Eric Stark and Greg Yechout.

    8.2 Consideration of Medford Urban Renewal Agency Financial Report, First Quarter FY2006-2007.

    Staff reported the Agency typically presents the Board with a quarterly report. The quarterly report presented is for Fiscal Year 2006-2007 June, July and August.

    Revenues and Expenditures appear to be less than budgeted. This is directly due to: 1) Accruals back to Fiscal Year 2005-2006 for accounting purposes; 2) Most of the Tax Increment Revenue is received during the Second Quarter; and 3) Capital Projects Expenditures are not spent proportionately throughout the year.

    First Quarter expenditure figures are within the projected limits established by the Agency’s Budget and there are no reportable incidents in the First Quarter that will affect Budget Reserves.

    MOTION: It was moved by Dick Entinger to accept Medford Urban Renewal Agency Financial Report, First Quarter Fiscal Year 2006-2007. Greg Yechout seconded the motion.

    VOTE: The following Board members passed the motion with a unanimous affirmative vote: Bill Dames, Dick Entinger, Peter Naumes, Skip Patterson, Joy Pelikan, Eric Stark and Greg Yechout.

    IX.
    Comments from City Council Representatives

    There were none.

    X.
    Comments from Board

    Mr. Peter Naumes stated that he was “sorry that Eric Iversen had submitted his resignation to the Agency, and thanked him for all that he has done on behalf of the Agency and wished him well in the future.”
    Jackie Rodgers stated that “Staff would like to reiterate the same, we have enjoyed Eric, he has been a great compliment to the Agency office, and we will miss him.”

    Bill Dames concurred with Mr. Naumes and Mrs. Rodgers. Mr. Dames stated “it is good to have someone that has the broad experience like you have, and with all the training I think we have learned a lot from you.”

    Dick Entinger stated that he would not be at the January 23, 2007 Board meeting.

    Joy Pelikan stated that “it has been a pleasure working with Mr. Iversen and wished him well with whatever he has on his plate next.”

    XI.
    Adjournment

    The meeting was adjourned at 7:33 p.m. The proceedings of this Board meeting were recorded on tape and filed in the Medford Urban Renewal Agency office.


    ______________________________________
    Submitted by:
    Terri L. Rozzana
    Administrative Support Technician


    _____________________________________
    Approved by:
    Gregory A. Yechout, Acting Chair
    1.9.2007 Agenda

    A. Executive Session
    1. Pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(e), “The governing body of a public body may hold an executive session to conduct deliberations with persons designated by the governing body to negotiate real property transactions.”
    B. Open Session
    1. Attendance
    1.1 Roll Call (Exhibit 1.1)
    1.2 Election of 2007 Officers
    2. Approval of Minutes
    2.1 Board Minutes of December 12, 2006 (Exhibit 2.1)
    3. Communications from Audience (Non-Agenda Items)
    4. Communications from Staff
    4.1 Project Updates
    a. Transportation Enhancement Application (Exhibit 4.1.a)
    b. All projects update
    5. Written Communications
    6. Report from Chair
    6.1 Presentation: Skip Knight
    7. Report from Committees
    7.1 Parking Committee (Minutes, December13, 2006, Agenda, January 10, 2007)
    a. Parking Presentation: Jerry Miller
    7.2 Committee Memberships
    8. Business
    8.1 Consideration of Resolution No. 07-01-01 authorizing the selection of Bank of America, N.A. to purchase bonds and direct Staff to proceed with final negotiations.
    8.2 Consideration of Medford Urban Renewal Agency Financial Report, First Quarter FY2006-2007.
    9. Comments from City Council Representatives
    9.1 Council Minutes, December 21, 2006 (Exhibit 9.1)
    10. Comments from Board
    11. Adjournment



    NEXT REGULAR BOARD MEETING: TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2007
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