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  3.14.2006 Medford Urban Renewal Agency Board of Directors - Minutes
  
  I.
  Roll Call
  
  1.1 A meeting of the Medford Urban Renewal Agency Board of Directors was called to order in Open Session at 7:00 p.m., in City Hall Conference Room 338 of the City of Medford, on the above date, by Chair Eric Stark with the following Members and Staff in attendance:
  
  BOARD MEMBERS:
  Present Absent
  Jason Anderson Rachel Chartier
  Bill Dames Dick Entinger
  Skip Knight
  Peter Naumes
  Skip Patterson
  Joy Pelikan
  Eric Stark
  
  STAFF:
  Present
  Eric Iversen
  Jackie Rodgers
  Terri Rozzana
  
  GUEST:
  Lori Hopkinson, Medford Market Co-operative Manager
  Don Burt, DRB Consulting, Inc.
  
  II.
  Minutes
  
  2.1 Minutes for the February 28, 2006 Medford Urban Renewal Agency Board of Directors meeting were submitted.
  
  MOTION: It was moved by Skip Knight to approve the minutes of the February 28, 2006 Board meeting. Skip Patterson seconded the motion.
  
  VOTE: The following Board members approved the motion with an affirmative vote: Jason Anderson, Bill Dames, Skip Knight, Peter Naumes, Skip Patterson, Joy Pelikan and Eric Stark.
  
  III.
  Communications from the Audience
  
  Christine Lachner, 725 Royal Avenue Apt. #19, Medford, Oregon, presented a variety of questions concerning the Middleford Commons Project and other City of Medford areas..
  
  IV.
  Communications from Staff
  
  4.1 Medford Market Co-op Presentation
  
  Lori Hopkinson, Medford Market Co-operative Manager presented to the Board their goal of bringing a cooperative food store to Medford. Ms. Hopkinson reported that the cooperative food stores are owned by the consumers who buy the businesses’ goods or services. All cooperatives are governed by seven international principles. The Medford Market strives to offer a variety of high quality products and services sought by the cooperative members and other patrons with an emphasis on natural, organic and locally produced goods. Ms. Hopkinson stated three ways Medford Urban Renewal Agency could participate in supporting the Medford Market: 1) Leverage support; 2) Provide matching funds for façade improvement; and 3) Assist in transferring property.
  
  Skip Knight inquired whether a location has been defined for the Medford Market Co-operative. Ms. Hopkinson stated that the location is currently not selected, and planning is in the preliminary stage.
  
  4.2 Evergreen Way, Phase 2 Construction
  
  Staff reported that construction is proceeding on schedule. Due to the cold whether, paving has been rescheduled. Completion of Evergreen Way from 4th Street to 10th Street is scheduled for late March 2006.
  
  4.3 RCC/SOU
  
  On Wednesday, March 1, 2006 at 1:30 p.m., Skip Patterson and Jackie Rodgers attended a meeting for the kick-off of the RCC/SOU joint facility project. Participation will include public and private sectors. Groundbreaking is scheduled for 2007.
  
  V.
  Written Communications
  
  There was none.
  VI.
  Report from Chair
  
  Eric Stark reported that at the March 2, 2006 Heart of Medford Association Awards Breakfast, Medford Urban Renewal Agency was presented with the Pioneer Award for the Evergreen Parking Structure.
  
  VII.
  Reports of Committees
  
  7.1 Parking Committee
  
  Staff stated the Minutes of January 11, 2006 and the Agenda of February 8, 2006, included in the Board packet, were for the most recent Parking Committee meeting.
  
  7.2 Marketing Committee
  
  Staff stated the Minutes of January 18, 2006 and the Agenda of March 15, 2006, included in the Board packet, were for the most recent Marketing Committee meeting.
  
  VIII.
  Business
  
  8.1 Consideration of Resolution No. 06-03-09 approving Request for Proposal for Middleford Commons urban design consultant.
  
  
  Eric Stark reported that Agenda Item 8.1, Consideration of Resolution No. 06-03-09 approving Request for Proposal for Middleford Commons urban design consultant, was removed from the Agenda.
  
  8.2 PUBLIC HEARING and Consideration of Resolution No. 06-03-06 recommending approval of certain substantial amendments to the City Center Revitalization Plan and Report of the City of Medford, Oregon.
  
  Staff reported that on February 7, 2006 the Board adopted Resolution No. 06-02-05 approving a Letter of Intent (LOI) to proceed with the planning for Middleford Commons. As stated in the LOI, the City and Agency are to pursue a substantial amendment to the City Center Revitalization Plan. The primary purpose of the substantial amendment is to authorize an extension of the duration of the Plan from Fiscal Year 2012-2013 to Fiscal Year 2024-2025. The extension is necessary to allow the Agency additional time to finance its allowable maximum indebtedness balance. Currently, the Plan is scheduled to terminate on October 20, 2013, at which time all projects are to be complete and all debt to be paid off. Based on current revenue projections, by October 20, 2013 the Agency will have an estimated $5,000,000 unexpended maximum indebtedness balance.
  
  Don Burt, DRB Consulting, Inc., reported that the Special Levy is scheduled to terminate at the end of Fiscal Year 2012-2013. The proposed substantial amendment does not alter that termination date. The Special Levy termination schedule will remain to the end of Fiscal Year 2012-2013. “Dividing the Taxes” is based on the combined tax rate of all affected taxing districts. It is projected that the urban renewal program will begin distribution of excess “Dividing the Taxes” commencing in Fiscal Year 2013-2014. Between the period 2014 and 2025 it is estimated that approximately $38,000,000, derived from the excess incremental value created by the urban renewal program, will be returned to the affected taxing districts.
  
  PUBLIC HEARING OPENED AT 7:33 P.M.
  
  Robert M. Pearson, 3466 Blueblossom Drive, Medford, Oregon, expressed concern about the impact to the public of funding Middleford Commons.
  
  Skip Knight recommended that Mr. Robert Pearson contact the Medford Urban Renewal Agency regarding his concerns.
  
  PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 7:40 P.M.
  
  Bill Dames recommended that Mr. Don Burt clarify Mr. Pearson’s concerns.
  
  Mr. Burt reported that “Dividing the Taxes” ratio increases and the Special Levy is targeted as a reduction.. The Special Levy is terminated in 2013.
  
  Skip Knight inquired whether assessed valuation increases. Staff reported that assessed valuation remains constant.
  
  Skip Patterson inquired as to the affect of the Middleford Commons Project not materializing. Staff reported that the substantial amendment is not project based.
  
  MOTION: It was moved by Skip Patterson to approve Resolution No. 06-03-06 recommending approval of certain substantial amendments to the City Center Revitalization Plan and Report of the City of Medford, Oregon, as amended (Substantial Amendment No. 6). Joy Pelikan seconded the motion.
  
  VOTE: The following Board members passed the motion with a unanimous affirmative vote: Jason Anderson, Bill Dames, Skip Knight, Peter Naumes, Skip Patterson, Joy Pelikan and Eric Stark.
  
  IX.
  Comments from City Council
  
  9.1 Council Actions Report, March 2, 2006
  
  There were none.
  
  X.
  Comments from Board
  
  Skip Patterson Skip Knight reported that the City of Medford, the Medford Urban Renewal Agency and Lithia Motors, Inc. have signed the Letter of Intent regarding Middleford Commons.
  
  Bill Dames commented on the public’s concern regarding tall buildings downtown. Mr. Dames reported that in the past tall buildings existed in downtown Medford. The proposed development (Middleford Commons) contributes to economic growth for the downtown.
  
  Skip Patterson stated that the Medford Hotel is almost nine stories tall, including the mechanical and elevator rooms on the building.
  
  
  XII.
  Adjournment
  
  The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 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:
  Eric Stark, Board Chair
  3.14.2006 Agenda
  
  1. Attendance
  1.1 Roll Call
  2. Approval of Minutes
  2.1 Board Minutes of February 28, 2006
  3. Communications from Audience (Non-Agenda Items)
  Comments will be limited to 5 minutes per individual, group or organization. PLEASE SIGN IN.
  4. Communications from Staff
  4.1 Medford Market Co-op Presentation by Lori Hopkinson
  4.2 Evergreen Way, Phase 2 Construction
  4.3 RCC/SOU
  5. Written Communications
  6. Report from Chair
  6.1 HMA “Pioneer Award”
  7. Report from Committees
  7.1 Parking Committee, (Minutes, January 11, 2006 and Agenda, February 8, 2006)
  7.2 Marketing Committee, (Minutes, January 18, 2006 and Agenda, March 15, 2006)
  8. Business
  8.1 Removed from Agenda.
  8.2 PUBLIC HEARING and Consideration of Resolution No. 06-03-06 recommending approval of certain substantial amendments to the City Center Revitalization Plan and Report of the City of Medford, Oregon.
  9. Comments from City Council Representatives
  9.1 Council Actions, March 2, 2006
  10. Comments from Board
  11. Adjournment
  
  
  
  
  
  NEXT BOARD MEETING: TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2006