GOVERNMENT

Downtown Medford

Board of Directors Board Minutes

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  • Agenda
    3.22.2005 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 Council Chambers of the City of Medford, on the above date, by Chair Dick Entinger, with the following Members and Staff in attendance:

    BOARD MEMBERS:
    Present Absent
    Bill Dames Jason Anderson
    Dick Entinger Rachel Chartier
    Skip Knight Skip Patterson
    Peter Naumes
    Joy Pelikan
    Eric Stark

    STAFF:
    Present Absent
    Eric Iversen Kurt Olsen
    Terri Rozzana Jackie Rodgers

    II.
    Minutes

    2.1 Minutes for the February 22, 2004, minutes for the March 8, 2004 and study session notes for the March 8, 2005 Medford Urban Renewal Agency Board of Directors meeting were submitted.

    MOTION: It was moved by Eric Stark to approve the minutes of the February 22, 2004, minutes for the March 8, 2005 and study session notes for the March 8, 2005 Board meeting. Skip Knight seconded the motion.

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

    III.
    Communications from the Audience

    Lori Hopkinson, 454 Haven Street, Medford, Oregon, a member of the West Medford Community Coalition stated that on Saturday, May 21, 2005 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. members of the West Medford Community Coalition were going to do a storm drain stenciling project. The organization will obtain stencils from the City that have a picture of a fish. The organization is coordinating residents and other community organizations to help the West Medford Community Coalition do the stenciling project. Ms. Hopkinson stated the organization is hoping to gather support from Public Works, Site Plan Architectural Commission, MURA, the Greenway Foundation, Watershed Council and coordinating with Project Solve. Once further discussion with Public Works takes place the West Medford Community Coalition will know specific areas they will be doing the stenciling. They are focusing on the downtown area including Fir, Grape, and Holly Streets.

    Bill Dames asked whether the West Medford Community Coalition had informed or reminded citizens of washing their vehicles and cleaning vehicle engines allow solvents to go down storm drains and into Bear Creek. Ms. Hopkinson stated the organization was hoping this project would not only involve the community but to also make them aware and educate the community. One of the focuses with the storm drain clean-up is that there will be press releases and other information distributed to citizens informing them of what and why the West Medford Community Coalition is “storm drain stenciling”.

    Dick Entinger stated, in his opinion, the “storm drain stenciling” project would be one that the Board would be happy to support.

    IV.
    Communications from Staff

    4.1 Update: Central Avenue North Streetscape

    Staff reported the Central Avenue North Streetscape project was finishing completion. Crews worked during the removing soft soil and paving intersections. All paving is currently completed. Two items that remain are the punch list and striping the crosswalks at 5th and 6th Streets.

    4.2 Update: 9th Street Pedestrian Bridge

    Staff informed the Board that the 9th Street Pedestrian Bridge would be completed the week of March 21, 2005. A crosswalk and handicap ramp will be installed at 9th Street and Riverside and PP&L will turn the lights on.

    4.3 Heart of Medford Association Award: 9th Street Pedestrian Bridge

    The Heart of Medford Association held their annual awards breakfast March 3, 2005. The 9th Street Pedestrian Bridge received the Downtown Improvement Award.

    V.
    Written Communications

    5.1 Letter: Mayor Gary Wheeler, Heart of Medford Association Award

    Dick Entinger stated MURA received a letter from Mayor Wheeler expressing congratulations on behalf of the City of Medford for the Downtown Improvement award received for the 9th Street Pedestrian Bridge at the 2004 Heart of Medford Association annual awards breakfast.

    5.2 Letter: MURA’s Letter of Intent, SOU/RCC

    Dick Entinger reported that included in the Board packet was a copy of the letter the Agency directed to Presidents Zinser of SOU and Angstadt of RCC expressing the Agency’s full support of the Southern Oregon University and Rogue Community College joint facility to be developed in downtown Medford which is congruent with Medford’s master plan for its education and cultural district.

    Skip Knight reported that he and Claudette Moore, City Council President, were in Washington, DC the week of March 14, 2005 and related the City of Medford’s full support of the SOU/RCC joint facility project to Senator Smith, Senator White and Congressman Walden about support for this program. Skip Knight and Claudette Moore requested the Senators and Congressman research any type of funds that could be acquired for this project.

    VI.
    Report from Chair

    There was none.

    VII.
    Reports of Committees

    7.1 Marketing Committee

    Staff reported March 16, 2005 Agenda was provided in the Board’s packet. There was no discussion.

    7.2 Subcommittees

    7.2.1 Communications / Policy

    Mr. Bill Dames stated that he and Eric Stark met with Council Representatives, John Statler and Claudette Moore and discussed the basics of the Medford Urban Renewal Agency. It was a productive meeting.

    VIII.
    Business

    8.1 Consideration to reappoint one member and appoint two members to the Medford Urban Renewal Agency Budget Committee.

    Dick Entinger informed the Board that included in the Board packet was the information on the three applicants. Mr. Entinger suggested the Board consider the applications individually.

    Dick Entinger asked for any comments or a motion to appoint Eric Maxwell to the Medford Urban Renewal Agency Budget Committee. Bill Dames commented that Eric Maxwell was on the Agency’s Marketing Committee and President of the Heart of Medford Association.

    MOTION: Bill Dames moved to appoint Eric Maxwell to the Medford Urban Renewal Agency Budget Committee. Eric Stark seconded the motion.

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

    Dick Entinger asked for any comments or a motion to appoint Mike Miles to the Medford Urban Renewal Agency Budget Committee.

    MOTION: Skip Knight moved to appoint Mike Miles to the Medford Urban Renewal Agency Budget Committee. Joy Pelikan seconded the motion.

    VOTE: The following Board members approved the motion with an affirmative vote: Bill Dames, Skip Knight, Peter Naumes, Joy Pelikan and Eric Stark. Dick Entinger voted no.

    Dick Entinger asked for any comments or a motion to reappoint Chris Dufour to the Medford Urban Renewal Agency Budget Committee.

    MOTION: Eric Stark moved to reappoint Chris Dufour to the Medford Urban Renewal Agency Budget Committee. Peter Naumes seconded the motion.

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

    8.2 Consideration of Resolution No. 05-03-04 approving the Medford Urban Renewal Agency Four-Year Plan Fiscal Year 2005-2006.

    Staff reported prior to the consideration of the budget each year, the Board reviews and updates the Four-Year Development Program. The Board held a study session on March 8, 2005, to review the projects completed last year, discuss the components of proposed projects, and suggest new projects. The discussion included projects suggested by City of Medford department heads. The comments from the study session, including shifting East Main Street Streetscape and Oakdale Traffic Signals from a “D” Project to a “C Project, were incorporated into the updated Four-Year Plan.

    MOTION: It was moved by Dick Entinger to approve Resolution No. 05-03-04 approving the Medford Urban Renewal Agency Four-Year Plan, Fiscal Year 2005-2006. Skip Knight seconded the motion.

    VOTE: The following Board members passed the motion in the affirmative: Bill Dames, Dick Entinger, Skip Knight, Peter Naumes, Joy Pelikan and Eric Stark.

    8.3 Discussion: Bollards at Central Avenue Parking Lots.

    Staff presented to the Board the statistics of installing bollards at Central Avenue Parking Lots. The bollards are forty three inches tall, cost approximately $650.00 each and installation is approximately $800.00 each. After discussion between Staff and Board members the Board directed Staff to review the design of bollards at the corners of 8th and Central, 9th and Central and the southerly corner of 9th and Central Streets with the Design Committee.

    IX.
    Comments from City Council

    Skip Knight stated he had presented to the Board on three separate occasions his concerns with the bulb-outs in downtown Medford. Mr. Knight inquired as to whether Staff intended to continue installing the bulb-outs downtown. Staff reported that presently there are no pending street projects going through the design process. Currently, there is an adopted plan by the City Council that dictates the location of bulb-outs. Skip Knight stated there was one of two things he wanted to happen concerning bulb-outs: 1) Either the Board directs Staff not to use the bulb-outs anymore or if the Board will not ask Staff not to use the bulb-outs anymore, 2) Mr. Knight will go to City Council and have them provisionally revoke the Agency from using the bulb-outs.

    Peter Naumes stated he agreed with Mr. Knight. He stated he saw the telecast of the City Council meeting on March 17, 2005, and the consensus of the Council was that they want to further research the safety of the bulb-outs.

    Bill Dames stated the theory of the bulb-outs was to slow traffic in order to have a more pedestrian friendly atmosphere downtown. Mr. Dames stated in his opinion, there are approximately three design standards of the bulb-outs, that City Council approved. Mr. Dames went on to say that the Board should research the different bulb-outs and see what impact they are creating before approving or denying all bulb-outs.

    Joy Pelikan stated, that as a person that walks and cycles downtown, the bulb-outs are aesthetically pleasing therefore, rendering pedestrian friendly. As far as safety it raises her anxiety tremendously to be a walker and cyclist in the downtown.

    Bill Dames inquired of Staff to research other Oregon cities, such as Portland and Seaside, if they found a design better than others. Staff stated they would research other Oregon cities and traffic engineers experience in bulb-out designs and report back to the Board at a future meeting.

    Peter Naumes inquired whether the bulb-outs would be installed at the corners of the Evergreen Parking Facility on Fir and Main. Staff reported they would research Mr. Naumes’ inquiry and report back.

    The Board directed Staff not to use bulb-outs unless they are specifically brought back to the Board on any future designs.

    X.
    Comments from Board

    There were none.

    XI.
    Adjournment

    The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 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:
    Richard L. Entinger
    Board Chair
    3.22.2005 Agenda

    1. Attendance
    1.1 Roll Call
    2. Approval of Minutes
    2.1 Board Minutes of February 22, 2005
    2.2 Board Minutes of March 8, 2005
    2.3 Board Study Session Notes of March 8, 2005
    3. Communications from Audience (Non-Agenda Items)
    4. Communications from Staff
    4.1 Update: Central Avenue North Streetscape
    4.2 Update: 9th Street Pedestrian Bridge
    4.3 Heart of Medford Association Award: 9th Street Pedestrian Bridge
    5. Written Communications
    5.1 Letter: Mayor Gary Wheeler, Heart of Medford Association Award
    5.2 Letter: MURA’s Letter of Intent, SOU/RCC
    6. Report from Chair
    7. Report from Committees
    7.1 Marketing Committee (Agenda, March 16, 2005)
    7.2 Subcommittees
    7.2.1 Communications / Policy
    8. Business
    8.1 Consideration to reappoint one member and appoint two members to the Medford Urban Renewal Agency Budget Committee
    8.2 Consideration of Resolution No. 05-03-04 approving the Medford Urban Renewal Agency Four-Year Plan Fiscal Year 2005-2006
    8.3 Discussion: Bollards at Central Avenue Parking Lots
    9. Comments from City Council Representatives
    10. Comments from Board
    11. Adjournment






    NEXT BOARD STUDY SESSION: TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2005 NEXT REGULAR BOARD MEETING: TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2005
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