GOVERNMENT

Downtown Medford

Board of Directors Board Minutes

  • Minutes
  • Agenda
    3.28.2006 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 6:33 p.m., on the above date, in City Hall Conference Room 338 of the City of Medford by Chair Eric Stark, with the following members in attendance:

    BOARD MEMBERS:
    Present Absent
    Jason Anderson Rachel Chartier
    Bill Dames, Vice Chair Skip Knight
    Dick Entinger (arrived 6:35 p.m.)
    Peter Naumes, Secretary
    Skip Patterson
    Joy Pelikan
    Eric Stark, Chair

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

    AUDIENCE:
    Meg Landers, Mail Tribune

    EXECUTIVE SESSION CLOSED AT 6.46 P.M.

    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 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 Absent
    Jason Anderson Rachel Chartier
    Bill Dames, Vice Chair Skip Knight
    Dick Entinger
    Peter Naumes, Secretary
    Skip Patterson
    Joy Pelikan
    Eric Stark, Chair

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

    II.
    Minutes

    2.1 Minutes for the March 14, 2006 Medford Urban Renewal Agency Board of Directors meeting were submitted.

    Skip Patterson reported that under Agenda Item X, Comments from Board, the presented minutes should state that Skip Knight rather than Skip Patterson reported that the City of Medford, the Medford Urban Renewal Agency and Lithia Motors, Inc. have signed the Letter of Intent regarding Middleford Commons.

    Chair Eric Stark stated that the Board minutes of March 14, 2006 stand approved with the correction as noted.

    III.
    Communications from the Audience

    Sue Densmore, 7 Glen Oak Court, Medford, Oregon, stated to the Board that it is important to balance new projects with the obligations that the Agency has to the original nineteen projects. Ms. Densmore listed the Façade Improvement Program, sidewalks, street lighting and creekside renovation, as well as addressing blight in the Beatty-Manzanita area as part of the Agency’s commitment.

    Ms. Densmore inquired of the Board whether a decision had been made for hiring a “talented” Executive Director with a “planning and economic development background”. Skip Patterson reported that the search committee will be meeting the week of April 3, 2006.

    Bill Dames stated that there has been no final decision on how the Agency funds will be spent.

    IV.
    Communications from Staff

    4.1 Evergreen Way, Phase 2 Construction

    Staff reported that construction is proceeding on schedule. Paving of 4th Street on the east side of the railroad tracks is complete. Sidewalks are installed. A majority of the construction will be completed in approximately two weeks.

    Bill Dames inquired whether any businesses have taken advantage of the opportunity that Evergreen Way presents to enhance their business. Staff reported that Redrock Italian Eatery has an enclosed patio that faces Evergreen Way, and anticipates opening up that area.

    V.
    Written Communications

    5.1 Letter; Heart of Medford Association, March 9, 2006; re: Vogel Plaza Stage and Sound System

    Staff reported that the Agency received a letter from the Heart of Medford Association requesting that the Board support (not financially) further development of a permanent stage (with sound system) in Vogel Plaza.

    Eric Stark requested Staff to research if there has been past communications regarding a permanent stage and sound system in Vogel Plaza and report back to the Board.
    5.2 Thank you; re: Lori Hopkinson, Project Manager, Medford Market Co-op

    Staff stated that the Agency and Board members received a thank-you note from Lori Hopkinson, Project Manager of the Medford Market Co-op, thanking them for allowing the Co-op time for their presentation at the last Board Meeting. Eric Stark stated that the Medford Market Co-op presentation was well done.

    VI.
    Report from Chair

    There was none.

    VII.
    Reports of Committees

    7.1 Marketing Committee

    Staff reported that the Marketing Committee, at their March 15, 2006 meeting, focused on next fiscal year’s goals. The Committee favored having more events downtown like “The Taste of History”.

    Bill Dames stated that Porters was gracious to host the most recent Marketing Committee meeting.

    VIII.
    Business

    8.1 Discussion: Draft Intergovernmental Agreement for RCC/SOU Joint Educational Facility

    Staff reported that at the April 19, 2005 Board meeting, Resolution No. 05-04-05 was approved by the Agency Board of Directors supporting cooperation between the Agency and RCC/SOU on the Joint Educational Facility and the surrounding streetscapes on 8th Street, 9th Street, Riverside Avenue, and Bartlett Street.

    Rogue Community College and Southern Oregon University have recently started the planning and design process for the Joint Educational Facility to be located in Downtown Medford. They have contracted SERA Architects to lead the design efforts.

    The Draft Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) is based on a similar IGA created for the construction of the Medford Headquarters Library in 2000. The Draft IGA spells out the role of the Agency in the design process, commits the Agency for payment of RCC/SOU’s completion of the infrastructure/streetscape improvements, and lists the conditions for the Agency’s transfer of real property to RCC/SOU for the project.

    Pete Naumes stated that he has concerns with the Agency not underwriting the RCC/SOU project. Staff reported that the Agency has a limited budget. The Agency is overseeing design reviews and dollar amounts for the desired outcome.

    Peter Naumes inquired whether the RCC/SOU Joint Educational Facility Project design plans included bulbouts. Staff reported that bulbouts are not mandated by the City of Medford Streetscape Standards for the streets surrounding the project.

    Staff requested that the Board review the Draft Intergovernmental Agreement for RCC/SOU Joint Educational Facility and return any comments to the Agency by the middle of the week of April 3, 2006, if possible.

    Staff stated the Agency will host an RCC/SOU Joint Educational Facility meeting at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 in the MURA Conference Room.

    IX.
    Comments from City Council

    Jason Anderson reported that on April 6, 2006 City Council evening session, Council will deliberate the extension of the Medford Urban Renewal Agency, by substantial amendment to accommodate bonding to reach maximum indebtedness.

    X.
    Comments from Board

    Pete Naumes reported that he favors and hopes the Façade Program is not discontinued; and he was not aware a final decision had been made regarding that program. Skip Patterson concurred with Mr. Naumes that final decisions concerning the Façade Program, had not been made. The budget had not even been brought before the Budget Committee yet. The public should deal with the facts.

    Bill Dames wished Mr. Skip Knight and his “Hog” well, referencing Mr. Knight’s absence at the meeting.

    Dick Entinger stated that upon recently returning from vacation, Ms. Jackie Rodgers, Acting Executive Director, updated him on Agency projects. Mr. Entinger also stated that in his opinion Jackie Rodgers was working efficiently, extremely hard and conducting an outstanding job. Ms. Rodgers replied with a thank you to Mr. Entinger and Staff. Mr. Patterson concurred.

    XII.
    Adjournment

    The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 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
    3.28.2006 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
    2. Approval of Minutes
    2.1 Board Minutes of March 14, 2006
    3. Communications from Audience (Non-Agenda Items)
    Comments will be limited to 5 minutes per individual a group or organization. PLEASE SIGN IN.
    4. Communications from Staff
    4.1 Evergreen Way, Phase 2 Construction
    5. Written Communications
    5.1 Letter; Heart of Medford Assocation, March 9, 2006; re: Vogel Plaza Stage and Sound System
    5.2 Thank you; re: Lori Hopkinson, Project Manager, Medford Market Co-op.
    6. Report from Chair
    7. Report from Committees
    7.1 Marketing Committee, (Agenda, March 15, 2006)
    8. Business
    8.1 Discussion: Draft Intergovernmental Agreement for RCC/SOU Joint Educational Facility
    9. Comments from City Council Representatives
    9.1 Council Actions
    10. Comments from Board
    11. Adjournment


    NEXT BOARD MEETING: TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2006
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