GOVERNMENT

Downtown Medford

Board of Directors Board Minutes

  • Minutes
  • Agenda
    9.25.2007 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 6:30 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
    Eric Stark, Chair
    Peter Naumes, Vice-Chair
    Jason Anderson, Council Representative
    Dick Entinger
    Jim Kuntz, Council Representative
    Skip Patterson
    Joy Pelikan

    Absent
    Bill Dames
    Gregory Yechout, Secretary

    STAFF:
    Present
    Jackie Rodgers, Executive Director
    Errin Sills, Office Administrator

    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 7:05 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 7:10 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
    Peter Naumes, Vice-Chair
    Jason Anderson, Council Representative
    Dick Entinger
    Jim Kuntz, Council Representative
    Skip Patterson
    Joy Pelikan

    Absent
    Bill Dames
    Gregory Yechout, Secretary

    STAFF:
    Present
    Jackie Rodgers, Executive Director
    Errin Sills, Office Administrator

    II.
    Minutes

    2.1 Minutes for the August 28, 2007 Medford Urban Renewal Agency Board Meeting were submitted.

    Chair Eric Stark inquired whether there were any corrections to the Medford Urban Renewal Agency Board Meeting Minutes of August 28, 2007. Hearing no corrections or additions, Mr. Stark stated that the Minutes stand approved as submitted.

    III.
    Communications from the Audience

    There were none.





    IV.
    Communications from Staff

    4.1 Capital Project Updates:

    A. EPA ? Brownfields Grant

    Staff reported that a quarterly conference call is scheduled for Wednesday September 26, 2007 between the Agency, EPA, Zipper Zeman and Oregon PARC to discuss the current status and progress of the EPA Brownfields Grant. Staff reported that the Brownfields Project website is up and running, the Board is invited to visit the website by going to www.medfordcommons.com. The production of the Brownfields Project video is currently in progress and is scheduled for release the end of October 2007.

    B. Dupray Property

    Linda Dupray submitted the keys for the Superior Stamp building to the Agency on September 17, 2007. Superior Stamp has relocated to a new building on Jackson Street. The property is now conveyable to Lithia, however, it might prove beneficial to wait on the re-conveyance to Lithia until after the EPA Brownsfield Grant mitigation, if any, is complete. This would allow the Agency and Lithia to take full advantage of the benefits offered by the EPA during the mitigation process. Lithia is commencing with the asbestos testing process. The Property Profile report is complete ensuring the property?s available for conveyance when the time is decided.

    B. DDA Modification

    Staff reported that the attorney?s are working to reconcile the Jennings property acquisition. As the Board is aware, the Agency was unable to complete the purchase of the Jennings property as written in the DDA. Lithia?s attorney Mike Silvey is preparing the draft; City Attorney John Huttl and Agency attorney Dan Thorndike will review the modifications and will meet with the Board to discuss the revisions. The Agency anticipates to present the draft to the Board at the October 23, 2007 meeting.

    C. Greyhound

    Staff reported that the 6th Street and the Rogue Valley Transportation sites are still under consideration for the relocation of the Greyhound facilities. Modified site plans for the new Greyhound building were presented to the Rogue Valley Transportation District Board on date for their review. It is expected that RVTD will send a letter to the Federal Transportation Agency requesting that the Greyhound relocation to the RVTD site, be acceptable to the FTA. RVTD has received grant funds from the FTA. Once the FTA responds to RVTD?s letter, the Agency will be able to focus on which site the Greyhound building will be relocated; whether it?s the Rogue Valley Transportation site or the 6th Street site.

    Dick Entinger inquired whether the Agency was copied on the letter that was sent to FTA. Staff reported that the Agency will receive notification when the letter is complete and has requested a copy. Staff reported that the Agency will contact the RVTD director requesting the status of the completion of the letter.

    D. Bartlett Street/RCC/SOU Project

    Staff reported that numbers are being crunched to determine the cost of relocating the current above ground utilities to underground utilities.

    E. Bella Vita Project

    Staff reported that the Agency is re-negotiating the DDA; the re-negotiated document is on-target to be completed mid-October.

    V.
    Written Communications

    Chair Eric Stark reported that there are two articles in the Board packet; both are from the Chamber Business Review, September 2007 edition.

    VI.
    Communications from the Chair

    There were none.

    VII.
    Reports from Committees:

    7.1 Parking Committee

    Staff reported that on September 6, 2007, the Agency staff presented to the Medford City Council the Boards recommendation to increase the parking fine from $10 to $15; and to increase the late pay penalty fee from $10 to $15. The Boards recommendation was addressed by the City Council; however City Council directed the Downtown Medford Parking District Committee to allow more opportunity to hear from citizens and business owners and merchants. Prior to this meeting, there were 18 different instances of notice reflecting the increase in the citation fines, prior to the final determination. On September 12, 2007, the City of Medford Downtown Parking District Committee heard communications from Downtown businesses and citizens. The Parking Committee reconfirmed their recommendation to the City Council. On September 20, 2007, City Council heard the Committee?s recommendation and approved the increase from $10 to $15 for the citation fine and the increase with a penalty from $20 to $30. The increases will take effect October 1, 2007.

    Chair Eric Stark inquired whether there is a time set aside during the Parking Committee meeting where the general public can address the committee. Staff stated that the Parking Committee meetings are set up similarly to how the board meetings are set up. There is an opportunity for the Committee Chair to open the floor to public comment on subjects that are not listed on the agenda; and if the public wants to comment on an agenda item, they are given that opportunity when that agenda item is opened for discussion.

    Council Representative Jason Anderson stated that citizens can submit written correspondence to the committee via mail. Staff reported that if Agency staff has a discussion with citizens on the street or on the phone, staff recommends the citizen submit their grievance, proposals, etc to the Parking Committee for consideration. Staff stated that the Parking Committee is very thorough in its examination of its requests and is very attentive to the needs and wants of those downtown.

    Council Representative Jim Kuntz reported that the citizens who spoke at the City Council meeting on September 6, 2007, stated that they did not receive any notice of the increases and this is why Council requested that the decision be held over until those citizens were able to speak before the Parking Committee.

    Joy Pelikan inquired what the revenues generated from parking citation fees and leases would cover. Staff reported that after revenues are spent on expenditures, there is a yearly profit of approximately $3,000. This does not give the Agency any room to take care of Capital repairs, such as painting the parking structure, which is currently in need of repainting. The Parking District started out with a reserve of $300,000 and because of increasing costs in repairs for vandalism the reserve has dropped by $100,000. If this trend continues, the Parking District will deplete that reserve by the end of this fiscal year, if the fines are not increased.

    Vice-Chair Peter Naumes inquired whether there was a venue getting information out to the downtown merchants regarding the validation program. Heart of Medford Association had stated that they might have an intern available to pass out information, or maybe the Agency could confer with Action Security, the possibility of the Parking Enforcement Officer?s handing out the informational flyer as they patrol the downtown. Staff reported that they have discussed the possibility with HMA, however, the person referenced in previous meeting minutes is no longer available. If HMA acquires another intern, the Agency will quite possibly be able to utilize this person as a tool for educating the downtown merchants. In the meantime, Action Security has agreed to hand out fliers to the Downtown merchants.

    The Agency has printed 500 Medford Downtown Parking informational booklets that will be distributed to downtown merchants.

    Staff reported that the Agency has a Parking video that is going to be re-furbished and released on television for public viewing. The Agency has also included ?Parking 101? with the Medford Water Commission monthly billing, City of Medford and HMA newsletters, and twice in the Mail Tribune.

    Dick Entinger reported that during the years he spent on the Parking Committee as a liaison to the Board, mailers were sent out to the downtown merchants regarding the validation program and parking fine situations and how it worked. Dick stated that in his opinion there has not been a lack of communication as far as the Agency or Parking Committee is concerned.

    Skip Patterson inquired whether it would be possible for the Agency to share the cost with HMA to hire an intern to pass out parking information to downtown merchants. Staff stated that this will discussed with the HMA Board.

    7.2 Marketing Committee

    A meeting was held on September 19, 2007.

    Staff reported that the Chamber held an annual awards event at the Craterian Theater and Vogel Plaza; more than 400 people attended the event.

    The Marketing Committee is discussing the Banner program and ways to market it.

    VIII.
    Business

    8.1 Consideration of Resolution No. 07-09-18 affirming the fair reuse value for the Property described by the Jackson County Assessor?s Office as 37 1W 30BB Tax Lot 7600 of the Commons Redevelopment Project (?Dupray Property?).

    Staff reported the Middleford Commons Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA) and the City Center Revitalization Plan (CCRP) both set out conditions and requirements stating that the Board shall pass a resolution confirming fair reuse value of Agency properties conveyed for The Commons Project. The DDA set out further instructions that the Dupray property, when conveyed to Lithia, must be used for a public park. Upon completion of that public park, Lithia is instructed to re-convey the property to the Agency. Acquisition costs of the Dupray property was $365,661, including all qualified acquisition expenses as confirmed per the DDA. Purpose of the Boards action is to affirm that an acceptable reuse value for the property is the acquisition cost and that the acquisition cost is consistent with the DDA.

    MOTION: Dick Entinger made the motion to approve Resolution No. 07-09-18 affirming the Acquisition Cost to be $365,661 as the fair reuse value for the Dupray Property. Vice-Chair Peter Naumes seconded the motion.

    VOTE: The following Board members passed the motion with a unanimous affirmative vote: Eric Stark, Peter Naumes, Jason Anderson, Jim Kuntz, Skip Patterson, Joy Pelikan, and Dick Entinger.

    IX.
    Comments from City Council Representatives

    Council Representative Jason Anderson reported that a copy of the last City Council minutes were included in the board packet. Updates concerning the Agency are highlighted for the Board?s convenience.


    X.
    Comments from Board

    Skip Patterson inquired whether The Heart of Medford Association is in the process of changing management. Staff reported that Leena Lee was appointed as the Chairperson upon Eric Maxwell?s departure. Skip Patterson inquired whether staff was aware of how Ms. Lee signed the recent Letter to the Editor in the Mail Tribune. Staff reported that Ms. Lee signed the Letter to the Editor on behalf of the entire Heart of Medford Association, but was not approved to do so.

    XI.
    Adjournment

    The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m. The proceedings of this Board meeting were recorded on tape and filed in the Medford Urban Renewal Agency office.


    ______________________________________
    Submitted by:
    Errin L. Sills
    Office Administrator


    _____________________________________
    Approved by:
    Eric Stark, Chair
    9.25.2007 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
    2. Approval of Minutes
    2.1 Board Minutes of August 28, 2007
    3. Communications from Audience (Non-Agenda Items)
    4. Communications from Staff
    4.1 Project Updates
    5. Written Communications
    5.1 Article: Chamber Business Review September 2007; re: ?Downtown Medford Takes Flight?
    5.2 Article: Chamber Business Review September 2007, re: ?The Commons Downtown Development Advances Dramatically"
    6. Report from Chair
    7. Report from Committees
    7.1 Parking Committee (Agenda and Draft Minutes, September 12, 2007)
    7.2 Marketing Committee (Agenda, September 19, 2007)
    8. Business
    8.1 Consideration of Resolution No. 07-09-18 affirming the fair reuse value for the Property described by the Jackson County Assessor?s Office as 37 1W 30BB TL 7600 of the Commons Redevelopment Project.
    9. Comments from City Council Representatives
    9.1 City Council Minutes
    10. Comments from Board
    11. Adjournment


    NEXT REGULAR BOARD MEETING: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2007
Signup for our free Newsletter to get event updates and information: