02-01-12 Urban Renewal Agency Minutes201 1st Avenue East
Kalispell, MT 59901
Phone: 406.758.7738
Fax: 406.758.7758
City of Kalispell • www.kalispell.com
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES OF 02/01/2012 URA MEETING
MEMBERS IN ATTENDACE:
Marc Rold — Chairman
Tom Lund — Vice Chairman
Richard Kuhl
Shannon Nalty
Suzanne Faubert
OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE:
City of Kalispell RLF Manager; Wade Elder
City Attorney; Charlie Harball
Community Development Manager; Katherine Thompson
City Planning Director; Tom Jentz
City of Kalispell Recording Secretary; Aimee Cooke
MEMBERS ABSENT:
None
Members have been E-Mailed the following:
• An agenda for this meeting.
• A Summary of Activities of the 01/18/2012 meeting.
• A report for the Colorado street water system improvement project, dated January
2012, from City of Kalispell Public Works Department.
The URA met January 18, 2012 at 4pm at the City Hall conference room.
Chairman Rold called the meeting to order.
Reviewed the prior meetings "Summary of Activities" that was E-Mailed to members, the
document was accepted as written.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
There was no public comment
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Colorado Street Project
Elder and Harball reviewed the project and answered questions from Council.
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Harball informed committee that, if they approve this project, Mr. Johnson; Public Finance
Attorney for Kennedy and Graven Chartered, P.C., will be sending a preliminary bonding
resolution for the Monday, 2/6/12, council meeting. The bonding would actually be for up to
$500,000, which would include this project as well as the Meridian/Appleway project, and will
have three years to draw on that, for the two projects.
URA Member Discussion
Kuhl doesn't like the possibility of having a bond out for 25 years.
Nalty is resistance towards the idea that this TIF money should be anything more than blight
development, new jobs, and building more. However, in today's economy most people are going
to want TIF help and water lines are for future development.
Lund thinks that, strategically, you have to look at the total TIF dollars as a percentage of the
total tax revenue; you have to cap that at a number. Also, everything the committee does has to
be prudent. It's a long term approach that they have to look for.
Rold pointed out that there isn't a public/private project available right now, but this water line
does open the door for some future public/private projects.
Lund moved to recommend to city council that the Colorado Street water project meets the
criteria of West Side TIF funding and we recommend that the City Council use this project and
the Appleway/Meridian intersection reconstruction as the two components to bond for in a
25 year private placement with call feature less than three years. The motion was seconded.
The motion carried with 4 yes and 1 no.
2. Kalispell Growth Policy
Jentz; City of Kalispell Planning Director, reported that the planning department is currently in
the process of updating the Kalispell Growth Policy, and reviewed work that has already been
done as well as work that is needing to be done. He is looking for feedback from the URA
committee on issues of concern in this community.
URA MEMBER DISCUSSION
Rold noted that one of the challenges he hears expressed is assembling enough property to do a
project. Our property ownership is divided up into lots of small pieces and a major retail center
takes a lot of acreage that Kalispell does not have.
Kuhl noted that Kalispell is not a lively place to go out for dinner and drinks, and that we should
think about developing more concentrated housing for young professionals who live downtown.
Nalty pointed out that commitments have been made with Old School Station that need to be
followed through with, and the area farther south needs to be put into some kind of planning
matrix. He also feels the city would benefit from having a home with a little "in-law" set up; that
can accommodate your kids home from college or an elderly parent.
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Faubert would like to see Center Street cleaned up, and likes the idea of live/work in town,
where you have your store front and live above it.
Lund feels the emphasis should be in the downtown core area; toward residential multi -use with
emphasis on bar and restaurant activities, higher -end residential, centered around a walking
path; with some significant zoning and building requirements.
Rold pointed out that with the redevelopment Lund is talking about you are getting rid of a lot
of low income housing, there needs to be some kind of replacement for low income housing.
We want to encourage low income people because the transit is here, jobs, and walking ability is
here.
Lund requested Jentz to come back at some point so they can have the chance to expand on
issues and concerns.
NEW BUSINESS:
None
NEXT MEETING:
Meeting adjourned at 5:08 pm
End of Summary of Activities 02/01/12