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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-07-14 (Special) Meeting Minutes• COUNCIL CHAMBERS CITY OF ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO July 14, 1980 SPECIAL MEETING: 'nle City Council of the City of Englewood, Arapahoe County, Colorado, met in special session on July 14, 1980, at 7:30 p.m. Mayor Otis, presiding, called the meeting to order. 'nle invocation was fiven by Council Member Thomas Fitzpatrick. 'nle pledge of a legiance was led by Mayor Otis. Mayor Otis asked for roll call. Upon a call of the roll, the following were present: Council Members Higday, Neal, Fitzpatrick, Keena, Bilo, Bradshaw, Otis. Absent: None. The Mayor declared a quorum present. * * * * * * Also present were: City Manager Mccown Assistant City Manager Wanush City Attorney Berardini Acting Director of Community Development Romans Director of Public Works Waggoner Director of Engineering Services Diede Deputy City Clerk Watkins * * * * * * COUNCIL MEMBER NEAL MOVED TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. Council Member Bradshaw seconded the motion. Upon a call of the roll, the vote resulted as follows: Ayes: Nays: Council Members Higday, Neal, Fitzpatrick, Keena, Bilo, Bradshaw, Otis. None. 'nle Mayor declared the motion carried. July 14, 1980 Page 2 Mayor Otis stated the purpose of the meeting was to hold a public hearing for the creation of a special assessment district in downtown Englewood. Mayor Otis recognized the listing of people who wanted to speak and asked if there was anyone who had not yet signed up to speak to do so. Mayor Otis then explained the format by which the hearing would be conducted. City Manager Mccown stated the purpose also was to hear a proposal from the Downtown Development Authority concerning the improvements which were mainly to provide additional parking and a passage-way between the parking and the business area. Mr. Mccown stated additional presentations would be made by the mem- bers of the Downtown Development Authority, the architect and the City's Engineering Services Department. Those who supported and those who opposed either the project or the method of assessment would be given an opportunity to speak. Mr. Mccown stated Coun- cil would consider the information submitted and determine whether or not the proposed district was being handled correctly and if the method of asaeaament was proper and correct. The three al- ternatives subsequent to the hearing were: 1) Council could pro- ceed with the project as presented; 2) Council could turn down the project entirely; or 3) Council could direct the staff to analyze the project further and make alterations as warranted. If Council chose the third alternative and the assessment method was changed wherein any assessment was increased, the process would have to start over and another public hearing held. Mayor Otis asked for the presentation by the Downtown Development Authority members. Barbara Holthaus, 3483 South Acoma, appeared before Council. Ms. Holthaus stated the first and primary goal of the Board was the parking project. The benefits derived from the parking project would be that permanent parking would be avail- able to retailers and their customers; a walk-through for the purpose of tieing together the Safeway Store parking lot and the parking lot that was proposed to be developed with the re- tail area along Broadway; a mini-park providing a place for shoppers to rest, for the area employees to have lunch and for the general concept of having a green open space available; lastly the placement of underground utilities to diminish the blight along the rear of the building. Ms. Holthaus urged the acceptance of this project. George Allen, 3460 South Sherman, appeared before Coun- cil. Mr. Allen gave the history of the efforts since 1950 to get July 14, 1980 Page 3 permanent parking in downtown Englewood. The efforts were never successful because of a lack of funds. Mr. Allen urged acceptance of the project now that funds will be available. James Keller, Director of the Downtown Development Authority, 3535 South Sherman, appeared before Council. Mr. Keller gave an update as to where the project has been since its inception. Kelly Oliver, Oliver & Hallgren, project architect, home address 3134 South Fine Court, appeared before Council. Mr. Oliver discussed the physical features of the plan and explained the rationale behind the design. Gary Diede, Director of Engineering Services, appeared before Council. Mr. Diede discussed the set up of the assess- ment district and the costs the district would incur as proposed. Mr. Diede stated the total cost of the project would be ~940,900 but less the amount donated by the City; the total assessible amount would be $805,900. He stated the EDDA Board reconrnended a square footage method of assessment with the total assessible share to be $1.55 per square foot. Council Member Bilo stated the project would bring many people to the area and asked whether or not consideration was given for bathroom facilities. Mr. Oliver stated the bathroom facilities may or may not be included in the walk-through. Consideration was still being given on whether or not these facilities were the type of thing that should be provided based on the problems connected with them. Council Member Neal stated the plan as presented in- cluded bathroom facilities in the walk-way. Mayor Otis then called for those people who had signed the list requesting to speak in support of the district. Fred Kaufman, Kaufman's Mens Wear, 3395 South Broadway, appeared before Council. Mr. Kaufman stated since the vehicle of providing funds to improve this area was available, the pro- ject should be undertaken. Mr. Kaufman stated he was willing to along go on with the square footage assessment. Council. Mrs. Fred Kaufman, 3395 South Broadway, appeared before Mrs. Kaufman stated she supported her husband's comnents. July 14, 1980 Page 4 Chris Thompson, Executive Director of dba Englewood, 3535 South Sherman, appeared before Council. Ms. Thompson stated she supported the project because it would make the downtown area a pleasant place to shop. Jamee Keller, Director of the EDDA, appeared before Council. Mr. Keller stated he had nothing to add at this time only to appear in support of the project. Dan Mannick, 2280 South Sherman, appeared before Coun- cil. Mr. Mannick stated he was in support of the project and agreed with what had been said by the previous speakers. Dale Close, 3451 South Sherman, appeared before Council. Mr. Close stated he supported the project. Clet Gaaaon, 3333 South Bannock, appeared before Coun- cil. Mr. Gaaaon stated he was a member of the EDDA and agreed with those apeaking in support of the project. J. C. Maxwell, 3356 South Broadway, appeared before Council. Mr. Maxwell stated he was also a member of the EDDA. Mr. Maxwell stated now that the funds were available, the pro- ject should proceed. W. Kelly Oliver, 3134 South Fine Court, appeared be- fore Council. Mr. Oliver stated he supported the project. Howard Olson, Englewood Girard, appeared before Council. supported the project but took no ment. Chamber of Comnerce, 180 West Mr. Olson stated the Chamber stand on the method of assess- Barbara Holthaus, 3483 South Acoma, appeared before Council. Ms. Holthaus stated she supported the project and it made no difference to her on the method of assessment as long as the project was done. James Artzberger, Manager of Cinderella City, appeared before Council. Mr. Artzberger stated he was also a member of the EDDA. Mr. Artzberger stated the owners of Cinderella City believed the downtown area could be developed and supported the project. Mr. Artzberger stated the owners of the center took no position on t h~ method of assessment but were in favor of some kind of assessment method. Barry Coleman, 3305 South Broadway, appeared before Council. Mr. Coleman stated he was a member of the EDDA. He July 14, 1980 Page 5 stated no program for improvement would be accepted unanimously; however, the improvement had to start somewhere. Mr. Coleman urged a drive to improve all of the downtown area. Mike Miller, leasing agent for Rocky Mountain Jewelry Exchange, 3400 South Broadway, appeared before Council. Mr. Miller stated he was in support of the plan. Glen Lambton, 3466 South Sherman, appeared before Council. Mr. Lambton stated he operated an office of six people and that the environment was important. Mr. Lambton stated the supported the plan. Joe Gergay, 3450 South Broadway, appeared before Coun- cil. Mr. Gergay spoke in support of the plan. Leonard Robolm, 3445 South Broadway, appeared before Council. Mr. Robolm spoke in support of the plan. Julian Valles, 3485 South Broadway, appeared before Council. Mr. Valles stated he supported the plan. Saleen Diwan, 3400 South Broadway, appeared before Coun- cil. Mr. Diwan stated he was in support of the plan. He suggested placing the mini-park between the building and thereby leaving more space for parking. There was no one else wishing to speak in favor. * * * *·* * Mayor Otis declared a recess at 8:50 p.m. Council re- convened at 9:05 p.m. Mayor Otis asked for roll call. Upon a call of the roll, the following were present: Council Members Higday, Neal, Fitzpatrick, Keena, Bilo, Bradshaw, Otis. Absent: None. 'lbe Mayor declared a quorwn present. * * * * * * Mayor Otis called for those people who had signed the list requesting to speak in opposition. Ralph Murphy, Murphy Corporation, 3535 South Sherman, appeared before Council. Mr. Murphy stated he did not oppose July 14, 1980 Page 6 the project. He opposed the method of assessment. He stated he would not receive any direct benefit from the district; and there- fore could not justify the amount he would be assessed. He stated he already provided parking and facilities for his clients that were similar to what was being proposed by the EDDA. Pat Murphy, Murphy Corporation, 3535 South Sherman, appeared before Council. Mr. Murphy stated he agreed with the comnents made by the previous speaker. Dean Perkins, Officer Mizer, 180 East Hampden Avenue, appeared before Council. Mr. Perkins stated he supported the project but not the method of assessment. Mr. Perkins suggested installing metered parking. He stated he would sit on a conmittee to work out a fair method of assessment. Council Member Neal stated there was possible savings in the project coats by eliminating the bathroom facilities and underground facilities. C. Charles Buchler, 3580 South Lincoln, appeared before Council. Mr. Buchler stated he was in opposition to the district because he would receive neither direct or indirect benefit from it. He provided his own parking. He stated the assessment pro- blem was the property district, those who want it should get it and pay for it. Gerald Quiat, 1776 First National Bank, appeared before Council. Mr. Quiat stated he was representing the property owners of 3392 -3398 South Broadway and 3405 South Broadway in expressing support of improving downtown but not the assessment method. Mr. Quiat queried whether part of the mini-park which is proposed to be a children's playground should be in a parking lot and suggested that all the land be made into parking area. He stated the costs to bury utilities would be excessive. Mr. Quiat stated the solution would be to issue revenue bonds and install parking meters to pay for the project. D. W. Farley, 3392 -3398 South Broadway, appeared be- fore Council and spoke in support of Mr. Quiat's previous state- ments. 'lbere was no one else to speak in opposition. Mayor Otis noted receipt of letters from the Murphy Corporation, Charles Buchler, George Swerer -Desks Incorporated, David Lambton -Safeway Stores, Incorporated, and Fred Dransfeldt all expressing opposition to the concept. Mayor Otis offered these letters as part of the record. July 14, 1980 Page 7 City Attorney Berardini asked for an explanation on how the assessment area was determined referring specifically to the 400 foot area. Dorothy Romans, Acting Director of Connunity Develop- ment, appeared before Council to provide the explanation. Ms. Romans stated the 400 foot limit was because the zoning ordinance stated that parking can be provided for a use within 400 feet of the subject site and that became the basis for the assessment district. Council Member Bradshaw requested that Mr. Oliver come forward for further questions. Ma. Bradshaw asked Mr. Oliver what portion of the mini-park was the playground. Mr. Oliver stated he estimated it to be 5000 -6000 square feet. Council Member Neal asked Mr. Oliver to elaborate on the total landscaping theme particularly the role of the mini- park. Mr. Oliver stated at a meeting sponsored by the EDDA, Mr. Fred Kent appeared and described the trend toward remodel- ing cities with a back to nature scheme such as grass, plants and trees. Mini-parka were becoming popular and have become a significant part of city planninf. Mr. Oliver stated the asphalt jungle created by parking ots was trying to be al- leviated by enhancing the landscaping around the parking lot, i.e. the mini-park. Mr. Oliver stated there were several ideas for the mini-park, some include the playground and some do not. Mr. Oliver stated planning the downtown area especially extend- ing out into the Broadway corridor as much as possible was es- sential. Mr. Oliver stated it was possible to spread the park around the area and not concentrate it in one area. There were no further conrnents to be made. * * * * * * COUNCIL MEMBER KEENA MOVED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. Council Member Bilo seconded the motion. Upon a call of the roll, the vote resulted as follows: Ayes: Council Members Higday, Neal, Fitzpatrick, Keena, Bilo, Bradshaw, Otis. July 14, 1980 Page 8 Nays: None. 'lbe Mayor declared the motion carried. * * * * * * COUNCIL MEMBER HIGDAY MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. Mayor Otis adjourned the meeting without a vote at 9:55 p.m.