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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-03-11 ACE MINUTES• • • ALLIANCE FOR COMMERCE IN ENGLEWOOD March 11, 2004 The Alliance for Commerce in Englewood (ACE) convened for the regular meeting in the City Council Conference Room of the Englewood Civic Center at 11 :30 a.m. Present: Cook, Schalk, Rees Yurchick, Council Liaison Vasilas, Alternate Member Absent: Ashenfelter, Guinther, McDermott, Panetta Also present: Lauri Dannerniller, Senior Manager John Voboril, Planner Olga Wolosyn, City Council Member Cristin Ackerly, Chamber of Commerce Liaison Mr. Rees, Vice Chair, stated that a voting quorum of the ACE membership was not present. Mr. Yurchick stated that City Council received the Activities Report prepared for ACE, and had no questions regarding the Report . Mr. Rees stated he understood that Ms. Dannemiller had another meeting to attend, and asked that she proceed with the discussion regarding eminent domain. Ms. Dannemiller stated that ACE has expressed interest in the urban renewal process and the use of eminent domain. Eminent domain is an important tool for cities to use in redevelopment of areas that have been designated "blighted". There have been some abuses of the eminent domain process, and the State Legislature has considered two bills during this session to address this is- sue . Ms. Guinther entered the meeting and took her chair with the members of ACE. I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Rees called the Regular meeting of the ACE to order at 11 :42 a.m. Present: Absent: Cook, Guinther, Schalk, Rees Yurchick, Council Liaison Vasilas, Alternate Member Ashenfelter (no previous notice of absence given); McDermott, Panetta (both members provided previous notice of absence. Mr. Rees asked that Ms. Dannemiller continue her presentation . Ms . Dannemiller discussed several uses of eminent domain -not only to facilitate redevelop- ment, but to provide rights-of-way, open space and park lands, and to facilitate clean up of con- H:\GROUP\BOARDS\ACE\Minutes\2004\ACE 03-11-04 .doc 1 • • • taminated land or blighted areas. Ms. Dannemiller stated that one bill before the State Legisla- ture dealt with definition of "blight", and was killed by the legislature. The second Bill, HB 1203, is still active . This Bill , as proposed, restricts acquisition of privately-owned property and turning it to a developer. There have been multiple amendments attached to this Bill, and the sponsor of the Bill, Representative Mitchell, is apparently interested in removing all amendments and starting over. This Bill will allow a private property owner/businessman to retain ownership of his property, and have an opportunity to be a part of redevelopment efforts. Ms. Dannemiller discussed ways of assisting private property owners whose property has been taken by eminent domain, those ways include paying relocation costs and costs associated with business loss. Ms. Dannemiller referenced information included in the packet citing examples of urban renewal projects that have been done. Ms. Dannemiller stated that City Council has been kept aware of the State Legislature activities regarding the urban renew a l/eminent domain issues . The City Council did not take a position on either Bill that was proposed. Ms . Dannemiller stated that the State Legislature appears to be working toward a compromise position whereby communities will retain the right to use eminent domain, but abuses of the procedure will be eliminated. Mr. Cook mentioned experiences he had regarding use of eminent domain when he resided in the eastern U.S., and served on a zoning board; at that time , federal guidelines also entered into the issue of eminent domain and financing of redevelopment. Ms. Dannemiller stated that Colorado provides for use of Tax Increment Financing that has been used in conjunction with eminent do- main for redevelopment projects . Mr. Yurchick stated that he understood HB 1203 shifts from eliminating the tool of eminent do- main to assuring property owners of a "level playing field", and if they choose to remain and be- come part of a redevelopment effort, they will be eligible for the same financial incentives the major developer receives. Ms . Guinther stated that it does not appear to provide protection for tenants of properties that may be acquired. Ms. Dannemiller reiterated that relocation costs and business loss costs are payable to both property owners and tenants . Mr. Rees asked Ms . Dannemiller to keep the ACE membership apprised of the progress of HB 1203, and any other issue pertaining to eminent domain . II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES February 12, 2004 Vice-chair Rees stated that the Minutes of February 12 , 2004 were to be considered for approval. Upon a motion by Mr. Cook, the Minutes of February 12, 2004 stand approved as written . III. RESCHEDULE OF APRIL MEETING DATE April 8 to April 1 or April 15 H :\GRO U P\BOARDS \ACE\Minutes\2004\ACE 03-11-04 .doc 2 • • • Mr. Rees stated that staff members Hollingsworth and Simpson will be attending an Economic Development training session out of state on April 8, and the regular meeting date needs to be rescheduled. Suggested dates are April 1, or April 15. It was the consensus of the ACE membership to meet on April 1 at 11 :30 a.m. IV. BUSINESS VISITATION PROGRAM Mr. Hollingsworth stated that he met with the subcommittee members (Cook, McDermott, and Vasilas) a couple of weeks ago to discuss the business visitation program. The objective of the program is to foster one-on-one meetings with members of the business community to acquaint them with ACE and various City programs, and to determine if there is assistance that the City can provide to them. Mr. Hollingsworth stated that name tags for members participating in the visitation program will be provided. Mr. Hollingsworth stated that questions to be used in the business visitation program have not been developed, but have been preliminarily discussed. A "paper" setting forth some of the benefits for businesses has been developed; this "paper" will be distributed to those businesses visited and if the businessperson wants more information, phone numbers and fax numbers are included. Benefits such as Enterprise Zone, Commercial Catalyst Program, and the ESBDC have been cited on this "paper." Mr. Cook stated that a goal is to make it simple and easy for members of the business commu- nity to communicate with the City. He stated that people want to know "what's in this for me" - they need to know that other members of the business community and the City are interested in the success of any business and what the City can do to help them. Mr. Vasilas stated that the "paper" distributed by Mr. Hollingsworth does cover issues discussed at the subcommittee meeting. If any other issues arise , the "paper" can be amended and added to. Ms . ~ckerly asked if she could participate in the business visitation program; she commented that in her opinion , this program could also provide assistance to the Chamber in serving the business community. Ms. Ackerly was welcomed as a member of the visitation team. Ms. Ack- erly asked if it would be appropriate to include Chamber information on the FAX "paper". Mr. Hollingsworth stated that this "paper" is under the auspices of ACE, but that additional informa- tion from the Chamber could be included in an informational packet. Mr. Hollingsworth further discussed the need to develop the actual questions for the visitation team. Ms. Ackerly asked if there will be a pre-determined list of questions -a standardized question list. Mr. Rees agreed there is need for standardized questions , and he saw no problem with the Chamber of Commerce participating in the visitation program and making businesses aware of Chamber programs . Mr. Hollingsworth suggested the subcommittee get together to de- velop and discuss questions for the visitation program. These questions would then be brought before the ACE membership for review . He asked whether there were specific topics that the membership could suggest for the questions . H:\GROUP\BOARDS\ACE\Minutes\2004\AC E 03-11-04 .doc 3 • • • The Enterprise Zone was discussed. Mr. Hollingsworth noted that the Englewood industrial dis- trict and the majority of the commercial districts in Englewood are in the Enterprise Zone; in fact the zone was recently expanded to include the Swedish Medical Campus. Mr. Cook suggested that the interview team should have an Enterprise Zone map in their packet of information for the visits. V. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY Timeline Mr. Hollingsworth distributed an "Adoption Schedule and Timeframe" for the Economic Devel- opment Strategy. He cautioned that the dates suggested in this timefrarne may have to be ad- justed, but this is a beginning point. The ED Strategy will be presented to City Council at their May 3 Study Session; two public meetings are proposed in May, and presentation to the Planning Commission is proposed in June. Adoption by the City Council could occur in late June if this timeline is followed. Mr. Cook asked what effect this ED Strategy will have on the populous of the City . He dis- cussed the need to inform everyone regarding this document. Mr. Hollingsworth stated that once the document is discussed at the City Council study session, there will be public meetings for general information purposes . These public meetings are open to members of the business community and the general public . Mr. Hollingsworth stated that the meetings will be publicized through the Chamber newsletter and the Engle wood Citizen; a press release will also be given to the Englewood Herald. The Public Meetings in May will be an "open house " format. Mr. Hollingsworth encouraged attendance by ACE members at the Council Study Session, at the public meetings and before the Planning Commission. VI. COMMENTS AND EVENTS A. Chamber of Commerce Ms . Ackerly notified ACE members of the upcoming luncheon for student recognition . This program recognizes students from the Englewood School system that are outstanding. B . ACE Members Mr. Vasilas stated that he attended the Englewood Small Business Development Corporation meeting last week. Mr. Rees stated that his membership term on ACE will be expiring in May, and he does not plan to request reappointment. He stated he will be out of town in May and June. C. Staff Comments Mr. Hollingsworth provided a verbal activity report. • The South Broadway Plan will be before the City Council on March 15 1h . • King Soopers redevelopment is underway; the store will be expanding and the entire site will be redeveloped . H:\GROUP\BOARDS\ACE\M inutes\2 004\ACE 03-11-04.doc 4 • • • • The Japanese Restaurant at 2911 South Broadway is still in the works. • New construction for spec retail is occurring at Broadway and Yale. • The 5200 block of South Broadway -west side -300 ft. frontage is being redeveloped for a fast-food outlet. • Englewood Parkway and South Broadway-public meeting is scheduled on March 18 1h at 6 p .m. to present and discuss the Request for Proposals. • If anyone is aware of a business wanting assistance in improving the fa<;ade please let staff know so contact can be made regarding the catalyst program. • 15 prospects have contacted staff regarding available business space in Englewood. • A catering business is interested in relocating to Englewood. • Three businesses want to expand and stay in Englewood. Mr. Cook noted that Mr. Rees had presented an excellent summarization of ACE activities sev- eral months ago ; is anyone keeping this summarization up-to-date. Mr. Hollingsworth noted that the monthly meeting Minutes make note of action items and up -coming agenda items. Ms. Wolosyn inquired if there was further information regarding the location of Eckhardt's Pharmacy in Englewood. Mr. Hollingsworth stated that this business in interested in an Engle- wood Broadway location, but they are not to the point of signing a commitment on a site. Mr. Voboril stated that Eckhardt 's is a subsidiary of J.C . Penney Company, and Penney's is trying to sell the company . There was no further business brought before the ACE membership. The meeting was declared adjourned at 12:30 p.m. ertrude G. Welty , Recording Secretar~ Actio-n Items : • Eminent Domain discussion • Rescheduled April meeting to 4/1/04 • Business Visitation discussion • Economic Development Strategy Timeline Agenda Items: • Business Visitation standardized question list H:\GRO UP\BOARDS\A CE\Minutes\2004\AC E 03 -11-04 .doc 5