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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-09-13 EDDA MINUTESe ENGLEWOOD DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 3333 South Bannock, Suite 480 Board of Directors Members Present: Members Absent: Staff Present: Guests/Visitors: September 13, 1995 Minutes Close, Collins, Coleman, Kientz, Pfannenstiel, Sanchez, Hathaway, Oxman, Kaufman Duemke Celva, Doyle Doug Clark, City Manager; Bob Simpson, Manager of Neighborhood Services; Allan Stanley, Director of Safety Services; Jim Blumenthal, Fire Marshall; Ron Straka, Consultant; Clifford Weinberger, owner/Manager-Situs Investors, L.L.C.; Alex Habenicht, City Councilwoman; Randi Barthlome, Director of Employee Services; Dan Brotzman, City Attorney; Duane Davidson, Safety Services I. Approval of Minutes The meeting was called to order at 11:40 p.m. Chairman Close asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the July 20th and August 9th meetings. There being none a motion was made by Gary Oxman, seconded by Bill Coleman and passed unanimously approving the minutes as presented. II. Treasurer's Report Gary Oxman reported that the July Treasurer's Report showed a revenues of $108,850.82 and a fund balance of $78,057.95 after expenditures. Harold Celva informed the Board that the total 1995 Arapahoe County assessed property tax valuation for EDDA was $26,051,880.00 (down $1.7 million from 1994). Harold also stated that the cumulative property tax revenue as of July, 1995 was $100,312.26. Gary asked if there were any additions or corrections to the May, June or July reports as presented. There being none a motion was made by Ron Kientz, seconded by Rita Hathaway and passed unanimously approving the reports as presented. ~ III. Director's Report v. A. Meeting with King Soopers Harold Celva told the Board that Bill Coleman and he had met with Don Gallegos, President of King Soopers in order to inform Mr. Gallegos of remaining EDDA concerns. In attendance at the meeting were Russ DeSpence, Bob Letcher and the project engineer. Bill Coleman related that he had welcomed King's as a new property owner and had asked if they had an interest in having a representative on the EDDA Board. Coleman further stated that while the meeting was very cordial that no changes would be made to the Broadway access point, since this had been designed by the City engineers and had City approval. Rita Hathaway suggested that someone from the Board should speak to Al Stanley or Doug Clark and get their input regarding the access point on Broadway. B. other The Board met in an executive session to make a final decision for a contract regarding a sign. Introduction of Guests and Visitors (12:00 Noon} Harold Celva welcomed the guests and visitors to the Board meeting and requested that because of the number of people present and the reports and discussions scheduled for presentation on today's agenda that everyone introduce themselves individually by giving their name, title and place of employment. A. Cinderella City Update Doug Clark stated that Cinderella City was being held up because of three issues: 1) Working out a dollar amount and who would pay with regard to the environmental remediation. In the Phase I environmental study asbestos was found in the building. There was also ground contamination by the former Penny's gas station and the environmental follow-up for Ward's and Joslins was incomplete at this time. Total cost for environmental remediation will most likely be over $1 million. The Equitable proposal would deed the property to the City as is, the City's position is that the site should be turned over in a "clean" state. The second issue was with the Mercantile Company, owners of Joslins. While Joslins, who owns their building and pad site, have expressed a willingness to e donate the property to the City several problems remain, including a difference between book value and market value and how a write off of the site is taken. 3) Montgomery Wards has a 4 year lease with a 20 year option. Montgomery Wards would be making a gift of their property to the City, this would consist of lease value and the stores fixtures. The side issues would be, that the tire and battery operation across the street would also close if Ward's closes, since the operation of both entities is intergrated. Doug Clark, in response to a question from a Board member, went on to state that, Skip Miller is nervous since he is unable to obtain potential tenants he can't give anyone a firm date for the final development. There is also a fear that the retail market might change. He further related that there are fall back positions the City has in mind if things do not work out as planned. B. Report and discussion on Englewood Building Department Al Stanley informed the Board that there were two parts regarding the presentation on the Building Department and that Jim Blumenthal would deal with the first part. Blumenthal said that understood the EDDA Board had a question about the implementation of recommendations made by UNI-Ventures. He stated that some of the recommendations had been implemented but that those the department did not agree with were not put in place. Jim said the department feels strongly about the value of people seeking information and that Neighborhood Services and the Building Department is making a combined effort by working as one department. Since Code Enforcement moved to Safety Services the work load has improved. Jim related that there is little or no vacant land in Englewood and consequently most projects involve renovation with the problems inherent in old buildings and new code requirements. With all the changes that have taken place in the department, the department's mission statement has changed. Cross- training of the employees has helped them to become more familiar with each other's job. They are also receiving continuing education classes from Becky Baker Connie Sanchez said that 2 years ago when she wanted to build a shower that her efforts in dealing with the Building Department were useless, but when she tried again yesterday the results were satisfactory. Jim said that the Building Department is issuing 200 permits a month, 1100 permits stand open, over 700 were outstanding but there were no quotes for how many were e commercial. Al Stanley told the Board that the concerns EDDA had brought to his attention were being investigated but this was incomplete at this time. Al said that Safety Services would like to invite EDDA to come on as a representative, to sit down and read the complaints and see how the departments perceptions were drawn. He felt the department has done nothing wrong and that this is shown by statements from contractors and architects. The perception of the business and the building owner is different from the contractor. Al said that he had heard it reported that the Building Department was slow, drug their feet and were not customer oriented. Contractors however stated that nobody was rude to them and everyone was helpful. The common theme in a few of these instances was that the contractor and the architects agreed there were problems with the plans they submitted and that statements made by them when review took place on the individual permits. Another problem occurs when there are financial difficulties between the contractor and the client and the Building Department gets caught in the middle. Conversations with the contractors showed that heresy and old problems influence the current problems. Steve Collins questioned, whether in any of the cases investigated there had been any problems generated by the Building Department. Stanley replied that in all cases the Building Department was no in any way at fault. Discussion continued on specific cases and on potential changes in processes and other ideas for improving communication and understanding of the issues involved. It was emphasized that EDDA was not seeking adversarial issues, but did have a genuine concern for the viability and perception of the community. Gordon thanked everyone for attending the Board meeting and their input and that EDDA and all look forward to a continuing rapport with the City. IV. Board Members Choice A. Bill Coleman -Meeting with Doug Clark Bill Coleman stated he met with City Manager, Doug Clark and informed him of all the negative comments regarding the Englewood Building Department that the Board members had been receiving and their concerns in this matter. • ~ VI. Chairman's Report Respectfully submitted,