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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-02-04 EURA ANNUAL MEETING• • • ENGLEWOOD URBAN RENEW AL AUTHORITY ANNUAL MEETING February 4, 1998 I. CALL TO ORDER The Annual Meeting of the Englewood Urban Renewal Authority was called to order in the Community Room of Englewood City Hall at 5:40 p.m., Chairman Havens presiding. Members present: Garrett , Graebner , Roth , Weddle , Havens Gryglewicz , Executive Director/Executive Secretary Members absent: Knuppertz , Soulliere Also present: Harold J. Stitt , Community Coordinator II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES December 3 , 1997 Chairman Havens stated that the Minutes of December 3, 1997 were to be considered for ap- proval. Graebner moved : Roth seconded : The Minutes of December 3 , 1997 be approved as written. AYES: NAYS : Graebner , Roth , Weddle, Havens None ABSTAIN : Garrett ABSENT: Soulliere , Knuppertz The motion carried . III. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Chairman Vice Chairman Mr . Havens asked if anyone is interested in serving as Chairman; he stated that he is willing to continue as Chair if that is the desire of membership. Mr. Graebner nominated Mr. Havens as Chairman of the Urban Renewal Authority . 1 Mr. Garrett moved that nominations be closed . The motion was seconded. Mr. Havens was elected Chairman of the Urban Renewal Authority . • Mr . Havens nominated Mr. Graebner as Vice-Chairman of the Urban Renewal Authority . Mr. Roth moved that nominations be closed . The motion was seconded . Mr. Graebner was elected Vice Chairman of the Urban Renewal Authority. Mr. Frank Gryglewicz was unanimously designated the Executive Director/Executive Secre- tary of the Urban Renewal Authority. IV. NEW BUSINESS A. Amendment of 1997 Operating Budget Mr. Gryglewicz stated that the 1997 Operating Budget needs to be amended to cover payment to EURA legal counsel Paul Benedetti. Mr. Benedetti has answered, on behalf of the Author- ity, the lawsuit which was filed against the City and Authority by the Trustee for the bond- holders. Mr. Gryglewicz stated that he and Mr . Benedetti are working with the Trustee to try to get le- gal expenditures paid from the moneys collected and transmitted to the Trustee for bond pay- ments. If the Trustee refuses payment from those funds, the Courts may order the City to pay the fees; the Authority 's financial resources are extremely limited. • Mr. Garrett asked if there was any conflict between the City and the EURA on the lawsuit, and if there was any reason not to use the same legal representation . Mr. Gryglewicz stated that the City and EURA have the same opinion regarding the lawsuit. Mr. Garrett questioned whether joint legal representation could be used by the City and the Authority. Mr. Grygle- wicz stated that the City and the EURA are attempting to stay separate on this issue. He stated that whatever determination is rendered in the lawsuit, there will be an appeal -either by the Trustee on behalf of the bondholders, or by the City and Authority . Mr . Gryglewicz gave a brief up-date on the law suit. The bondholders are asking that the Tax Increment Financing be extended beyond 2005. Mr. Gryglewicz reiterated that should the lawsuit decision be rendered against the City and the Authority, both City Attorney Brotzman and Authority legal counsel Benedetti are prepared to file an appeal. Both legal representatives feel confident that the position of the City and Authority will prevail -that extension of the TIP will not be required . Mr. Gryglewicz pointed out that payment of the bonded indebted- ness in full will never be realized , even if the TIP were to be extended . Mr. Gryglewicz commented that if the City were to achieve a greatly improved revenue stream , there might be a slim chance to repay the indebtedness, but this is unlikely. Mr. Gryglewicz stated that if the default could be cured , the Authority could certainly provide assistance on the redevelopment of the mall site, and of the old General Iron Works (GIW) site . However , in light of the default, the Authority cannot provide any assistance. 2 • • • • The possibility of a new bond issue to provide assistance on the mall and/or GIW was briefly discussed. Mr. Gryglewicz stated that the Authority would have to demonstrate good credit to be able to sell bonds. Mr. Gryglewicz promised to keep the Authority up-to-date on the status of the lawsuit. Graebner moved : Weddle seconded: The 1997 Operating Budget be amended by $1, 720 to cover legal expen- ditures as noted. AYES : NAYS : Roth , Weddle , Garrett , Graebner, Havens None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT : Knuppertz , Soulliere The motion carried . B. Revenue Report Mr. Stitt discussed the year-end revenue report , noting that property tax revenues in 1997 were down 3 .18 3 , and sales tax revenues in 1997 were down 1. 27 3 . Property tax revenues for 1997 were $507 ,428 .29 , compared with 1996 property tax revenues of $524 ,111.89 . Sales tax revenues in 1997 totaled $1 ,938 ,366 .22 ; 1996 sales tax revenues totaled $1 ,963 ,268.14. Brief discussion ensued . The year-end revenue report was accepted by the Authority . C . Letter to Member Soulliere Chairman Havens discussed the non-attendance of EURA member Soulliere . Staff prepared a letter to Mr. Soulliere requesting his resignation , and included a letter prepared for his signa - ture and a stamped , addressed envelope to Mayor Burns , in an effort to facilitate the submis- sion of Mr. Soulliere ' s resignation from the Authority. Mr. Soulliere has not attended any meetings of the Authority since his appointment. To this date , the City has not received a letter of resignation from Mr. Soulliere . Further contact from the Authority to Mr . Soulliere was di scussed . V. COMMISSIONER'S CHOICE Mr. Havens stated that he understood asbestos abatement is occurring on the old mall. He asked if there was anything further to report . Mr . Garrett stated that City Council has study sessions every other week regarding the rede - velopment. On February 9m, the City Counc il will be addressing financial issues. Mr. Garrett stated that there is a commitment to RTD to provide a specific number of parking spaces. Staff 3 is still working with an architectural firm regarding conversion of the former Foley's building to City Hall offices. • Mr . Gryglewicz stated that there is concern that if something is not accomplished in the near future some of the committed tenants may leave . Mr. Garrett stated that there are commit- ments of intent from Sony Theaters and Wal-Mart. He agreed there is concern that one of these committed tenants could leave. Mr. Havens stated that he had viewed the "model" in the Library , and asked if this is the pro- posal that is under consideration. Mr. Gryglewicz stated that this is a very preliminary model. The light rail issue was discussed. Mr. Garrett stated that the southwest route (Santa Fe) is funded separately from the failed "Guide the Ride" proposal, and activity on the southwest line is' proceeding . Mr. Stitt stated that Guide the Ride was a proposal to provide funding for addi- tional light rail lines -a western line, southeast line to Denver Tech Center, a line to DIA , and a line extending north to the Boulder area. Mr. Garrett stated that there are steps underway to procure federal funding for the southeast line to the DTC area. Mr. Havens asked how many parking spaces the RTD light rail station will require . Mr. Stitt recalled that 600 + were committed by the City. When the line is completely built out, the need for parking spaces will increase. Mr. Havens commented that the widening of Santa Fe has not helped reduce the traffic load. • VI . DIRECTOR 'S CHOICE Mr. Gryglewicz reiterated that he will keep Authority members informed on the status of the law suit. He thanked all members in attendance for coming to the meeting. The meeting was adjourned. 4 •