JULY, 2001 URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY MEETING MINUTES:

JULY 24, 2001

1.    ROLL CALL: Chair Moore called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Chair Moore and Members Woodruff, Peterson, Lehmann, Welch and Church answered the roll. A quorum was present.
2.    CITIZENS COMMENTS AND CONCERNS: None.
3.    AGENCY MEMBER COMMENTS AND CONCERNS: None.
4.    MINUTES: The Agency considered the minutes from the June 7, 2001 meeting. Member Lehmann moved to approve the minutes as presented, Member Welch seconded, and the motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.
   
Member Church asked to rearrange the agenda to move Funding and Modification of the Urban Renewal Plan ahead of the Property discussion. There were no objections.
5.    FUNDING AND MODIFICATION OF THE URBAN RENEWAL PLAN: Mr. Dowsett noted that in order to increase the funding, a modification of the Plan would have to take place. He contacted Harvey Rogers in regards to this issue, and Mr. Kupper would be able to assist in a plan amendment if necessary. A minor amendment could be accomplished by a simple resolution, a major or substantial amendment might require a plan amendment. He noted that the reason the Agency could do anything was because it had decided to drop the special levy as of this year. The 12% increase represented 3 years of growth in the amended area. There was a limit of 25% of the property within the City limits, and the Urban Renewal area currently encompassed about 10.7%. His suggestion was to take in the marina area, as significant development may take place over time. Also, if possible, put in the school sites because they will eventually move and the area can be developed for other purposes. Another area to look at would be most of Mill Street. The first step was to look at the Plan to amend and cover all areas that may potentially have economic growth and development. The second step was to decide if there are other projects which could be incorporated as a result of the downtown development assessment. The third issue was that the Agency no longer had the 3M "cap" on maximum indebtedness but could go up to 6M if they desired. Discussion ensued regarding how much income was available to finance the present debt. Mr. Dowsett noted that the Agency would need to have the projects in order to justify any increase. Further discussion ensued. It was determined that the first thing to do was to wait for recommendations from the Economic Development Committee, which would then be discussed by the Agency. The Council would then receive the recommendation from the Urban Renewal Agency, propose amendments to the Plan, send it to the Planning Commission for review, and ultimately adopt the amendments. Then the Urban Renewal Agency could talk about specific projects.
6.    PROPERTY: Member Church noted that one suggestion brought up during the ODDA meeting was to acquire the property on the corner of 101 and 34, next to the Galley Ho. Member Woodruff noted that the piece which has the building on it is being sold to Waldport Insurance with the easements due to the Excel Drug property. The potential purchaser indicated that if the City were interested in acquiring that property, he might not buy it. Member Church indicated that he had spoken with the owners of Excel Drug about a possible trade of the corner lot for the Waldport Motel property. This would put the motel site back on the tax rolls and allow the City to acquire that corner. Discussion ensued. Member Lehmann stated that the motel property should not be considered until the Economic Development Committee had made its recommendations. Further discussion ensued, no action was taken.
8.    MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS: The Agency considered a proposal to place a fence and gates on the motel property to help with traffic control and safety concerns. Mr. McClintock had obtained a bid from a local contractor, Ted Stephens Construction, for a 5-foot high front and rear fence with two 12-foot gates for the east and west entrance. The cost would be $2750 and the fence material would be green vinyl-clad chain link. Mr. McClintock noted that if the property sold, Public Works would be able to reuse the fencing or it could be sold with the property if the buyer wished. In the event that the fencing was to be reused, the Urban Renewal Agency could sell it to the City. Member Lehmann moved to authorize the purchase, Member Peterson seconded. Following discussion the motion carried, with Chair Moore and Members Woodruff, Peterson, Welch and Lehmann voting "Aye", Member Church voting "Nay".
   
Member Lehmann noted that she had asked Mr. McClintock to order 85 gallons of recycled exterior latex paint at $1 per gallon from the Solid Waste Paint Recycling Program to offer some of the buildings downtown that need paint. She suggested that others in the Urban Renewal area could benefit from this as well, and the group of people from the Baptist Church that were going to be in the area the following weekend would be able to assist in painting. Discussion ensued. Member Lehmann moved to authorize up to $500 for paint to be given for free to any individual or business in the Urban Renewal area. There would be a $5 per gallon deposit which would be refunded upon completion of the project, and the completion date would be no later than October 1, 2001. Member Welch seconded, and the motion carried unanimously on a voice vote. The Agency asked that staff write up a notice for immediate release to the media.
9.    SOUTH RED DITCH: Chair Moore noted that the area in discussion was the portion from the Post Office down to Highway 101 along Starr St. The Agency has talked about such a project in the past. Mr. McClintock stated that the Norwood Outflow project was now complete, and he had put together a cost estimate of $111,000 to culvert Red Ditch and pave it for parking. Discussion ensued, regarding the project and whether this might be a good area to look at for RV parking. Member Peterson moved to approve Mr. McClintock's proposal for the culverting and paving project, with the area to be used for RV parking. Member Lehmann seconded. A brief discussion ensued regarding the grading, possible drainage problems, safety issues, striping and signage. The motion then carried, with Chair Moore and Members Welch, Lehmann, Woodruff and Peterson voting "Aye", Member Church voting "Nay".
10.    ADJOURNMENT: At 6:30 p.m., there being no further business to come before the Agency, Member Lehmann moved to adjourn. Member Woodruff seconded, and the motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.

Respectfully submitted,
Reda A. Quinlan
City Clerk

APPROVED by the Waldport Urban Renewal Agency this 12th day of September, 2001.
SIGNED by the Chair this 12th day of September, 2001.

Gene Moore, Chair

Back To URA Minutes

Home