JANUARY, 2002 URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY MEETING MINUTES

JANUARY 31, 2002

JANUARY 17, 2002

1.    ROLL CALL: Chair Moore called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m. Chair Moore and Members Peterson, Abbott, Woodruff, Welch and Church answered the roll. A quorum was present.
2.    CITIZEN COMMENTS AND CONCERNS: None.
3.    AGENCY MEMBER COMMENTS AND CONCERNS: None.
4.    MINUTES: The Agency considered the minutes from the December 6 and December 13, 2001 meetings. Member Welch moved to approve the minutes as presented, Member Church seconded. The motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.
5.    FINANCIAL STATEMENT: Chair Moore noted that he had spoke with Finance Officer Lawson, and out of the $582,000 they have already committed $314,000. Mr. McClintock will identify the projects which have been accomplished to-date, then Ms. Lawson will give the Agency the amount remaining to be expended. Member Church suggested that the Agency keep a list of the approved projects and the amounts which are allocated. Member Woodruff noted that revision of the form was one of the subjects they would be discussing during the Finance and Administration Committee meeting.
6.    PUBLIC HEARING: None.
7.    APPROVAL OF BILLS: The Agency considered the following bills: City of Waldport for Willow Street Waterline; Preston, Gate & Ellis; and John Weeks for riprap work at Keady Wayside. Mr. McClintock confirmed that the final row of riprap would be done in-house. Member Woodruff moved to approve payment of the bills. Member Welch seconded, and the motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.
8.    OLD BUSINESS: None.
9.    NEW BUSINESS:
   
A.    Waldport Motel Property: Chair Moore noted that in the last meeting minutes, the Agency had unanimously approved excluding Dan Smith and Gene Leverton from the Emerald Coast agreement. Mr. Smith was evidently no longer interested. It was Mr. Moore's understanding that Emerald Coast was asking for 7%, but if Mr. Leverton brought a purchaser to the table, they wanted 4%. Discussion ensued regarding whether to go along with Emerald Coast's demands, or give them some portion of the proceeds. Member Peterson noted that Mr. Leverton was working for the Agency, and Emerald Coast was working on a contract. Welch suggested 1% to cover expenses. Chair Moore suggested going back to 8% for six months if they were so adamant. Member Peterson moved to continue to include Emerald Coast in the equation of selling the property, as well as retaining Mr. Leverton, but that the two should not be mutually exclusive. The motion died for lack of a second. Member Woodruff moved to require them to sign within a week, with the option to drop to 8% for six months, and offer the option of 1% of the selling price if Mr. Leverton sells the property. Member Welch seconded. Chair Moore noted that he was concerned that this was not business-like. Ms. Leonard asked if Mr. Leverton was capable of drawing up the papers to sell the property. Mr. Welch responded that his job was to find buyers who were interested, then they negotiate with the City. The City Attorney would then draw up the papers. Further discussion ensued. The motion then failed, with Members Welch and Woodruff voting "Aye", Chair Moore and Members Peterson, Abbott and Church voting "Nay". Member Church moved to list the property with Emerald Coast and do away with Mr. Leverton. Motion died for lack of a second. Member Woodruff moved to offer a listing for a year at 7% or 6 months at 8%, excluding any percentage if Leverton sells the property, and requiring Emerald Coast to respond within seven days. The motion carried, with Chair Moore and Members Abbott, Welch and Woodruff voting "Aye", Members Church and Peterson voting "Nay". Discussion ensued regarding the listing price. Member Peterson moved to take what the Agency had in it plus 10%. Member Abbott seconded, and the motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.
   
B.    Economic Development Committee: Member Church noted that they had done the best they could, and although they had not accomplished all they had set out to do, he felt their efforts were worthwhile. Member Welch noted the recommendation from the Economic Development Committee in regards to participation in the RARE program was in expectation that Urban Renewal would carry the request to the City Council for approval. Chair Moore noted that they needed to make sure this item was in the next City budget.
   
C.    Approval of Signing Audit Contract: Member Woodruff moved to approve signing the contract, Member Welch seconded. The motion carried unanimously on a voice vote. It was noted that this would be a five-year contract, unless either side cared to shorten the term by giving proper notice.
   
D.    FY 2002-2003 Project Discussion: Chair Moore noted that there was a list which had been distributed earlier. This included Arrow Street waterline, South and North Red Ditch, sidewalks, Patterson parking lot, and Library restrooms.
   
E.    Other issues: Chair Moore noted that Economic Development Committee was doing a lot of things, and suggested that the Urban Renewal Agency put together a target agenda of issues that Urban Renewal would like to see them work on. He also stated that the Agency would like to see the minutes from their meetings in the packet every month. In regard to RIB Grants, Chair Moore noted that the City was proceeding with the request for a RIB Grant for Starr Street, and felt that the City should put in for as many projects as possible, even if some are eventually turned down. Member Welch noted that ODOT was not going to do sidewalks for Red Ditch, so the City may need to make a new request. Discussion ensued regarding which projects could be funded by RIB monies. It was determined that a list would be generated for discussion at the next meeting.
   
F.    Consideration of Resolution 02-01, Authorizing Signatories: Chair Moore moved to accept Resolution 02-01, Member Welch seconded. The motion then carried unanimously on a voice vote.
   
Ms. Leonard reported briefly on the supreme court decision regarding the tax court appeal affecting urban renewal funds. She had asked the Attorney to review the issue and had also called the County Treasurer. The Attorney noted that he didn't think the City would need to be involved in any refund process, as it had not yet reached the compression limit. Therefore, the only impact may be a slight reduction in the amount of revenues. Member Welch asked that at some point the Attorney render his opinion in writing.
10.    ADJOURNMENT: At 6:25 p.m., there being no further business to come before the Agency, Chair Moore moved to adjourn. Member Peterson 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 7th day of March, 2002.
SIGNED by the Chair this 7th day of March, 2002.

Gene Moore, Chair

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JANUARY 31, 2002

1.    ROLL CALL: Chair Moore called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Chair Moore and Members Peterson, Abbott, Woodruff, Welch and Church answered the roll. A quorum was present.
2.    CITIZEN COMMENTS AND CONCERNS: None.
3.    AGENCY COMMENTS AND CONCERNS: Member Welch noted that a recommendation from the Economic Development Committee was for the Urban Renewal Agency and the City Council to pursue a CDBG grant. Chair Moore asked that this issue be placed on the next Council agenda.
4.    DISCUSSION ITEM:
   
Waldport Motel Property: Chair Moore noted that innumerable discussions had taken place in regard to the property. The direction of the Agency at the last meeting was to have Ms. Leonard write to Emerald Coast regarding their concerns. Craig Hoffarth and Joanne Biron were present from Emerald Coast. Ms. Leonard gave a brief report of the meeting which she had with the representatives on Tuesday, and also noted that Bayshore Realty had evinced interest in listing the property as well. Craig Hoffarth addressed the Agency in regards to Emerald Coast's concerns. He indicated that the current asking price was too high, given the area market. They would like to continue listing the property at 7%, for one year, and would like one liaison from the City with whom they could work. Ms. Biron supported his comments, and indicated that their calculations had shown a reasonable asking price to be $215,000. Additionally, they would like a four-month "lead time" before the Agency contracts with Mr. Leverton, in order to allow them to list the property in as many venues as possible. Discussion ensued. Ms. Biron ascertained that the Agency might consider an owner-carried contract, which could make up some of the difference in the amount of interest which could be obtained. Discussion ensued. Member Peterson noted that this was in the spirit of urban renewal, getting rid of blight, and the overall intent is to get something on the property and recover the investment. Between interest and taxes, the investment could be recouped. Member Woodruff noted that $254,000 was what the City had in the property, and suggested maybe listing all or part, all at a higher rate, part at a lower rate. Chair Moore stated that if someone came in and offered to pay for part of the property, the Agency would at least listen to them. Member Welch noted taxpayer money was involved and explained that was why they were exploring the Leverton aspect, as the responsibility was to market the property and recoup the investment, then move on into other blighted areas. Chantalle Van Wey addressed the Agency as a taxpayer, and urged the Agency to listen to the presenters. Further discussion ensued. Member Church moved to give an exclusive listing to Emerald Coast, to list the property for $215,000, and to have Ms. Leonard be the liaison. Member Peterson seconded. Discussion ensued regarding the previously requested four-month lead time period. Member Welch asked if Emerald Coast had any objection to Mr. Leverton coming and addressing Agency before that 4-month period, although no contract would be signed. They responded that they did not have a problem with that. Ms. Leonard mentioned the Bayshore offer, and Member Abbott responded that he felt that the RFP should be redone before they entertain any other offers. Further discussion ensued. Member Woodruff amended the motion to allow for a four-month lead time, after which Mr. Leverton would be brought in, and to raise the asking price to $225,000. Member Welch seconded. The amended motion carried unanimously on a roll-call vote. The main motion, as amended, then carried unanimously on a roll-call vote.
5.    ADJOURNMENT: At 9:50 a.m., there being no further business to come before the Agency, the motion to adjourn was made, seconded, and carried unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,
Reda A. Quinlan
City Clerk

APPROVED by the Waldport Urban Renewal Agency this 7th day of March, 2002.
SIGNED by the Chair this 7th day of March, 2002.

Gene Moore, Chair

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