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Downtown Development Steering Committee Minutes - 06/26/2017N:\_CityClerk \City Clerk Documents\Boards & Commissions\All B-Cs\Downtown Development Steering Committee\Minutes\DDSC 2017.06.26.doc MINUTES OF THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT STEERING COMMITTEE (DDSC) June 26, 2017 PRESENT: Mayor Stephen Santellana, Chair § Members Councilor Jesse Brown, Vice Chair § Councilor DeAndra Chenault § Danny Ahern § Mark Chase § Dave Clark § Rick Hatcher § Scott Poenitzsch § Dusty Potter § Bobby Whitely § Darron Leiker, City Manager § Jim Dockery, Deputy City Manager § City Staff R. Kinley Hegglund, Jr., City Attorney § Jack Murphy, Director, Parks and Recreation § Russell Schreiber, Director, Public Works § Jon Reese, Fire Chief § Tracy Norr, City Clerk § Blake Jurecek, Director of IT and Facilities § John Burrus, Director of Aviation, Traffic and Transportation § Pat Hoffman, Property Manager § Linda Merrill, Recording Secretary § Cynthia Laney, Downtown WF Development § Delores Culley, Wichita Co. Heritage Society § Russ Reynolds, WF Brewing Co. § Matt Bitsche, WF Brewing Co. § Tricia Golding, Hoegger Communications § Jackie Hoegger, Hoegger Communications § Nicholas Schreiber § Amber Schacter, Ganache Company § Brett Hanes, Wichita Theatre § Claire Kowalick, Times Record News § ABSENT: Ripley Tate § Member ______________________________________________________________________ DDSC – Minutes of June 26, 2017 2 1. Call to Order Stephen Santellana called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. 2. Introduction of Members/Staff Introductions were made of committee members and staff. 3. Accept Nominations and Select a Vice Chair Danny Ahern nominated Jesse Brown to serve as Vice Chair. Seconded by Rick Hatcher, t he motion carried. 4. Set Next Meeting Date Councilor Brown moved to schedule the Committee’s regular meetings on the first Monday of each month at 3:30 p.m., allowing that some meetings may need to be moved due to holidays. Seconded by Mr. Hatcher, the motion carried. (The next meeting is August 7.) 5. Discuss a Proposed Scope of Services for Consulting Assistance and Next Steps Jim Dockery gave an overview of the Vision 20/20 plan that was prepared in 2008: o Signage for the Central Business District (CBD) o Consistent streetscapes focused on pedestrian walkability o Downtown park improvements o Public art elements o Special events o Zoning districts for the CBD o Business/Residential district strategies o Review/Consider amendments to Building and Maintenance Codes for Downtown o Develop retail strategie s o Establish Public Improvement District o Improve signalization o Use public/private partnership to finance these elements Some of this has been undertaken. The City has spent $2 million on wayfinding signage, and a major downtown component of this project will be completed in the next few months. Downtown Wichita Falls Development (DWFD) has become the primary coordinator of special events. DWFD also manages the Farmer’s Market with great success; and the facilities were improved through funding assistance fro m the 4B Sales Tax Corporation (4BSTC). City codes have been amended to allow food courts for outdoor dining on City right -of- way, and merchandise to be displayed on City right -of-way under certain guidelines. A new Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district has been formed, and is beginning to generate an increment. Public/private investments are occurring through the 4BSTC matching 10%-15% of the costs of certain portions of redevelopment in the downtown area. The City constructed the Transit Hub through FTA grants. Finally, plans for the proposed full-service hotel and conference center, expected to be located on MPEC grounds, are closer to being finalized. DDSC – Minutes of June 26, 2017 3 The 4BSTC funded the reconstruction of four intersections in the downtown core area of retail on 8th Street, at the intersections of Lamar, Ohio, Scott and Indiana. All utility lines were buried, landscap ing added, and the intersections were given a more pedestrian-friendly look. The committee needs to determine where additional streetscapes should be co nstructed. The entire core area of downtown cannot be landscaped, as that is cost prohibitive. The Vision 20/20 plan envisioned connecting those intersections with streets that are pedestrian and parking friendly. They would include benches, low ground cover, traffic signals, enhanced signal poles, banners, and decorative lighting. Unless the committee desires to change the plans as outlined in Vision 20/20, there is no need t o hire a consultant for that project . However, a consultant could be of assistance in other areas. Currently, a business can go anywhere within the CBD under any design guideline. There are such things as zoning overlay districts that guide development . The City suggests that Freese & Nichols (F&N) be retained to help development proceed in an orderly fashion. In addition, F&N could be retained to review the City’s building codes, to determine if there are amendments that can be made to make development in the downtown area more attractive to developers without jeopardizing safety. Finally, F&N could also help with the potential establishment of a Public Improvement District (PID). Such a district places additional taxation on those areas in exchange for a higher level of service or maintenance from the City. Karen Gagné said establishment of a PID had been attempted previously, but it was difficult to get a consensus of the top services desired for the area. Part of the problem, as well, was that it was attempted around the time of the economic downturn. The basic research has been done and costs have been developed. She advised that the area has to be defined, and the property owners need to agree on the top 3-5 items for which they would be willing to be assessed. These services would have to be affordable and recognizable. Mr. Dockery said the consultants would coordinate meetings with the property owners, explain how a PID is set up, and the services to be provided. Mr. Leiker said not everyone gets the same vote. Ms. Gagné added that it is a percentage, based upon land ownership. Mr. Dockery noted that if these streetscapes are constructed, they would add an additional level of maintenance that the City does not have today. The PID would help fund, either in full or in part, these additional maintenance costs. Councilor Brown asked ho w the committee should proceed. Mr. Dockery said the City envisioned the committee would first determine if it is comfortable with the Vision 20/20 streetscapes concept. Then, it would define the core of the downtown area. The City would then get cost estimates to build the infrastructure. It will be expensive, and the funding issue will come at a later date. The City would also like a recommendation from the committee whether to seek a cost estimate from Freese & Nichols for their services in those three a reas – review of the City’s building code; zoning overlay districts; and Public Improvement Districts. Dave Clark said the intersection improvements that have been done are excellent. He does not believe redoing the streets makes a downtown vital – businesses do. He approves of the fencing and trees to soften a parking lot. He would like to see Park Central made into a destination point. He would also like to see the convention hotel connected to downtown. DDSC – Minutes of June 26, 2017 4 Scott Poenitzsch said the fact this committee has been formed is tremendous. However, this plan is nine years old. Not much progress has been made. He wonders why Wichita Falls is stagnant, while other Main Street programs have accomplished as much in less than five years. Other cities have themes, but it is hard to understand what Wichita Falls is about. He believes there are four elements the committee has to tackle: 1. Identify the scope of the boundary 2. Identify the “look” of the area 3. Code development, modification and enforcement 4. Seek funding from federal/state agencies. Incentivize property owners to make changes to the façades of their buildings. Mr. Dockery said if the committee is not in agreement with the streetscapes, (Director of Public Works) Russell Schreiber will need more information. But the City can construct the public infrastructure if the committee is satisfied with the planned streetscapes. Russell Schreiber said his staff can put together a cost estimate on a per -block basis to make the improvements in the 20/20 plan. When it comes to t he plans and specifications, they may need to hire an outside consultant. The City could probably best do the work, as it has knowledge of the infrastructure. Delores Culley asked the cost of the streetscape for Ohio. Mr. Schreiber said it came in a bit cheaper than the other intersections. Ms. Culley said that intersection has no maintenance and has a historical element. Mr. Schreiber said if the committee wants anything other than in the plan, they would have to hire a landscape architect. Mayor Santella na said there is continuity, less cost, and positive reviews for this intersection. It would make sense to regenerate that. Mark Chase said he hoped there would be some way to tie 6th Street into the final design, as that is how most folks enter the downto wn area. Mr. Clark said streetscape improvements is a lo t of money spent for not a lot of difference. Mayor Santellana said no money has been appropriated; the committee is just deciding whether to continue the design. Councilor Brown said he knows the are a needs beautification, but understands Mr. Clark’s desire that the area make an immediate impact. Mr. Dockery said the street improvements would tie the intersections together, and create a core environment that would entice the public to gather and stay. Danny Ahern said he has taken his building’s value up 98% since 2012, but there are other buildings that are red-tagged, dangerous structures. He questioned whether consultants might be needed for those particular buildings. If the property owner has the means to repair or demolish, the City should go after them. Mr. Poenitzsch said other cities go after those property owners, and he questions why those properties are allowed to linger here. Mr. Hegglund said it can cost several hundreds of thousands of dollars to demolish a building. In some situations, a deteriorated building can be attached to other buildings that are in good shape and there is a liability associated with that. Mr. Leiker asked for specifics o n those other communities. All Texas cities are bound by the same state and federal laws. It all comes down to the availability of funds. The City was recently in a five-year drought, and prior to that, the worst recession since the Great Depression. But if it is the Council’s priority to find funds for demolition of properties, it can be done. DDSC – Minutes of June 26, 2017 5 Mr. Ahern said he prefer s the maintenance code be prioritized over street improvements. He would like to see more public parking be made available and the deteriorated buildings addressed. Delores Culley ack nowledged there are some buildings that cannot be saved, but there are others for sale at such exorbitant prices that no one wants to buy them. There would be willing buyers for some of these properties if the owners would offer them at reasonable prices. Mr. Chase asked if there are any areas that need to be identified now for budgetary purposes. Mr. Leiker said the consultant could be budgeted through the 4B STC or the general fund. Mr. Dockery noted that the 4BSTC considers funding requests monthly. Mr. Hegglund said the 4BSTC can fund any project that creates primary jobs, and infrastructure improvements. He has yet to find any authority for it to fund demolition, but will continue to research that issue. 6. Establish Committee Structure and Tasks Mr. Dockery said it will be difficult for this group to be able to tackle everything, and suggested that it form subcommittees that come back to the group with recommendations. The following subcommittees were discussed: o Marketing o Arts and Beautification o Scope and Boundaries o Theme o Building Codes/Enforcement o Public Improvement District o Zoning Overlay/Maintenance Code o Fundraising (Pam Hughes volunteered for this subcommittee) Mayor Santellana said the subcommittees will meet between the committee’s monthly meetings. Mr. Hegglund advised they must consist of less than seven committee members. Mayor Santellana asked that he email the members, advising them of requirements of the Open Meetings Act. Mr. Clark suggested the committee take a bus tour with a speaker system of the area. Mr. Leiker said the City can arrange that. Rick Hatcher cautioned that the tax rate not be raised in order to get projects accomplished. Mayor Santellana said the committee doesn’t even know what the number may be yet, and he believes it has to be a public/private partnership. 7. Adjourn There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:03 p.m. ______________________________ Mayor Stephen Santellana, Chair Downtown Development Steering Cmte.