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Home My WebLink About02-12-2013 Council Economic Development CommitteeAGENDA City Council Economic Development Committee Tuesday, February 12, 2013 8:00 a.m. Helling Conference Room City Hall 1. Call to Order 2. Consider approval of minutes from December 18, 2012 Economic Development Committee meeting 3. Report on Building Change Incentive funds for projects in designated areas 4. Staff time 5. Committee time 6. Other business 7. Adjournment EDC December 18, 2012 MINUTES PRELIMINARY CITY COUNCIL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE DECEMBER 18, 2012 HELLING CONFERENCE ROOM, 8:00 A.M. Members Present: Matt Hayek, Susan Mims, Michelle Payne Staff Present: Wendy Ford, Tracy Hightshoe, Jeff Davidson, Tom Markus Others Present: Charlie Cowell, intern, Nancy Quellhorst, Chamber; Andre Perry, Mission Creek Festival RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: Payne moved to recommend funding for the Mission Creek Festival to the full City Council, per staffs recommendation. Hayek seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. CALL MEETING TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Mims at 8.04 A.M. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS: Chairperson Mims welcomed everyone and asked that those present introduce themselves. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Chairperson Mims asked if there were any comments, changes, etc., to the minutes Hayek moved to approve minutes from the November 19, 2012, meeting as submitted. Payne seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. CONSIDER RECOMMENDATION FOR FUNDING MISSION CREEK FESTIVAL Wendy Ford spoke to Members regarding the request from Mission Creek request for economic development funds. She noted the festival, now entering its seventh year is growing in size and notoriety. Ford noted that this five-day festival, held in downtown Iowa City, has gained national attention due to its popularity. She then introduced Andre Perry, festival director, to the Members. Perry noted that with the increased growth and expectations, the budget also increases. This coming year, there will be 23 businesses involved in providing festival venues. He said that they are trying to maximize the effect downtown with the five-day festival. Payne asked if the Council hadn't already set aside funds for this festival. Ford noted that there is $4,200 under the line item "Community and Event funding." Payne then asked another question of Perry, noting that on the sponsor list for the Mission Creek Festival she does not see the City of Iowa City listed. He stated that the City will be added to the 2013 list, and Hayek explained that it was a fiscal year timing issue. Mims stated that she believes the Festival to be a very positive event and she appreciates the unique venue settings. Hayek added that he has been attending the Festival since its second year and that he has seen it grow tremendously. He, too, believes it to be a very BDC December 18, 2012 positive event for downtown Iowa City. Members continued to discuss the impacts of the Mission Creek Festival, agreeing with the staff recommendation for economic development funding. Payne moved to recommend funding for the Mission Creek Festival to the full City Council, per staff's recommendation. Hayek seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. DISCUSSION OF USE OF CDBG ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUNDS FOR EXTERIOR RENOVATION PROJECTS IN DESIGNATED AREAS: Tracy Hightshoe addressed Members on this item. She explained that there is currently about $144,000 in this CDBG fund and that the City needs to spend this down according to HUD regulations. Staff would like to use about half for assisting exterior renovations in areas that have been designated with conditions of slum and blight, such as downtown and Towncrest. It would go through the annual action plan process, according to Hightshoe, and there are still details for staff to refine. She briefly explained the goals of this initiative. Ford added that there are at least four applicants that have expressed interest in the program. Members asked questions of Hightshoe regarding the funds and what they have been used for previously. Markus spoke about how this initiative might be set up in terms of the ratio of city to private funds. He stated that staff had suggested a 30/70 split to begin with. Members then discussed this request, with Hayek stating that this would be an appropriate use of CDBG funds. STAFF TIME: Jeff Davidson shared some updates with the Members. He stated that the College - Gilbert project has created quite a buzz and there is a lot of interest from across the community. Davidson stated that the gas tanks are coming out of the Towncrest Sinclair property as part of the sale of that property. He added that the project for this site has changed from the initial plan. Instead of one large building there will be two smaller buildings to work around a storm water drainage issue. Davidson also noted a senior housing project by Three Diamond Development Company, and a pending tax credit application, a decision for which, should be final in March. Davidson mentioned that the Whitewater Design Contract will be in front of Council this evening. The City's obligation is $49,000 according to Davidson. Mims noted that she was surprised at just how expensive this work is. Markus added that when they looked at other firms, their experiences weren't what they were looking for. Staff believes this will be money well spent. Davidson then gave an update on the Moss Ridge Campus development. Markus shared about what the discussions have entailed, adding that he believes they have made some progress. COMMITTEE TIME: Hayek noted that in staff's memo there is a reference to narrowing the list of development projects for Gilbert -College from five to something more manageable. He stated that he agrees that during the work session they need to have a discussion in order to eliminate a couple of these projects, and then with their top three chosen they can move on. Payne asked how long this discussion might be at tonight's work session, as she will need to recuse herself from it. Hayek responded that it will most likely be the bulk of their work session. Markus stated that it will be important for the Council to let BDC December 18, DI? the chosen developers know what they expect in terms of refining their numbers, etc. Members continued to discuss the Gilbert -College project ideas briefly. OTHER BUSINESS: None. ADJOURNMENT: Hayek moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 A.M. Payne seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. FDC December 18, 2012 Council Economic Development Committee ATTENDANCE RECORD 2012 TERM N w w w o NAME EXP. cow CD CDCD w Michelle _--- 01/02114 X X X X __- X X X X X X Payne Matt 01/02/13 X X X O/ X X X X X X Hayek I E Susan 01/02/13 X X X X X X X X X X Mims Key: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused r w 4 ""'tJfv ll CITY OF 1OOWA CITY MEMORANDU Date: February 8, 2013 To: City Council Economic Development Committee From: Claire Richmond, Planning and Community Development Intern Wendy Ford, Economic Development Coordinator Steve Long, Community Development Coordinator Re: Downtown Financial Incentives Toolkit Introduction The Downtown Financial Incentives Program will improve accessibility, address safety issues and enhance the aesthetic appearance of downtown Iowa City by offering financial incentives that encourage owners to invest in their properties. These improvements will help ensure that our downtown buildings remain sound, accessible and add to the aesthetic quality for which Iowa City is so well known. Background The Planning & Community Development department and the City Manager's office have determined sources of funding for the program and will partner with the Iowa City Downtown District (ICDD) to market the Building Change Downtown Financial Incentives Toolkit to business owners. More than $200,000 is available from a pool of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and City general funds. Depending on the success of the program, additional funding will become available in FY14. Outline of Program Goals of the program address fapade improvements, health and safety improvements (sprinkler installation, upper floor accessibility, energy efficiency), upper level build -outs and improvements, and preservation/rehabilitation for owner -occupied housing. After the February 19 City Council meeting, flyers and information will be mailed to building owners in the targeted downtown and Northside Marketplace areas, the ICDD will also provide additional promotion to downtown businesses. Applications will be due by March 6, 2013 and projects will be selected based on the program's evaluation criteria. After March 6, projects will be reviewed on a first come first served basis. 40. A DOWNTOWN IOWA CITY INCENTIVE PROGRAM Iowa City's 40 Downtown is unique, vibrant, and unexpected — and when a times change, so do we. In 2013, we're again in the midst of change: Downtown is seeing a greater variety of business and promotions, growth in arts a and entertainment venues, and numerous other improvements. Through our Building Change program, the City of Iowa City is offering incentives to upgrade buildings Downtown and in the Northside Marketplace: Facade renovations qNq Entryway modifications, elevators, or other accessibility improvements Fire safety improvements and sprinkler installation Renovations that will turn underutilized space, such as an unused upper level, into commercial / office space or workforce housing Iowa City's Economic Development Division has funds available, so please call for more information and together, let's get busy Building Change in Downtown Iowa City! r Iowa City Economic Development Division_ 319.356.5230 . www.icgov.org/ecodev . wendy-ford@iowa-city.org CITY OF IOWA CITY