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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.06.2003 (2)• • COUNCIL WORK SESSION January 6, 2003 4:00 p.m. Council Work Session Members present: Mayor Rooff, Welper, Greenwood, Clark, Jordan, Hurley, Greenwood. Moved by Clark, seconded by Hurley that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Six. Motion carried. Terry Poe-Buschkamp, Director of Main Street Waterloo, reported on the Self -Supported Municipal Improvement District (SSMID). The SSMID is a self-imposed tax on downtown property owners that has been in place since 1981 and the primary means of support for Main Street Waterloo, the private -public partnership established to facilitate downtown development efforts. At this time, Main Street is seeking the support of the council to renew the assessment program from July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2005. As part of the renewal process, Main Street Waterloo is recommending an increase in the levy rate to $3.00 per $1,000 assessed valuation for a period of two years. It is the intent of Main Street Waterloo to set aside $.50 of the $3.00 collected to create a loan pool for investors in the SSMID area and/or pay for staff devoted exclusively to economic development. In order to re-establish the SSMID, the City Clerk must receive petitions containing at least 25 percent of the parcel owners and 25 percent of the value within the district. The total assessed value of the district is now $56,848,418.00 with 171 parcels. To date, Main Street Waterloo has retained petitions totaling $18,297,770 (32 percent) in value from 71 parcel owners (41 percent), which are on file with the City Clerk, Main Street Waterloo will continue to gather support for the renewal and any additional petitions will be submitted to the City Clerk prior to the required public hearing with the council. Ms. Buschkamp reviewed the following accomplishments in the past two years made possible through the SSMID. Completion of the Regional Business Center and parking lot. Renovation and rehabilitation of the $2 million Marsh -Place downtown building complex and the recruitment of 25 tenants. Attracted an estimated 200,000 people annually to the downtown to enjoy over 50 events including ten major festivals. Worked as one cohesive entity, under the umbrella of Main Street Waterloo combining the various downtown promotion and development organizations into a single entity under the orchestrated effort of all downtown members. Development of a vision statement. Conducted design review process encouraging historic preservation in storefront rehabilitation of downtown buildings. Worked with the city and other organizations to implement downtown beautification projects, including Clean Sweep, additional parking and installation of streetlights, flower plantings, Christmas decorations and preliminary work on three public art projects. Ms. Buschkamp stated that Main Street Waterloo's success is evident in the fact that for the third year in a row, Waterloo captured the highest number of awards at the state Main Street award event. Ms. Buschkamp stated that 76 percent of Main Street's budget is used to pay for loans and projects. Ms. Buschkamp reported that this morning Main Street accepted an offer to sell the Lafayette Building, which will free up $6,000 that had been used for maintenance of the building. Main Street Waterloo Board voted to either pool the $6,000 or put it toward economic development downtown. Ms. Buschkamp stated that Main Street has listed around 30 buildings for sale on its website. The properties are marketed by Main Street, the property owners and Realtors. Ms. Buschkamp stated that Main Street has an Economic Restructuring Committee responsible for economic development to fill vacant buildings. Rene Dupont stated that for the last ten to twelve years $1 million has been invested in the downtown. For ten years, he has been trying to get a land use plan and vision for the downtown to further economic development. Mr. Dupont stated that in October 1992 a letter was sent to Council Work Session January 6, 2003 Page 2 Mayor Manning regarding where to place the ice arena, to please look at a downtown land use plan, and there still is not a downtown plan. Mr. Dupont stated that he has worked with the Main Street formula for five years and tried to get a downtown plan. Mr. Dupont stated that he asked Main Street Waterloo to extend its one hour lunch meeting because after discussing Friday'loo and other events, there is no time for discussion on economic development. Mr. Dupont challenged Main Street Waterloo's numbers to renew the SSMID because the Black Hawk County Assessor's office says the total assessed value of the district is $37,900,000, not $56,848,418. Mr. Dupont reported he has signatures from property owners to rescind the SSMID, and that it only takes 40 percent of the property owners to stop the re-establishment of the SSMID. Mr. Dupont stated he does not want to do that, but they would like a better return on their dollars. Mr. Dupont stated that his group would like 75 percent of the SSMID dollars, and Main Street Waterloo could have 25 percent to use for Friday'loo, parades, etc. Mr. Dupont reported he has more than 40 percent of the property owners to rescind the SSMID, but they will only file the petitions if necessary. Mr. Dupont stated they feel there has been mismanagement of the funds and projects. Mr. Dupont asked for a strong message from the city that they support economic development downtown. Mr. Dupont stated that only a few of the downtown property owners are on the board. Mr. Dupont asked if the city really feels Main Street Waterloo is addressing downtown economic development. Mr. Dupont stated the city has reduced the amount given to Main Street each year from $25,000 to $4,500 and said this does not say the city has much creditability in this group for economic development. Mr. Dupont asked if the city really feels Main Street Waterloo is good at economic development why weren't they asked to join the Vision Iowa group. Mayor Rooff stated that Mr. Dupont has laid out a pretty aggressive statement to the council. Mayor Rooff stated he has spent countless hours putting together Main Street, and the city helped develop Friday'loo and then turned it over to Main Street Waterloo. Mayor Rooff stated everyone needs to be involved and participating as part of the overall economic development plan and downtown needs to be involved. Mayor Rooff stated he would like to get the debt off of Main Street but has been unable to do that. Mr. Dupont stated that there are 33 Main Street communities in Iowa and only four receive taxation dollars, and the rest manage fine within a SSMID. Mayor Rooff stated he would like to get beyond personalities and work with everyone to make the downtown work. Mayor Rooff stated that the council will be coming out with a specific plan for economic development on the east side. Mayor Rooff stated that Main Street Waterloo has endorsed the Harvard plan and elements from several plans. Mayor Rooff stated that the SMID will be discussed further prior to the February 3, 2003 public meeting. Mayor Rooff stated that rescinding the SSMID will be the death of the downtown. Don Temeyer, City Planner, stated that Iowa law requires the Planning, Programming and Zoning Commission to review the petitions and make a recommendation to the council. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Clark, seconded by Jordan that the meeting be adjourned at 4:55 p.m. Ayes: Six. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk • •