Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesRDA Minutes - April 25, 2012 Page 1 REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING APRIL 25, 2012 PRESENT: Tom Belter, John Bermingham, Steve Hintz, Jason Lasky, Ben Schneider, Archie Stam, Burk Tower STAFF: Allen Davis, Executive Director/Community Development Director; Lynn Lorenson, City Attorney; Atty. John Thiel, General Counsel; Darlene Brandt, Recording Secretary The meeting was called to order by Chairman Belter at 3:00 pm. Roll call taken and a quorum declared present. The minutes of January 25, 2012 were approved as distributed (Bermingham/Stam). Res. 12-03 Submittal of Waterways Commission Financial Assistance Application / Boat Works Property Motion by Hintz to move Res. 12-03 Seconded by Bermingham. Mr. Davis indicated staff is looking to apply for grant funds for riverwalk improvements and upland construction of the former Boat Works property. Mr. Lasky inquired if the Boat Works property would remain public? Mr. Davis replied based on the current plan, yes. Motion carried 7-0. Res. 12-04 Submittal of Stewardship Grant Application / Boat Works Property Motion by Hintz to move Res. 12-04 Seconded by Stam. Motion carried 7-0. Res. 12-05 Conditional Use Permit; Planned Development to Allow Community Garden in 600 Block of Jefferson Street Motion by Hintz to move Res. 12-05 Seconded by Lasky RDA Minutes - April 25, 2012 Page 2 Mr. Davis stated the proposed community garden is in the Near East Neighborhood on the RDA’s property in the 600 Block of Jefferson Street. The petitioners, Ms. Amber McCord and Mr. Joshua Nelson, received a grant from UW-Oshkosh for their proposal to create a community garden in the central city. The City’s Sustainability Plan recommends community gardens, as well as neighborhood revitalization efforts such as this collaborative effort. Since this is a redevelopment site, this is a temporary approval that will require approval annually. Mr. Lasky inquired if there could be any parking problems? Mr. Davis did not believe parking should be an issue. Parking is permitted on the street and most of the participants are from the neighborhood and are within walking distance. Mr. Tower stated he supports this request, but felt staff oversight will be required. Ms. Brandt noted she regularly monitors the RDA’s properties, and will work with Ms. McCord on the community garden. Chairman Belter stated a few years ago a Vision report was approved and he believed the community garden is consistent with that plan – that being neighborhood revitalization and community collaboration efforts. Ms. Amber McCord gave a brief overview of the proposed ‘lasagna’ style gardens noting that several neighborhood meetings have been held to find out how much interest there was for a community garden. Various donations have been received to offset costs associated with the garden. A funding request has also been made to the City. Ms. McCord noted she would be overseeing the site. Mr. Schneider inquired how community gardens will be addressed by the City in the future. Mr. Davis stated community gardens will be addressed when the City updates the Zoning Ordinance. The item was called. Motion carried 7-0 Res. 12-06 Determination of Necessity; Establish Fair Market Value; Authorize Purchase / 107 W 8th Avenue Motion by Hintz to move Res. 12-06 Seconded by Stam Mr. Davis stated the owner approached the City regarding the acquisition of this property. Mr. Hintz inquired if it is the intent to purchase the entire block? Mr. Davis replied he wasn’t sure what the future holds for this block; it could be a future redevelopment site. RDA Minutes - April 25, 2012 Page 3 Discussion ensued on the RDA’s existing inventory of lots. Mr. Davis noted there are probably several properties that could be available for acquisition, but based on the asking price it is not practical. Mr. Davis noted there is a property in the Near East that the City has not been able to acquire based on the asking price and the RDA owns the majority of the block frontage. Mr. Schneider felt it might be a good idea to purchase that single parcel and pay market price. Mr. Bermingham stated once the redevelopment areas were established, properties were acquired when they became available. The RDA does have a lot of redevelopment sites available -- large sites and smaller scattered sites. Acquisition of the property in question would appear to follow established guidelines. It was the consensus to purchase this lot at this time, but the Board requested staff to prepare an inventory of lots owned by the RDA. The item was called. Motion carried 7-0 Discussion on Possible Sale of Portion of Vacant Lot at 139 West 6th Avenue to 600 Oregon Street Mr. Davis noted the owner of 600 Oregon Street, Roger Rangeloff, has expressed interest in acquiring 24 ft. of 139 W. 6th Avenue to expand his parking lot. Based on current land values, the price would be $11,988 plus the cost for a surveyor to prepare a certified survey map and closing costs. Board members asked staff to advise Mr. Rangeloff of this proposal. Update on Fishing Structures at End of Michigan Street Atty. John Thiel, General Counsel for the City of Oshkosh, stated he was directed to stop working on this project from a legal standpoint. However, he wanted to update the RDA on what he was aware of to date. Seven people appear to own the 4 structures. A meeting was held with their attorney, Atty. George Curtis, at which some of the owners appeared. An offer to sell one of the structures was received at that meeting which is very high. Staff should acknowledge receipt of the offer but not act on it at this time. Atty. Thiel gave a brief background on what he has found out. It appears the structures were not permitted by the DNR. The DNR has a 1933 aerial and the structures are not there. Atty. Thiel stated he understands the structures may have a historic significance. The first structures could have been placed by railroad workers. There are a lot of unknowns. Historical groups made a request to the City to study the historical and cultural aspects of the shanties and identify ways to preserve these structures or their history. When these special interest groups made their requests to the City, Atty. Thiel stated the City directed him to suspend additional activities on the fishing shanties. Atty. Thiel stated this is not a legal opinion, just information for the Board. He will wait for further direction from the City. RDA Minutes - April 25, 2012 Page 4 Mr. Bermingham felt statutorily the structures could be considered a nuisance. Mr. Lasky inquired if a nuisance claim would have to be filed with the DNR? Atty. Thiel replied that has not been determined. Mr. Hintz inquired what is the intent of maintaining these structures. What is the public interest in the properties? Mr. Stam felt the riverwalk improvements will increase traffic in this area. Do you even see the structures when you’re on the river? Mr. Elijah Henning stated he owns one of the shacks. People do not see them as an eye sore. To his knowledge, there is a ton of support to keep the shacks. Mr. Schneider did not believe anyone present would say they are an eye sore. It is difficult, however, to figure out what to do with them. Mr. Henning felt the only people who would object or file anything against the shanty owners is in this room today. Mr. Bermingham inquired if the riverwalk could be constructed without infringing on the structures? Mr. Davis replied yes. Executive Director Announcements/Statements/Discussion City Center Riverwalk: Mr. Davis stated the City was getting closer to an agreement with the hotel owners which will allow the entire riverwalk to be completed this year in this section. South Shore Riverwalk: Mr. Davis noted engineering work is commencing on the first section of riverwalk on the south side of the River - Wm. Steiger Park. The project will be bid in late spring. There being no further business the meeting adjourned at approximately 4:10 pm. Respectfully submitted, Allen Davis Executive Director