Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Downtown TIRZ_08.05.2021Minutes Downtown Tax Increment Investment Zone (TIRZ) Board City of Georgetown, Texas August, 2021 at900A The Downtown Tax Increment Investment Zone (TIRZ) Board met on August 10, 2021 at 9:00 AM at City Hall, 808 Martin Luther King Jr Street, Georgetown, Texas Board Members Present: Mayor Josh Schroeder, Chair Amanda Parr, CC District 1 Christine Tomaszewski, MS Board CitA Staff Present, David Morgan, City Manager Laurie Brewer, Assistant City Manger Leigh Wallace, Finance Director Elaine Wilson, Assistant Finance Director Michaela Dollar, Economic Development Director Kim McAuliffe, Downtown Development Manager Britin Bostick, Senior Planner Eric Johnson, Public Works Director Trish Long, Facilities Manager Sharon Parker, Board Liaison Regular Agenda: Board Members Absent: Rusty Winkstern, DT Bus Owner Karen Soeffker, DT Bus Owner Mayor Josh Schroeder Called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. A. Consideration and possible action to approve the minutes from the July 29, 2020 Downtown Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) Meeting — Mayor Josh Schroeder, Chair. Motion to approve the minutes as presented by Christine Tomaszewski,-second by Amanda Parr. Approved -0 Rust Winkstern and Karen .S ker absent. B. Presentation of the annual financial report for the Rivery Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone —Laurie Brewer, ACM Leigh Wallace, Finance Director, provided an overview of the Board membership, as well as an overview of Tax Increment Financing/Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones, their purpose, how they are utilized, as well as the role of the Advisory Board. Wallace also presented a map that outline the Downtown TIRZ Boundary. Leigh presented the presentation for the annual financial report. Minutes Downtown Tax Increment Investment Zone (TIRZ) Board City of Georgetown, Texas August 10, 2021 at 9:00 AM Discussion: Has any of the TIRZ money been paid out to private developers for any approved projects within the TIRZ? Most of this seems like we would be paying ourselves back. We have done this before, it has been for developers that put in public infrastructure. Right now there is one project that is current — the Grace Plaza. The walkway and seating area was installed by the developer and we are reimbursing them. There's not a ton of money so we look for opportunities to leverage the TIRZ money but open to those partnerships as long as those areas are not going to be specific to that business. This was a weird year with covid, because of the delay in the parking garage. The original plan was for some of this TIRZ money to be spent towards the debt service on the parking garage. We shifted that when we paused the parking garage. Right now there is no debt service being paid. We shifted those funds to go towards the transfer station. Garbage rates are now paying for that debt. We thought it was important to work on the garbage situation. Council had approved a pilot program for a concierge service, Council wanted to utilize a $100,000 of TIRZ money to start that project but then to be gradually funded by the property and business owners downtown. We also used some of the maintenance money to fund some of the barricades that we use for the expansion of the outdoor dining on the weekends. We also approved some of the electric services and design work for improvements to the shotgun house. Replacing trash cans. No Action Needed C. Presentation of Downtown Public Spaces— Laurie Brewer, ACM Kim McAuliffe presented the presentation for Downtown Public Spaces, there was a public placemaking engagement and there were approximately 175 citizens attend. They had received over 900 public surveys, approximately 90,000 citizens reached digitally. 71% of citizens support or highly support this. Kim presented results of the public feedback for the City Center Project — this had a lot of the focus in the public survey. People really loved the addition of green space in the area. They also suggested we incorporate more shade and public restrooms. They expressed concerns for parking especially near the library. Kim presented the feedback for the shotgun house, we surveyed the neighborhood as well to make sure we were hearing what everyone who had a major stake in this project would like to see. They wanted to see the shotgun house incorporated with City Center. The enhancements would add to the area and create a historic attraction inclusive to our city. They really loved the kiosk concept. They would like to see more traditional style seating options. Discussion: where the food trucks are placed, is that the current parking lot on the side of planning? Yes. Will that stay as parking surface? As for now it will stay that way. We have had a lot of feedback that people really like having small little festivals in this area. Is the kiosk something that is changing regularly, who is managing it? It is not meant to be changing, more of a history of the neighborhood and surrounding area. What about screens with maybe some sort of audio or video of interviews? Some sort of oral history that is easy to maintain. We could put QR codes. What type seating do they prefer— bench seating. t Minutes Downtown Tax Increment Investment Zone (TI ) Board City of Georgetown, Texas August 10, 1 at 9:00 AM . 0._p iWayor o, c oeder Date Board Chair Sharon Parker Date Board Liaison