May 17, 2007, 2:30 p.m.
Community Development Committee
City Commission Chambers, City Hall
Agenda
1. Approval of April 19, 2007 minutes
2. 2007 Storefront Rehab application review
a. 802 1st Avenue N
b. 305 Broadway
c. 309 Broadway
d. 608 Main Avenue
e. 610 Main Avenue
3. Update from Waking the Sleeping Giant about the Giant Dialog
4. Update on the Emergency Shelter & Detox Center
5. Other Business
6. Next meeting: June 21, 2007
Minutes
Present: Linda Coates, Dan Fremling, Lynn Fundingsland, Linda Klebe, Steve Stoner, Rocky Schneider
Absent: Tim Mahoney, John Paulsen, Pat Zavoral
Staff Present: Jim Gilmour, Dan Mahli, Monica Graber, Dawn Mayo, Nate Bailly
Chair Coates called the meeting to order. (2:30 p.m.)
Item 1 – Approval of April 19, 2007 Minutes (2:31 p.m.)
Lynn Fundingsland moved to approve the minutes as presented. Second by Dan Fremling. All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 2 – 2007 Storefront Rehab Application Review (2:32 p.m.)
Dan Mahli stated there is $40,000 in CDBG slum and blight funds available for Storefront Rehab projects. The City received 5 applications. Out of those applications, 608 Main Avenue and 610 Main Avenue withdrew its application because of the potential for tenant displacement. The owner would not agree to allow the City to send the notice of non-displacement to current tenants. The renovation work has begun at 802 1st Avenue North prior to City Commission approval and a signed grant agreement, so that property is no longer eligible for Federal assistance.
Terry Stroh from T.L. Stroh Architects & Interiors presented information and architectural drawings of the proposed renovation at 305 & 309 Broadway (the Dixon and Moose buildings).
The proposal is to develop the second and third floors in both buildings as condominiums and offer retail space at the street level. The project will consist of three main tasks: 1) Clean the existing façade brick, dentilled metal cornice, steel beam, ornamental column, decorative stone, and parapets to their original condition, paint the steel beam and column, tuck-point mortar joints, where needed, to match the existing butter joints, 2) Remove the existing second floor windows and install new double-hung windows within the existing opening, and 3) Remove existing metal veneer, storefront windows, and wall material from the sidewalk to bottom side of the steel beam and install a new storefront window system and entrance.
Right now, Mr. Stroh is gathering all of the necessary bids and approvals for the project to begin this summer. After the Community Development Committee review, the project design needs to go before the Historic Preservation Commission on June 19. Upon HPC approval, the project would go to Fargo City Commission for final approval on July 2.
Steve Stoner moved to approve the Storefront Rehab application for 305 and 309 Broadway and to allocate $20,000 to each building. Second by Mr. Fundingsland. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 3 – Update from Waking the Sleeping Giant about the Giant Dialog (2:48 p.m.)
Duke Schempp, Executive Director of the People Escaping Poverty Project (PEPP) gave an update on the activities of Waking the Sleeping Giant. The Giant Dialog on April 24th resulted in continued discussions about developing a sustainable community stewardship fund to help health and human service work in the Fargo area. In order to pursue the financial support, Mr. Schempp stated that Waking the Sleeping Giant intends to: 1) Propose that the nonprofits in the area work come together to demonstrate the impact of such a fund, 2). Bring policy makers together for an economic summit to assess the economic priorities in the community, and 3) Coordinate a sustainable community stewardship fund group to develop it’s structure, base, and campaigns.
To establish the fund, graduate students at the University of Mary conducted an impact study on the economic and social impact of non-profit organizations in the FM area. Mr. Schempp handed out CD copies of the report.
Chuck Stebbins stated it is important to look at funding options and asked what the Community Development Committee thinks is realistic in terms of a request. Chair Coates stated that the CD Committee does not have an answer. To date, the CD Committee makes recommendations to the City Commission on the City’s social service allocation and HUD funds. Mr. Stebbins stated that he hopes an upcoming survey will help set the priorities of the committee. He extended an invitation to the CD Committee to become part of Waking the Sleeping Giant. Chair Coates stated that Waking the Sleeping Giant’s contributions certainly could help the CD Committee shape its annual action plan. The next Waking the Sleeping Giant meeting is scheduled on May 23 at 3:30 p.m. at Friendship Inc. in Fargo.
Item 4 – Update on the Emergency Shelter & Detox Center
Dan Mahli updated the CD Committee on the emergency shelter and detox center project. The City Commission approved by unanimous vote the purchase of 1519 1 Ave S to serve as the shelter and detox center. The closing is scheduled on May 22. The next step is to work on the operations plan and prepare an RFP for architectural services. In addition, the City Commission directed staff to look at the Cooper Tire property at 414 11 St N as a potential site for permanent supportive housing. The property is currently zoned commercial. Mr. Stoner encouraged the City to use grant money to acquire properties like this and others for redevelopment.
Item 5 – Other Business (3:17 p.m.)
Dan Mahli mentioned that Patricia Patrone from the Family Healthcare Center may be at the next meeting to present a facility improvement request. He added that the 2008 round of applications will start in September/October and will be due the end of October/November. The CD Committee should see the applications in November and December. The annual action will be written, published and presented to City Commission in January/February 2008.
Item 6 – Next meeting
The next meeting is scheduled on June 21.
The meeting adjourned at 3:20 p.m.
