March 19, 2015 This special meeting of the Jerome Urban Renewal Agency was called to order at 3:00 p.m. Present were Chairman Marjorie Schmidt, Commissioner Jason Peterson, Commissioner Carl Morrell, and Commissioner Byron Hardy. Commissioner Gary Warr was excused. Also present were City Clerk Shonna Fraser, City Administrator Mike Williams, and Assistant Finance Director Kathy Cone. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chairman Schmidt led the audience in recitation of the pledge of allegiance. CONSENT CALENDAR: Items in the consent calendar are as follows: A. Approve minutes of the March 4, 2015 special meeting B. Review and approve claims for March 2015 City of Jerome, $1,344.38; Civil Science Infrastructure, Inc. $12,036.40; Jerome County Tax Collector, $2,020.38; Molitor and Associates, $71.72; Rexroat Harberd Association, $4,000.00; U S Bank, $403,713.69 C. Review and approve financial reports for March 2015 Commissioner Peterson made a motion to approve the consent calendar as presented. Second to the motion was made by Commissioner Hardy. After consideration the motion passed unanimously by the following vote: AYES: Commissioner Peterson, Commissioner Hardy, Chairman Schmidt and Commissioner Morrell. NAYS: None. PUBLIC MEETING CALENDAR YEAR REPORT: The Chair opened the public meeting at 3:03 p.m. and asked for public comment regarding the calendar year report. No one stepped forward to comment. Ms. Cone stated this report is a requirement of the Urban Renewal law. This public meeting notice was posted on Facebook, on the city webpage, and in the Jerome City newsletter. No written comments were received. The tentative calendar year report was approved on March 4, 2015. This report must be filed no later than March 31 st of each year. Section 1 describes the agency projects in 2014. Two projects done in tandem with the City of Jerome are as follows: Drinking Water Master Plan Partnered with the city to make the one-half grant match of $45,000 in September 2013 from SE Industrial Plan funds. The study was completed in the fall of 2014 with no additional funding from the agency. The study identified $20,000,000 of needed improvements to the city of Jerome water system.
New Street connecting to Yakima to provide for industry and public access to the southwest portion of Area 2 (SE Industrial Area) and the newly formed Area 4, a new street is proposed. Civil Science Inc. ha been hired by the Agency in conjunction with the city to design the project and prepare construction drawings, with construction taking place in the summer of 2015. As of December the agency expenses for design were $6,416.04. The plan includes an aerial photo of the area. Revised Area 2 which is the SE Industrial Area to eliminate 80 unfunded acres. The 80 acre parcel then became Area 4. The street project will provide access to Area 4. Established New Area 3. The agency followed all requirements and processes to allow the Jerome City Council to adopt the plan in December 2014. Established New Area 4. The former unfunded 80 acres removed from Area 2 are now funded with revenue allocation tied to them. Section 2 shows a map of the four established areas. As indicated on the map, Area 1 is now closed. Section 3 discusses the agency s organization and mission. Section 4 describes the agency s strategic priorities, which were last updated in January 2013. Section 5 tax increment revenue received in 2014 $1,317,219. Section 6 describes the districts. Section 7 is a summary of the increment value of JURA Districts. Section 8 summarizes project priorities and allocations for FY 2015. Section 9 explains legal requirements and additional documentation. Ms. Cone stated the budget and financials are all available in the office of the city clerk. There being no public comments to be heard, the Chair closed the public comment period at 3:14 p.m. RESOLUTION NO. 3-15 ADOPT CALENDAR YEAR REPORT OF ACTIVITIES: The Chair read Resolution No. 3-15 by title only. The resolution in full follows: RESOLUTION NO. 03-15 BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY OF JEROME, IDAHO: A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY OF JEROME, IDAHO, TO BE TERMED THE ANNUAL REPORT RESOLUTION, APPROVING THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY, FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2014; APPROVING THE NOTICE OF FILING THE ANNUAL REPORT; DIRECTING THE CHAIR TO SUBMIT SAID REPORT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
THIS RESOLUTION, made on the date hereinafter set forth by the Urban Renewal Agency of Jerome, Idaho, an independent public body corporate and politic, authorized under the authority of the Idaho Urban Renewal Law of 1965, as amended, Chapter 20, Title 50, Idaho Code, a duly created and functioning urban renewal agency for Jerome, Idaho, hereinafter referred to as the Agency. WHEREAS, the Agency, an independent public body, corporate and politic, is an urban renewal agency created by and existing under the authority of and pursuant to the Idaho Urban Renewal Law of 1965, being Idaho Code, Title 50, Chapter 20, as amended and supplemented ( Law ); WHEREAS, the City, on December 6, 2005, after notice duly published, conducted a public hearing on the Southeast Industrial Urban Renewal Plan ( Southeast Industrial Plan ); WHEREAS, following said public hearing, the City adopted its Ordinance No. 986 on December 6, 2005, approving the Southeast Industrial Plan; WHEREAS, the City, on December 2, 2014, after notice duly published, conducted a public hearing on the First Amendment to the Southeast Industrial Urban Renewal Plan ( First Amended Southeast Industrial Plan ); WHEREAS, following said public hearing, the City adopted its Ordinance No. 1133 on December 2, 2014, approving the First Amended Southeast Industrial Plan; WHEREAS, the City, on December 2, 2014, after notice duly published, conducted a public hearing on the Urban Renewal Plan for the Area 4 Urban Renewal Project ( Area 4 Plan ); WHEREAS, following said public hearing, the City adopted its Ordinance No. 1134 on December 2, 2014, approving the Area 4 Plan; WHEREAS, the City, on December 2, 2014, after notice duly published, conducted a public hearing on the Urban Renewal Plan for the Area 3 Urban Renewal Project ( Area 3 Plan ); WHEREAS, following said public hearing, the City adopted its Ordinance No. 1135 on December 2, 2014, approving the Area 3 Plan; WHEREAS, pursuant to Idaho Code Section 50-2006(c), Agency staff has prepared an annual report of their activities for calendar year 2014, a copy of which report is attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by reference; WHEREAS, THE Agency Board reviewed and tentatively approved the draft annual report at the March 4, 2015, Board meeting and directed that the report be made available and notice of availability be posted and noticed; WHEREAS, the Agency has previously solicited comments concerning the annual report by posting a copy on the city of Jerome Facebook page, city newsletter, and city website; WHEREAS, on March 19, 2015, pursuant to Section 50-2006(c), Idaho Code, the Agency held an open public meeting, properly noticed, to report these findings and take comments from the public at the Jerome City Council Chambers, 100 East Avenue A, Jerome, Idaho, on the proposed annual report;
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 50-2006(c), Idaho Code, the Agency is required to prepare an annual report and submit the annual report to the Mayor of the city of Jerome, Idaho, on or before March 31 of each year. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY OF JEROME, IDAHO, AS FOLLOWS: Section 1: That the above statements are true and correct. Section 2. That the annual report attached hereto as Exhibit A and the notice of filing the annual report attached hereto as Exhibit B are hereby approved and adopted by the Agency Board. Section 3: That the Chair shall submit said annual report to the city of Jerome on or before March 31, 2015. Section 4: That this Resolution shall be in full force and effect immediately upon its adoption and approval. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Urban Renewal Agency of the city of Jerome, Idaho, on March 19, 2015. Signed by the Chair of the Board of Commissioners, and attested by the Secretary to the Board of Commissioners, on this 19th day of March 2015. ATTEST: By /s/ Jason Peterson Secretary APPROVED: By /s/ Marjorie Schmidt Chair Commissioner Peterson made a motion to pass Resolution No. 3-15 adopting the Calendar Year Report of Activities and direct that it be filed with the local governing body. Second to the motion was made by Commissioner Hardy. After consideration the motion passed unanimously by the following vote: AYES: Commissioner Peterson, Commissioner Hardy, Chairman Schmidt and Commissioner Morrell. NAYS: None. FINANCIAL UPDATE: Ms. Cone reported the debt service payment has been made this month. She noted when accounts payable was processed most expenses related to Areas 3 and 4 were not yet received. STAFF REPORTS: Mr. Williams reported staff met with Zions Bank regarding possible refinance of the bonds. Since the bonds are 2008 and the bond market rates are low, staff has asked for a report from Zions Bank regarding when they are callable and when they can be re-funded. The board will be sent a copy of the report when received.
Mr. Williams also reported on the Dart Properties of 10 acres immediately west of Scoular and east of Spears Manufacturing. The site was previously designated a Brownfield site after Tupperware was sited nearby; it is now declared clean with interest being shown by several people. The price per acre is high and the property is rocky and uneven. It is possible for urban renewal funds to be used to prepare a site for future use. Mr. Williams reported he will be attending the international investor conference in Washington DC. The conference is to generate business and jobs in the United States. He will be representing Jerome. Mr. Williams also reported there are 7 acres in Jerome across from the court house owned by the city. That property needs to be put to use for commercial or residential use. It was intended for public use; that will likely not happen. It is within the Urban Renewal Area #3. He noted urban renewal will likely not be allowed to fund building a public building. The road in Area 2 will be bid soon; it has been designed. He also noted that even though increment or budget will not be affected, the new jail is under construction. LEGISLATIVE REPORT: Megan reported the Youngblood bill was held in committee last week and is not expected to be brought back this year. The House concurrent Resolution 17 seeking to study urban renewal is flying through. It is being heard in the Senate committee today. She stated there will be more information soon regarding a committee, task force, or working group. Regarding the county property tax exemption bill is being discussed. That effort was presented with some displeasure being expressed. A new bill was introduced that allows a developer to apply for property tax exemption when it is a non-retail commercial or industrial type project where the initial investment is not less than $500,000. The counties are able to set a higher threshold depending on each individual county preference. However, it is an annually determined threshold. It also struck the notice agreement that had been somewhat agreed to and replaced it with the requirement of providing electronic notice of the agenda where the county commission would be considering the exemption application. She noted that notice would only go to the executive taxing districts. The intent is to exclude notice to urban renewal agencies. The counties are working on a uniform exemption application that currently has notifying the urban renewal agencies on the checklist. Pressure will be put on the counties to keep URA in the loop. They will pressure counties to keep URA in the loop. The Ways and Means Committee had another eminent domain bill this morning. Some Intel suggests it is URA related, to require another blight study or finding before declaring eminent domain. Education and transportation issues have been holding up the legislators. House Bills 18 and 19 have been held in committee. ADJOURN: There being no further business to discuss, Chairman Schmidt adjourned this March 19, 2015 special meeting at 3:32 p.m. Chair Marjorie Schmidt
Secretary Jason Peterson