Renaissance Zone Authority - June 25, 2019 Minutes
The Joint Meeting of the Renaissance Zone Authority and the Tax Exempt Review Committee of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held in the Commission Chambers at City Hall at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 25, 2019.
The Renaissance Zone Authority members present or absent were as follows:
Present: Dr. Dean Bresciani, Commissioner Dave Piepkorn, Bruce Furness, Commissioner Tony Grindberg
Cari Luchau, Deb Mathern, Steve Swiontek, Chad Peterson
Absent: None
The Tax Exempt Review Committee members present were as follows:
Present: Jessica Ebeling, John Cosgriff, Kent Costin, Bruce Grubb, Jim Buus, Commissioner Dave Piepkorn,
Mayor Tim Mahoney
Commissioner Piepkorn called the meeting to order and introductions were made.
Approve Order of Agenda
Commissioner Piepkorn reviewed the order of agenda stating discussion will be open for all members present, and each Board will vote on their specific agenda items.
Minutes: Previous Regular Meeting
Tax Exempt Review Committee – January 22, 2019 Meeting
Renaissance Zone Authority – February 27, 2019 Meeting
Chair Mathern presented this item for approval. Member Bresciani moved the minutes of the February 27, 2019 Renaissance Zone Authority meeting be approved. Second by Member Furness. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Director of Strategic Planning and Research Jim Gilmour began the meeting briefly explaining the three incentive programs listed on today’s agendas – TIF (Tax Increment Financing), PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Tax), and the Renaissance Zone Program.
Mr. Gilmour continued with his presentation of the following items for discussion, and final action by the Tax Exempt Review Committee:
• TIF Application by Roers Development
• Staff Summary of Three PILOT Applications
• PILOT Application by Great Plains Antique Holdings, LLC (Kilbourne)
The following item was presented for discussion and action by both the Tax Exempt Review Committee and the Renaissance Zone Authority:
• PILOT Application by Great Plains 1001 Holdings, LLC (Kilbourne); and
• Review Request from Great Plains 1001 Holdings LLC (New Construction) located at 1001 and 1011 NP Avenue; 28 10th Street North; 1016 1st Avenue North; and 11 11th Street North: APPROVED
Mr. Gilmour presented the PILOT application for this item, which was approved by the Tax Exempt Review Committee.
Director of Planning and Development Nicole Crutchfield presented the application for action by the Renaissance Zone Authority, noting this site is on Block 37 and is within the 2015 Renaissance Zone Plan. Ms. Crutchfield stated staff is recommending approval as the proposal meets the guidelines and all required approval criteria.
Mr. Allmendinger spoke on behalf of the application.
Discussion began regarding the backside of the proposed building as it relates to the overall design criteria and building access; the projected number of underground parking stalls; clarification of the applicant requests for incentives from both the Renaissance Zone and the PILOT programs; and what entity would monitor/address any traffic concerns in the area that may arise upon completion of the project.
Member Furness moved to recommend to the City Commission approval of the application submitted by Great Plains 1001 Holdings LLC, and to grant the property tax exemption and the State income tax exemptions as allowed by the North Dakota Renaissance Zone law, contingent upon completion of the project and verification of costs. Second by Member Bresciani. On call of the roll Members Piepkorn, Luchau, Furness, Swiontek, Peterson, Grindberg, Bresciani, and Mathern voted aye. The motion was declared carried.
• PILOT Application by DFI Kesler, LLC (Kilbourne): CONTINUED TO FUTURE TAX EXEMPT REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING
The following items were presented before the Renaissance Zone Authority only for discussion and action.
• Review Request from Great Plains Mercantile Holdings LLC, (New Construction) located at 401 Broadway North; and 410 and 412 5th Street North: APPROVED
Ms. Crutchfield presented this item providing a brief review of the proposal and the two phases of the project. She noted this request is in Block 3 of the Renaissance Zone’s 2015 Development Plan. Ms. Crutchfield stated staff is recommending approval as the proposal meets the guidelines and all required approval criteria.
Mr. Allmendinger spoke on behalf of the application providing further details about the project.
Further discussion continued, noting a correction to staff’s summary to remove the reference that the applicant is also requesting a PILOT for this project.
Member Bresciani moved to recommend to the City Commission approval of the application submitted by Great Plains Mercantile Holdings LLC, and to grant the property tax exemption and the State income tax exemptions as allowed by the North Dakota Renaissance Zone law, contingent upon completion of the project and verification of costs. Second by Member Swiontek. On call of the roll Members Luchau, Swiontek, Grindberg, Peterson, Piepkorn, Furness, Bresciani, and Mathern voted aye. The motion was declared carried.
• Review Request from DFI Kesler LLC (New Construction) located at 617 and 621 1st Avenue North, and 624 2nd Avenue North: APPROVED
Ms. Crutchfield presented this item noting that a portion of this property was previously approved as RZ project 250-F at 624 2nd Avenue North. She clarified this project has been cancelled, and the property is now a part of this larger proposed project being presented today. Ms. Crutchfield stated this project is on Block 10 of the Renaissance Zone, and staff is recommending approval as the proposal meets the guidelines and all required approval criteria.
Mr. Allmendinger spoke on behalf of the application briefly reviewing the proposed project.
Member Furness moved to recommend to the City Commission approval of the application submitted by DFI Kesler LLC, and to grant the property tax exemption and the State income tax exemptions as allowed by the North Dakota Renaissance Zone law, contingent upon completion of the project and verification of costs. Second by Member Luchau. On call of the roll Members Grindberg, Peterson, Piepkorn, Swiontek, Furness, Luchau, Bresciani, and Mathern voted aye. The motion was declared carried.
• Other Business
No other business was presented.
• Renaissance Zone Authority’s Next Meeting – July 24, 2019
• Tax Exempt Review Committees Next Meeting – July 23, 2019
The time at adjournment was 2:13 p.m.