Renaissance Zone Authority - July 24, 2024 Minutes
The Regular Meeting of the Renaissance Zone Authority of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held in the Commission Chambers at City Hall at 8:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 24, 2024.
The Renaissance Zone Authority members present or absent were as follows:
Present: Deb Mathern, Reid Middaugh, Prakash Mathew, Dr. Dean Bresciani, Brian Larson, Commissioner Dave Piepkorn
Absent: Chad Peterson, Mayor Tim Mahoney
Chair Mathern called the meeting to order.
Chair Mathern recognized former Member Steve Swiontek for his time on the Renaissance Zone Authority noting he served since 2006, and extended thanks for his service to the community.
Item 1: Minutes: Regular Meeting of December 21, 2023
Member Mathew moved the minutes of the December 21, 2023 Renaissance Zone Authority meeting be approved. Second by Member Bresciani. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Planning Coordinator Maegin Elshaug shared an update on the Renaissance Zone Development Plan exemptions.
Item 2: Review Application from Campsite, LLC (Rehabilitation) located at 5 14 Street North
Ms. Elshaug presented the staff report for a rehabilitation project at 5 14 Street North. She stated staff is recommending approval as the proposal meets the guidelines and all required approval criteria.
Discussion was held on the scoring of the project, and criteria for scoring.
Planning and Development Director Nicole Crutchfield spoke on the scoring, the proposed growth plan, and the subjectivity in review.
Discussion continued on the importance of working to have all the City plans work together cohesively, and being flexible.
Chair Mathern took a moment to introduce and welcome new Renaissance Zone Authority Member Brian Larson.
Further discussion was held on the benefits of the project.
Applicant representative Kevin Bartram, MBA Architects, and Max Kringen, Tellwell, spoke on behalf of the application.
Member Piepkorn moved to recommend approval to the City Commission to approve the application submitted by Campsite, 4, 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 Mathew. On call of the roll Members Piepkorn, Middaugh, Mathew, Larson, Bresciani, and Mathern voted aye. Absent and not voting: Members Peterson and Mahoney. The motion was declared carried.
Item 3: Renaissance Zone Development Plan update: Discussion on Investment Thresholds
Ms. Elshaug stated this is the year to update to development plan. She gave an overview of projects from recent years and the investment and returns.
Ms. Crutchfield noted the timeline for submitting the plan and provided a tentative plan for the next few months of Renaissance Zone coordination.
Discussion was held on rising inflation and building costs, long range planning, investment thresholds, and the importance of deeper discussions.
Item 4: Other Business
No other business was presented.
Item 5: Adjournment
The time at adjournment was 8:45 a.m.