TREMONTON CITY CORPORATION
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
FEBRUARY 4, 2020

Board Members Present:
Roger Fridal, Chairman
Connie Archibald, Board Member
Lyle Holmgren, Board Member
Bret Rohde, Board Member
Rick Seamons, Board Member
Lyle Vance, Board Member
Shawn Warnke, Executive Director
Linsey Nessen, Executive Secretary

Chairman Fridal called the Tremonton Redevelopment Agency Meeting to order at 8:09 p.m. The meeting was held in the City Council Meeting Room at 102 South Tremont Street, Tremonton, Utah. Those in attendance were Chairman Fridal, Board Members Archibald, Holmgren, Rohde, Seamons, and Vance, Executive Director Warnke, and Executive Secretary Nessen. Also in attendance were Public Works Director Paul Fulgham and Police Chief Kurt Fertig.

1. Approval of agenda:

Motion by Board Member Rohde to approve the February 4, 2020 agenda. Motion seconded by Board Member Seamons. Vote: Board Member Archibald – aye, Board Member Holmgren – aye, Board Member Rohde – aye, Board Member Seamons – aye, Board Member Vance – aye. Motion approved.

2. Approval of minutes – December 3, 2019

Motion by Board Member Holmgren to approve the minutes of December 3, 2019. Motion seconded by Board Member Vance. Vote: Board Member Archibald – aye, Board Member Holmgren – aye, Board Member Rohde – aye, Board Member Seamons – aye, Board Member Vance – aye. Motion approved.

3. Presentation:

a. Tremonton Main Street, Urban Design Plan- Søren Simonsen, Community Studio

Mr. Simonsen took the Council through the final document, which was provided a few weeks ago. He said the first section is an introduction and background. Urban design simply describes the characteristics of a place. Tremonton has several urban locations with the most recognizable being Main Street. There are some small clusters of businesses around the I-84 interchange and the east gateway. The other sections of this document talk about urban design standards and guidelines, gateways and entry features, as well as streetscape design for the core blocks of Main Street. To get to this point we built on the solid work that was done several years ago as part of the SDAT. We capitalized on those efforts and the input gathered from the community was used to put together a comprehensive plan, which meets those SDAT objectives. Two public meetings were held, there was an online survey, and a big community celebration at the library, along with other events.

Mr. Simonsen reminded the Council what ideas were presented during that time for the streets and buildings, as well as how they could make Main Street more appealing and supportive of community functions. The survey showed there was a lot of interest in accommodating all forms of transportation. More women than men participated, but we had a great cross-section of age, location, and professions. When asked what people like most about their community, they said the small town feel, and the history and heritage. Others love the trees and flowers and would like to see more of those things. This community has really distinguished itself with its murals. There were things people want to see change. Although parking seems to be an issue, Tremonton has no shortage of parking, but the premium spots are always gone first. Changing that parking perceptions is a challenge, but can be done with signage and clear direction about where parking is. People would like to see building façade revitalizations. This is an ongoing effort and it is great to see that coming to fruition. People also want pedestrian and bicycle safety amenities. Accommodating alternative forms of travel is important and communities are finding that as they build infrastructure, the users come. There are also concerns about vacancies and underutilized properties, which is not unusual because people want to see their community vibrant. Finally we asked about community identity, which was a small town, hometown feeling, and family-friendly, so things that reinforce that are important.

Mr. Simonsen said we addressed crosswalks. Tremonton has simple ones and a lot of people indicated they felt they are not safe. In order to improve these you can add special paving or different kinds of paint. People responded well to the decorative paint, but did not like the idea of medians, which could limit access. Those are something to think about in the long-term, but not a recommendation we made. Bicycle facilities were popular. About 80% of people who responded to the survey said they want added bicycle facilities, such as safe ways to cycle and ways to lock up bikes. Another thing was lighting. The lights you have now are not very decorative. They are tall and do not have a lot of character. Other communities are finding that decorative lighting with planters and signs can really transform the image of the community. We suggest taking out some of the trees, which block views of the businesses. Having light poles with decorative elements can provide foliage and color better than trees. Cluster trees where they make the most sense. Traditional benches were very popular. Public art is important and there was a lot of positive response to the murals. People would also be interested in interactive sculptures and other art installations. Signage can be very character defining and is an easy way to invite pedestrian activity. The newer standard of parking is to put parking in front of the building and set the building back, but that tends to create a lot of unattractive streetscapes. People want to see screening for parking lots with added landscape and some other elements to spruce it up.

Mr. Simonsen also addressed the City’s corridors. The gateway corridors, on the east and west end of town, have faster traffic and the buildings are farther apart with a lot of agricultural land, which is an important characteristic of your community. The intersections at I-84 and the Crossroads become really important—those are markers and gateways. There is the possibility for more pedestrian activity in those areas, especially by I-84. That area of the City does not have pedestrian accommodations like downtown. If you bring the downtown to those areas, then you begin to let people know this is a special place. You have plenty of right-of-way to put in a bike path. We also need to look at iconic buildings.

Mr. Simonsen walked the Council through the design guidelines. The Central Business District and the gateway corridors are broke into sub-categories. Making the pedestrian crossings safer in the Central Business District is a key component. Visual cues that go beyond the basic two stripes, as well as adding character and vitality to the street will make them safer. This includes ideas about sidewalks and making them more decorative. Our recommendation is to use 100 North as a key thoroughfare through downtown. We have a couple ideas that could be considered in the future. Markings on the pavement can alert drivers that it is a shared road. You could also create speeds compatible with pedestrians. This would make the streets safer and encourage more pedestrian activity. That would have to be negotiated with UDOT. We would recommend things that make the design of the street slower and compatible with a town center. Studies show the best speed for retailers is 20 mph so people do not miss signs or storefronts. We recommend a design speed that is compatible with retail goals, as well as pedestrian and biking goals. You already have parking on the street, but you need to identify the spaces better. Visual cues and paint stripes do a lot to calm traffic. You also need to think about landscaping on your streets. First reduce the number of trees and replace them with light poles and signage that have more of a design theme. You could add some landscape islands with greenery. Landscaping at the pedestrian level can sometimes do more to bring color, texture, and vibrancy.

The next section deals with amenities and accessories said Mr. Simonsen. We have suggested lighting we think is more compatible with your character and identity for downtown. This one has a shield on top that directs light downward, allowing you to see the stars, which is great in rural communities. It puts lighting where you need it. The poles would be compatible to add planters and other decorative elements. There are few places to sit on Main Street. Benches are small amenities that make a big difference. They can screen, be used around landscaped areas, and add an artistic element. You could also add waste and recycling bins. Bike racks are a wonderful opportunity for branding. You could put the City logo or special identifiers at a low cost. This is a nice way to identify different zones within Main Street. Way-finding signage is helpful for visitors and makes it easier to find the things you want them to find. You already have a great mural program, however, making some of them interactive would be a great way to promote your community. People can discover you on social media if you have a unique sign or feature that is good for selfies. Midland Square is a great place for something interactive. When parents are downtown to eat or shop they need a place to take children and let them stretch their legs. Temporary fairs, festivals, and art installations are also important. Anything that gets the community involved and engages the business community.

Mr. Simonsen said having buildings close to the street defines the character in the Central Business District. It is important to highlight buildings, landscaping and architecture—the places that bring people together. Be sure to create some memorable intersections. Adding sidewalks in some of those commercial nodes is a simple infrastructure that allows people to walk and push strollers, which creates the family-friendly idea. You need to try to preserve your iconic buildings in the community. Signage in the City Center is important, but it is also important out on the corridors. It is different because the cars are moving faster so your signs have to be a little bigger and more iconic. Medians could be used in the gateway areas because they have more right-of-way and width. Those medians could be part of the gateway. Putting in bike paths is a great way to acknowledge that you have a lot of people passing through. Let them stretch their legs and discover your community by linking those outlying areas to the City Center. You also have a few waterways with the Malad River and canals. Bridges can be an iconic element. Murals on the edges of your community would make great signs and add an artistic element. You have a lot of big facades on buildings in the agricultural and industrial parts of the community that could become something other than a blank wall.

Mr. Simonsen said this next section highlights gateway signs and features. Two monument signs would be placed on the far west and east end of Main Street with a couple smaller kiosks closer to Main Street. These are places people can get out with families and stretch. The signs would reflect your structures in the City in an artistic way. An informational kiosk would be placed across the street from the fairgrounds. It could be a small electronic one so information could be replaced often. People could use this to get their bearings, eat, shop and stretch. The other gateway would be on the east end of town by the Malad River. This would be similar to the one at the fairgrounds, but would have a large green scape that has already been acquired by the City. We have suggested adding elements like a pedestrian bridge over the river. This would be a small information kiosk, a place for parking, and to identify that this is transitioning from the gateway to the City Center. There could be iconic elements with pillars and fencing along the bridge.

The last section is a more detailed design of Main Street said Mr. Simonsen. This takes all the elements from the design guidelines and applies them to just the right-of-way between 400 West and 300 East. This goes block-by-block identifying paving, landscaping, lighting, street crossings, paving textures for sidewalks and streets, and so forth. There are call outs and notes that describe what is there if it is not obvious from the drawing. Board Member Archibald said people want the flowers in the summertime, but we also need to do something on our Main Street during the holidays. Your design contributes to bringing that up to speed. The updated lighting would help us to do some of these things the public is asking for. This would make Main Street more enticing. I know this is an effort the City has been working on for a lot of years, but it is time to do more.

4. New Business:

a. Discussion and consideration of approving Resolution No. RDA 20-01 committing funds to the Northern Utah Neighborhood Improvement Project (NUNIP), Phase 3 facilitated by Neighborhood Housing Solutions

Dave Schuster said we have done 40 homes in two phases. We obtained additional money ($345,000) so we are going to do our third phase. We would like to rehabilitate another 10 homes in Tremonton, helping with roofing, siding, and windows. We do up to $15,000 per home. Brigham is already committed and we are requesting $25,000 from Tremonton. It is a great program and I already have people calling me.

Motion by Board Member Rohde to adopt the resolution. Motion seconded by Board Member Vance. Roll Call Vote: Board Member Archibald – aye, Board Member Holmgren – aye, Board Member Rohde – aye, Board Member Seamons – aye, Board Member Vance – aye. Motion approved.

b. Discussion and consideration of approving Resolution No. RDA 20-02 funding impact fees for a building permit to be issued to Habitat for Humanity Northern Utah for a building lot located at 316 West 400 North in Tremonton

Motion by Board Member Holmgren to approve the resolution. Motion seconded by Board Member Seamons. Roll Call Vote: Board Member Archibald – aye, Board Member Holmgren – aye, Board Member Rohde – aye, Board Member Seamons – aye, Board Member Vance – aye. Motion approved.

c. Discussion and consideration of approving Resolution No. RDA 20-03 accepting Tremonton Main Street, Urban Design Plan prepared by Community Studio

Board Member Vance said we need to set aside time to make some decisions and determine how we are going to move forward. Manager Warnke said we could do it as part of the budgeting process as we try to appropriate funds. Money could be set aside in the RDA and get reimbursed from tax increment. We could work on updating our zoning to reflect some of these design standards. The Planning Commission could dissect a plan and codify the standards into our Land Use code. We could also do a workshop. Board Member Vance said the SDAT was put on a shelf. We had great ideas, but never did anything with it. We need to start doing something. We need to set money aside and head toward what we want. Board Member Vance asked to have this on the agenda within the next 60 days.
Mr. Simonsen gave some direction on working with other communities who have done similar projects and suggested talking to UDOT. Manager Warnke said the City is currently working with UDOT and obtained a grant to work on a Land Use Plan. It will touch upon Main Street, but includes comprehensive land use planning and how others work together. The next step is to get construction level drawings and the engineer’s estimate. That could be a way to have Engineer Breinholt help us understand the cost of those improvements block by block. Board Member Rohde said let us have another RDA meeting and we will take some time to study this proposal so we can come up with the things we think are vital and start moving forward.

Motion by Board Member Vance to approve the resolution. Motion seconded by Board Member Holmgren. Roll Call Vote: Board Member Archibald – aye, Board Member Holmgren – aye, Board Member Rohde – aye, Board Member Seamons – aye, Board Member Vance – aye. Motion approved.

5. Executive Director Reports and Comments

a. Update on Tremont Center

Manager Warnke said I talked to developer Micah Capener about the homes that the RDA has acquired and will tear down. I asked him to give us an update on where things are at on a future date.

6. Adjournment

Motion by Board Member Archibald to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by Board Member Seamons. Vote: Board Member Archibald – aye, Board Member Holmgren – aye, Board Member Rohde – aye, Board Member Seamons – aye, Board Member Vance – aye. Motion approved.

The meeting adjourned at 9:14 p.m.

The undersigned duly acting and appointed Executive Secretary for Tremonton City Corporation Redevelopment Agency hereby certifies that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes for the RDA Meeting held on the above referenced date. Minutes were prepared by Jessica Tanner.

Dated this 5th day of May, 2020.

____________________________
Linsey Nessen, Executive Secretary