City Council Agenda and Packet 2015 09 01

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SUBJECT: 550 SOUTH MCCASLIN BLVD. URBAN RENEWAL PLAN DATE: SEPTEMBER 1, 2015 PAGE 3 OF 13 Staff's willingness to recommending action is clearly conditioned on exploring options and determining whether an action would likely result in appropriate new tenants. Among the options staff has been exploring is encouraging private parties to independently identify a use for the existing building that meets the zoning and private restrictive covenants, either in their current form or though covenant changes agreed on by the private owners. Centennial Valley Investments' three different offers to Albertsons, noted above, and staff's attending the meeting between Albertsons' and Centennial Valley Investments' representatives reflect this effort. Another option staff has been exploring is the work that has culminated in staff recommending for Council's consideration the proposed Urban Renewal Plan. As noted above, adoption of the Plan does not require condemnation, and any use of that power could not occur without further actions and approvals by both the LRC and City Council, in their discretion. Further, adoption of the Plan does not preclude any economic development agreements or other City actions. Albertsons August 27, 2015 Letter Albertsons attorney Jonathon Bergman submitted another letter on August 27, 2015 listing the following concerns: "Interactions Between the City Staff and Current Property Owners" Bergman asserts that "City Staff has inappropriately aligned itself with Centennial Valley Investments, whose interests are adverse to those of longstanding members of the Louisville Community." To support this assertion he cites the January 6, 2014 letter from City Manager Fleming to Centennial Valley Investments. As noted above regarding that letter, staff has not "aligned itself with Centennial Valley Investments ", but has helped facilitate meetings between Albertsons and Centennial Valley Investments so those parties might explore and negotiate an agreement. Bergman also infers there is something inappropriate with Director DeJong's assisting Centennial Valley to draft a March 17, 2014 letter to the City. Centennial Valley was unsure about the manner in which to request this action, so DeJong created a draft to assist in the request. Such assistance is commonplace in DeJong's work and reflects his proactive approach in working with all members of the Louisville business community. "Lack of Transparency" Bergman asserts there has been a lack of transparency regarding the Urban Renewal Plan and suggests that emails from Michael Menaker to members of City Council support this assertion. Bergman also asserts the City failed to notice property owners in the community to commission a blight study of the Property. The notice for commissioning the blight study was given in the manner required by State law. The public information meeting (which is not required by State law) on the Conditions Survey on July 7, 2014 was publicized in the same way as all boards and commission meetings are published; 1) on the City's website, and 2) at the public posting locations in the City. COUNCIL COMMUNICATION 51