MEETING MINUTES CUMBERLAND COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT Thursday, June 30, 2016 MEMBERS PRESENT Tad Leithead John Shern Connie Engel Barry Teague Bob Voyles Mason Zimmerman LEGAL COUNSEL Lynn Rainey COBB CHAMBER OF COMMERCE David Connell Melissa Crook Bryan Bebout Kyethea Clark Noelle Lloyd Roxanne Plummer Slade Gulledge Mike Winters COBB COUNTY Commissioner Bob Ott Karyn Matthews Stephen White Jim Wilgus JACOBS Alex Chung Vinay Uchil OTHERS PRESENT Chris Kingsbury, Moreland Altobelli Dan Dobry, Croy Engineering Peter Hortman, AECOM Lindsey Burruss, CT& T Eric Bosman, Kimley-Horn John Freyermuth, GA Commute Options Ron Sifen, Vinings Ricky Leroux, MDJ The June meeting of the Cumberland Community Improvement District Board was called to order at 7:32 a.m. on Thursday, June 30, 2016 at the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, 240 Interstate North Parkway, Atlanta, Cobb County, Georgia, pursuant to legal notice. A quorum was present. Chairman Leithead presided and welcomed special guests. ITEMS FOR APPROVAL 1. Minutes: Ms. Engel made a motion to approve the May 26, 2016 Minutes of the CID Board. Mr. Shern seconded the motion which was unanimously approved. 2. Approval of Financial Statement: After making the Treasurer s Report, Mr. Teague made a motion to approve the May Financial Report (Exhibit A) as presented and the invoices and cash disbursements as presented (Exhibit B). Ms. Engel seconded the motion which was unanimously approved. CHAIRMAN S REPORT: BIG PICTURE/REQUESTS A. Real Estate Activity: Chairman Leithead encouraged Board members to review the documents on the Board portal. B. Financials: Tax Digest Collections 1. Tax Assessor Update: Commissioner Bob Ott, District 2, stated Chairman Lee will be proposing a general fund millage rate of 6.66 mills, down from the current 7.12 mills. That would bring the millage to the current rollback rate.
June 30, 2016 Page 2 of 4 Stephen White, Cobb County Tax Assessor, reviewed tax graphs. The average growth per parcel in the Cumberland area is $264K. Mr. White went on to discuss appeals. Appeals play a large role in the commercial sector. Appeals are down drastically from prior years. Next year, all commercial properties and some residential properties county wide will be re-evaluated. The Department of Revenue and the Department of Audits review and grade the county s digest every year. If the County is not in a certain range then the County cannot bill utilities at 100%. There are a lot of positive things happening in the county. Mr. White will be holding an in depth meeting at 9 am today for CCID property owners. Lynn Rainey, Legal Counsel, discussed the proposed 2016 millage rate. Mr. Rainey has met with the Tax Commissioners office along with representatives of all the other cities and school boards and received the packages showing the computation of assessed values. The net effect is if the CCID sets its millage rate at 5 mills as the CCID has since inception it will result in $340K in additional revenue for 2016 which represents a 6% rise in the amount of revenue over 2015. It would project $6.1M in revenue in 2016. The CCID continues to be conservative in projections. Mr. Rainey discussed with Board members the draft of the legal ad that would be placed in the Marietta Daily Journal showing what the five year history has been of the district as far as assessed values, amount of taxes levied and percentage and dollar change from year to year. This ad will be placed in a 30 square inch ad that would not be in the legal section, but in the regular section for the public to review and give input to the CCID Board before it sets the millage rate for 2016. Board members discussed advertising a proposed 5 mills, but the Board would like to discuss the 2017 rate at the Retreat. The July CCID meeting date may need to be changed or a special meeting will need to be called to meet the Tax Commissioner s deadline, however, Mr. Rainey is working this out to see if we can keep the CCID meeting as originally scheduled. There will be more information to come. After the millage rate is approved Mr. Rainey will then advertise at least 1 week prior to our vote. C. Work Program: Chairman Leithead referred Board members to the Board portal to review the documents. D. Financial Requests 1. EDGE Investment ($50,000 Request): Chairman Leithead reported Brooks Mathis, Executive Director, EDGE had a family medical emergency and has deferred his presentation to next month. E. Updates 1. Akers Mill Ramp Update: Chairman Leithead updated Board members on the Akers Mill Ramp. After some time, there is now a project design that everyone supports. The final tweaking of design and costs should be available in mid-july. The cost estimate to complete this project is projected at $22M, but the plans should be completed by July 5 and the cost of the project will be released 2 weeks later. In terms of funding, ARC has committed $4M, CCID has committed $2.5M (and in July the CCID will consider committing an additional $2.1M), and since the last meeting, Governor Deal announced the GTIB grant of $2M. Commissioner Ott announced that he has agreed to sponsor an agenda item on July 12 th at the Board of Commissioners meeting stating the County will commit $5M provided that the rest of the funding is in place. This would put the funding commitments at $15.6M, then around July 15 th the cost estimate will be released and the funding gap will be known. Chairman Leithead went on to state other funding sources have been identified to help close the gap, but before the CCID can seek additional funding the final cost for the project must be determined. More information will be given at the next meeting.
June 30, 2016 Page 3 of 4 F. Operations 1. CFA/Cumberland Blvd. Mast Arm Improvement (Pass Through $73,485): Kyethea Clark, Director of Operations, reported that in prior meetings she has given updates on the status of installing mast arms along Cumberland Blvd. Ms. Clark went on to discuss installing an additional mast arm at Cumberland Blvd and Cobb Galleria Parkway. In June, the CCID received a pass through payment in the amount of $73,485 from Green Star Ventures, LLC. The pass through payment is to purchase and install the additional mast arm as part of the original project with the County. Mr. Rainey stated the County will need to approve on its agenda, the additional item on the contract for the construction to be done on these mast arms. The CCID already has a CFA with the County for 8 intersections for improvements including mast arms. This particular mast arm was not in the previous documents that were approved. Mr. Rainey asked for the CCID Board to approve the acceptance of the funds of $73,485 from Green Star Ventures, LLC for 100% of the cost for this additional mast arm and the Executive Director be empowered to sign an amendment to the scope of the CFA if requested by the County. Mr. Voyles made a motion to approve the acceptance of the funds of $73,485 from Green Star Ventures, LLC for 100% of the cost for this additional mast arm and the Executive Director be empowered to sign an amendment to the scope of the CFA if requested by the County. Mr. Engel seconded the motion which approved. Board member Shern abstained from the vote. (5 yes/0 no/1 abstained) 2. Capital Improvements a. Project Updates: Ms. Clark gave updates on three CCID projects that are moving forward to construction: Cumberland Boulevard Bridgescape, Bob Callan Trunk Trail Ph. II A, and Riverwood Parkway Streetscape. Ms. Clark went reported that the CCID continues to see construction prices rise. In the next few weeks, staff will be looking at ways to offset those construction cost increases. Ms. Rivers will report next month on the details of those projects. 3. Community Programs & Services a. Landscape Maintenance Update: Ms. Clark reported OLM and Russell Landscaping have challenging jobs during the summer months as well as working around all of the construction in the district. 4. Plans & Studies a. Bike Master Plan Update: Ms. Clark reported the 2 nd advisory group met yesterday and the final report will be released in July. b. Blueprint Cumberland 3.0 Update: Ms. Clark reported CCID staff has short listed the consulting firms and interviews will be conducted on July 13 th. The Board will be updated next month on the firm that is selected. Board member Teague asked Ms. Clark to give an update on Palisades/Paces Mill rehabilitation. In July, the National Park Service s design review board will meet. There is a concept plan and scope to look at the area and trail head. The CCID has committed $125K with the hopes that NPS will match these funds. Once the funds are committed the design will done (not to install, but to plan the design). CCID Board members are very discouraged by the look of this area. GDOT is working with NPS to close out the project by the end of summer. The CCID does not have any leverage on this project. Commissioner Ott recommended staff call the GA Native Plants Society to have them relocate the endangered/native plants. Ms. Plummer has spoken to Cobb Masters Gardening Group, but NPS was concerned about
June 30, 2016 Page 4 of 4 letting this group do anything on the NPS land. Chairman Leithead stated NPS must be a partner and be involved in the plan. G. Communications & Outreach 1. Market Activity Sheets a. Commercial & Residential SF and Construction Costs: Noelle Lloyd, Communications & Outreach Manager, reported the existing data sheets have been created into collaterals titled Our Market Activity Sheets. These data sheets demonstrate some of the information that is available on the CCID website and other collaterals that are shared with stakeholders. Ms. Lloyd reviewed the data sheets. The CCID website is in the process of being updated and will be completed by the end of next month. Cobb County Issues & Updates Commissioner Ott has been working with developers in the area on managing the growth in the Cumberland area (what and how to attract) and how that affects schools, etc. The rent per square foot on residential is currently $1.75-$2.00. There are more office buildings coming on board as well. District 2 is 50% of the County s digest. On July 9 th Terrell Mill south (east of Delk Road) will be closed until September 2 nd due to the pipeline replacement project. OTHER BUSINESS Chairman Leithead congratulated Jim Wilgus, as Cobb County s newest Director of Cobb DOT. David Connell, President & CEO of the Cobb Chamber invited the CCID Board to the Chamber s First Monday Breakfast on July 11. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for the same location on July 28, 2016 at 7:30 a.m. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:33 a.m. Approved by the Board this day of, 2016 Secretary
MEETING MINUTES CUMBERLAND COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT Thursday, May 26, 2016 MEMBERS PRESENT Tad Leithead John Shern Connie Engel Mike Plant Barry Teague Bob Voyles Mason Zimmerman EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Malaika Rivers LEGAL COUNSEL Lynn Rainey COBB CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Melissa Crook Bryan Bebout Kyethea Clark Noelle Lloyd Roxanne Plummer Mike Winters COBB COUNTY Chairman Tim Lee Commissioner Bob Ott Michael Hughes Karyn Matthews Jim Wilgus JACOBS Alex Chuny Vinay Uchil OTHERS PRESENT Britany Hancock, Southeastern Engineering Josh Rowan, MBP Chris Kingsbury, Moreland Altobelli Chris Rideout, Croy Engineering Peter Hortman, AECOM Lindsey Burruss, CT& T Brett McClung, Goldman & Co CPA Sheri George, Terrell Mill Community Association Ricardo Vera, Georgia Commute Options Kori Stokes, EpiCity/Powers Ferry Business Park Ron Sifen, Vinings Jon Gargis, MDJ The May meeting of the Cumberland Community Improvement District Board was called to order at 7:31 a.m. on Thursday, May 26, 2016 at the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, 240 Interstate North Parkway, Atlanta, Cobb County, Georgia, pursuant to legal notice. A quorum was present. Chairman Leithead presided and welcomed special guests. ITEMS FOR APPROVAL 1. Minutes: Mr. Shern made a motion to approve the April 28, 2016 Minutes of the CID Board. Mr. Teague seconded the motion which was unanimously approved. 2. Approval of Financial Statement: After making the Treasurer s Report, Mr. Teague made a motion to approve the April Financial Report (Exhibit A) as presented and the invoices and cash disbursements as presented (Exhibit B). Ms. Engel seconded the motion which was unanimously approved. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR S REPORT: Ms. Rivers reviewed the agenda modifications. A. Real Estate Activity 1. Investment: Ms. Rivers reviewed the Investment collateral. Through May 13, 2016 the total value of permits in the CCID is $122M (nearly $115M of that is commercial or CCID taxable). This makes up 63% of Cobb County s total commercial permit value to date in 2016. 2. Sales: Ms. Rivers went on to state in 2016, over $200M in commercial properties have sold to date in the CCID area. The average sale price has been 274% above Tax Assessors Value.
May 26, 2016 Page 2 of 5 3. Residential: Ms. Rivers stated there continues to be an uptick in residential units zoned in the CCID. There are 6,806 dwelling units/13,612 new residents coming into the area. The ARC has indicated that Cumberland is getting the most millennials than any other market which is great indication of some of the growth and attraction in this community. B. Financials: Tax Digest Collections The 2016 preliminary tax digest has come out and CCID staff has done some internal analysis on it. Ms. Rivers started out by comparing 2015 to 2016. In 2015, the total commercial property valuation in the CCID was at $2.8B and for the 2016 preliminary digest it is almost $3.1B; that is an increase of $211M. As it relates to tax collections as a CCID; the amount of taxes levied in 2015 was $5.7M with a collection just under $5.6M; for 2016 taxes levied was just under $6.2M. The CCID is projecting a more conservative figure than the County s digest because the CCID is trying to continue to keep in line with the financial projections that were set out a few years ago. The County is indicating that the CCID s collection would be upwards of 9%, but the CCID s conservative figures are 3.38%. Ms. Rivers and Mr. Winters are in the process of updating the CCID s financial forecast and projections and within the next 60 days Ms. Rivers will be sharing with the Board the updated financial projections. Next year, the Tax Assessors will be doing a complete commercial re-evaluation on properties (80% of the parcels this year did not see an increase and 5% had a decrease and of the remaining 15%, majority of those only increased less than 10%). For the most part the digest values did not reflect an increase on most of the parcels. Commissioner Ott asked for Stephen White with the County s Tax Assessors Office to come and present at next month s Board meeting to show growth in this area. 1. Commercial Tax Digest Analysis a. Top Tax Payers: Ms. Rivers reviewed the Top Tax Payers collateral. Of the CCID s 184 commercial property owners, the top 9%, represent 66% of the CCID digest, but only 10% of the land. b. Top Parcels: Ms. Rivers reviewed the Top Parcels collateral. c. Top Property Managers: Ms. Rivers reviewed the Top Property Managers collateral. 2. Audit Report Brett McClung with Goldman & Company CPAs PC presented the audited financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2015. Mr. McClung issued a clean, unqualified opinion with no material weaknesses and no recommendations. The management letters were included and stated there were no disagreements and no issues during the completion of the audit. Mr. McClung stated the CCID s deposits are sufficiently collateralized in the pooled funds with Georgia Bankers Association. This was confirmed with a letter from the Georgia Bankers Association. Mr. McClung thanked CCID staff for all of their hard work. Chairman Leithead thanked Mr. McClung for his long time service to the CCID. (Documents attached) C. Work Program 1. CID Open Projects: Ms. Rivers stated the CCID has 25 projects in the total work program and is valued in excess of $236M with $130M under construction. So far the CCID has received outside commitments of $146M towards those projects. The CCID has also committed $50M to those projects and there is a $40M funding gap which CCID staff continues to work on closing. There is a lot of construction in the area. 2. Other Agency Open Projects: Ms. Rivers referred Board members to the spreadsheet which was formerly called the Cobb County Initiated Projects sheet.
May 26, 2016 Page 3 of 5 D. Updates 1. Market Activity Resource Materials: Ms. Rivers stated staff has updated materials for the CCID s various stakeholders. The suite of materials provides excellent data on the various activities taking place in the district and provides a cohesive theme which helps brand the CCID s communications. These resources will be highlighted at the June meeting and will be available on the CCID website moving forward. Board members thanked Ms. Rivers for the materials. This information is very useful and the CCID members are utilizing this information. 2. NW Corridor Managed Lanes Landscape Update: Ms. Rivers stated the CCID has received the plans from the contractors related to landscaping. The NW Corridor project does not have a landscaping component. Ms. Rivers went on to state if the CCID Board is interested in landscaping efforts around this interchange then the CCID would basically be scoping a new project. Ms. Rivers asked for direction from the Board. Jacobs has reviewed the landscaping plans from the state. Board members discussed how costly the design, installation, and ongoing maintenance would be. Ms. Rivers will be meeting with the state and come back to the Board with more information. Board member Shern discussed other potential landscaping projects in the district. 3. Akers Mill Ramp Update: Ms. Rivers outlined the Akers Mill Ramp project benchmarks. Last month, GDOT asked the CCID team through Parsons Design Group and Jacobs; to look at some of the alternatives that were discussed at that meeting and determine a high level feasibility, bring it back to the state in short order, get direction from the state on which alternative they would like for the CCID team to pursue and then resubmit an IMR based on that new direction. That meeting took place and was very productive with GDOT Commissioner, GDOT s Chief Engineer, State Planning Director Representative for the Governor, Executive Director for SRTA & GRTA, engineers and top designers from the design team (Parsons Transportation Group, etc.) in attendance. The CCID team presented three options to the state and everyone indicated they liked one particular option, which is a change to what was originally presented, as it alleviates some of the concerns that the state had with the original design which was relative to safety issues. The next steps are to have the engineers from the state and CCID team meet and answer some final questions. By all accounts, the state indicated, without barring any issues with the questions, they are comfortable with the CCID team moving forward. In the meantime, the CCID team continues to move forward to make the deadlines. GDOT understands this project needs to be done and the August deadline associated with it. Jacobs has put together a schedule to meet these deadlines in terms of the design track. The CCID has communicated the process as it has unfolded with funding partners. Everyone continues to be supportive. Chairman Leithead stated we now have a project design that everyone supports. The amount of work that has been done in the 4 week period is extraordinary and GDOT s dedication speaks volumes. The final tweaking of design and costs should be available in mid-july. Ms. Rivers is working parallel on lining up funding sources because the CCID s deadline is August. The Board must vote at the August Board meeting regarding the funding package. The timeline is tight, but all involved are working to get this project done. In the interest of time, Ms. Rivers has authorized (Parsons Brinckerhoff who will be doing the environmental and IMR and PTG will be doing 30% of design plans) to proceed. This means expenses to making the revisions, but there is some money left over in the existing project budget that was not utilized in the federal grant that was secured and she has authorized these funds to pay for the revisions. Board members discussed beautification after the ramp is built. If the Board chooses to do so, it would likely be the CCID s responsibility.
May 26, 2016 Page 4 of 5 E. Operations 1. Capital Improvements a. Project Updates: Ms. Clark, Operations Manager, gave updates on: Windy Hill / I-75 Interchange DDI, Windy Hill East & West Side Road Improvement, US 41 Widening & Trail, Akers Mill Trail east (Bob Callan Loop Trail), Cumberland Boulevard Bridgescape, Bob Callan Trunk Trail Ph. II A, Riverwood Parkway Streetscape, Terrell Mill Connector and I-285 Pedestrian Bridge. 2. Community Programs & Services a. Landscape Maintenance: Ms. Clark stated Russell Landscaping and OLM are doing a great job maintaining the area with all the construction going on. 3. Plans & Studies a. Bike Master Plan Update: The first rounds of meetings are now completed. The PATH Foundation and CCID staff will follow up with information that stakeholders have requested. The next step will be to meet with Cobb County. Chairman Leithead encouraged someone to attend the forum at the ARC regarding the Bicycle sharing program. Board members asked for updates on: Akers Mill bicycle connection, repair of the wall at Cumberland Blvd and Akers Mill, and status of repairing the stamped brick crosswalk at Overton. Ms. Rivers stated CCID staff is developing a hardscape maintenance policy that will help prioritize items and better deploy money. There will be a hardscape maintenance plan within the next 30 to 60 days. b. Blueprint Cumberland 3.0: Ms. Clark stated the CCID has received 7 new bids for review to complete Blueprint Cumberland 3.0. Ms. Clark is working on setting up the selection committee to review the proposals. F. Communications & Outreach: 1. 2016 Communications Plan Activities: Noelle Lloyd, Communications & Outreach Manager, reported she is continuing to prioritize projects, working to create and update marketing sheets, is in the process of doing inventory of CCID collaterals and beginning to look at the website. Chairman Leithead asked if a coordinated meeting may be necessary between the area s CIDs and the County to help citizens navigate seamlessly throughout the region. Chairman Lee stated that the County and Braves have a robust system in place, but an internal meeting needs to happen first. Chairman Leithead agreed. Cobb County Issues & Updates Commissioner Ott reminded everyone about lane closures between June 1 June 5 near Indian Hills Parkway and Roswell Road. It will not be completely closed, but expect heavy delays. Jim Wilgus, Interim Director, announced the new Cobb LINC buses are out on the roads.
May 26, 2016 Page 5 of 5 OTHER BUSINESS The next regular board meeting is scheduled for the same location on June 30, 2016 at 7:30 a.m. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:46 a.m. Approved by the Board this day of, 2016 Secretary
MEETING MINUTES CUMBERLAND COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT Thursday, April 28, 2016 MEMBERS PRESENT Tad Leithead John Shern Connie Engel Mason Zimmerman EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Malaika Rivers LEGAL COUNSEL Lynn Rainey COBB CHAMBER OF COMMERCE David Connell Melissa Crook Bryan Bebout Kyethea Clark Monica Gonzalez Joshua Jones Sue Leithead Noelle Lloyd Roxanne Plummer Melissa Sabia Jeanette Sybert Mike Winters COBB COUNTY Chairman Tim Lee Commissioner Bob Ott Michael Hughes Karyn Matthews Jim Wilgus JACOBS Vinay Uchil Jeff Woodward OTHERS PRESENT Terry DeWitt, First Landmark Bank Britany Hancock, Southeastern Engineering Kerry Davidsen, Fairlead CRE Barbara Desmond, Barbara Desmond Productions Chris Kingsbury, Moreland Altobelli Tim Matthews, Pond Chris Rideout, Croy Engineering William Parker, TMCA Milton Dortch, Stowers & Company Peter Hortman, AECOM Kori Stokes, EpiCity/Powers Ferry Business Park Cindy Miller, Cobb Chamber of Commerce Ron Sifen, Vinings Meris Lutz, MDJ The April meeting of the Cumberland Community Improvement District Board was called to order at 7:32 a.m. on Thursday, April 28, 2016 at the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, 240 Interstate North Parkway, Atlanta, Cobb County, Georgia, pursuant to legal notice. A quorum was present. Chairman Leithead presided and welcomed special guests. ITEMS FOR APPROVAL 1. Minutes: Mr. Zimmerman made a motion to approve the March 31, 2016 Minutes of the CID Board. Ms. Engel seconded the motion which was unanimously approved. 2. Approval of Financial Statement: Mike Winters, Accountant for the CCID, made the Treasurer s Report for Mr. Teague. Ms. Engel made a motion to approve the March Financial Report (Exhibit A) as presented and the invoices and cash disbursements as presented (Exhibit B). Mr. Shern seconded the motion which was unanimously approved. CHAIRMAN S REPORT: BIG PICTURE Chairman Leithead made a special presentation to Cindy Miller. Ms. Miller retired from the Cobb Chamber after 22 years of service.
April 28, 2016 Page 2 of 5 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR S REPORT: A. Real Estate Activity: Investment, Sales, Land Use & Residential: Ms. Rivers reviewed the Investment Sales, Land Use and Residential collaterals. Through April 22, 2016 the total value of permits in the CCID is $114M (nearly $107M of that is commercial or CCID taxable). This makes up 70% of Cobb County s total commercial permit value to date in 2016. Ms. Rivers went on to state in 2016, over $200M in commercial properties have sold to date in the CCID area. There continues to be an uptick in residential units zoned in the CCID. There are 6,806 dwelling units/13,612 new residents coming into the area. B. Work Program: CID Open Projects & Other Agency Open Projects: Ms. Rivers stated the CCID has 25 projects in the total work program and is valued in excess of $236M with $130M under construction. So far the CCID has received outside commitments of $146M towards those projects. The CCID has also committed $50M to those projects and there is a $40M funding gap which CCID staff continues to work on closing. The CCID has identified at least $6M that will be coming to the CCID. Ms. Rivers referred Board members to the Other Agency Open Projects spreadsheet which was formerly called the Cobb County Initiated Projects sheet. C. Financial Requests: 1. Blueprint Cumberland 3.0 ($150,000 out of New Initiatives): Ms. Rivers reported that last month the Board discussed advancing the next comprehensive update to Blueprint Cumberland given the immense changes taking place in the community. Since its initial launch in 2001, Blueprint Cumberland has effectively provided a roadmap to help guide Cumberland s growth and in those last 15 years, it has resulted in the construction of more than two dozen improvements worth an estimated $25M. It has undergone two internal updates, and since the last one in 2011, the community has experienced significant changes. CCID staff recommends advancing a comprehensive update which will take into account many factors, including changes in population, demographics, land use, housing, transportation, economic development, greenspace, urban design and more. Staff recommended $150K from the New Initiatives account be allocated to this 12 18 month effort so that an RFP can be issued and a consultant be approved at the May meeting. The effort will be fully coordinated with partners such as Cobb County, Cobb s Competitive EDGE, ARC, and others. The deliverable will result in a 15-year vision for the community as well as recommended steps to achieve that vision. Board members shared their concerns. One concern was expressed that there will be a lot happening in the next two years that will impact the results of this study and there may need another study done again in two years. After Board discussion, Mr. Shern made a motion to approve $150K out of the New Initiatives account to fund the Blueprint Cumberland 3.0 Comprehensive Plan. Chairman Leithead seconded the motion which was unanimously approved. D. Updates: Ms. Rivers introduced Ms. Noelle Lloyd. Ms. Lloyd is the CCID s Communications & Outreach Manager. 1. Akers Mill Ramp Update: Ms. Rivers outlined the Akers Mill Ramp project benchmarks. Back in October 2014, the CCID Board committed to moving forward with the Akers Mill Ramp project recognizing that it was not part of the existing design build financed project that the state is building and it is a necessary improvement for this community. After having conversations with GDOT, the CCID initiated this work by contracting Parsons Design Group as the designer (they are the designer of the Northwest Corridor Project), Parsons Brinckerhoff the environmental firm, and Jacobs the project management firm. There have been two tracks this group has been following: 1) funding submitted applications and received a hard commitment from ARC through federal funds in the amount of $4M, and a pending application with the state through GTIB from whom we should hear by the end of May.
April 28, 2016 Page 3 of 5 We also submitted for two federal funds that are available through the new transportation bill through FAST Act Fastlane Grant and Tiger Grant. Both have been submitted for in excess of $13M on each of those and the County was the sponsoring agency on behalf of the CCID. Conversations continue to be had with other funding partners and the group will continue to work closely with ARC because as the planning agency charged with designating federal funds it is always tweaking the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), looking for opportunities, and the CCID will continue to seek them out. The funding is on track and coming together. 2) On the technical side, it s proving to be slightly more challenging. Even though the CCID is using the state s design team, the CCID must pass through the approval process of the state and GDOT has come back with some questions on the initial submittal. That initial submittal is called an Interchange Modification Report (IMR). The state, including GDOT and SRTA, have asked the CCID to make some material changes to the report that has been submitted. There have been a series of conversations to go through the discovery phase and the first was receiving a letter back from the GDOT indicating some of the questions and issues that it would like for the CCID to address, then a follow up meeting with GDOT staff, engineers and the State s project manager. Then after that, a very helpful meeting with leadership including the Commissioner of GDOT, Chief Engineer of GDOT, State planning director, Executive Director of SRTA and GRTA, CCID Board members, the leader designer and community business leaders. It was a policy and relationship meeting as much as it was a technical conversation meeting about the project. The meeting ended with GDOT asking the CCID team through Parsons Design Group and Jacobs to look at some of the alternatives that were discussed at that meeting and determine a high level feasibility, bring it back to the state in short order, get direction from the state on which alternative they would like for the CCID team to pursue and then resubmit an IMR based on that new direction. The next meeting with the GDOT Commissioner and the Chief Engineer will be the third week of May. The information requested will be submitted ahead of this meeting so that they can give some direction to proceed on this technical course. The CCID team continues to work within this fluid environment, but the State is getting realigned with the project and the needs. Chairman Leithead stated this is a situation where Jacobs is doing a tremendous amount of service for the CCID. GDOT understands this project needs to be done and the August deadline associated with it. This project has been elevated. It is very difficult to nail down the funding until the CCID knows if there is a project. Ms. Rivers stated she was not in a place to give an updated cost estimate at this meeting, but perhaps at the June meeting. After the GDOT meeting in May, there will be more information on pricing and the schedule of the project. 2. 2016 Strategic Planning Retreat Update: Ms. Rivers announced the 2016 Strategic Planning Retreat will be on Thursday, September 29, 2016 from 8:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. with a condensed abbreviated Board meeting at 7:30 a.m. E. Operations 1. Capital Improvement a. Project Updates: Ms. Clark, Operations Manager, gave updates on: Windy Hill / I-75 Interchange DDI, Windy Hill East & West Side Road Improvement, US 41 Widening & Trail, Akers Mill Trail east (Bob Callan Loop Trail), Cumberland Boulevard Bridgescape, Bob Callan Trunk Trail Ph. II A, Terrell Mill Connector and I-285 Pedestrian Bridge.
April 28, 2016 Page 4 of 5 Ms. Clark updated Board members on the Riverwood Streetscape. At last month s meeting the Board approved $3K for the mid-block crossing and the report came back warranted. Now that the signal is warranted the extra $3K that the Board committed for the total of $6Kwill go to make the design modification and then be bid out. The project s current construction estimate is approximately $500K, which has always been scoped to be 100% funded by the CCID. 2. Community Programs & Service a. Landscape Maintenance: Ms. Clark stated Russell Landscaping and OLM are doing a great job maintaining the area with all the construction going on. Chairman Leithead asked that staff attach a high priority to the slope on the west side of Cobb Pkwy and the I-285/I-75 interchange clean up. Ms. Rivers stated there will be a brief presentation with maps and illustrations at the next Board meeting. Chairman Leithead thanked Ms. Clark for her help with coordinating the landscaping at Cumberland Mall near the monument for Lindsey McBee. Lindsey was killed crossing Cobb Parkway. Cumberland Mall will be maintaining this area moving forward. 3. Plans & Studies a. Bike Master Plan Update: The advisory group met on April 7 th and the next steps are to conduct stakeholder interviews and the advisory group will meet in May. F. Communications & Outreach: 1. 2016 Communications Plan Activities: Noelle Lloyd, Communications & Outreach Manager, reported she is making updates and tweaks to the existing strategic communications outreach plan and working to advance the projects and initiatives. Board member Shern asked how the CCID is communicating the construction in the area. Ms. Rivers responded that outreach is taking place with the monthly News & Views and it is supplemented by a weekly construction blast. There are approximately 4700 on the distribution list. The newsletters are also supplemented with social media posts and linking to Cobb DOT updates. Ms. Rivers thanked Bryan Bebout for his help in getting out the messages to property owners and the community. Earlier in the week the Skip Spann Bridge opened in Kennesaw. It is a great example of public private partnership. It is the first lighted bridge. The Town Center CID is very proud of this accomplishment. Cobb County Issues & Updates Commissioner Ott reported there is possibly a senior living center with 170 units going up in Wildwood. Commissioner Ott has met with the broker at the old Houston s Restaurant pad. There is a possibility of a hybrid restaurant and hotel coming into the area. The County is in the final stages of acquiring the property for Fire Station 29. The land values in the area have dramatically increased.
April 28, 2016 Page 5 of 5 Financials: Tax Digest Collections, Top Tax Payers, Tax Parcel Overview, & Tax Parcel Overview Map: Ms. Rivers reported the County has released its 2016 preliminary tax digest. At the meeting each year the County distributes the digest for all the taxing authorities including the CCID, but this year the County did not provide Cumberland s commercial digest because the area is so hot that they did not have a separate percentage for the CCID. The CCID could collect upwards of $6.1M prior to appeals (9% over the $5.6M from last year). The projection for 2016 is $5.8M. The tax digest is basically back to a prerecession figure; with residential property values driving up the digest (7% over last year). Ms. Plummer will continue to crunch numbers. Ms. Rivers and Mr. Winters have been working on data collection for the CCID s financial projections and modeling. Chairman Leithead would like to stay conservative and the Board will review the updated projections at the retreat. Chairman Lee stated the Cumberland CID is doing a great job on communicating the projects to the community. He went on to state maybe a joint robust effort like purchasing radio spots will drive the community to get the information, or maybe temporary signage in the area would help. The CCID makes opportunities happen at a faster rate than otherwise. The infrastructure improvements are what bring private investment and creates jobs. The County is thankful for the great partnership. Chairman Lee reported Cobb s fire rating went from a 3 to 1. This is the highest rating in the country. It is important because it ensures your community that people live in a safe environment and it keeps commercial and retail property owners insurance rates low. This rating will go into effect August 1. OTHER BUSINESS Chairman Leithead encouraged everyone to vote. Early voting starts Tuesday until May 24. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for the same location on May 26, 2016 at 7:30 a.m. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:53 a.m. Approved by the Board this day of, 2016 Secretary
MEETING MINUTES CUMBERLAND COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT Thursday, March 31, 2016 MEMBERS PRESENT Tad Leithead Connie Engel Mike Plant Barry Teague Bob Voyles Mason Zimmerman EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Malaika Rivers LEGAL COUNSEL Lynn Rainey COBB CHAMBER OF COMMERCE David Connell Melissa Crook Bryan Bebout Kyethea Clark Roxanne Plummer Mike Winters COBB COUNTY Chairman Tim Lee Commissioner Bob Ott Jim Wilgus JACOBS Vinay Uchil Jeff Woodward OTHERS PRESENT Buddy Gratton, Moreland Altobelli Stone Ermentrout, Stone Tevis Inv. Chris Rideout, Croy Engineering Lindsey Burruss, Cobb Travel & Tourism Peter Hortman, AECOM Kori Stokes, EpiCity/Powers Ferry Business Park John Freyermuth, Georgia Commute Options Ron Sifen, Vinings Meris Lutz, MDJ The March meeting of the Cumberland Community Improvement District Board was called to order at 7:34 a.m. on Thursday, March 31, 2016 at the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, 240 Interstate North Parkway, Atlanta, Cobb County, Georgia, pursuant to legal notice. A quorum was present. Chairman Leithead presided and welcomed special guests. ITEMS FOR APPROVAL 1. Minutes: Mr. Voyles made a motion to approve the February 25, 2016 Minutes of the CID Board. Ms. Engel seconded the motion which was unanimously approved. 2. Approval of Financial Statement: After making the Treasurer s Report, Mr. Teague made a motion to approve the February Financial Report (Exhibit A) as presented and the invoices and cash disbursements as presented (Exhibit B). Ms. Engel seconded the motion which was unanimously approved. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR S REPORT: A. Real Estate Activity: Investment, Sales, Land Use & Residential: Ms. Rivers reviewed the Investment Sales, Land Use and Residential collaterals. Through March 18, 2016 the total value of permits in the CCID is $90.5M (nearly $85M of that is commercial or CCID taxable). This makes up 87% of Cobb County s total commercial permit value to date in 2016. Ms. Rivers went on to state in 2016, almost $100M in commercial properties have sold so far in the CCID area, selling on average 119% above tax assessor values. There continues to be an uptick in residential units zoned in the CCID. There are 6,806 dwelling units/13,612 new residents coming into the area.
March 31, 2016 Page 2 of 4 B. Work Program: CID Open Projects & Other Agency Open Projects: Ms. Rivers stated the CCID has 24 projects in the total work program and is valued in excess of $236M with $130M under construction. So far the CCID has received outside commitments of $146M towards those projects. The CCID has also committed $50M to those projects and there is a $40M funding gap which CCID staff continues to work on closing. The CCID has identified at least $6M that will be coming to the CCID. Ms. Rivers referred Board members to the Other Agency Open Projects spreadsheet which was formerly called the Cobb County Initiated Projects sheet. The format has been revised which mimics the CCID work program spreadsheet. C. Financial Requests & Updates: 1. Riverwood Streetscape ($6,000 for Mid-Block Crossing Needs): Ms. Rivers reported this streetscape project is proceeding along so that construction bids can be released shortly with responses due back in May. The project s current construction estimate is $480,000, a cost that the CCID has been expecting to bear and will be asked to approve in May. Recently an adjacent property owner, Seven Oaks, requested that a mid-block crossing be added to this improvement. Before proceeding with this step, the County is requiring a study be performed to determine if the crossing is warranted. For $3,000, ARCADIS will complete the study, and if warranted, will modify the existing design plans for another $3,000. If the mid-block crossing is added, it will likely add $15,000 to the construction estimate. If the plan revision isn t necessary, any unspent committed balance will help offset the cost of the intended construction commitment in May. Mr. Teague made a motion to approve $6,000 for ARCADIS to proceed with pedestrian study for potential mid-block crossing and redesign if warranted. Mr. Zimmerman seconded the motion which was unanimously approved. 2. Stillhouse Trails Update: Ms. Rivers gave Board members an update on Stillhouse. The CCID has been working on this for about 2 years with stakeholders (the Vinings community, District Commissioner Ott, and Cobb DOT) and have engaged a design firm to do some concepts that would look at adding some greenway trails in this area. Stakeholders have been working together very well on this effort and agree on the general concept. The next phase is a submittal to the Cobb County Parks Bond in terms of seeking some funding opportunities. The application will be submitted by the Vinings contacts next month. Cobb County Parks will prepare, vet and then submit the application to the Board of Commissioners by October. The CCID will have more information by the end of the year. 3. Akers Mill Ramp Update: Ms. Rivers began by stating this presentation has been delayed another month because the CCID is still waiting on the design team to get the costing plan which will revise the budget numbers associated with the ramp. Archer Western has still not submitted project costs. In the meantime, CCID staff has submitted the Interchange Modification Report (IMR) to GDOT and GDOT has provided the CCID with comments. Chairman Leithead stated there still is a fair amount of work to be done. The CCID has experienced an unexpected level of technical challenges from GDOT with regard to design. Chairman Leithead and Ms. Rivers have had several meetings with GDOT and potential funders are likely to put funding into the project. The project is moving forward and still on track for the August deadline. This project is really important. Chairman Leithead asked the Cobb Chamber to help the business community convey the importance of this project to GDOT. If this NW Corridor Project moves forward without this ramp it would really work a hardship. This community is arguably one of the largest business and residential communities in the region. Both projects (Terrell Mill Connector & Akers Mill Ramp) need to be built together. Board members discussed organizing some major business owners and key representatives of the business community to give a briefing on how important this project is to the region and then they can meet with GDOT to express the importance of the ramp. David Connell, Cobb Chamber stated this is a regional project and will work with Ms. Rivers on a combined strategy. The CCID board is deeply behind this project.
March 31, 2016 Page 3 of 4 4. Blueprint Cumberland 3.0 Strategy Update: Ms. Rivers reminded the Board that she had previously reported that the CCID was not awarded funding from the ARC for its submittal. At that time, the Board had discussed how to proceed: moving forward with the study by fully funding it, delaying it a year or two given the changing environment, applying for the next round of funds, or breaking out a few priority elements of the study advancing those. To help determine the best strategy, Ms. Rivers and staff have been meeting with ARC about potential next step but have not determined a best course at this time given that ARC is still very fluid in what they will be doing over the next twelve months. She reported however, that ARC did confirm that the CCID will continue to be eligible for capital funds and that the CCID is not required to move forward with an update at this point. Ms. Rivers went on to discuss the potential of advancing one of the priority elements; transportation. She stated that most of the current crop of transportation improvements are known, given the dozens of projects that are making their way into the community over the next year given the recent push to advance these Braves and growth-related projects. She stated that the CCID needs to be looking at the next round of projects that the community needs, given that it will take a decade to get them through the pipeline. Given these points, Ms. Rivers indicated a desire to move forward with either the more comprehensive Blueprint visioning effort, or the more narrowed transportation component. Chairman Leithead commented that it s important for the CCID to understand the community s needs and that waiting for things to settle would only put the CCID further behind. He stated this is something the Board should move forward with and would like to have this data complied as soon as possible. He went on to ask for a vote. Board member Voyles made a motion to approve an amount not to exceed $150K to complete Blueprint Cumberland 3.0. The funds would come out of the New Initiatives account. Chairman Leithead seconded the motion. Board member Teague asked how often study information is used with Commissioner Ott responding that the two previous Blueprint studies are indeed included in the County s Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Voyles commented that it will help re-frame the CCID s vision going forward. Board members agreed with Voyles and feel it needs to be done in short order. The area is evolving a needs guidance. Board member Zimmerman asked what the difference is between a comprehensive visioning update (per the ARC application) vs the deconstructed component plan. Ms. Rivers stated that the comprehensive visioning effort consists of many elements, i.e. housing, jobs, land use, transportation, environment etc. That effort would address those chosen elements and their relationship to each other which will result in recommendations, but not necessarily an action plan for each given the study s breadth.. An effort that would focus on one of the elements, however, would result in very specific action items and projects. She went on to state that the CCID s main focus is transportation infrastructure and that the CCID s work program needs to be replenished given its advanced state. Studies, including the Blueprint Cumberland effort over the past 15 years, have been very valuable to the CCID because they birth all of the projects in the community, and without studying the need and opportunity, it s hard to effectively chart your course. After further discussion, Mr. Voyles asked CCID staff to frame out what a recommended scope would be so that the Board could further understand the best course of action and what the deliverables would be. Ms. Rivers stated she will begin working on this and have more information at next month s meeting. Mr. Voyles stated the first thing to do is put the framework together with the Board, seek Board input and then move forward. Mr. Voyles withdrew his motion. Chairman Leithead stated the issue will be readdressed at the April Board meeting. D. Operations 1. Capital Improvement Projects Performance Project: Ms. Clark, Operations Manager, gave updates on: Windy Hill / I-75 Interchange DDI, Windy Hill East & West Side Road Improvement, US 41 Widening & Trail, Akers Mill Trail east (Bob Callan Loop Trail), Cumberland Boulevard Bridgescape,
March 31, 2016 Page 4 of 4 Bob Callan Trunk Trail Ph. II A, Riverwood Parkway Streetscape, Terrell Mill Connector and I-285 Pedestrian Bridge. 2. Plans & Studies Update a. Bike Master Plan Update: Ms. Clark reported the consultants from PATH Foundation have collected and compiled the data of existing conditions and opportunities. The next advisory meeting will be April 7 th and findings will be presented. Mr. Voyles asked for an update on the slope on the west side of Cobb Pkwy and the I-285 Interchange clean up. Mr. Voyles would like a meeting to be set with GDOT soon to discuss the set up and how to maintain. Jeff Woodward, Jacobs stated he has met with GDOT and will be circling back to schedule another meeting. GDOT does have landscaping in the plans. The interchange will be completed in 2018. Ms. Engel asked for an update on the Cumberland Boulevard Bridgescape. Ms. Rivers stated no one bid on the job. The cost estimates have gone up and labor and materials are expensive. Moving forward the rebid will be in May. Ms. Rivers will give an update in June. E. Communications & Outreach: Ms. Rivers stated Noelle Lloyd, Communications Outreach Manager will start on Monday. Cobb County Issues & Updates Commissioner Ott updated Board members on the East Cobb Pipeline Project. In the beginning of June, construction crews will begin construction at Indian Hills Parkway and Cove Drive. Lane closures should last approximately one week. Commissioner Ott has met with the broker at the old Houston s Restaurant pad. There is a possibility of a hybrid restaurant and hotel coming into the area. Jim Wilgus, Cobb DOT Interim Director stated the county s construction ambassador program has been expanded into Cumberland. They have been meeting with property owners around the stadium. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Connell reported that Cindy Miller, Senior Vice President of HR retired from the Chamber on April 1 st. Chairman Leithead stated she was an extraordinary asset to the CCID and will be missed. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for the same location on April 28, 2016 at 7:30 a.m. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 a.m. Approved by the Board this day of, 2016 Secretary