[0:02] Test, test. Good evening, everyone. Sorry, we're having difficulties with

[0:05] our streaming services tonight. So, we're going to go

[0:08] ahead and record. Confirm we are recording.

[0:11] All right. Welcome, everyone. Tonight's August 3rd, 2026 City Council workshop

[0:17] starting at 5:10, almost 5:11 p.m. Um we're just short one counselor, but

[0:22] since this is a workshop, um we're going to go ahead and start with a

[0:25] report on a possible urban renewal area for the

[0:28] Caldwell Executive Airport. Our economic development staff, who's here tonight,

[0:32] will be discussing the concept and and then afterward there's going to be

[0:35] time for council to ask questions. With that, thank you

[0:38] for everyone for being here tonight. And welcome, economic development.

[0:50] » Good evening, mayor, council members. My name is Ophelia Morales. I'm the

[0:54] assistant economic development director for the city of Caldwell, as well as

[0:58] executive director for urban renewal. And my team today is Dan Torres, our

[1:03] economic development director, Mark Hilty, our urban renewal attorney, Scott

[1:08] Swanson, our executive director of the airport, Ryan Kida, our economic

[1:12] development specialist, and I do have a few members of our urban renewal board

[1:17] here as well. Um so, thank you so much for your time

[1:21] this evening. Um again, we're bringing to you a possible concept of a hopefully

[1:28] future urban renewal district for the airport area. So, the airport should be

[1:32] viewed as a catalyst for economic development rather than simply

[1:36] transportation facility. Businesses rely on efficient air access to move people,

[1:41] goods, and services, making the airport an important piece of the community's

[1:45] economic infrastructure. Investing in airport improvements enhances the

[1:49] region's competitiveness, attracts new business, supports existing employers,

[1:53] and creates opportunities for future commercial and industrial development.

[1:57] Urban renewal can play a strategic role by helping finance the infrastructure

[2:00] improvements that encourages investment in and around the airport. However, it

[2:05] should be used selectively and in coordination with other funding source.

[2:09] By leveraging urban renewal alongside federal and state grants, airport

[2:13] revenues, and other financing tools, the community can maximize investment while

[2:18] preserving flexibility for future projects. The goal is not to simply

[2:22] improve the airport, but use the airport as an engine for broader economic

[2:26] strategic infrastructure investments that can stimulate business expansion,

[2:30] increase employment opportunities for our community, strengthen the local tax

[2:34] base, and position the community as a regional hub for commerce, aviation, and

[2:39] industry. And I do have a PowerPoint there, and

[2:43] our economic development director will be joining me here at the podium

[2:48] to cover the the financial component of an urban renewal district.

[2:57] So a little bit about how tax increment

[3:01] finance works through an urban renewal district, the district's tax value is

[3:06] fixed at the formation. Every existing taxing district keeps collecting on that

[3:11] base, and so where urban renewal isn't new to the

[3:14] city, we've had a district, a 1998 district that was a fairly large

[3:19] district that sunsetted a few years ago. So here at the city, we're a little

[3:22] familiar of how that works where we capture that increment and utilize that

[3:26] increment only for that specific district.

[3:33] And then again here, the airport is a strategic asset for the city, like I've

[3:36] mentioned before. In many other places, we've looked at

[3:40] airports that do have an airport urban renewal

[3:44] district. Hailey, Pocatello being some of those examples on how they leverage

[3:48] their airport to again bring that investment into their community.

[3:55] And so, why now? Um again, we're supporting the airport. Again, we want

[3:59] to make sure that it is one of the greatest assets that we have here in the

[4:03] city that can help us again bring in that much-needed tax base that we need

[4:09] and some of those businesses that um will help support our community.

[4:14] And so, we are again looking to capture that tax increment finance again to help

[4:19] in in in that area. Now, I will make a note that I did let our urban renewal

[4:24] board know that we at one point had um asked if we can create this district by

[4:31] the end of the year. There was a catalyst project it there in that area

[4:35] that we were hoping to cap capture some of that increment finance to help uh

[4:40] this district get a head start. Um we did meet with the assessor last week,

[4:45] the King County Assessor, and he did let us know that that project is actually on

[4:49] the tax roll already. So, what we're asking for today here is just your

[4:54] thumbs up, thumbs down if we are moving the right direction so that we can

[4:57] continue having that conversation in regards to this specific district. And

[5:02] so, here's our proposed district boundary. It does in again include some

[5:06] of that county area. Um and again, we will be having conversations with our

[5:11] stakeholders. Again, this is just early dialogue with you all to see if there's

[5:16] any interest, if we should move forward or not.

[5:20] And then, here shows you again that area um in that area of course has been

[5:26] planned through our comprehensive map here. You can see where our employment

[5:30] center is. There's a a huge employment center within that those boundaries as

[5:35] well as mixed-use center. So, kind of give you that. And then, now I'll have

[5:40] our economic development director join me to talk a little bit about the

[5:44] project list.

[5:48] » Good afternoon. Um so, a little background uh

[5:54] the the fact that Caldwell has an airport is a phenomenal asset and we

[5:58] really the opinion is that we should be taking

[6:00] advantage of that. Um this initial project list um comes from the airport

[6:05] capital improvement plan that was adopted um I want to say in 2020 2021.

[6:11] Um what uh Scott and I did is we looked at projects within that

[6:16] uh uh master plan that scored a 70 or above and front-loaded this project. Um

[6:20] we imagine that this list will probably change over time

[6:24] um as we meet with the different stakeholders, um as we look at um

[6:28] items that would have a catalytic economic uh development um

[6:33] um Is that the correct word? Um impact uh

[6:38] or a life safety. The other thing that we brought on this uh project list was

[6:42] we looked at the transportation master plan. I think it's called the Caldwell

[6:46] Area Transportation System Plan. Um and looked at roadway improvements within um

[6:52] the proposed boundaries. We included that in this list. We also

[6:56] um plan on meeting with other stakeholders um both within the city and

[7:00] outside on the public sector uh to refine this list uh further, but the

[7:05] initial list is about a hundred and ten million dollars worth of projects. The

[7:09] idea uh of this uh district is to advance these where possible uh to bring

[7:15] an additional funding source to bring some of these to fruition faster. As an

[7:19] example for FAA projects at the airport, uh the FAA generally pays 90% of the

[7:25] cost of these um improvements. Uh the 10% is a split between the city and

[7:30] other agencies usually that the state, um but you have to get on a list for

[7:33] that. And again, in order to help the airport become an economic catalyst, we

[7:38] want to see if we can advance these where were

[7:41] So, this one. Um some initial um estimations uh

[7:47] looking at the assessed value within the uh the proposed boundary is that there's

[7:51] a base um assess uh assessed value of about $604 million. Um

[7:56] um using kind of a straight-line uh estimation where we look at the increase

[8:01] of uh appreciated values as well as the um

[8:05] uh an increase in levy rate over that time, that um we project that there'll

[8:10] be $157 million in tax revenue um generated within this district. However,

[8:16] one of the things that we're here before you today is to uh help fund a

[8:20] feasibility study, which will dial in um these projections, not just the project

[8:25] list, but also um the tax increment that would be generated within this district.

[8:32] Um I need this one, too. Some key key assumptions here are that growth will

[8:37] occur in this area. Again, um this is in line with what we believe uh to be in

[8:41] the comprehensive plan. Um as I feel I mentioned, they are identified as

[8:45] employment centers um and kind of a commercial corridor along

[8:49] Ustick. Um so, we believe that we've done our land use uh planning correctly.

[8:54] Um we anticipate growth to happen in here. Uh what we're looking for is a

[8:58] mechanism to help offset um any potential uh costs, extraordinary costs,

[9:03] uh to development and to have advanced um identified projects and to address

[9:08] any life safety issues that we find in this area.

[9:11] Um some risks that always occur are always potential um in setting up a

[9:16] urban renewal district is slower growth that doesn't happen uh as fast as we

[9:20] want, um the variabilities of market interest

[9:23] rates, um cost escalations. Um again, going

[9:27] back to that uh capital project list, it was um

[9:31] 3 or 4 years old already, and as we've seen the cost of projects rise, um those

[9:36] are always subject uh, to change. Um, and then we also want this to be, uh, a

[9:41] living plan. So, we'll we'll start it with identified projects, um, but we

[9:45] will the order that they're listed is not

[9:48] necessarily the order that will happen. They'll happen as development occurs

[9:51] and, uh, the need is presented.

[9:57] » Okay, so again, um, like I mentioned earlier before, the purpose of the

[10:01] district is a greater airport area strategy. So, it's not just specific for

[10:06] the airport, but it's specific more to the area that will be identified by,

[10:10] again, working with our, um, many stakeholders in the area. So, it

[10:15] benefits the entire community, not just the airport.

[10:20] And so, again, here what we want to use is we want to use urban renewal as a

[10:25] tool. Um, again, we'll continue to look at other state of state incentives,

[10:30] community improvement districts, revenue bonds, foreign trade zone, etc. Just

[10:34] Again, just making sure that you're all aware that this is a tool that can help

[10:39] that area and many other areas in Caldwell.

[10:43] And then again, here going back to that coordinated approach of development,

[10:48] um, we will look at an airport area special area plan. Again, just to kind

[10:54] of help guide the, um, the infrastructure to help guide what that

[10:59] area would look like in the future. And here again, who are the the

[11:04] stakeholders? City Council, city staff, airport board, URA. And again, like I

[11:09] mentioned, I have presented this to our urban renewal board. I've also presented

[11:13] this to our airport board to kind of give them, um,

[11:17] let them know what we're thinking in terms of, uh, utilizing this tool.

[11:22] And then, what are the next steps? So, we'll fund a feasibility study,

[11:27] um, and the airport does have a retainer with a JUB,

[11:32] um, at the moment. So, we're looking at potentially working with a JUB or others

[11:39] to do that feasibility study. And then, number three is really the district

[11:44] adoption process, what that looks like. Again, we're here just to kind of get

[11:48] your feedback if this is something that you want to move forward or not. Then,

[11:53] we if you if there's something that you do want to move forward, then we'll go

[11:55] back to our urban renewal board for again that ask. And then, we can start

[12:01] the process of creating this district.

[12:07] And with that, I will stand for any questions that you may have.

[12:12] » Thank you, Evilyn and Dan. We really appreciate the work you guys put into

[12:15] this. And as we know, the airport has a lot of things in

[12:19] motion right now. So, this could be an important tool that we

[12:23] could utilize, but ultimately it's up to the council

[12:26] or urban renewal agency. And with that, council, do you have questions?

[12:29] Councilman Denver. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Can you go back to

[12:32] a couple slides? Let's start with the one that is

[12:35] anticipated benefits. It says a bunch. Okay.

[12:40] Right there. So, you have on here the benefits as the infrastructure, tax

[12:43] base, jobs. I I understand those those benefits. But

[12:48] then, if you scroll back to your capital improvements list,

[12:52] right there. So, I don't see anything on here for infrastructure, road, water,

[13:01] um any sort of a public utility. Uh would those necessarily be included

[13:07] in this list? >> We could include those in the list as

[13:09] we're working with our stakeholders. Um here, we will be able to identify what

[13:16] of what those projects look like and what projects could potentially benefit

[13:20] this area. So, uh this again was taken from the airport um

[13:26] area of the airport list of projects as well as like uh

[13:30] Dan mentioned the the transportation uh list as well. So,

[13:35] that's where this was taken from. But, yes, we could include others as we're

[13:39] having those conversations with those stakeholders within that area.

[13:42] » Sure, and I understand urban renewal is, you know, one of your one of your

[13:45] stakeholders in this and they're going to take whatever, you know, approach to

[13:50] this that they take to it. But, when we talk about those items that would

[13:55] be considered, you know, catalyst for development, um

[14:00] are all of these items on this list potential catalyst for development or

[14:06] are these more maintenance issues for the airport?

[14:10] » Uh no, they're they're not. And so, I think

[14:12] Dan mentioned that they had taken that scoring from this list to see which rise

[14:18] above those projects that would impact the total total area, not just the

[14:23] airport specifically. >> Okay.

[14:26] » Do you do you mind if if I add to that? I think it's a good question. It's not

[14:29] an exhausted exhaustive list. Um we still have to look at parks needs and

[14:34] other needs. The thought here was to front-load it with a clearly ident-

[14:39] itemized uh known list of projects um to help give uh the agency um kind of some

[14:45] guide posts of of known projects. Uh the other piece of the question uh I

[14:49] think was what what are catalytic. Um and so, we do want to go through that

[14:52] list. Again, the initial the initial um list was generated 17 and above, but we

[14:57] do want to dive deeper into that in consultation with the airport board uh

[15:00] to really look at again, life safety. Um one of the things that's been talked

[15:04] about a lot is a tower um that allows uh uh greater, how do you call it, uh

[15:10] diversity of of flights and uh times and safety and stuff. So, we really wanted

[15:14] to to dial it in to that piece. And and the other side is we do talk a lot about

[15:19] economic development. Um one of the things that talk about this a little bit

[15:22] in my later presentation, but is how do we quantify need and how do we

[15:27] um help the development uh community

[15:31] make the case for but for. I can't do this but for this investment. So, kind

[15:36] of change the narrative from um giving money just because it's happening to

[15:41] reserving the money for things that are extraordinary.

[15:47] » Just to clarify, Council Dinner, you'd like to see infrastructure projects in

[15:51] there?

[15:54] » Mr. Mayor, I'm not saying I need to see infrastructure projects in there, but we

[15:58] just had a discussion a couple weeks ago about electrical needs, you know, and

[16:03] you know, would the the electrical needs of the airport fall under a capital

[16:09] improvement list uh that could be addressed?

[16:13] » It's an excellent uh question. Urban renewal is uh kind of

[16:16] circumscribed um by the state, so it has to have a

[16:19] uh a public benefit. You can't uh anymore you cannot uh give money to

[16:24] something that doesn't have a that public benefit nexus. So, um I think at

[16:27] this point since we're in the feasibility well, potentially in the

[16:29] feasibility side, it's identifying all the all the known needs and then finding

[16:34] out which ones are actually statutorily able to be addressed.

[16:38] » We'll definitely take a look at those. Thank you, Council Dinner. Mayor Council

[16:41] Tilman, um that kind of falls into my question.

[16:44] Um you're including the control tower, and

[16:48] this may be a question for Scott. I'm not 100% sure. Um

[16:53] how would urban renewal would that then fall all the cost on the

[16:58] tower if it is allowed? Would that then fall under urban renewal

[17:03] and not on the taxpayers that we're looking at right now? And how would that

[17:06] possibly affect any grants or funding that we might get for the tower?

[17:10] » So

[17:17] Uh Mr. Mayor, Councillor Tilmont, Scott Swanson, Director of Aviation. Um

[17:22] with that question saying if uh the use of URA funds were used to construct the

[17:26] control tower as opposed to uh like the general fund or allocated funding from

[17:32] the taxpayers in the community. >> Correct. I mean, when we talked before,

[17:35] you were saying that it may cost us upwards of

[17:39] 3 to 4 million dollars to build the tower if we got the grants from the FAA.

[17:43] It's now being listed as a 6 and 1/2 million dollar project and I'm just

[17:46] wondering would that then fall under a URA project or would that fall under

[17:50] You kind of see where I'm coming with this.

[17:52] » Yes, I do. Absolutely. Uh Councillor Tilmont, so this project list that was

[17:56] put together by uh Dan, myself, and Ophelia is kind of just a a first go. Um

[18:03] this was taken out of the 2020 Airport Master Plan where at the time you could

[18:07] do a control tower for 6 and 1/2 7 million dollars. At this time now, that

[18:12] is a lot of the pricing on here would need to get updated before it was

[18:15] finalized into a legitimate project list. Um and a lot of things I look at

[18:20] is kind of like um Councillor Dittenber pointed out is, you

[18:23] know, the utility of the area and what's that being looked like. Uh for me, one

[18:27] of the highest priorities would be a curb gutter sidewalk along the north

[18:30] side of Aviation Way, at least from Eustick to Linden. Uh just get some

[18:35] walkability in those areas and then that road on the north side for access into

[18:39] the undeveloped area of the airport or kind of area. So, this was taken to

[18:43] populate the project list. I would not look at the pricing on this project list

[18:47] as finite or, you know, never changing because we know that's not the case. Um

[18:53] back to your question though, if we utilize URA funding to meet a federal

[18:57] grant match, I have found nothing in regulation that says you can't do that.

[19:01] URA doesn't have it within the state code.

[19:04] Uh federal guidance doesn't talk anything about it. Um I think really

[19:09] it's whether or not the sponsor has a match capable and I think that would be

[19:13] a deeper discussion with legal on whether a urban renewal agency counts as

[19:19] a sponsor for the city if they're an agency for that city that owns the

[19:23] airport. So, that would take some looking into

[19:25] on whether or not that would even I do not expect to be able to use URA funding

[19:29] for a control tower. I would expect it to come how it always comes

[19:34] and then we'd get that 90 to 95% match from the feds to do it.

[19:37] » Okay. That was my question. Thank you. >> And with that Council Tilmont, we can

[19:42] follow up with a grant um coordinator and stuff for the FAA

[19:46] just to clarify if we're that's a allowed

[19:49] option.

[19:52] Council Allgood? >> Yeah, I'll feel you. I realize this is

[19:56] very early, but just just my two cents uh going along the lines of what Council

[20:01] Dinnenberg talked about things like the Ustick I-84 interchange,

[20:06] those kind of things. I see those as much more important and

[20:10] much more of a catalyst to that area than doing runway lights or you know

[20:15] what I'm saying? >> Mhm.

[20:16] » Uh runway lights are something we can budget for, but something big like an

[20:20] interchange at Ustick would would change the entire environment out there.

[20:24] » Absolutely. >> And and so um yeah, as we move forward I

[20:29] I I would like to see that kind of stuff move up on the list.

[20:32] » Thank you for that. Thank you for that comment.

[20:36] » Thank you Council Allgood and I agree that with that. Um anything else from

[20:39] Council?

[20:45] All right, thank you. And that concludes Thank you Economic Development

[20:50] for putting this together. Obviously, this is a working list.

[20:53] This is not an action item tonight, just a workshop to give Council

[20:56] some information and with that we'll go ahead and conclude at 5:31 tonight's

[21:00] workshop and we'll see you back at 6:00 p.m.

[21:11] » Mhm.

2026/8/3 City Council Workshop

Transcript