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09-04-2007 HRA MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2007 Members Present: Chair Wilson, Commissioners Kuester, Lieser, Moon and Toth Members Absent: None Staff Present: City Administrator Lori Johnson; Community Development Director Scott Clark, Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich, Assistant Director of Economic Development Heidi Steinmetz, Recording Secretary Debbie Huebner Call Meeting To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Housing and Redevelopment Authority was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chair Wilson. Consider September 42007 HRA Agenda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER TOTH AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO APPROVE THE JUNE 4, 2007, HRA AGENDA WITH THE • FOLLOWING ADDITION: ADD: ITEM 6.1-CONSIDER FACILITY USE REQUEST FOR 716 MAIN STREET. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4. Open Mike There was no one present for Open Mike. 5. Discuss Mississippi Connections Redevelopment Framework Project Chair Wilson explained that the City Council has suspended the Task Force until completion of a Highway 10 geometric study. He suggested the HRA's feedback and discussion, including the estimated timeframe for the study, commitment of the members to reconvene upon completion of the study, and identifying priority HRA projects and work plan during the interim. Mr. Clark stated that he and Public Works Director Terry Maurer met with representatives of Mn/DOT and SRF regarding an extension of the Highway 169 Study contract to include the Highway 10 geometric study. He estimated a "ballpark" cost of $500,000 for the additional work and it would take approximately six months or less to complete. He anticipates that a proposal will be presented at the October City Council work session. Mr. Clark explained that if the City Council authorizes the work, the study could start November 15C and concluded by late October. Commissioner Toth asked what Mn/DOT's comments Housing & Redevelopment Authority Minutes Page 2 September 4, 2007 were on the proposal. Mr. Clark stated that Mn/DOT indicated they were willing to proceed with the Highway 10 study as an extension of the Highway 169 contract. Chair Wilson stated that he hoped that the Task Force would remain intact for the time it takes to complete the study. He asked if staff has received any responses back from the Task Force. Ms. Mehelich stated no. Chair Wilson asked if the terms of any of the Boards and Commission members on the Task Force would be expiring or be up for reappointment prior to trying to reconvene the Task Force. Ms. Mehelich stated that staff will check on the status of the terms. Commissioner Motin stated that he prefers that whoever is on the Task Force now would remain. He explained that the members have been involved in an extensive learning process and the Council would want them to continue, unless they cannot or do not wish to continue. Chair Wilson stated that the geometric study for Highway 10 would have been a good tool for the Task Force to base their decisions on, if it had been available. Commissioner Motin explained that the Council has placed the Task Force on "hiatus", and that it has nothing to do with having any dissatisfaction with their work. He stated that the Council received comments from the public and some Task Force members who were frustrated with the process, since Highway 10 was such an important element. Commissioner Lieser asked if the Task Force would be provided options for Highway 10, as was done for Highway 169, or if the City Council would choose one first. Commissioner Motin stated that the Ciry Council will eventually make a decision on the best plan, but that the public will be involved in the selection process. • Mr. Clark stated that after the Council decision in October, staff will follow the same process as the Highway 169 study. Mn/DOT, SRF, staff, and the Ciry Engineer will go through the public process and come back to the City Council. He stated it will be up to the Council whether or not they want to do a joint meeting. Commissioner Lieser asked if the process could take longer than six months. Mr. Clark stated that it could, but Mn/DOT seemed comfortable with the six month time frame, since the Highway 10 study area is more compressed. Commissioner Kuester asked for clarification on the study process. Mr. Clark explained that that a plan view evaluation from the vertical dimension will be completed, followed by a quick environmental analysis, and then an alignment will be selected to be taken through the review process. When the final design is approved and put in place, and it could be 5 years to 50 years before it is constructed. Commissioner Kuester asked how cost issues play into the design. Mr. Clark explained that cost will not drive the process; the most reasonable design will drive the process. He noted that there will be intangible factors the Ciry will have to deal with, as well as tangible factors such as how the roadway will determine where frontage roads will go. Issues such as visibility and direct access for the downtown will be impacted by these factors. Commissioner Kuester stated that the design will have a major impact on the downtown and the City needs to determine what the goals are and how much it will improve the situation, as well as the costs. Mr. Clark stated that struggle may be that the City has very different goals than Mn/DOT. He noted that visibility for the downtown will not be Mn/DOT's concern and it may be very difficult to come to an agreement. Commissioner Kuester stated that when the study is completed, it should include a goals section. Mr. Clark concurred. Commissioner Toth questioned whether or not there were other issues the Task Force Housing & Redevelopment Authority Minutes September 4, 2007 Page 3 and/or HRA could work on in the interim. He felt that other work could be done in the interim to prevent further delay. Commissioner Moon stated that he felt that it would be better to wait, since there may be significant changes, such as where accesses are located, etc. Commissioner Kuester felt the high density housing proposed to be located close to Lions Park was a possible topic that could be worked on during the six months of the study process. Commissioner Motin stated that funding has been approved in the 2008 budget for a housing study. He noted that high density housing may not be feasible, depending on where accesses are located. Commissioner Toth stated that if it takes six months to complete the study, it could be another 4 - 5 months for discussions on other issues. Commissioner Motin stated that if they are trying to accomplish a 20-year vision, another six months would not "kill" the plan. Commissioner Toth stated he was concerned with keeping the Task Force together if they don't meet for six months, and then start up again fox another six months. Chair Wilson noted that there have been no responses to date from Task Force members that they would not be available to continue. Commissioner Kuester stated that the City has had these issues for a long time, and agreed they need to take time to be thorough. Commissioner Toth asked if the downtown buildings structural feasibility study has been funded. Mr. Clark stated the funding was eliminated from the 2008 budget. Commissioner Toth asked for an update on the parking study. Ms. Mehelich stated that City Council will discuss it on September 17~. • Chair Wilson suggested a work session, possibly joint with the City Council, to discuss possible projects fox the upcoming months. Commissioner Toth asked if more information was available on housing rehabilitation grant programs. Ms. Mehelich stated that staff will research the existing programs and provide an update at a future 1=IRA meeting. 3. Consider Consent Agenda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER TOTH TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS FOLLOWS: 3.1. CONSIDER AUGUST 6, 2007 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 3.2. CHECK REGISTERS 3.3. BALANCE SHEET -JULY 2007 3.4 REVENUE/EXPENDIITURE REPORTS -JULY 2007 3.5 CALL SPECIAL HRA MEETING FOR SEPTEMBER 17, 2007 FOR PRESENTATION OF DOWNTOWN PARKING STUDY. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 6. Consider Facility Use Request for 716 Main Street Ms. Mehelich stated that Chuck Ripka of Pray Elk River has requested temporary use of the 716 Main Street building on Tuesdays from noon to 1:30 p.m. She explained that the group has been meeting at the Elk River Library and they can no longer use the space, since the library staff is using the space for packing to move to the new library. She stated that Mr. Ripka is aware the Arts Alliance may use the 716 Main Street building in the near future. Housing & Redevelopment Authority Minutes September 4, 2007 Page 4 Chair Wilson asked who is involved in the group. Ms. Mehelich explained that membership includes primarily Elk River area community members, and noted that some members come from as far as Ely to participate. The purpose of the group is to pray for the community and public leaders. Ms. Mehelich stated that the group has 30-50 members and they are proposing to use the space on a month-to-month basis. Commissioner Kuester asked if the group has requested meeting space in the new library. Ms. Mehelich stated that Mr. Ripka has not spoken with Parks & Recreation Director Bill Maertz yet, and is unsure what the library's new policy will be for meeting space. Commissioner Kuester asked if the City's property on Highway 169 and Main Street was an option. Ms. Mehelich stated that the building is used for recreational programming and there were no chairs for seating. Commissioner Kuester asked how issues such as heating of the building, chairs, and insurance liability would be handled. Ms. Mehelich stated that the building will be kept heated and cooled regardless, and that Pray Elk River would provide their own chairs. City Administrator Lori Johnson noted that the City's general meeting liability insurance would cover the use. Commissioner Moon asked if the group would be paying rent. Ms. Mehelich stated that they did not discuss rent, noting that they have used the library for 13 years at no cost. Chair Wilson stated that he felt the group may be better off finding a permanent location now. Commissioner Kuester asked if the group has explored the possibility of staying at the "old" library, since the building will still be in use fox senior programming. Commissioner Motin stated that the parking issue downtown is a concern. He stated he was not in favor of adding 30-50 additional cars downtown during lunchtime. Mehelich asked if parking would be a strong concern, if the group only meets there for three weeks. Chair Wilson stated he did not have a problem with allowing the group to use the space for a limited amount of time. Commissioner Toth concurred. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER TOTH AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LIESER TO APPROVE THE REQUEST BY THE PRAY ELK RIVER GROUP TO USE THE 716 MAIN STREET PROPERTY FOR TEMPORARY MEETING SPACE FOR A PERIOD OF THREE WEEKS. Commissioner Motin stated that he would vote against the issue due to the parking concern. Commissioner Toth asked if there is currently a problem with downtown parking. Commissioner Motin stated that he does not have a problem finding a parking space for lunch now, but if 50 more cars are added, there could be a problem. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-1. Commissioner Moon opposed. 7. Adjournment There being no other business, Chair Wilson adjourned the meeting. The meeting of the Elk River Housing and Redevelopment Authority adjourned at 6:28 p.m. Debbie Huebner Recording Secretary