Loading...
03-05-2012 HRA MIN• MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, MARCH 5, 2012 Members Present: Chair ~~'ilson, Commissioners Kuester, Lieser, Motin and Toth Members Absent: None Staff Present: Cits~ Administrator Calvin Portner, Director of Economic Development Annie Deckert, Assistant Director of Economic Development Clay ~~'ilfahrt, Building Official Bob Ruprecht, and Recording Secretary Debbie Huebner Also Present: David Raymond, Elk River Area Arts Alliance; Ronald and Robert Robeck, Elk River Meats 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. r 2. Consider March 5, 2012 HRA Agenda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LIESER AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO APPROVE THE MARCH 5, 2012 HRA AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Consider Consent Agenda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LIESER TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS FOLLOWS: 3.1. CHECK REGISTER 3.2. BALANCE SHEET 3.3. REVENUE/EXPENDITURE REPORT MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4. Oven Forum - No one 5. Authorize Entering into Contract to Complete Concept Plans and Recommended Improvements for 716 and 720 Main Street Ms. Deckert provided background information regarding the 716 and 720 Main Street properties. Staff has held discussions with various downtown business owners to solicit • input for the improvements on the site. Ideas include planters, benches, outdoor dining tables and attractive landscaping. Proposals have been submitted by Landform and Housing & Redevelopment Authority D4arch 5, 2012 ----------------------------- Page 2 Hosington Koegler Group (HKGi). Landform's proposal is X3,300 and HKGi's is 56,300. • Ms. Deckert noted that the HR:~ does not have to accept the low quote for professional services. Ms. Deckert reviewed the schedule for the project, noting that the goal for the completion date is no later than June 28. Design costs «-ill be paid from the Other Professional Services line item in the HRA's 2012 budget. Commissioner Motin asked how many parking spaces were possible. ?GIs. Deckert stated that staff has estimated 2~ spaces with architectural elements and approximately 30 spaces without. Commissioner 1\Iotin suggested a special meeting of the HRA to reviea% bids for the project, in order to meet the time line, and the other commissioners concurred. 1\1s. Deckert introduced Paul Paige of HKGi, landscape architect. Mr. Paige stated be was an Elk River resident and former Parks and Recreation Commissioner. He reviewed his proposal and experience. He noted that HKGi designed the River's Edge Commons Park. He stated lus proposal and price is flexible and they could provide more or less as far as services, in order to meet the HRA's budget. Ms. Deckert introduced Kendra Lindahl of Landform. Ms. Lindahl stated she was a former planner for the City of Elk River, as well as a resident. She stated she would work with the downtown businesses owners for their input. Ms. Lindahl explained that design of the space could be part of a larger, phased project, and can be as detailed or a simple as the HRA desires. She discussed her experience in other neighboring communities. She noted that she takes personal interest in the project, since it is "her" town, and that is why they have lowered their price for the design. Ms. Deckert stated that she reviewed the proposals with City Engineer Justin Femrite, and he stated that he felt HKGi could provide a more detailed design that related to what is already in the downtown, since they designed the River's Edge Commons site. Commissioner Kuester questioned if there was room for "outdoor dining" space. Ms. Deckert stated that the downtown businesses expressed interest in this possibly, and could be as simple as providing a picnic table. Commissioner Toth asked if more than one design concept would be provided. Ms. Deckert stated that staff has requested a minimum of three design options. Commissioner Toth asked what the maximum number of parking spaces would be if there were no amenities. Ms. Deckert stated staff estimated 28 - 30 spaces with no amenities. Commissioner Toth suggested 3 designs, incorporating 20 parking spaces, 25 spaces and 30 spaces. Commissioner Motin stated he leaned toward Landform. He stated that he has heard some concerns that the space would be turned into a park. He also had a concern that if outdoor eating was encouraged, garbage could become a problem. He also felt it would be good to give Landform a chance to work in the city with minimal risk. Commissioner Kuester asked if the city engineer expressed any concern regarding storm drainage. Building Official Bob Ruprecht stated that Landform indicated they have a civil engineer on board to address any concerns, but that he did not anticipate any problems with storm drainage. Commissioner Toth stated that he would like the downtown businesses to be able to utilize • the space for promotions and displays. He did not want the architectural elements to Housing & Redevelopment authority ~Zarch 5,2012 • prevent this from happening. GIs. Deckert stated that suggested uses for the space include the farmer's market, a street dance, and art Soup. Commissioner Toth stated he felt the space should be useable for displays/sales, etc. to bring people into the downtown. Ms. Deckert stated this information will be shared with the consultants. Chair ~~'ilson stated that their original vision was to make the street side of the parking lot more appealing. He felt they need to be sensitive to the parking needs and that some minor amenities could be prop-ided for street "aesthetics". He felt HKGi's design could tie into the design of the park across the street. He stated he also respected Landform's willingness to cut their price in order to get their business. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER TOTH AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MOTION TO AUTHORIZE LANDFORM TO COMPLETE DESIGN CONCEPTS AND QUOTE PACKAGE FOR THE DESIGN AND COST OF SERVICES FOR THE 716 AND 720 MAIN STREET SITE. Commissioner Lieser stated she agreed with Chair Wilson that HKGi could better tie in the design with the River's Edge Commons Park. Commissioner Toth stated that the HRH could ask Landform to do the same. He stated that Landform has done a considerable amount of work in the surrounding areas, but that he also appreciated HKGi's willingness to come down on their price. MOTION CARRIED 3-2. Chair Wilson and Commissioner Kuester opposed. • 6. authorize Site Improvements for 724 Main Street (Elk River Meats Ms. Deckert stated that three options were reviewed by staff for the repair of the 724 Main Street building. She noted that there has been some discussion regarding painting a mural on this wall. Building Official Bob Ruprecht reviewed three options for repair of the wall. Commissioner Lieser asked what the difference was between concrete stucco and EIFS. Mr. Ruprecht explained. Commissioner Morin asked what the difference was in how the two materials looked. Mr. Ruprecht stated that concrete stucco has a rougher surface that the EIFS, which is smoother. He noted that EIFS is not as strong as concrete stucco. Commissioner Toth asked which surface would be easier to remove graffiti. Mr. Ruprecht stated that both would be difficult, but it would be easier to paint over the EIFS. Ms. Deckert noted that the owners of Elk River Meats, the Robecks, have notice that their building is considerably colder since 716 and 720 Main buildings have been removed. Mr. Ruprecht noted that brick and mortar would seal the building wall, but would have no insulating quality, and EIFS would insulate. Commissioner Toth stated he did not support the brick and motor fill and felt the HRA needed to look at one of the other two options. Chair Wilson concurred. He felt the EIFS seemed to be the. better option, especially if they were to consider painting the wall. Mr. Ruprecht noted that the First National Bank across the street was finished with EIFS. Commissioner Toth asked the Robecks if they would be in favor of a mural on the wall. Page 3 Housing & Redevelopment Authority ~Tarch 5, 2012 Page 4 The Robecks stated they would support a mural and felt it would be a beautiful addition to • the downtown. Mr. Ruprecht explained that by using the EIFS, the surface of the wall would not be entirely even, since there are juts of brick along its etisting surface. He further explained that the EIFS could not be applied thick enough to eliminate the jutting out of the bricks. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO AUTHORIZE THE SITE IMPROVEMENTS RECOMMENDED BY STAFF, USING THE EIFS (EXTERIOR INSULATION FINISH SYSTEM) SYNTHETIC STUCCO AND THE ESTIMATED COST OF $29,000. The Commission asked that the Building Official obtain one additional quote for the EIFS installation. Other Business Ms. Deckert noted that the Sno Cross Race will be held this coming weekend, March 9 - 11. Staff will participate in welcoming the race attendees at the Holiday Inn in Otsego. Downtown merchants will be providing coupons and/or flyers for packets for an information packet to be distributed to the attendees. Ms. Deckert stated that McCoys Pub will sponsor a 5K run on St. Patrick's DaS~ (March 1~. 8. Adjournment • There being no other business, Chair Wilson adjourned the meeting. The meeting of the Elk River Housing and Redevelopment Authority adjourned at 6:32 p.m. Minutes epare hie Huebner. Tina Allard City Clerk Stewart Wilson Chair, Housing and Redevelopment Authority •