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03-01-2004 HR MIN MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER . HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HELD AT LIONS PARK CENTER MONDAY, MARCH I, 2004 Members Present: Chair Wilson,Commissioners Thompson,Lieser and Motin Members Absent: Commissioner Toth Staff Present: Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich,Assistant Director of Economic Development Heidi Steinmetz,City Administrator Pat Klaers,Recording Secretary Debbie Huebner 1. 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 5:00 p.m.by Chair Wilson. 2. Consider March 1,2004 HRA Agenda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER THOMPSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MOTIN TO APPROVE THE MARCH 1,2004,HRA AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 3. Consider Consent Agenda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER MOTINAND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER THOMPSON TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS FOLLOWS: 3.1. FEBRUARY 2,2004 HRA MINUTES 3.2. CHECK REGISTER 3.3. REVENUE/EXPENDITURE REPORT 3.4. BALANCE SHEET MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 4. Open Mike There was no one present for Open Mike. 5.1. Call Special HRA Meeting for Joint Work Session with City Council Ms.Mehelich stated that the project attorney,Jim O'Meara of Briggs&Morgan will be retiring March 1st and that Mary Ippel(Briggs&Morgan)has been working with staff regarding the project history and development agreement issues. Ehlers&Associates continues to work with MetroPlains,analyzing project financing information to determine an appropriate level of financing assistance for both the Jackson and Bluff Blocks. Staff recommends that the HRA call a special meeting for Wednesday,March 17,2004 at 6:30 Housing&Redevelopment Authority Page 2 March 1,2004 p.m.at Lions Park Center to meet jointly with the City Council to discuss the Downtown Revitalization project history,status,and potential policy issues. Jim Prosser, Ehlers&Associates, stated that they will ensure there are strong financial implications that the Bluff Block project is included and that the level of assistance is within the scope of the Tax Increment Financing(TIF)regulations. Commissioner Lieser asked what the timetable would be between the two phases. Mr. Prosser stated that it is likely that MetroPlains would start marketing the Bluff Block condos as soon as they break ground on the Jackson Block. Commissioner Thompson asked Mr.Prosser if he felt comfortable the deadline would be met for Developer Agreement. Mr.Prosser stated that the deadline helps to create the necessary pressure to move the process along. Commissioner Motin asked if any commitment has been made to purchase property, specifically,the US Bank property and Mr.Hinrich's property. Mr.Prosser stated no,but that the property owners have been very cooperative and it may be possible that offers will be made. Commissioner Motin asked where the staging area would be located. Ms. Mehelich stated that this issue will be covered in the Developer Agreement and will be brought to the HRA for review. Mr.Prosser stated that he feels the staging area issue can be worked out. Keith Holme,co-owner of the Kemper Drug building,asked what the status was of the Municipal Utilities building,and why the city is monitoring the parking in the lot behind his building. City Administrator Pat Klaers stated that the city is trying to identify how many commuters,tenants,and employees are parking in the lot. He stated that they hope to encourage commuters to park across Highway 10. Mr.Holme stated that he counted 13 empty parking stalls in the downtown that day at 10:30 in the morning. He asked if there still is the option of closing King and removing the Utilities building to create more parking. Mr.Klaers stated that option is still possible,but that this parking lot construction issue is tied to the TIF funding. Richard Hinrichs, owner of 641 Main Street buildings,expressed his appreciation to staff and the Commission that the process is staying on schedule. Vern Hanson of MetroPlains Development,stated that they are looking at a number of options for staging of the project including the Bluff Block,other properties which have been offered,and also the area across Highway 10 south of the railroad tracks. He noted that contractors have different preferences when working in an urban area,so he is not sure which areas will be selected,but feels comfortable they can work within an urban setting. Commissioner Thompson stated that the city would work with MetroPlains to ensure that the needs of the downtown property and business owners are met. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER THOMSON TO CALL A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17,2004 AT 6:30 P.M.AT LIONS PARK CENTER TO MEET JOINTLY WITH THE CITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS THE DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION PROJECT. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. Housing&Redevelopment Authority Page 3 March 1,2004 5.2. Downtown Property and Business Owner Feedback Ms.Steinmetz stated that a total of 20 "one-to-one"meetings with approximately 35 downtown property and business owners took place during January and February 2004. Most of the feedback from the Feburary meetings was consistent with the January meetings, with the exception of two issues: 1) employee safety in the parking lot behind the brick building(extra lighting was requested),and 2)possible parking options with the School District. 6. Economic Development Strategic Plan-Call Special Meeting for Plan Update Worksessions Ms.Mehelich noted that two tentative dates have been identified for the Economic Development Strategic Plan worksessions as follows: Worksession I-Wednesday,March 31,2004- 12-5:00 pm Worksession II-Wednesday,May 5,2004-3-8:00 pm Both sessions are scheduled to be held at the Elk River Emergency Operations Center (lower level of the Orono Parkway Fire Hall). MOTION BY COMMISSIONER LIESER AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER THOMPSON TO CALL A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ON MARCH 31ST AND ALSO ON MAY 5,2004 TO REVIEW THE STRATEGIC PLAN. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. • 7. Other Business Ms. Steinmetz noted that the Downtown River's Edge meeting minutes are sent to River's Edge members via e-mail in draft form with corrections made by City staff on the City's portion of the minutes. If staff is unable to provide corrections,the next River's Edge agenda reflects the changes,however final minutes are not sent to River's Edge members, due to lack of time and staff by the River's Edge group. Ms.Mehelich noted that she distributed correspondence to the Commissioners regarding a concern by Mr.Hinrichs. 8. Adjournment There being no other business,MOVED BY COMMISSIONER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LIESER TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. The meeting of the Elk River Housing and Redevelopment Authority adjourned at 6:35 p.m. Debbie Huebner Recording Secretary