11-05-2012 HRA MIN MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
• HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2012
Members Present: Chair Wilson, Commissioners Kuester,Motin and Toth
Members Absent: Commissioner Lieser
Staff Present: Economic Development Director Annie Deckert,Assistant Director of
Economic Development Clay Wilfahrt;Planning Manager Jeremy Barnhart;
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 5:30 p.m. by Chair Wilson.
2. Consider November 5.2012 HRA Agenda
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER TOTH TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 5,2012 HRA
AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
• 3. Consider Consent Agenda
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER TOTH AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
KUESTER TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS FOLLOWS:
3.1 MINUTES
• SEPTEMBER 4,2012 JOINT HRA/CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
• OCTOBER 1,2012 REGULAR HRA MEETING MINUTES
3.2 CHECK REGISTER
3.3 BALANCE SHEET
3.4 REVENUE/EXPENDITURE REPORT
MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
Commissioner Lieser arrived at this time.
4. Open Forum—No one appeared for Open Forum.
5. Public Hearing for Downtown Task Force's Plan—Mississippi Connections
Mr.Barnhart reviewed his presentation of the final draft of the Downtown Task Force's
Mississippi Connections plan. He explained that the plan is the result of 2 '/z years of work
over a 7-year time period. He noted that the intent of the plan is to strengthen the
• downtown and the community at large. He reviewed the history of past work on the plan,
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November 5,2012
and then discussed details of the various parts of the plan. Mr.Barnhart explained that the
strategy of this plan includes small steps to work toward minimizing impacts to businesses •
due to the eventual shifting of Highway 10 to the north,closing existing access to the
downtown. The idea is to review the plan every 7— 10 years as necessary.
Commissioner Kuester asked for clarification on the comment regarding opposition to plan.
Mr.Barnhart stated that the intent is to provide an opportunity to object to the plan,but
that the decision is ultimately the City Council's decision.
Commissioner Toth what would happen if a single property owner objected to being in a
Historic Preservation District. Mr.Barnhart explained that after the HPC does their study,
they will provide a recommendation to the City Council. The City Council will make the
final decision.
Commissioner Kuester stated it was her understanding that the district would not technically
be established a Historic Preservation District,but only have signage that identifies
significant historical sites. Mr.Barnhart stated the signage identifies areas the plan
establishes as being historically significant,and that the HPC would recommend designating
an official Historic Preservation District,which would require Council approval.
Chair Wilson stated that the property owners would be involved in reviewing an area to
official establishment of a Historic Preservation District.
Chair Wilson opened the public hearing. There being no one to speak to this issue, Chair
Wilson closed the public hearing.
The HRA Commissioners offered the following comments: •
Commissioner Motin Comments:
• The only member of the HRA that was not on the Task Force
• Does not believe it is a viable plan
• Area needs to be expanded to the west;not enough mass
• Plan only includes two ways to get to the downtown
• Does not feel Lions Park is part of the downtown
• Not in favor of maintaining 1920's look for residential; serious problem to require
homeowners to maintain that look
• Has serious doubts the plan will ever work and will vote against it
Chair Wilson Comments:
• Intent of plan was not to compete with Stillwater
• Plan focuses on making the downtown more viable and enjoyable for the city's
current residents,those thinking about living here,and those spending a day or half-
day visiting the downtown.
• Not intended to be a large scale plan
• Would like to expand the area,but do not want to disrupt the existing residential
neighborhoods to the west;preserving these neighborhoods is critical to the plan
• These residential neighborhoods have energy and vitality
• New routes will make it easier for people living here to access the downtown
•
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November 5,2012,
Commissioner Toth Comments:
S .•
Having a river,highway and railroad all converging in the downtown creates
challenges
• Highway 10 changes will actually make it easier to get downtown
• Buildings in the downtown are not on the historic register,but are historic to Elk
River
• Steps in the plan help maintain integrity of downtown
• Downtown needs to be a destination;plan is progressive,yet preserves historic feel
Commissioner Lieser Comments:
• Plan was looked at with residents in mind
• Intent of plan is to bring people to the downtown
• Plan does not imply a"hands off"regarding the buildings that need to be removed
• Plan includes preserving the bluff block and the brick block
Mr. Barnhart stated the goal is a"to do list",and that every group,board and commission
will use this plan. He noted that the plan establishes a basis and is subject to change and is
not set in stone.
Commissioner Motin stated that the plan does not address access to the downtown, the
Highway 10 plan does. He does not feel there is enough mass and is too restrictive;the plan
does not allow the type of development that has occurred in the downtown.
Commissioner Kuester stated that the plan provides recreational opportunities for residents
visitors,such as creating a fishing pier. She stated she would like to see a boulevard on
Sand
Jackson Avenue. She stated that some residential areas to the west will naturally evolve with
the Highway 10 changes. She noted that the highway changes may not come for 20 years.
Commissioner Toth stated that if the changes to Highway 10 were not developed by
MnDOT,they would have had a completely different Downtown Plan.
Mr. Barnhart stated that the planned Highway 10 changes will be a major change,but the
city cannot wait for those changes to happen. He stated they must be proactive.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER TOTH TO APPROVE THE MISSISSIPPI
CONNECTIONS PLAN AS PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER LIESER
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-1. Commissioner
Motin opposed.
6. 2013-2016 Economic Development Strategic Plan
Ms.Deckert proposed to move this item to the December 3rd HRA meeting,due to lack of
time. The HRA concurred.
7. Housing Intern Update
Ms. Deckert reviewed information in her memo to the HRA regarding progress on working
with Minnesota School of Business (MSB) to draft a job description and posting for a
housing intern. Ms.Deckert noted that there is no cost for the HRA in working on this
• project with MSB. She stated that she hopes to have the information ready by the end of
November in order to post the position the first part of December.
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November 5,2012.
Mr.Wilfahrt provided a brief update on the Downtown Rivers Edge Business Association, •
including the following:
• Sweet Pea's will be adding new menu items,opening at 8 a.m. for coffee
• Ella's has opened for business on Tuesday's and Thursdays
• Over 300 children participated in Halloween trick-or-treating in the downtown
• The Pumpkin Roll event generated$300 toward the purchase of a Christmas tree
and stand for Rivers Edge Park
8. Adjournment
There being no other business, CHAIR WILSON ADJOURNED THE MEETING.
The meeting of the Elk River Housing and Redevelopment Authority adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
Minutes prepared b : _•bie Huebner.
Tina Allar.
City Clerk
dr' 7d4
V IV tewart Wilson •
Chair,Housing and Redevelopment Authority
•