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08-27-2001 HR MIN • MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2001 Members Present: Chair Toth, Commissioners Lieser,Motin and Wilson Members Absent: Commission Thompson Staff Present: Cathy Mehelich,Executive Director;Pat Klaers, City Administrator;Sandra Peine, City Clerk;and Stephen Rohl f,Building and Zoning Administrator 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 Toth. 2. Consider August 27, 2001 Agenda COMMISSIONER MOTIN MOVED TO APPROVE THE AUGUST 27,2001,HRA AGENDA AS PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER WILSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. • 3. Consider Consent Agenda COMMISSIONER WILSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS FOLLOWS: 3.1. JULY 23,2001 HRA MINUTES—APPROVED 3.2. CHECK REGISTER—APPROVED 3.3. REVENUE/EXPENDITURE REPORT—APPROVED 3.4. BALANCE SHEET—APPROVED COMMISSIONER MOTIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 4. Open Mike There was no one present for Open Mike. 5. Business Items 5.a. Consider Historical Context Study Kurt Kragness and Bruce Penner of the Historical Preservation Commission were present. Bruce Penner explained that the two main elements of the study are historic significance and integrity of the property. Kurt explained that the cost of the study would be$10,000 to • $12,000. He indicated that the study would be a citywide context study with a focus on the downtown area and will reveal the important trends or themes in the history of the city and Housing and Redevelopment Authority Minutes Page 2 August 27,2001 will also reveal what is worthy of preservation. He noted that the study would determine the • significance and integrity of the buildings. Commissioner Wilson questioned the relevance of the downtown situation in relation to doing a context study of the entire city. Steve Rohlf indicated that in addition to the context study,there would be a focus study on the downtown area. He stated that it is important to know what is there before a decision is made to tear down any buildings. Chair Toth questioned whether the HRA should carry the entire cost of the study since it will include the entire city. Commissioner Motin also stated that he is concerned about the HRA spending the money for the downtown area. Commissioner Wilson indicated his concern that the study could be an impartial study. He suggested that the Heritage Preservation Commission try to keep the study impartial. Commissioner Wilson also indicated that he is concerned with the cost of the study. Cathy Mehelich indicated that staff has included funding for the full study in the 2002 budget.The HRA discussed whether the study should be authorized this year or in 2002. The I IRA felt that if the study were postponed until 2002, there could be the possibility of delaying a potential developer from developing the area. It was the consensus of the HRA that if the study is going to be done, that it should be done as soon as possible. COMMISSIONER MOTIN MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE EXPENDITURE FOR THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT STUDY TO TAKE PLACE THIS YEAR. COMMISSIONER WILSON SECONDED THE MOTION.THE MOTION • CARRIED 4-0. 5b. Riverfront Redevelopment Proposal—Update Cathy Mehelich noted that there have been three developers who have requested information about the redevelopment opportunity for the downtown riverfront area. Cathy suggested that the HRA define a vision and parameters for the desired redevelopment project. The HRA discussed this issue. Commissioner Motin noted that if the HRA defined the vision for the area it might limit the developers to certain concepts. Chair Toth noted that it would difficult for the HRA to make these decisions without input from others. Cathy distributed information about redevelopment project management from Ehlers& Associates, Inc. She explained that the city's financial advisors,Ehlers &Associates,would be available to give a presentation to the HRA on redevelopment project elements and policies. The HRA directed staff to continue to request redevelopment proposals from developers. Cathy Mehelich suggested that she would proceed with giving basic information along with a copy of the market study to the developers. 6. Consider Year 2002 Budget and Levy Resolution Cathy Mehelich reviewed the 2002 HRA budget. Cathy noted that the expenditures would be reduced by$12,000 due to the context study being authorized for 2001. 4111 Chair Toth asked whether the Council would want to share in the cost of the context study, as he did not feel that the HRA should be responsible for the rural part of the study. Housing and Redevelopment Authority Minutes Page 3 August 27,2001 • Commissioner Motin noted that it is possible that the HRA would not be confined to redevelopment in the downtown area. COMMISSIONER WILSON MOVED TO ADOPT THE 2002 HRA BUDGET AS PRESENTED,WITH THE DELETION OF $12,000 FOR THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT STUDY. COMMISSIONER MOTIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. COMMISSIONER WILSON MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 01-01 A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE TAX LEVY FOR THE ELK RIVER HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR COLLECTION IN 2002. COMMISSIONER MOTIN SECONDED THE MOTION.THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 7. Discuss Desired Redevelopment Uses for the NE Corner of Hwy 169 and Main Street . Cathy Mehelich indicated that staff is requesting the HRA to discuss the desired redevelopment concept for the area of Highway 169 and Main Street. She indicated that Kraus-Anderson is continuing to research redevelopment opportunities for this area. Cathy reviewed the staff report on the preliminary redevelopment concept from Kraus-Anderson. Commissioner Motin indicated his concern with losing the two apartment buildings and the lack of affordable housing in the city. He indicated that this location may not be the best area for affordable housing and stated that he felt the area would be underutilized with the proposed office buildings and strip mall. Chair Toth also noted that affordable housing is an area of concern however;he felt that this type of housing may not be a good fit for this location. tYP g Y g Commissioner Wilson suggested that it might be time for the City to review the issue of apartments and appropriate locations. 8. Other Business The City Administrator suggested that the HRA have Ehlers and Associates give a presentation on redevelopment issues to the Commission prior to having staff request additional proposals for the downtown area.The HRA concurred that a special worksession be held to hear from Ehlers and Associates. 9. Adjournment There being no other business, COMMISSIONER WILSON MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. COMMISSIONER MOTIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. The meeting of the Elk River Housing and Redevelopment Authority adjourned at 6:21 p.m. Sandra Peine City Clerk