08-25-2003 HR MIN MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
HELD AT LIONS PARK CENTER
MONDAY,AUGUST 25, 2003
Members Present: Chair Toth,Commissioners Thompson,Lieser,Motin and Wilson
Staff Present: Executive Director Catherine Mehelich,Economic Development Assistant
Heidi Hall,City Administrator Pat Klaers,Director of Planning Michele
McPherson,Senior Planner Scott Harlicker,and City Engineer Terry
Maurer
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 25,2003 HRA Agenda
COMMISSIONER THOMPSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE AUGUST 25,2003,
HRA AGENDA AS PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER WILSON SECONDED
THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
S3. Consider Consent Agenda
COMMISSIONER MOTIN MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA
AS FOLLOWS:
3.1. July 28,2003 HRA MINUTES
3.2. CHECK REGISTER
3.3. REVENUE/EXPENDITURE SHEET
3.4. BALANCE SHEET
COMMISSIONER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED 5-0.
4. Open Mike
There was no one present for Open Mike.
5. Comprehensive Plan Update
Chair Toth stated that no HRA representatives on the Comprehensive Plan Update Task
Force attended the last Task Force meeting,which was a public open house on August 21,
2003. Chair Toth asked Director of Planning Michele McPherson to provide an update on
the Comprehensive Plan Update.
Ms.McPherson provided a summary of recent Task Force activities.
HRA Minutes Page 2
August 25,2003
• Commissioner Motin asked if the HRA would like to make a recommendation requesting
the priority for the expansion of the Urban Service District. He stated he would like priority
given to commercial and industrial development.
There was much discussion regarding what types of development would be given priority if
the Urban Service District is expanded.
COMMISSIONER MOTIN MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY
COUNCIL THAT A STATEMENT BE ADDED TO THE COMPREHENSIVE
PLAN INDICATING THAT,IF THE URBAN SERVICE DISTRICT IS
EXPANDED AND WATER/SEWER CAPACITY IS LIMITED,THEN
PRIORITY BE GIVEN TO INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES
OVER RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT. COMMISSIONER THOMPSON
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-1. Commissioner Lieser
opposed.
6. Housing&Redevelopment Budget for Year 2004
Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich summarized the Housing&
Redevelopment Authority Budget for Year 2004. Ms.Mehelich noted that the EDA,at its
August meeting,requested that the Personal Service costs (salaries and benefits) be more
evenly divided,in terms of staff time being spent on current projects. In 2003,Personal
Services were divided between the EDA and HRA respectively at 70/30. Ms.Mehelich
recommended that for budget year 2004,the Personal Service costs be divided between the
• EDA and HRA at 60/40. Ms.Mehelich reported that the proposed budget expenditures of
$205,300 assumes that the proposed Downtown Revitalization Project proceeds and
includes costs for relocation consulting services. Ms.Mehelich stated that the projected
2004 revenues are$209,450.
6.1. Consider Year 2004 Budget
COMMISSIONER WILSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE HOUSING&
REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BUDGET FOR YEAR 2004 AS
PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER MOTIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
6.2. Consider Resolution Regarding HRA Levy
COMMISSIONER MOTIN MOVED TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION 03-02,
A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE TAX LEVY FOR THE ELK RIVER
HOUSING&REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR COLLECTION IN 2004.
COMMISSIONER WILSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED 5-0.
7. Downtown Revitalization Project Update
7.1. Communications Update
Economic Development Assistant Heidi Hall provided an update on the Downtown
Revitalization Project communications activities. Ms.Hall reported on the following
• activities:
HRA Minutes Page 3
August 25,2003
• The August edition of the Downtown Revitalization Q&A newsletter will be
distributed in the August 27th issue of the Elk River Star News.
• An article on the Downtown Revitalization Project is scheduled to appear in the
September 3rd issue of the city newsletter, The Current.
• HRA meeting notices are being sent directly to downtown business and property
owners.
• The Downtown Revitalization Project web page is updated as project activities
occur.
• City staff continues to attend and provide project updates at monthly Rivers Edge
Downtown Business Association meetings.
• An open house will be held in coming months for prospective downtown
commercial tenants.
7.2. Response to Issues of Concern Directed by HRA and City Council
Ms.Mehelich,Ms.McPherson,and City Engineer Terry Maurer provided responses to
fifteen questions/issues raised at the July 18,2003 HRA meeting. The majority of the
questions/issues raised were related to traffic and parking during and after construction
(details can be found in the staff memo to the HRA dated August 25,2003).
Following the report,Jim Prosser of Ehlers and Associates summarized the issues that the
City and MetroPlains will consider while reaching a final development agreement for the
project. Chair Toth requested that the HRA receive draft development agreement issues in
• writing.
8. Housin g Work Plan Session VI: Elk River Housing Study
Ms.McPherson suggested that the HRA postpone this item until the Sept.22,2003 HRA
meeting due to the meeting running late and the City Council meeting being scheduled to
start at 6:30p.m.
9. Other Business
Chair Toth stated that members of the public have informed him that they are still unaware
of the Downtown Revitalization Project details,despite staff's monthly updates at the Rivers
Edge Downtown Business Association meetings and the project communications.
Rob VanValkenburg,Baxter,MN(Cinema Building Co-owner) stated that he is not an
active member of Rivers Edge but he has heard that Rivers Edge members were unaware of
the Jackson Block development until two months ago.
Ms.Mehelich stated that staff reported the Jackson Block development concept at the April
Rivers Edge meeting and has had representation at each Rivers Edge meeting since the
beginning of the project. She stated that staff could provide the HRA with the monthly
Rivers Edge agendas and minutes if requested.
•
HRA Minutes Page 4
August 25,2003
9. Adjournment
There being no other business,COMMISSIONER THOMPSON MOVED TO
ADJOURN THE MEETING. COMMISSIONER LIESER SECONDED THE
MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
The meeting of the Elk River Housing and Redevelopment Authority adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Heidi Hall
Economic Development Assistant
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