Loading...
11-24-2003 HR MIN MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER • HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HELD AT ELK RIVER SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL LITTLE THEATER MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2003 Members Present: Chair Toth,Commissioners Motin and Wilson Members Absent: Commissioners Lieser and Thompson Staff Present: Executive Director Catherine Mehelich,Assistant Director of Economic Development Heidi Steinmetz,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 Toth. 2. Consider November 24,2003 HRA Agenda COMMISSIONER WILSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 24,2003, HRA AGENDA. COMMISSIONER MOTIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-0. 3. Consider Consent Agenda COMMISSIONER MOTIN MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS FOLLOWS: 1. OCTOBER 27,2003 HRA REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 2. CHECK REGISTER 3. REVENUE/EXPENDITURE SHEET 4. BALANCE SHEET COMMISSIONER WILSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-0. 4. Open Mike-No one appeared for Open Mike. 5. Housing Work Plan—Follow Up to Housing Availability/Affordability Survey Assistant Director of Economic Development Heidi Steinmetz explained that at the September HRA meeting,the Commission directed staff to conduct a survey of Elk River manufacturers regarding housing affordability/availability issues. In October,the Commission reviewed the results and directed staff to send the same survey to approximately 50 retail/service type businesses in Elk River,with an additional question regarding employee commute times. Ms. Steinmetz noted that staff received 14 responses out of 36 surveys sent to the Elk River manufacturers,and 17 out of 80 sent to retail/service businesses. She reviewed the results of the second survey,noting that it appears that the • retail/service business employees were less satisfied with the housing affordability/availability in Elk River. I-IRA Minutes Page 2 November 24,2003 4110 Chair Toth asked if staff was able to determine who completed the surveys and if the employees were part-time or full-time. Ms.Steinmetz stated that companies faxed the surveys to staff and the only way staff was able to identify the businesses was if the business had fax return address identifiers on their machines. Ms.Mehelich added that the survey was meant to be anonymous. Ms.Steinmetz stated that the survey did not specify full or part time employees. Commissioner Motin noted that if there were a shortfall in housing for the retail/service business employees,the situation would likely not escalate,since there is very little commercial land available for development. Ms.Steinmetz stated that the HRA needs to determine what is an acceptable balance in housing for the City of Elk River. Commissioner Wilson stated that he would like to try the survey one more time,in order to get a better response from the retail/services businesses. He felt that if they still are not interested,the HRA will not pursue the housing issue further, and concentrate on the downtown issues. The Commission directed staff to re-send the survey to the retail/service businesses,with a note indicating that they do not need to respond if they already have. Staff will report on the results at a future meeting. 6. Downtown Revitalization Project Update Executive Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich stated that staff • continues to work with the project attorney and the developer to prepare a Development Agreement for the HRA's review and consideration. She noted that language will include firm commitments for redevelopment of both the Jackson and Bluff Blocks. Ms.Mehelich also noted that staff continues to work with City Attorney Peter Beck to research the tide and ownership of the Jackson Square property. The abstract has been created,and a legal description has recently been prepared in order to prepare a tide commitment. Ms.Mehelich noted that City Engineer Terry Maurer is researching the following: • Cost estimate for removal of Municipal Utilities building. • King Avenue and rear"Brick Block"parking lot layout,costs,timetable and number of stalls. • Cost estimate for a parking ramp structure in the rear of the"Brick Block". • Contact the bank,school district and MnDot regarding parking layout and access issues. • Options for safe pedestrian crossing the intersection of Highway 10 and Jackson Avenue. Staff recommends that the HRA consider directing the development team to meet with businesses and identify parking concerns,issues and potential solutions. After the information is prepared,a separate facilitated public meeting would be held with the stakeholders regarding parking options. Staff suggests that this process begin after the development agreement is approved. Commissioner Motin asked why the process would . begin after the development agreement is approved,since the agreement is contingent upon viable parking. Ms.Mehelich stated that the language for the development agreement BRA Minutes Page 3 November 24,2003 1111 regarding parking is not available at this time. She stated that she anticipates the businesses will be part of the team to address the parking concerns. Ms.Mehelich noted that the comments from St.Cloud State students are attached to the Ms. Steinmetz's memo. Also,City Attorney Peter Beck and city staff presented a case study report of the Elk River Downtown Revitalization project at the MN Real Estate Journal conference. Ms.Mehelich stated that an article was included in the Commission's packet regarding the Grand Forks downtown as a community asset and downtown's role in economic development. Commissioner Motin stated that he felt it should state in the developer agreement that the project cannot continue if the parking is not addressed. He stated that he feels they are close on meeting the parking needs,but that this issue has to be resolved before the ground can be broken for the project. Chair Toth asked if the number of parking stalls meets the ordinance. Ms.Mehelich stated that there is no ordinance for parking in the downtown. Chair Toth stated that he does not want to see the project be abandoned because of parking issues and felt that the City should do all they can to provide additional parking,i.e.the King Avenue/Utilities site parking proposal. Commissioner Wilson expressed his support for staff's proposal to meet with the business owners to resolve the parking issues. Jim Prosser of Ehlers&Associates stated that Elk River's concerns are consistent with • other communities'concerns with redevelopment projects. He stated that the developer has to be able to provide parking for his own site and replace what is lost. He stated that the downtown business owners are concerned regarding the replacement of lost spaces and the location of the replaced spaces. He stated that they will attempt to force the developer to build and pay for as much parking as possible,but that staff and the developer need to come to an agreement. He noted that any unresolved issues will be brought back to the HRA. Tammy Weeks,owner of The Jungle Salon,stated that if the City goes ahead with the project,they do not have her support and she will relocate her business somewhere other than Elk River. She stated that she would not consider moving her business into the proposed new building because of the parking. Ms.Mehelich stated that the owner of Kemper Drug also has concerns regarding parking near the store entrance for senior citizens. Chair Toth stated that the HRA would continue to work on the parking issues. 7. Discuss HRA Meeting Schedule Ms.Mehelich explained that the City Council would begin meeting the 1st,2nd and 3rd Mondays when the remodeling of the Council Chambers at City Hall is complete.It has been suggested that the HRA change their meeting date to the 1st Monday of the month,in order to make the meetings more convenient for the Councilmembers and the public. The first HRA meeting on the new schedule would likely be in March. Ms.Mehelich stated that Commissioner Lieser stated that she has no objection to meeting the first Monday of the month and that she will speak with Commissioner Thompson. Commissioners Motin, HRA Minutes Page 4 November 24,2003 Wilson and Toth stated they were also not opposed to the change. Ms.Mehelich stated that she would advise the Commission whether or not the HRA will need to meet in December. 8. Adjournment There being no other business,COMMISSIONER WILSON MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. COMMISSIONER MOTIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-0. The meeting of the Elk River Housing and Redevelopment Authority adjourned at 6:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ai V-tc n,g-c.— Debbie Huebner Recording Secretary • •