02-10-1997 HR MIN MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
• • HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1997
Members Present: Chair Schuldt, Commissioners Kropuenske, Hinkle, Wilson, and
Farber (5:05 p.m.)
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Paul Steinman, Executive Director; Pat Klaers, City Administrator;
Debbie Kleckner, Recording Secretary
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 3:10 p.m. by Chair Schuldt.
2. Discuss Meeting Objective
• Paul Steinman provided an overview of the Strategic Planning Task Force's work
to date. He explained the primary objective of the HRA in this strategic planning
exercise as follows:
• Identify all of the factors/issues of downtown redevelopment
• Prioritize/categorize these sub-issues into four or five major issues
• Identify goals for each of the four or five major issues and specific action steps
which will be taken in order to accomplish the goals
• Attach a time frame to the specific action steps in addition to identification of
the parties responsible for completing such action steps
• Provide a recommendation on this "action plan" to the Strategic Planning
Task Force
Paul asked the HRA to focus on "planning" rather than "implementation" at this
time. Paul added that for this exercise, cost and ownership issues should not be
an influencing factor.
Members of the HRA expressed their support for the Mission Statement.
•
3. Outline Significant Downtown Issues
Paul reviewed the major issues affecting downtown redevelopment identified by
staff. HRA Commissioners added additional issues to formulate the following list of
issues:
•
HRA Special Meeting Minutes
February 10, 1997
Page 2
A. Overall design
-aesthetic
-signage
-uniform
-gazebo
-"historic" downtown
-utilities
B. Transportation/parking
-pedestrian
-railroad tracks
-sidewalks
C. Land use/zoning
-ordinance/building code
-housing/office, etc.
D. Finance/marketing
-market analysis
-rental rates
E. River/open space
-riverwalk
-view/access
-park
• F. Redevelopment sites
-CBD boundaries
G. Communication
-River's Edge Committee
-Chamber of Commerce
4. Prioritize/Categorize Downtown Issues
Paul conducted an exercise with members of the HRA to aid in prioritizing the
issues stated above. The following is a prioritization of issues,with Number 1
receiving the highest priority:
1. A-Overall Design
2. F- Redevelopment Sites
3. D - Finance/Marketing
4. B-Transportation
5. C- Land Use/Zoning
6. E- River/Green space
7. G- Communication
Discussion following regarding the 7 issues and how they are related to one
another. Jim recommended input from Hoisington Koegier on the action plan for
downtown redevelopment would be valuable, as well as a market analysis to
determine what uses could survive downtown.
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HRA Special Meeting Minutes
February 10, 1997
Page 3
5. Discuss Format of EDA Industrial Base Action Plan
Paul led the HRA in formulating an action plan for downtown redevelopment
issues as follows:
Design Theme Issues
1. What is the issue?
-Design theme
2. Why is this an issue?
-visual image
-uniformity
-aesthetics
-appealing
-parameters
3. What are the consequences of not addressing this issue?
-status quo
-deterioration
4. What are the practical alternatives, dreams or visions we might pursue to
address this strategic issue?
-sign grants
-communication
-theme
-expand '88 theme
-sign and ordinance criteria
-core area very visual
Redevelopment Sites Issue
1. What is the issue?
-Redevelopment sites (what areas/sites should be redeveloped in CBD)
2. Why is this an issue?
-rescue CBD
-save from deterioration
-increase tax base
3. What are the consequences of not addressing this issue?
-private market/would take too long
-cost of redevelopment
-areas in disrepair, continue
-declining rents
-less desirable businesses move in
4. What are the practical alternatives, dreams or visions we might pursue to
address this strategic issue?
-identify areas based on criteria which are redevelopment areas
-prioritize areas
•
-programs/funding mechanisms
HRA Special Meeting Minutes
February 10, 1997
Page 4
5. What are the major actions and action steps that need to be taken in the
• next 6-12 months to implement these proposals? And who is
responsible?
Action Who When
*Use definition Staff 30-45 days
Bring in developers HRA/Chamber
*Design plan Planning Commission
-# participants
*Public financing
-infrastructure
-could purchase
Finance/Marketing
1. What is the issue?
-What does the market offer in downtown
-Specialty uses
Members of the HRA and staff were in agreement a market analysis should be
done by an outside professional with experience in other communities similar in
character to Elk River.
6. Discuss Future Meetings/Process
The HRA will meet on Monday, February 24, 1997, at 4:00 p.m. to complete the
strategic planning exercise for downtown redevelopment.
8. Adjournment
There being no other business, COMMISSIONER HINKLE MOVED TO ADJOURN THE
MEETING. COMMISSIONER KRUEPENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED 5-0.
The meeting of the Elk River Housing and Redevelopment Authority adjourned at
5:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
&A,oce7
Debbie Kleckner
Recording Secretary
•