08-03-1998 HR MIN WORKSHOP • SPECIAL WORKSESSION OF THE ELK RIVER
HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
MONDAY,AUGUST 3, 1998
Members Present: Chair Kropuenske, Commissioners Toth, Hinkle, Wilson, and
Farber (5:15 p.m.)
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Paul Steinman, Director of Economic Development; Scott
Harlicker, Planning Assistant; Steve Wensman, Planner;Terry
Maurer, City Engineer; Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Sandra
Peine, City Clerk
Also Present: Hank Duitsman, Mayor;Tom Mesich, Planning Commission
Representative; Renee Sande, Elk River Chamber; Char Barder,
Rivers Edge;Theresa Washburn, Washburn and Associates
1. Call Worksession To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the special worksession of the Elk River
Housing and Redevelopment Authority was called to order at 5 p.m. by Chair
• Kropuenske.
2. Consider Agenda
COMMISSIONER WILSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE 8/3/98 AGENDA.
COMMISSIONER HINKLE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
3. Consider Consent Agenda
COMMISSIONER TOTH MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS FOLLOWS:
3.1. CHECK REGISTER-APPROVED
3.2. 6/29/98 HRA MINUTES-APPROVED
COMMISSIONER WILSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
4. Consider Letter of Intent with Midwest Building Components
Director of Economic Development Paul Steinman indicated that at the June 29
HRA meeting, the HRA moved to sign a Letter of Intent with Midwest Building
Components for six months. He indicated that since that meeting he has been
requested to consider reducing the six month period. He suggested if the HRA
decided to shorten the term for this Letter of Intent, that it be shortened from a
six month to a four month period.
• Terry Veech of Midwest Building Components indicated that shortening the term
from six months to four months could pose a hardship as he has already put
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August 3, 1998
much time and money into the project. He requested the HRA to consider
leaving the six month time period as voted on at the June 29 HRA meeting.
Chair Kropuenske indicated that on June 29 the HRA moved to grant a six
month Letter of Intent and in good faith gave Midwest Building Components the
go ahead to move forward with their plans. He indicated that he would be
reluctant to retract this decision and to shorten the period to four months.
COMMISSIONER HINKLE MOVED THAT THERE BE NO CHANGE TO THE ORIGINAL
HRA MOTION MADE ON JUNE 29, 1998, TO CHANGE THE SIX MONTH LETTER OF
INTENT AND THAT THE LETTER OF INTENT RUN FROM JUNE 30, 1998, TO DECEMBER
30, 1998. COMMISSIONER TOTH SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
4-0.
5. Discussion with Theresa Washburn, Washburn and Associates, Regarding
Downtown Plan
Commissioner Farber arrived at this time (5:15 p.m.)
Director of Economic Development Paul Steinman introduced Theresa
Washburn of Washburn and Associates. He stated that Theresa plans to discuss
her proposed scope of services for the completion of a downtown plan.
Theresa Washburn reviewed the five components included in her proposal for
the Elk River Downtown Redevelopment Plan. The five components consist of
• the following:
1.) Reconnaissance Visit-to gather information and educate the various
interested organizations about the process.
2.) Visioning Workshop -to determine a shared vision for downtown
redevelopment.
3.) Work Plan Workshop-to create a work plan in which participants
commit to specific tasks.
4.) Education and Implementation Workshops-to teach individuals working
on tasks how to implement downtown revitalization activities.
5.) Final consultation to address any questions regarding implementation of
design plan.
Theresa Washburn emphasized the importance of generating public interest in
the first meeting. She indicated that there should be a minimum of 40 people at
the first meeting.
Mayor Duitsman indicated that he had the following concerns: 1.) A definition
of the downtown area (that the downtown area not be restricted to a certain
location); 2.) To keep in mind that there will be the possibility of a rail station
• located in the downtown area within the next five years; and 3.) To keep the
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August 3, 1998
• Utilities Commission informed as to what will be happening in the downtown
area.
6. Adjournment
There being no further business, COMMISSIONER HINKLE MOVED TO ADJOURN THE
WORKSESSION. COMMISSIONER TOTH SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED 5-0.
The worksession of the Elk River Housing and Redevelopment Authority was
adjourned at 6 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sandra Peine
City Clerk
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