EDSR MEMORANDUM 08-08-1994 ELK RIVER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
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MEMORANDUM
TO: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
FROM: WILLIAM RUBIN,EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
DATE: AUGUST 8, 1994
SUBJECT: AGENDA MEMO FOR AUGUST 8, 1994
EDA MEETING
5. Financial Update
The following is a summary from Finance Director Lori Johnson:
Micro Loan Fund
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Block Grant Micro Loan Fund
ACTION REQUEST
This is an information item only and no action is requested.
6. Update on Interim Improvements: EDA Main Street Site
At its meeting on August 1, 1994, the City Council considered site improvement
options for the EDA Main Street site. Thereafter, the following groups reviewed
and commented on the proposed improvements: Area Chamber Board, Park and
Rec Commission, and Downtown Development Corporation. The illustration
receiving the greatest support was that of a patio area at street level and an
amphitheater (concrete or grass)at the bottom. Additional suggestions included
that of utilizing the artesian well for a fountain or waterfall within the project.
It is expected that these improvements can be completed for $30,000 or less. This
excludes the cost of the fill material which will be provided free of charge, as a
result of the improvements to Jackson Road. The City Council has allocated
. funds to pay for these interim improvements. Phil Hals and his staff are expected
to begin work on these improvements as soon as their schedules permit.
P.O. Box 490 • 13065 Orono Parkway •Elk River, MN 55330-1743 • (612) 441-7420 • Fax: (612) 441-7425
Equal Opportunity Housing and Equal Opportunity Employment
EDA Agenda Memo Page 2
August 8, 1994
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7.
Western Area Issues
Following a public hearing on July 25, the City Council approved the Engineer's
feasibility study relating to the Western Area Phase II trunk water and sewer
improvements. On August 1, the City Council approved the plans and
specifications and ordered the advertisement for bids relative to these
improvements. Bids will be received until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, August 24,
1994. After the bids are tabulated, they will be considered by the City Council on
August 29.
With the approval of the feasibility study and with the call for bids, it is also
important to begin finalizing land uses in the Western Area. For example, at its
July meeting, the Planning Commission considered a Land Use Amendment and a
rezoning request from Country Ridge Partnership to allow an attached housing
development (townhouses) on a 15-acre parcel immediately south of an extended
Orono Parkway/183rd Avenue. The Planning Commission decided that the Land
Use Amendment was not necessary, and further, that it may be more appropriate
for that 15-acre development to be rezoned Planned Unit Development (PUD).
To begin finalizing other land use issues, the City Council initiated a rezoning
action which will affect four major land parcels. These parcels are(a)the Country
Ridge Partnership tract bounded by the County Fairgrounds, U.S. Highway 10,
and the extension of Orono Parkway/183rd; (b) the Bill Gagne parcel; (c) the
• County Government Center; and (d) the Hoyt Partners tract immediately west of
the Government Center and bounded by U.S. Highway 10 and Waco Street. The
initiative would rezone these sites from the PUD designation (or C-2, Office
District, in the case of the Government Center) to the B-P, Business Park
designation. Standards relating to the B-P zone were adopted by the City Council
in January, 1994. The Planning Commission will consider this item at its August
23rd meeting and the City Council hearing on this matter is scheduled for
September 19th. City staff will attempt to meet with the affected property owners
prior to the hearings.
8. Task Force on Plan Review and Permitting
In late 1993, the EDA created a task force to review the City's plan review and
permitting process. Persons appointed to this task force included Jeff Gongoll, Pat
Dwyer, Hank Duitsman,Pat Klaers, and Bill Rubin.
Jeff Gongoll and Pat Dwyer desire to discuss the direction of this task force and
will discuss potential options at the EDA meeting.
9. 1995 EDA Budget and Levy
This item is outlined in greater detail in a separate memo in the agenda packet.
• Workshops
A) Financing CBD Redevelopment Activities
EDA Agenda Memo Page 3
August 8, 1994
• Following a lengthy discussion on this topic at the EDA July meeting,this
matter was included as an August 8th workshop item. The City
Administrator and Finance Director have been invited to participate as
some discussion may center around potential City funds available for CBD
redevelopment activities. Other persons invited to the workshop include:
HRA Commissioners, representatives of the Downtown Development
Corporation, and the Chair of the Comp Plan Steering Committee.
Included in the agenda packet is a recent article from the Red Wing
Republican Eagle regarding Red Wing's effort to create a vibrant
downtown. The article eludes to a proposed Target store in Red Wing's
CBD. The proposed budget for this budget (that is, site acquisition,
demolition, business relocation, etc.) was estimated at $12.3 million. In
late July,the Port Authority, citing high costs,voted down the project.
(B) Utilities Commission Workshop/Business Park Activities
This item is covered in greater detail in an outline that is included in the
agenda packet.
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