Loading...
11-06-2017 HRA MN SPECIALSpecial Work Session Meeting of the Elk River Housing and Redevelopment Authority Held at the Elk River City Hall Monday, November 6, 2017 Members Present: Chair Toth, Commissioners Chuba, Kuester and Ovall Members Absent: Commissioner Eder Staff Present: Economic Development Director Amanda Othoudt, Economic Development Specialist Colleen Eddy and Sr. Administrative Assistant/Recording Secretary Debbie Huebner Also Present: Carlo Missio, Senior Urban Designer — WSB; Downtown River's Edge/Business owner representatives Jennifer Wagner, Deborah Leedahl, Jim Gromberg, Ryan Hardin, Tamara Ackerman, Debbi Rydberg, John Houlton, Tim Dolan, Annie Deckert and Fred McCoy 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 4:00 p.m. by Chair Toth. 2. Downtown Vision Plan Ms. Othoudt introduced Carlo Missio of WSB. Mr. Missio reviewed their proposal to provide the city with a downtown visualization document. Mr. Missio explained that this plan would serve as a guide in selecting types and locations of improvements in the downtown. Ms. Othoudt then introduced Troy Adams of Elk River Municipal Utilities. Mr. Adams described the existing high pressure sodium light fixtures as substandard and unable to accommodate banners or flags. He discussed ERMU's plan to replace the fixtures in 2019 with a high quality product that would provide a good value, easier maintenance and would be long-lasting. The product will provide better illumination and would accommodate banners, planters and spotlights for down lighting. He discussed the lighting plan and how it ties into the pathway from Highway 10. He anticipates the purchase of 50 light poles. Mr. Adams stated that they would like to see things put in up in the air, rather than on the ground, such as planters. Ms. Othoudt explained how a planning document would aid in planning for such items as Mr. Adams was discussing, to provide for consistency into the future. Jennifer Wagner spoke on behalf of the Downtown Rivers Edge group, to present their suggestions. She provided photos of sidewalk views, stating that the group felt there was a Housing and Redevelopment Minutes November 6, 2017 Page 2 lot of clutter on the sidewalks (planters, garbage cans, benches, newspaper kiosks, etc.). She stated that the group agreed with Mr. Adam that it would be better to get things up off the ground, such as planters, by having hanging baskets instead. She questioned how much the baskets would be and if it would be feasible to provide them (at what cost). She offered the following suggestions, as discussed by the Downtown group: ■ No new planters — instead team with ERMU to add hanging greenery baskets to new light poles. ■ No new benches — instead try to funnel people to the park and use the seating provided there. ■ No new bike racks — relocate existing bike racks to less intrusive areas of the sidewalks. ■ Relocate garbage cans ■ Relocate Star Tribune Kiosks • Feasibility of possible relocation of large kiosk by the park ■ Possibility of a clock tower ■ Re -think lighting, use spotlights to shine down on trees instead of uplighting Fred McCoy, also representing the downtown group, stated he also supported including a clock tower as a focal point for the downtown. He stated that there is so much "stuff' on the sidewalks it is difficult to get around, especially in the winter months with the snow. Ms. Othoudt stated that these were great suggestions and that is why staff and the HRA are considering a planning document. Ms. Wagner stated that she was aware that WSB does great things, but she did not feel it was appropriate to use over half the 2017 funds on a plan. She felt there were enough creative people in the group to be able to do a plan themselves. Chair Toth stated that with the input of the downtown group, the HRA is on the right path. He stated that a plan would benefit the downtown as a whole. Mr. Missio stated that he did not disagree that creative people could design a plan for the ideas they discussed. He explained that the reason a planning document is useful is because people come and go. He stated that if the city has a document, they could get funding that they could not get without it. He noted that a plan is also useful when donations come up. Ms. Wagner stated that if the city had a larger budget for this project, they would not be having a conversation about whether or not they needed a plan. Ms. Othoudt asked what the downtown group wants. Ms. Wagner stated that it is up to the HRA but she did not see the value in spending time and money on a plan when the budget is very limited. Chau Toth stated that the HRA appreciated the downtown group's ideas. He stated that if the HRA did not have WSB do the plan, the city does not have the staff to do it, either. Ms. Wagner stated that they need a concept not a 50 -page book for planters on light poles. She stated she did not see there would be enough dollars in the future for a big project. Housing and Redevelopment Minutes November 6, 2017 Page 3 Commissioner Chuba thanked the Down Rivers Edge group for their input. He stated that the downtown is basically service-oriented with very limited retail. He asked what the goal is; bringing more people to the downtown? He stated that the businesses owners know what they need, but it helps to have a plan. Chair Toth stated that the hanging baskets in downtown Anoka seem to work, as their sidewalks are not that wide, either. Deborah Liedahl stated that the businesses would be willing to help and they would like to see the money spent on purchasing what they need, rather than on a plan. Chair Toth stated that the Utilities plan needs to be implemented first. Discussion followed regarding the implementation of ERMU's plan for the downtown. Troy Adams explained that the first step would be a photometric layout to determine foot candles, height of the poles, specs, etc. He stated that he could get a list of accessories to put on the poles. He stated he would rather see spending money on spotlights, than lighting on the ground. Commissioner Ovall asked if there was a way to speed the tracking of the project, such a completing the photometric study sooner rather than later. Mr. Adams stated that the concern of completing a project in 2018 is the cost, since he would estimate needing 20 poles at $5,000 each. Ms. Wagner stated that she felt the groups can work together and wait until 2019. She asked the budgeted funds could be rolled over. Ms. Othoudt stated that any budgeted funds that are not spent in the budget year roll over into the HRA reserve account. The HRA can choose to spend the reserves on public expenditures through a budget amendment which would need to receive final approval by the Council. Mr. Adams stated that ERMU could do a plan in early 2018. He discussed details of the study and proposal to light every other pole. Ms. Othoudt stated that the HRA will review this item further at a future meeting. 3. Downtown Redevelopment Plan Ms. Othoudt presented a proposal for an RFP (Request for Proposals) for a high density, mixed use, market rate residential development at T.H.10 and Main Street (former School District offices), to include 265 units of high density residential, structured above and below grade parking, and commercial/retail space. Discussion followed regarding the proposal and the relationship to the city's housing study. Further discussion followed regarding parking, increased tax base, impacts on traffic and possible phasing of a project. Housing and Redevelopment Minutes November 6, 2017 Page 4 Mr. Dolan questioned the requirement in the draft RFP for a potential bidder to have 10 years' experience. He asked if that was the company or the individual. Ms. Othoudt explained the reasoning behind the language being included. Mr. Dolan stated that he felt a qualified applicant could have 10 years' experience in the field, but maybe not 10 years with a particular company. Mr. Othoudt stated that could be taken into consideration. Commissioner Ovall expressed his concern that the HRA has gone from not being interested in the School District property to considering an RFP for a much larger project including this property. Ms. Othoudt explained that the RFP is a result of feedback from MNCAR. She explained that as a result of discussions with developers, they were looking at not just the building but a larger project area. It was the consensus of the HRA to take some time to discuss the idea before moving ahead with an RFP. Ms. Othoudt noted that she will also be presenting the proposal to the City Council that evening. 4. Budget for Main Street Redevelopment Ms. Othoudt provided information on the Main Street Redevelopment Plan budget. Commissioner Ovall asked how many acres are in the project area. Ms. Othoudt stated there are 2.4 acres. Commissioner Oval] asked if the funds would come from the HRA's reserves. Ms. Othoudt stated yes, and that there is approximately $1.2 million in the reserves at this time. S. Adjournment Chair Toth adjourned the meeting at 5:44 p.m. Minutes prepared by Debbie Huebner. Tina Allard, City Clerk rry Tod , h, Housing & Redevelopment Authority