Loading...
11-06-2006 HRAMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2006 Members Present: Chair Wilson, Commissioners Thompson, Toth and Lieser Commissioner Motin arrived at 5:02 p.m. Staff Present: Community Development Director Scott Clark, Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich, Assistant Director of Economic Development Heidi Steinmetz, City Administrator Lori Johnson, 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 Wilson. 2. Consider November 6.2006 HRA Agenda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER TOTH AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 6, 2006, HRA AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 3. Consider Consent Agenda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LIESER AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER TOTH TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS FOLLOWS: 3.1.00TOBER 2, 2006 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 3.2. CHECK REGISTER 3.3. SEPTEMBER 2006 REVENUE/EXPENDITURE REPORT 3.4. SEPTEMBER 2006 BALANCE SHEET 3.5.00TOBER 2006 REVENUE/EXPENDITURE REPORT 3.6.00TOBER 206 BALANCE SHEET MOTION CARRIED 4-0. Commissioner Motin arrived at this time (5:02 p.m.) 4. Open Mike There was no one present for Open Mike. 5. Downtown Revitalization Project Update 5.1. Call Special HRA Meetin for November 20 2006 for joint Meeting with City Council Regg&j Downtown Parkin Housing & Redevelopment Authority Page 2 November 6, 2006 ----------------------------- Ms. Mehelich provided an update on the downtown projects as follows: Bluffs of Elk River - 35 of the 67 condominium units have been sold and the developer is negotiating commercial leases for both the Bluffs and Jackson Place. Jackson Place - Contractors are pouring the footings and laying block. There will no longer be a need to reconfigure Jackson, unless the crane will not work from inside the pit. The Bank of Elk River - The fence around the site is proposed to be removed December 1st and they may be able to open six parallel parking spaces in front of the bank. River's Edge Commons City Park - The sidewalk pavers will be installed within the next two weeks. Once the project is closed down for the winter, the alley will be reopened. Ms. Mehelich noted that a 4-color "vision" mailing piece will be disributed during the holiday season. Commissioner Kuester asked if a Christmas promotion is planned for the downtown. Ms. Mehelich stated that December 2nd is proposed by the Rivers Edge Downtown Business Association for some type of promotion. Commissioner Kuester asked if the sidewalk paver project will be cleaned up by then. Community Development Director Scott Clark stated that the pavers are currently being laid, so there should be no problem. Commissioner Kuester asked if any parking stalls will be added. Ms. Mehelich stated that a few more spaces potentially may be available if the bank's contractor removes their staging area on Main Street. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER TOTH AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MOTIN TO CALL A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE HRA FOR NOVEMBER 20, 2006 FOR EHT PURPOSE OF A JOINT MEETING WITH THE CITY COUNCIL REGARDING DOWNTOWN PARKING. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Commissioner Toth asked for clarification on the process for the purchase of the Houlton buildings. Ms. Mehelich stated that a public hearing by the Planning Commission has been set for November 14th and then by the City Council on November 20dh. She noted that final details should be available for the December 2nd HRA meeting. 6. Consider Approval of HRA Redevelopment Plan for Downtown Elk River Redevelopment Project Mr. Clark explained that the HRA must adopt a redevelopment plan prior to land acquisition or other types of redevelopment. He stated that the plan being presented to the HRA meets all State Statutes. He reviewed the three phases of the proposed plan, noting that the boundaries of the area under consideration are consistent with those found in the 2001 Maxfield Market Study. Mr. Clark stated that it is anticipated the plan will be replaced when a more comprehensive redevelopment plan is completed by the recently approved task force. Mr. Clark explained that by approving the redevelopment finding, the HRA is making the following declarations: Housing & Redevelopment Authority November 6, 2006 Page 3 1. The land in the redevelopment area would not be made available for redevelopment without the financial aid sought. 2. The redevelopment plan for the redevelopment area in the City will afford maximum opportunity consistent with the needs of the locality as a whole for the redevelopment of the area by private enterprise. 3. The redevelopment plan conforms to the general plan for development of the City as a whole. Mr. Clark stated that after the HRA acts on the plan, it will be forwarded to the Planning Commission and then to the City Council. Commissioner Toth asked if formally adopting a redevelopment plan was something new. Ms. Mehelich stated that a TIF plan was adopted prior to the King and Main redevelopment project. Mr. Clark explained that a TIF plan is sometimes accepted as a redevelopment plan. Commissioner Motin asked why the downtown area north of Highway 10 was not included in either Phase III or as a Phase IV. Mr. Clark explained that once the plan is formalized, Phase III goes away, and that the boundaries could be extended to include this area. Commissioner Motin asked how property owners receive notice of the public hearings. Mr. Clark stated that a formal legal notice is published in the Star News. Commissioner Toth stated that there are two homes for sale at 4th Street and Railroad Drive. He asked if they should be looking at extending the Phase III boundary to this area. Commissioner Motin stated that he was comfortable with extending the area west of Freeport/Gates up to School Street, and over to Jackson Avenue. Ms. Steinmetz stated that the Task Force will also be reviewing the boundary and may expand it. Commissioner Kuester asked if it was likely the study would cause anxiety for the homeowners. Ms. Mehelich suggested that the Star News could perhaps put something in paper to explain what is going on with the study. Mr. Clark noted that no action will be taken in the Phase III area and that the area was included simply to recognize that discussions have included this area. Commissioner Lieser stated that if no map is published with the hearing notice, the study should cause little anxiety. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER TOTH AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MOTIN TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE REDEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR DOWNTOWN ELK RIVER REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT, DATED NOVEMBER 1, 2006, WITH THE EXPANSION OF THE PHASE III AREA TO INCLUDE THE AREA WEST OF FREEPORT/GATES UP TO SCHOOL STREET, AND OVER TO JACKSON AVENUE. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 7 Other Business Ms. Mehelich stated that a purchase agreement and a contract for deed for the Houlton buildings have been negotiated and that this issue will be presented to the HRA in its final form at the December 4th meeting. Housing & Redevelopment Authority November 6, 2006 .'age 4 Commissioner Toth asked if the HRA was interested in the two properties, one on 4th Street and one on Irving Avenue. Staff will check on the listing information. 8. Adjournment There being no other business, CHAIR WILSON ADJOURNED THE MEETING. The meeting of the Elk River Housing and Redevelopment Authority adjourned at 5:30 p.m. %�L Debbie Huebner Recording Secretary 0