6.0 HRSR 03-03-08Item ~~ 6
ver
MEMORANDUM
TO: Housing and Redevelopment Authority
FROM: Catherine Mehelich, Director of Economic Development
DATE: March 3, 2008
SUBJECT: Council Planning Workshop Update
Attachments
• January 14, 2008 Council Planning Workshop Minutes
• February 4, 2008 Council Planning Workshop Minutes
At its December 2007 meeting, the HRA indicated an interest in holding a future workshop
session to discuss goals and projects following the Council's planning discussions and
direction.
Over the past few months the City Council has held a series of planning workshops. A copy
of the meeting minutes are attached. Councilmember & HRA Commissioner Motin is asked
to provide a verbal update to the HRA.
PLANNING WORKSHOP OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CHAMBER OFFICES
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 2008
Members Present: Mayor Klinzing, Councilmembers Farber, Gumphrey, Motin, and Zerwas
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: City Administrator Lori Johnson, Rusty Fifield of the Hoisington Koegler
Group Inc.
1. Call Meeting To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the planning workshop of the Elk River City
Council was called to order at 6:25 p.m. by Mayor Klinzing.
2. Consider Council Agenda
Rusty Fifield, Hoisington Koegler Group Inc., began the planning workshop by going over
the objectives, agenda, and ground rules he prepared for the first planning workshop.
3. Council Planning Session
The council members proceeded to list items of interest and issues they wanted to discuss
during the workshops. The items included financial viability of the City into the future,
gravel mining area development, gravel mining operations and restrictions on hours, park
and recreation funding, economic development assistant and community development
director positions, marketing the City, transportation funding, affordable housing, natural
resource inventory, downtown parking, City image, the landfill, code enforcement, sewer and
water expansion, promoting success downtown, and relationships with the public and
developers.
Council held discussion on the image and identity of the City, and a desire to do more
marketing to increase the City's visibility.
The council next discussed filling the vacant assistant director of economic development
position. After discussion, council requested that this be put on council agenda for February
4 for formal action to fill the position of economic development assistant. Council also
directed that filling the community development director position be placed on the February
4 agenda fox formal action.
Council discussed downtown parking, including current and future needs. Discussion on this
item will continue at a future date.
The council set the next planning workshop fox Monday, February 4, 2008.
4. Other Business
No discussion.
5. Council Updates
City CouncIl Minutes Page 2
Date: January 14, 2008
There were no Council Updates.
6. Staff Updates
There were no staff updates.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Klinzing adjourned the planning workshop of the
Elk River City Council at 9:00 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Lori Johnson.
Tina Allard
City Clerk
PLANNING WORKSHOP OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CHAMBER OFFICES
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2008
Members Present: Mayor Klinzing, Councilmembers Farber, Gumphrey, Motin, and Zerwas
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: City Administrator Lori Johnson, Rusty Fifield of the Hoisington Koegler
Group Inc.
Call Meeting To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the planning workshop of the Elk River City
Council was called to order at 6:05 p.m. by Mayor Klinzing.
2. Consider Council Agenda
Rusty Fifield, Hoisington Koegler Group Inc., began the planning workshop by reviewing
the issues still outstanding from meeting one including gravel mining, park funding,
marketing, transportation funding, affordable housing, interim uses, natural resource
inventory, landfill, and financial viability.
3. Council Planning Session
The Council discussed the natural resource inventory and their desire to increase the number
of trees planted including in medians and the importance of having attractive medians that
are well maintained and attractive. Staff was requested to present options for the Orono
Parkway median at an upcoming meeting.
Discussion took place on park funding and the need to develop a source of funding in the
absence of park dedication fees. The Council felt that a park referendum was not viable at
this time. Staff will bring back a financing plan after the audit is presented.
Transportation funding was discussed. The Council expressed concerns that Highways 10
and 169 need improvements now; however, they are not scheduled for improvement by
MnDot and no other funding is available. Council stressed the need to stick with the
approved design plans once those are completed.
The Council discussed affordable housing. The suggested emphasis is to rehabilitate older
homes instead of seeking out new affordable housing Council member Motin will inform the
HRA of the Council's discussion.
Council discussed the landfill, the long-term plan for the landfill, and the fact that a request
for an expansion is expected soon.
Marketing of the city was discussed including the need for the new community development
director to have some marketing background. Discussion continued about what is available
to market and what Council wants the focus of that marketing to be.
City Council Minutes
Date: February 4, 2008
Page 2
Development of the gravel mining area was identified as a priority for the City. The Council
acknowledged the importance of the gravel mining study that is just beginning. They
expressed a desire to work with the gravel miners and land owners to accommodate future
development.
Counciltnember Zerwas stated he felt these two workshops were valuable and that the
Council should continue with this type of meeting at least one time per year. The Council
concurred.
4. Other Business
No discussion.
Council Updates
There were no Council Updates.
6. Staff Updates
There were no staff updates.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Klinzing adjourned the planning workshop of the
Elk River City Council at 8:37 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Lori Johnson.
Tina Allard
Ciry Clerk