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07-05-2005 HR MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2005 Members Present: Chair Wilson, Commissioners Kuester, Lieser, Toth, and Motin Members Absent: None Staff Present: Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich, Assistant Director of Economic Development Heidi Steinmetz, and Recording Secretary Jessica Miller 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 July 5, 2005 HRA Agenda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER TOTH AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO APPROVE THE JULY 5, 2005 HRA AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3. Consider Consent Agenda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LIESER TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS FOLLOWS: 3.1. CONSIDER JUNE 6, 2005, REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 3.2. CHECK REGISTER MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4. Open Mike There was no one present for Open Mike. 5. Downtown Revitalization Project Update Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich provided some background information on the project. Kmg Az~nue Parking Lot I~r,~rvzaraPnt Ms. Mehelich stated that the construction on the King Avenue parking lot began in early June and is nearing completion. She noted that the Street Department is looking at bids to replace some of the landscaping in the area of the parking lot that has been damaged over time. Housing & Redevelopment Authority July 5, 2005 Page 2 Const~zaction Plans/Designs Ms. Mehelich indicated that following the Council's approval of the construction plans and the HRA's subsequent comment on the plans, several Councilmembers received feedback regarding the design of the proposed projects, especially the Bluffs of Elk River. Ms. Mehelich explained that the approval of the construction plans is only a requirement of the Development Agreement and relates only to the conformance with the TIF program and conditions of the Development Agreement and does not constitute review and approvals required by local ordinances. Ms. Mehelich indicated that the Council held a special meeting with MetroPlains on June 27 to discuss the construction plans. She stated that Council directed staff that the HRA review and comment on the designs and any other issues related to the project prior to the issue coming before the Council. She noted that the Council has requested the HRA's attendance at a follow-up meeting with MetroPlains on July 11, 2005 so it is recommended that the HRA call a special meeting for that purpose. Chair Wilson stated that he would like the HRA to receive the plans ahead of time for review prior to the July 11, 2005 Council meeting. Ms. Mehelich indicated that the plans will be available in time to be included in the meeting packet for the July 11 meeting. Ms. Mehelich questioned if the Commissioners had any comments in regards to the revised elevation sketches that MetroPlains presented. Conuzussioner Toth indicated that the drawings presented still do not look like the original drawings submitted by MetroPlains. He stated that the turret's design is very modern and he doesn't believe that it will fit in with the downtown. Chair Wilson stated that increasing the size/height of the turret was discussed at the June 27 Council meeting. He stated that in the original drawings, it appeared to be higher than the rest of the building but MetroPlains indicated that it was a perception that the turret was higher and that it was actually level. Chair Wilson indicated that the Council expressed interest in seeing the turret be higher than the rest of the building. Commissioner Kuester indicated that she believes the building has too long of a look. She questioned how the designs fit into the downtown design ordinance. Ms. Mehelich indicated that according to the Planning Department the designs met the downtown design standards. The ordinance includes standards for requirements to be met and guidelines which are suggested design elements. Ms. Mehelich also indicated that the Director of Planning stated the designs did not meet all of the downtown design guidelines and the two recommendations that were made were 1) in regards to more of a breakup in the mid-section and 2) change of the height and elevations along the width of the building. Commissioner Motin noted that the developer indicated that changing the height and elevations along the width of the building is not feasible as it would not be functional to provide elevator access between the different levels. Chair Wilson indicated that MetroPlains has stated that the original drawings they submitted were cartoon drawings and that they cannot build cartoon drawings and have them be functional. He stated that the attractiveness that was present in the original drawings is gone in the current drawings. Commissioner Motin stated that he did not expect the buildings to look like the cartoon drawings as they were just done to create a feel for what downtown could look like. He also stated that he did not expect the buildings to look like they were built like the original downtown buildings and that the buildings were meant to compliment the downtown and Housing & Redevelopment Authority July 5, 2005 Page 3 bring in business and residential and that he believes the buildings will be a nice addition to the downtown area. Chair Wilson indicated that it appears that the developer is listening to the Council's and the HRA's comments and hopefully they will continue to make modifications to the buildings. Ms. Mehelich stated that she will pass these comments onto MetroPlains. ackson Sc~ua~re Flag Pole and Gaze&~ Ms. Mehelich stated that at their June 6, 2005 meeting, the City Council approved the transfer of the flag pole to the school district for its office located downtown. Ms. Mehelich indicated that staff has been working with the school district to identify a site and obtain a quote for the relocation. She noted that the HRA had indicated willingness to contribute toward the cost of relocating the pole. Ms. Mehelich also indicated that the Council approved the transfer of the gazebo structure to Guardian Angels of Elk River for relocation of the roof portion to the senior center but since that time, Guardian Angels has determined that the cost to relocate the roof is more than the cost to purchase and install a new gazebo structure and has declined the city's offer. She stated that Meadowvale School has indicated an interest in relocating the gazebo to the school and staff is exploring that option. Const~uceion StagmgPlari/Public Safety Ms. Mehelich stated that construction will be disruptive at times for the downtown and that an area of concern for the city is public safety for pedestrians, vehicle traffic, and the construction site and workers. Ms. Mehelich indicated that another concern is keeping the downtown open for business with as little inconvenience as possible. Ms. Mehelich explained that Fire Chief Bruce West has been designated as the lead public safety contact for the construction project and will be the liaison between the city and the developer's contractor on public safety issues. She noted that staff is currently reviewing preluninary construction staging plans and Chief West will present the staff recommended public safety plans to the City Council prior to construction commencing. Ca~v~nrnicatzons Ms. Mehelich indicated that the latest project Q&A newsletter was distributed in early June and primarily focused on the King Avenue parking lot improvement project. She stated that the next edition of the newsletter is planned for August and will cover issues related to construction. Ms. Mehelich explained that in addition, a vision piece is being developed that will be a full-color glossy four-page brochure highlighting the project goals, description, schedule, and graphics. The purpose is to remind the public of the big picture purpose for the redevelopment, how the goals set forth by the city will be achieved, information on timing, and will help the community focus on an attractive and desired end result during the construction period. Ms. Mehelich noted that the Mayor's Show currently airing on the city's cable channel focuses on the downtown project and features Vern Hanson of MetroPlains, HRA Chair Wilson, as well as herself. 5.1. Call Special HRA Meeting for J~ 11, 2005 for Joint Worksession with City Council to Discuss Refined Design Options with MetroPlains MOVED BY COMMISSIONER TOTH AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO CALL A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR MONDAY, JULY 11, 2005 AT 6:30 P.M. FOR THE PURPOSE OF HOLDING A JOINT MEETING WITH THE CITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS REFINED DESIGN OPTIONS WITH METROPLAINS. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Housing & Redevelopment Authority July 5, Zoos Page 4 5.2. Update on Implementation of the King Avenue Parking Lot Task Force Recommendations Assistant Director of Economic Development Heidi Steinmetz provided background on the King Avenue Parking Lot Task Force. Ms. Steinmetz indicated that the City Council will be considering the Task Force's recommendations to the Traffic and Vehicles chapter of the City Ordinance that specifically relates to downtown on July 18, 2005. Ms. Steinmetz explained that the proposed changes indicate that the Police Department will be issuing free parking permits to all downtown employees and residents for the King Avenue parking lot. Ms. Steinmetz stated that in order to implement the Task Force's recommendation regarding parking time limit zones within downtown, a City Council resolution designating those areas would need to be considered and it is anticipated that this will be considered upon completion of the Downtown Revitalization Project construction. She noted that the HRA will have a chance to provide input on the resolution prior to its consideration by the City Council. Commissioner Toth questioned if any thought had been given to what will happen if employees are issued a parking permit and they teiniinate their employment and whether or not there would be a way to get the parking permit back. Ms. Steinmetz indicated that the details of the parking permits will be worked out by the Police Department. Chair Wilson questioned if parking would be allowed overnight in the instance that residents have overnight guests that need somewhere to park. Ms. Steinmetz stated that she believes the overnight parking restrictions relate to snow plowing but indicated that she will speak to the Planning Department as they will be handling the code changes. 6. Call Special HRA Meeting for September 13 2005 for Joint Worksession with Planning Commission and Heritage Preservation Commission to Discuss Downtown North of Hi wa 10 Assistant Director of Economic Development Heidi Steinmetz indicated that the Planning Commission and the Heritage Preservation Commission have expressed interest in meeting with the HRA to discuss the HRA's plans for downtown north of Highway 10 and have requested a joint worksession with the HRA. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LIESER TO CALL A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2005 AT 6:30 P.M. FOR THE PURPOSE OF A JOINT WORKSESSION WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION TO DISCUSS THE DOWNTOWN NORTH OF HIGHWAY 10. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 7. Other Business There was no Other Business. 8. Adjournment There being no further business, MOVED BY COMMISSIONER TOTH AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MOTIN TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Housing & Redevelopment Authority July 5, 2005 Page 5 The meeting of the Elk River Housing and Redevelopment Authority adjourned at 5:45 p.m. ~.l:~fLP/2/ Jessica Miller Recording Secretary