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10-03-2005 HR MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2005 Members Present: Chair Wilson, Commissioners Kuester, Lieser (5:05 p.m.), Toth, and Motin Members Absent: None Staff Present: Community Development Director Scott Clark, 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 October 3 2005 HRA Agenda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER TOTH TO APPROVE THE OCTOBER 3, 2005 HRA AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 3. Consider Consent Agenda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER TOTH AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS FOLLOWS: 3.1. AUGUST 1, 2005 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 3.2. CHECK REGISTER 3.3. JULY 2005 REVENUE/EXPENDITURE SHEET 3.4. JULY 2005 BALANCE SHEET 3.5. AUGUST 2005 REVENUE/EXPENDITURE SHEET 3.6. AUGUST 2005 BALANCE SHEET MOTION CARRIED 4-0. Open Mike There was no one present for Open Mike Commissioner Lieser arrived (5:05 p.m.) 5. Downtown Revitalization Project Update Assistant Director of Economic Development Heidi Steinmetz indicated that staff is working with MetroPlains to finalize the financing component of the Downtown Revitalization Project and that it is anticipated that the HRA will be asked to call a special meeting for October 17, 2005 to review development agreement issues. Housing & Redevelopment Authority October 3, 2005 Page 2 Community Development Director Scott Clark explained that the development agreement needs to be amended because the amount of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) that MetroPlauis originally estimated the project to generate is now expected to be significantly less. Chair Wilson questioned why this issue with the TIF just came up now. Mr. Clark indicated that MetroPlains hired a consultant, Northland Securities, fairly late and it was Northland that realized that the original estimates were higher than the actual TIF amounts that will be generated. Commissioner Lieser mentioned that she is not available the evening of October 17. Ms. Steinmetz questioned if Commissioner Lieser would provide comment to staff if the information was provided to her prior to the meeting. Commissioner Lieser stated that she would. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO CALL A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR OCTOBER 17, 2005 AT 5:30 P.M. TO DISCUSS THE METROPLAINS DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Jackson .Square Flag Pole Ms. Steinmetz stated that the situation with the downtown flag pole has changed in the last few months. She stated that the school district volunteered to accept the flag pole; however, the actual relocation of the flag pole is going to be on city property directly east of the District Administration building in the old King Avenue right-of-way and so staff feels it is more appropriate for the city to retain ownership and maintenance responsibility for the flag pole. Ms. Steinmetz noted that the flag pole is scheduled to be relocated shortly after Jackson Square is conveyed to MetroPlains, which is anticipated for later this Fall. Jackson Sc~ua~ Gazeln Ms. Steinmetz indicated that Mr. Chip Martin purchased the Jackson Square gazebo at the city auction this past summer and the gazebo was moved to his private residence in Otsego last month. Dozentozera Parking Ms. Steinmetz stated that at their September 14, 2005 meeting, the Downtown Rivers Edge Association expressed thanks to the Police Chief for the Police Department's recent downtown parking enforcement efforts. She stated that Rivers Edge members mentioned that as a result of the designated employee parking in the new King Avenue parking lot and the parking enforcement, it is now easier for downtown customers to find parking spaces. 6. Formal Downtown Redevelopment Plans Community Development Director Scott Clark explained that staff would like direction from the HRA regarding proceeding with a formal redevelopment plan for the "downtown area". Mr. Clark further explained that for redevelopment and planning purposes, there are two distinct areas that are divided by Highway 10 and at this time staff is recommending that a redevelopment plan for the north side of Highway 10 be started and then a separate process to conclude a second plan for the south area be completed. Ms. Clark reviewed the reasons why formal plans for the areas are important as outlined in his staff report. He highlighted a few of the major reasons as follows: State Statute requires a redevelopment plan to be completed and approved by the Council prior to commencing redevelopment Housing & Redevelopment Authority October 3, 2005 Page 3 actions; a plan is critical for any future eminent domain proceedings by establishing public purpose; a redevelopment plan is a key document when applying for grant funds; and a plan that illustrates detailed financial analysis, based on sub-planning area scenarios, will assist in generating financial strategies and possible modifications to land use in order to make various redevelopment projects economically feasible. Chair Wilson questioned if Mr. Clark had an idea of how much time this process would take. Mr. Clark indicated that he anticipates that the process will take between six and eight months to complete. Chair Wilson questioned if the visioning work that the HRA already completed would be included in this formal plan. Mr. Clark indicated that it would and that the information would just be refined to be included in the plan. Commissioner Motin questioned if the plan work could be completed internally. Mr. Clark stated that about 90% of the plan could be done internally but a consultant should be hired to conduct the financial portion. Commissioner Motin also questioned how a formal plan will be put together with the uncertainty of Highway 10. Mr. Clark explained that alternatives will be included in the plan to allow for change. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER TOTH TO PROCEED WITH FORMALIZING A REDVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE NORTH SIDE OF HIGHWAY 10 AND THEN AS A SEPARATE PROCESS, CONSTRUCT A SECOND SEPARATE PLAN FOR THE SOUTH SIDE OF HIGHWAY 10. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 7. Call Special Meeting for October 10 2005 for Joint Ci Council Meeting with Boards and Comrrussions MOVED BY COMMISSIONER TOTH AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO CALL A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR OCTOBER 10, 2005 AT 6:30 P.M. FOR THE PURPOSE OF MEETING JOINTLY WITH THE COUNCIL AND THE OTHER BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 8. Other Business Commissioner Toth indicated that there is a property for sale on Irving just north of the Motor Vehicle office and he was wondering if this is a property that the HRA should investigate purchasing at this time. It was the consensuses of the HRA to have staff investigate the property and report back to the HRA at the special October 17 meeting. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER TOTH TO AMEND THE SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA FOR OCTOBER 17 TO INCLUDE DISCUSSION ON THE HOUSE FOR SALE ON IRVING. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Commissioner Kuester questioned how the decision is made to which board or commission takes the lead or initiates a project and questioned if how it is determined whether the HRA Housing & Redevelopment Authority October 3, 2005 Page 4 or the EDA takes the lead on certain redevelopment issues. She expressed concern that projects would fall between the cracks if they didn't fall into a specific board or commission's duties. Commissioner Motin indicated that this is a good issue to discuss but at the time the project came before the Council they would make a decision on which board or commission they felt would be best to take the lead of the project. Chair Wilson noted that he believed that the formal redevelopment process would help address these issues. Adjournment There being no further business, Chair Wilson adjourned the meeting. The meeting of the Elk River Housing and Redevelopment Authority adjourned at 5:51 p.m. ~~~ Jessica Miller Recording Secretary