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06-06-2005 HR MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, JUNE 6, 2005 Members Present: Chair Wilson, Commissioners Kuester and Lieser Members Absent: Commissioner Motin and Toth Staff Present: Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich, Assistant Director of Economic Development Heidi Steinmetz, and Recording Secretary Tina Allard 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 5:05 p.m. by Chair Wilson. 2. Consider June 6, 2005 HRA Agenda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LIESER TO APPROVE THE JUNE 6, 2005, HRA AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 3-0. Consider Consent Agenda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LIESER AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS FOLLOWS: 3.1. MAY 2, 2005 REGULAR MINUTES 3.2. MAY 9, 2005 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES 3.3. MAY 16, 2005 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES 3.4. CHECK REGISTER 3.5. APRIL 2005 REVENUE/EXPENDITURE REPORT 3.6. APRIL 2005 BALANCE SHEET 3.7. MAY 2005 REVENUE/EXPENDITURE REPORT 3.8. MAY 2005 BALANCE SHEET MOTION CARRIED 3-0. Ms. Steinmetz stated that staff would like to bring the Action Steps for the redevelopment project north of Highway 10 to the HRA and City Council at their July meetings. She questioned who would be available to attend that meeting as it is around the Independence Day holiday. Commissioner Lieser stated she would not be able to make it to the July 5 meeting. Commissioner Kuester stated she would be able to attend the July 5 meeting but not the August 1 meeting. Housing & Redevelopment Authority Page 2 June 6, 2005 ----------------------------- Councilmember Kuester questioned if they would be approving the concept map and action steps as provided by staff. She stated she is not comfortable with approving the areas around Jackson Avenue due to unknowns about marketability, parking, building height, and transportation issues until the HRA can complete more research on the area. Chair Wilson stated the HRA has been struggling with the option for/and uses for the Jackson Avenue area. Ms. Mehelich stated this item can be brought back to the HRA in August. She stated the HRA could review land uses and discuss specifically the types of land uses they would like to see in this area. 4. Open Mike There was no one present for Open Mike. 5. Downtown Revitalization Project Update Ms. Mehelich stated the deadline for completion of the King Avenue parking lot is July 4, 2005. Relocation of Downtown Flagpole and Gazebo Ms. Mehelich indicated the Council will discuss at its meeting this evening the following options available for relocating the flagpole from its current downtown location. • American Legion-Expressed interest in locating the flagpole to the Veteran's Memorial site located in Mn/DOT right-of-way along Highway 10 or at the Legion. Mn/DOT would not allow the flagpole on their right of way as it creates a liability if it were to fall onto Highway 10. ^ City Park-The Parks and Recreation Commission determined the flagpole would be out of scale for the Downtown Rivers Edge Park. ^ King Avenue Parking Lot-Installation of the flagpole would remove four parking spaces. She stated the HRA could consider using some of its funds to relocate the flagpole. She further stated that Guardian Angels is interested in obtaining the roof of the downtown gazebo. Chair Wilson stated he would like to see the flagpole remain downtown and thought the King Avenue parking lot would be a good location. He stated he would be willing to spend HRA funds for the relocation. Commissioner Kuester questioned if Cretex was contacted to see if they had any interest in sharing some of the relocation costs. Ms. Mehelich stated they have not been contacted for assistance. Councilmember Lieser stated the flagpole should remain downtown. Chair Wilson stated he would like to see the gazebo go to Guardian Angels. Housing & Redevelopment Authority Page 3 June 6, 2005 ----------------------------- MetroPlains Development Update-Construction Plans Ms. Mehelich stated that the Council recently approved the construction plans for the project as required by the development agreement. Ms. Mehelich introduced Vern Hanson of MetroPlains Development and stated that he would be providing an overview of the construction plans for the downtown Bluff and Jackson projects. Mr. Hanson reviewed the building renderings for these two projects. Commissioner Lieser questioned if feedback was received from residents. Ms. Mehelich stated that the comments received have been mixed; both positive and negative. Councilmember Kuester was concerned that the project looked too modern. She was concerned about the lighter colored materials used on the two structures. Commissioner Lieser stated she felt the construction plans looked modern when she first reviewed them. Mr. Hanson stated the building designs are a blend of historical features with some contemporary elements. Chair Wilson stated he was disappointed with the design of the turret on the Bluff Block. He stated in the first illustrations of the Bluff project the turret was unique, provided a gateway to the downtown, and that it was eye catching. He stated that in the construction plans the turret has lost its appeal and does not look as distinct. Commissioner Lieser concurred. Mr. Hanson stated the architects are still refining some of the work on the turret. 5.1. Consider Acceptance of King Avenue Parking Lot Task Force Recommendations Chair Wilson commended and thanked the Task Force for all the hard work they put into their recommendations on downtown parking. Ms. Steinmetz also thanked the Task Force and introduced Lisa Raduenz of LJR Transportation & Planners, Inc. who facilitated the meetings of the King Avenue Parking Lot Task Force. Ms. Raduenz also thanked the Task Force and presented the recommendations made by the Task Force as outlined in her Final Report. Chair Wilson questioned how many parking spots would be in the King Avenue lot. Ms. Steinmetz stated there are approximately 158 parking spots available to the public. Ms. Raduenz stated employees would be issued parking stickers and employers requested meetings with the city if parking enforcement becomes an issue in the future. Commissioner Kuester questioned how many blocks of yellow striping were recommended on Main Street. Housing & Redevelopment Authority Page 4 June 6, 2005 ----------------------------- Ms. Raduenz stated the yellow striping provides motorists with an easier way to spot pedestrians and makes it easier for pedestrians to cross Main Street. She stated that a cone could be placed in the middle of Main Street or an officer on horseback in order to make the pedestrian areas more visible. She stated the Task Force did not discuss the number of blocks to yellow stripe. Ms. Mehelich stated some construction staging could overflow onto Main Street and Jackson Avenue for 12-18 months of construction and suggested that parking enforcement be delayed until construction is completed. Ms. Raduenz stated when parking enforcement is to take place the city needs to campaign ahead of time to make citizens aware of the new parking rules. Commissioner Kuester stated that one city department should be responsible for taking care of all parking matters including enforcement and permitting in the downtown area. Ms. Raduenz stated that most cities have the parking issues taken care of through their Police Departments. Chair Wilson concurred. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LIESER AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE KING AVENUE PARKING LOT TASK FORCE. MOTION CARRIED 3-0. 6. Other Business Ms. Mehelich stated she would get in contact with the HRA members at a later date to find out if summer vacation schedules will conflict with the July and August HRA meeting schedule. 7. Adjournment There being no other business, MOVED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LIESER TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. MOTION CARRIED 3-0. The meeting of the Elk River Housing and Redevelopment Authority adjourned at 6:20 p.m. Tina Allard Recording Secretary