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1985 03 21MINUTES HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY JOINT MEETING WITH THE CITY COUNCIL MARCH 21, 1985 CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chairman Horn called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. Present were: Commissioners Swenson, Horn, Robbins and Bohn. Chairman Whitehill was absent. Also present were: City Manager Ashworth, City Planner Dacy, Fred Hoisington of Brauer and Associates, and Roger Knutson of Grannis, Campbell, Farrell & Knutson. MINUTES: Robbins moved, seconded by Horn to approve the minutes of the February 21, 1985 meeting. All voted in favor and the motion carried. PRESENTATION OF THE FINDINGS OF FORUM TWO~ BRAUER AND ASSOCIATES: Fred Hoisington presented the findings of Public Forum 2. He explained the alternate concept 1 was not approved because it proposed no connection over the railroad or to Highway 5. Altnernate concept 2, however, was approved as it connected West 79th Street with a north/south road to Highway 5 crossing over the railroad. Hoisington related that the concept is intended to create commercial development around West 78th Street with regional and convenience commercial uses along the west side of the north/south roadway. It is intended that development be done in incremental steps. He also stated that there is a potential for residential development, especially north of West 78th Street in the downtown area. The next step in the downtown redevelop- ment project is a developer's forum. It was originally scheduled for April llth. Hoisington presented a list of developers to invite. The following names were added to this list: Marvin Hartman, Ron Clark Construction, and Jim Boisclair Corporation. Councilwoman Watson commented that the main street concept was appropriate, however, was concerned about the viability of another access onto Highway 5. Hoisington stated that in order for that intersection to be created, the State would want the elimination of one of the existing intersections. Commissioner Swenson commented that the proposed concept was the closest to the previous ring road concept. Co~missioner Bohn felt that the proposed concept was more logical, affected fewer business people and would consider crossing the railroad tracks without con- necting into Highway 5. Councilman Geving felt that the connec- tion to Highway 5 ma_y be unrealistic. He preferred and approved of the maintenance of the existing road alignments. He suggested that the old City Hall be moved to some location in downtown to act as a landmark. Mayor Hamilton felt that the concept was a realistic plan noting that the incremental phasing is important. He also suggested looking into a road along the north side of the railroad tracks for alternative access. Commissioner Horn recom- mended that Hoisington prepare a series of alternatives including what has been ruled out for presentation to the developers at the next forum. Motion by Bohn, seconded by Robbins to skip item 4 on the agenda and move to item 5. All voted in favor and the motion carried. ~CH 21, 1985 DISCUSSION OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS FOR YEAR IX AND XI.' Dacy distributed a memo dated March 21, 1985 regarding the Year IX and Year XI CDBG allocations. She stated that Larry Blackstad from the Urban Hennepin County CDBG staff recommended that the allocation for the Senior Citizen Center be allocated under the Year XI program as other communities are using Year XI funds for this purpose. Therefore, $56,215 would be earmarked for land acquisition for the parcel adjacent to the Instant Web building site. She stated that he also advised that most of the Year XI funds be allocated toward land acquisition with the remainder set aside for administrative purposes. Motion by Robbins, seconded by Bohn to recommend to the City Council that the CDBG allocations be expended as follows: Year IX Reallocation: Land Acquisition $56,215. Year XI Allocation: Land Acquisition Senior Citizen Center Administration $38,000. 200. 332. All voted in favor and the motion carried. Motion by Robbins, seconded by Bohn to go back to item 4. All voted in favor and the motion carried. AGREEMENTS OF THE SALE OF THE INSTANT WEB BUILDING: Discussion of Agreements: Knutson presented the agreement for the sale of the Instant Web building. He explained that Gary Kirt of David C. Bell Investment Company did not want to issue a letter of credit. In the alternative, Knutson stated that he has received and reviewed Kirt's financial statements and feels assured that the $150,000 mortgage can be guaranteed. The HRA felt that the City Attorney should pursue the reception of a one year term policy insurance statement from Kirt. Knutson also related to the HRA that he was concerned about the City's liability if the land to be acquired cannot be purchased by June 1st. The HRA determined that the City Manager and the Mayor re- negotiate with the proposed building owners. Motion by Horn, seconded by Bohn to approve the concepts as related to the agreements as presented by the City Attorney. All voted in favor and the motion carried. Discussion of Design and Overall Site Plan: Hoisington pre- sented the analysis of the submitted interior design and site plan. Hoisington noted that his review was intended to assess MARCH 21, 1985 PAGE 3 the overall functional adequacy of the site plan and its con- sistency with the evolving central business district plans. He advised the HRA that the bowling center that was originally intended to be located on the southeast portion of the building is now being negotiated to be located on the southwest portion of the building. This change in interior design will affect the parking layout and site design. He also noted that a restaurant was proposed to be located in Kirt's section in the northeast portion of the building. This poses concerns regarding adequate parking spaces in the immediate area. He noted that the sub- division and site plan has to be reviewed by the Planning Commission and the City Council and a more detailed plan will be presented at those meetings. Discussion of Acquisition of Bloomberg Property: Ashworth advised the HRA that in order for Community Development Block Grant funds to be used to acquire the necessary acreage from Mr. Bloomberg, an Environmental Assessment Worksheet has to be completed. He stated that the Planning staff is now working on that document. Also needed is the hiring of a process manager to insure that all HUD regulations are being met regarding the acquisition of the property. Two firms were contacted: Dan Wilson and Von Klug and Associates. Ashworth stated that Wilson has contacted him and Ashworth recommended the hiring of Mr. Wilson in order to begin the process. Swenson moved, seconded by Bohn, to approve the hiring of Dan Wilson to act as the City's Process Manager in acquiring the land with Community Development Block Grant Funds. All voted in favor and the motion carried. Existing Tenant Update: Ashworth explained that several let- ters have been sent out not only to the vehicle owners in the mid to rear portion of the building, but also to the individual tenants. He stated that in some situations and alternate payment schedule has had to be negotiated with tenants who were more than sixty days in arrears. Specific arrangements with Quali-Tech and Gedney have been made to allow the continuation of their storage until April 31st. APPROVAL OF BILLS.- Motion by Swenson, seconded by Bohn to approve the bills as presented. All voted in favor and the motion carried. ADJOURNMENT: Bohn moved, seconded by Swenson to adjourn the meeting at 10:24 p.m. All voted in favor and the motion carried.