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1984 09 27Minutes Chanhassen Housing and Redevelopment Authority Regular Meeting September 27, 1984 Call to Order Chairman Whitehill called the-meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. Present were Commissioners Bohn, Swenson, Horn, Robbins, and Whitehill. No one was absent. Executive Director Martin was also present. Approval of Minutes Bohn moved, seconded by Robbins, to approve the minutes of the August 2, 1984 meeting as presented. All voted in favor and the motion carried. Presentation of West 79th Street/Railroad Crossing Traffic Study David Warner, Traffic Engineer from BRW, Inc., presented the results of the West 79th Street Area Traffic Analysis prepared by his firm at the request of the Board to determine the need for a new at-grade railroad crossing between West 79th Street and the Downtown Area. Several Board members questioned the timing of the traffic counts, (i.e. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; July 24-26) and felt that peak traffic in the study area was on weekends due to the nature of the businesses located in the area. John Pryzmus of Razors Court disagreed with the study findings and felt that there was an immediate need for an outlet on the westerly end of West 79th Street. Dale Geving added that the principal commercial growth area in the City was along Highway 5/West 79th Street, and that a link-up with downtown would encourage additional business development downtown as well. Whitehill felt that the major problem facing the City is the con- figuration of T.H. 101/W. 79th Street intersection, rather than the timing of future development projected by the consultant. Swenson moved, seconded by Whitehill, to table the discussion of this item until the Board has more time to consider the study results. All voted in favor and the motion carried. Approval of Leases - Chanhassen HRA Building Whitehill moved, seconded by Horn, to approve the proposed lease with E. A. Sween Company for warehouse storage space in the HRA building at a rate of $437.50 per month. All voted in favor and the motion carried. Horn moved, seconded by Robbins, to approve the request of Chanhassen American Legion Post %580 to use the vacant office area in the HRA building for a "Halloween Haunted House" at no Chanhassen HRA Minutes September 27, 1984 Page 2 charge, during the month of October, 1984, subject to the Legion obtaining $1,000,000 in liability insurance coverage and subject to the restoration and clean-up of the building and grounds by November 5, 1984. All voted in favor and the motion carried. Review of Preliminary Downtown Project Request for ProDosals Martin presented a preliminary draft of the Downtown Redevelopment Project "Request for Proposals" (RFP) that he had prepared at the direction of the Board. He also distributed a list of twenty-one developers' that he had identified as having a potential interest in the project, and therefore, should receive an RFP. Swenson felt that the mailing of the RFP would prove fruitless and that this approach would not interest prospective developers in the Downtown Project. She suggested that a more aggressive sales approach be undertaken by the City to interest developers in the Project. A special dinner party was suggested that would bring together community leaders and prospective developers, ven- ture capitalists, mortgage bankers, investors, etc. to discuss the opportunities for investment in Downtown Chanhassen. Following discussion of Commissioner Swenson's suggestion, the Board agreed to table action on the RFP and to further discuss arrangements for a dinner party with the City Council within the next month. Review Proposed 1985 Operating Budget Martin presented the proposed 1985 HRA operating budget, and advised the Board that the Mayor and City Manager had requested a meeting between the HRA and City Council to review the proposed Budget and discuss the future of the HRA. Whitehill moved, seconded by Bohn, to table review of the 1985 Operating Budget until a special Joint meeting with the City Council is held. All voted in favor and the motion carried. Approval of Bills Swenson moved, seconded by Horn, to approve the bills for August and September, 1984, as presented. All voted in favor and the motion carried. New Business The Board agreed to meet jointly with the City Council on either October 16 or 17 to review the proposed 1985 HRA Operating Budget, to discuss the future of the HRA, and to make plans for the promotion of the Downtown Redevelopment Project to prospec- tive developers. Chanhassen HRA Minutes September 27, 1984 Page 3 Report on HRA Building Revenues/Expenses Martin presented a detailed breakdown of revenue and operational expenses for the HRA building. The report showed that opera- tional cots have exceeded revenues by a two to one ratio since the HRA took possession of the building from Instant Web, Inc. in January, 1983. He estimated that the building would lose more than $35,000 in 1984, not including depreciation and debt service. Martin recommended that the building be closed effective December 1, 1984 in order to eliminate the high cost of energy during the winter heating season. Whitehill felt that the HRA should not risk having a portion of the building collapse due to frost heaving until a final decision is made concerning the ultimate disposition of the building. He preferred to keep the building open and occupied during the next six-nine months in order to retain the option of selling or leasing the building in its existing condition. Whitehill moved, seconded by Horn, to keep the HRA building open and leased to multiple tenants at least through the end of May, 1985. All voted in favor and the motion carried. Ad journment Horn moved, seconded by Robbins, to adjourn the meeting at 9:35 p.m. All voted in favor and the motion carried.