05-02-2011 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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• CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION May 2, 2011 APPROVED 90 be too wet for use since it is sand based and doesn't get muddy; the city attorney reports 91 that city insurance would generally cover the land and additional coverage by the Legion 92 is recommended; a hold harmless agreement is recommended; police department is 93 working with the state patrol on the Governor's visit; Fire Department lot is partially 94 available. The council concurred with the request for parking for a one-time use the 95 coming weekend. 96 97 The Mayor then noted that the American Legion has some long-standing parking issues 98 and they are requesting on-going use of some of the city owned land for that purpose. 99 City ordinance has specific requirements for parking areas (including curb and gutters) so 100 a temporary use would be a difficult call. Henry White, American Legion Commander, 101 noted that the Legion understands that temporary means they could lose the parking at the 102 city's call. The Mayor suggested that the Legion consider buying a portion such as a half 103 acre. Mr. Grochala noted that splitting the land could inhibit its future sale. Mr. White 104 stressed that the American Legion facility clearly doesn't have adequate parking but it's a 105 good community organization that serves the area and doesn't make a lot of money. The 106 council discussed the option of joining the current Legion parking with adjacent Fire 107 Department lot to gain parking space. Staff will continue to work with the Legion on 108 options and report back to the council. 109 110 5. Update on 49/J Development Proposal—Economic Development Coordinator 111 Divine reviewed her written update on the grocery store proposal. As recommended 112 previously by the council, a public meeting was held on the proposal. Approximately 75 113 people attended the meeting and some voiced their concerns about such things as noise, 114 size of store, traffic,proximity to residential area and 24 hour operations. Staff has since 115 met with the developer and has heard from them that they would not be interested in 116 building a smaller store (she shared market information for the area that the developer 117 had provided). She noted the master planning that has been done for the area and the 118 need for infrastructure improvements for new development. She also reviewed the 119 concept of tax increment financing for those improvements, as has been discussed 120 previously. 121 122 The mayor noted that without agreement on all sides of the matter,there really isn't a 123 project in his eyes. He disclosed that he has spoken with the developer and has heard 124 their needs and why they can't change them. He also understands what the neighbors are 125 saying. Ms. Divine remarked that if the 50,000 square foot store isn't acceptable to the 126 council, more discussion may not be needed; also the tax increment element won't be 127 available indefinitely. The development could be proposed without city assistance (tax 128 increment)however no formal application has been received. The mayor remarked that 129 he sees it is appropriate for the council to give the developer an answer on the project; his 130 preference would be to give them an answer other than just"no". In that light,his 131 question would be "if not this, what?"understanding that something will eventually be 132 developed at the site. 133 3