1995.08.28 CC Minutes - Joint Council and Planning Commission

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MINUTES OF THE HUGO CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AUGUST 28._1995 Council Members Present: Barnes, Goiffon, LaValle, Leroux, Miron Planning Commission Members Present: Agness, Kellison, Malaski, Miltz-Miller, Rubenzer, Schumann, Peltier Mayor Miron called the joint meeting to order at 7:45PM for the purpose of considering consultants to assist the City in developing a downtown redevelopment plan. The first firm interviewed was RLK Associates, LTD. Mr. Steve Schwanke, Scott Wendy, and John Dietrich made a presentation on the firms qualifications. The second firm interviewed was Loucks and Associates, Tom Loucks, Ed Elliott, and Michael Lamb made a presentation. The third firm interviewed was Hoisington Koegler Group, Incorporated, with the presentation made by Fred Hoisington and Michael Schrader. The fourth and final firm to make a presentation was Dahlgren, Shardlow, and Uban, Inc. with John Uban and Dean Carlson representing the firm. Following the presentations by the consultants, the Mayor requested the Planning Commission provide their comments and recommendation to the Council. Jim Kellison asked whether the timing of the study was opportune and the possibility of using the Governors design team to help in the downtown renewal process. The Mayor and Administrator responded regarding the timing, stating that the amount of activity in the downtown area was increasing, including the construction of a new post office, a potential for Carpenter's Steakhouse to launch a major redevelopment project, Interstate Lumber considering expansion of the rail facility at the intersection of Trunk Highway 61 and County Rd. 8, the construction of a regional bike trail through the downtown area by Washington County, the turnback of Trunk. Highway 61 from the Minnesota Department of Transportation to Washington County Public Works, the potential of T.H. 61 expanding from two lanes to four lanes, the recent major expansion of Granger's Inc. as well as the addition of the new Subway. Council member Barnes indicated that the City, in it's planning efforts, needed to be ahead of the development in order to guide construction in the best interests of the City. The City Administrator stated that the use of the Governor's design team was a positive experience for a City but that it limited it's scope of work to developing concepts and visions and did not become involved in the development of an actual plan for downtown redevelopment. Given the increased number of businesses expanding or locating in the downtown area the City needs a firm plan with which to operate. Planning Commissioner Schumann expressed support for hiring Loucks and Associates to do the downtown plan because of their extensive experience with the community. Planning Commissioner Agness also indicated a preference for Loucks and Associates due to their recent assistance in preparation of the City's revised comprehensive plan. He felt that the