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MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF AUGUST 20, 2019 <br />Weidt called the meeting to order at 5:58 pm. <br />PRESENT: Denaway, Gallivan, Houle, Klein, Petty, Puleo, Weidt. <br />ABSENT: <br />STAFF: Bryan Bear, City Administrator <br />Rachel Juba, Community Development Director <br />Emily Weber, Community Development Assistant <br />APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF JUNE 18, 2019 <br />Klein made a motion, Petty seconded, to approve minutes for the EDA meeting of June 18, 2019. <br />All Ayes. Motion carried. <br />CONCEPT PLANS ON CITY OWNED PROPERTY <br />Juba provided background on the development criteria for the City owned property along Egg Lake. The <br />property has been marketed for one dollar to users that can provide a full service restaurant or some form <br />of destination use and exceed the requirements of the Downtown Design Guidelines. Juba introduced the <br />two groups presenting concept plans for the property: Tony Harmening and Denny Trooien. Both groups <br />are looking for the EDA to provide feedback and comments on the concept plans. <br />Tony Harmening. Harmening provided a background on his experience in the food service industry, <br />which included his ownership of a catering company in New York called Martini Craft. He lives in the <br />area with his family and is looking to own and operate a 4,500 square foot restaurant along Egg Lake. <br />The restaurant, Cattle House, would be a family style steak restaurant that includes a dining area, a bar, <br />and patio seating. Harmening would incorporate outdoor activities for all seasons. The concept plan <br />showed phasing that would include a future event center expansion to the restaurant and separate retail <br />buildings. Possible expansions on site could also include an ice cream or coffee shop. <br />Denny Trooien. Trooien is the owner of Dennis Properties and is an experienced attorney with a real <br />estate background. He presented his concept plan with the help from Josh Jansen of Collage Architects. <br />Trooien's concept plan showed a vision of Downtown Hugo that included four buildings right along the <br />water of Egg Lake, two multiuse buildings, and a boardwalk. The buildings would host restaurants, retail, <br />office, and retail, depending on the available market. Trooien intends to develop the property, while <br />leasing to tenants. The plan focuses on creating a downtown street that is pedestrian and family friendly. <br />The EDA provided comments on both presentations. <br />The EDA expressed interest in both concepts and continued their discussion on the feasibility of each <br />plan and provisions that may need to be addressed in a future purchase agreement. The EDA is looking <br />at which concept will come to fruition and emphasized that ultimately they want to see the property <br />developed. <br />The EDA recommended staff continue to work with both Harmening and Trooien, but their preferred <br />concept plan is Harmening's. <br />