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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007.12.17 EDA MinutesMINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF December 17, 2007 EDA President Fran Miron called the meeting to order at 8:30 am. PRESENT: Jan Arcand, Jim Bever, Tom Denaway, Phil Klein, Brian Thistle, and Fran Miron ABSENT: Mike Granger CITY STAFF PRESENT: City Administrator Mike Ericson, CD Director Bryan Bear, Associate Planner Rachel Simone APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF NOVEMBER 19, 2007 Thistle made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the minutes for the EDA meeting of November 19, 2007. All aye. Motion carried. UPDATE ON CARPENTERS REDEVELOPMENT Staff updated the EDA on the progress of the Carpenters Restaurant redevelopment project. Attached was the plan that has been submitted from the architect for informal comments. Mike Anderson was also present at the meeting. CD Director updated the EDA on what has been happening with the redevelopment of Carpenters Restaurant. The new development team is now thinking big picture for the project and finding out where Carpenters would fit in. The project has slowed down, but there have been great changes. The plan does a good job of enhancing the street-scape and thinking about a public corridor. Mike Anderson stated that he thought that thinking big was a good change for the redevelopment project and that the restaurant parking has been a problem. He stated that in the new concept plan they have done their best to accommodate the problem. He asked for informal feedback from the EDA. He would like to have final plans submitted in early 2008 and start construction around April 2008. Miron asked if the development team is planning on developing the entire site. Mike Anderson stated that they are primarily planning for Carpenters, but has some interest in the other property available. Miron asked about the access to the site. CD Director stated that the plans have not been looked at closely. Staff will continue to work with Mike Anderson on the access into the site. Granger stated that he likes the plan and he thinks that Carpenters can work as the first phase without having the entire site complete. Granger also asked if the parking was realistic. CD Director stated that it is pretty close and that the City owned property could be purchased for additional parking. The Metropolitan Council has some grant options for structured parking such as ramps. The EDA discussed the Tax Increment Financing District Certification. Denaway stated that the key date for certification would be sometime before June 30, 2008. Denaway asked if the plan for Carpenters is to purchase additional property. Mike Anderson stated that at this time that's the plan. Arcand stated that the plans where great and it's better to look at the big picture. Thistle agreed and likes the drafted elevations for the restaurant. Klein asked if Carpenters was going to be a two-story building. Mike Anderson stated that has not been figured out yet. Granger stated that he likes the idea of the French Quarter theme in Louisiana; it seems like the elevations mirror that thought. Thistle and Arcand agreed. Denaway stated that the City should think of a unified theme for downtown. EDA PORTION OF THE NEW CITY WEBSITE The Associate Planner presented the EDA portion of the new City website. The website is not yet available to the public, but is planned to be launched in early 2008. Associate Planner showed the EDA what the website will look like and what EDA information will be included. The EDA liked the new City website and was excited to see the outcome. CD Director stated that for the property for sale and leased portion of the website will be helpful to buyers and sellers of property. He suggested sending letters to the commercial and industrial property owners in the City to let them know about this portion of the website. Miron stated that this could also be one of the EDA's 2008 goals, to continue to work with the local business owners. UPDATE ON CITY OWNED COMMERCIAL PROPERTY "FOR SALE" SIGN At the November meeting the EDA recommended to the City Council to put up a commercial property for sale sign on the City owned property. This item was on the Council agenda on December 17, 2007 for approval. Bill Weigel has put together a rendering of what the sign will look like. The example was in the EDA packet. Thistle made a motion, seconded by Granger to recommend approval of the sign layout to the Council. All aye. Motion Carried. EDA ANNUAL REPORT At the November meeting the EDA had a chance to review the 2007 EDA Annual Report. The EDA had some suggestions for changes. The changes have been made and the revised annual report was attached for the EDA to review. Arcand stated that the report should be put in the Hugo Welcome bags that go to new residents. Klein stated that he could bring copies to Hugo Business Association meetings and distribute copies. Associate Planner stated in addition, the reports will be at City Hall and on the website. DISCUSSION ON FIRE DEPARTMENT ON THE 1306 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE. Every three to four years the County and the City adopts new regulations for the International Building Code. There are new provisions for this year and one of them is chapter 1306, which would require certain types of commercial and industrial buildings to have a sprinkler system installed. Jadon 011ila from the Fire Department was present to give a presentation on adopting the chapter 1306 International Building Code. The City Council considered this issue at a workshop on November 20, 2007. The Council requested that the EDA review the information and make a recommendation due to the potential economic impact on the City. The EDA reviewed a memo from John Benson on chapter 1306. Jadon 011ila gave a presentation explaining chapter 1306 of the building code. Chapter 1306 is an optional portion of the building code that could be adopted by the City Council if they feel it is necessary. The optional portion of the code would require buildings of certain uses and size to have a sprinkler system in case of a fire. There are two forms of 1306 that can be adopted. #1: This would include both any new buildings and additions to buildings. This also would be a requirement if the use changed within the building. This would include the retrofitting of a sprinkler system in an entire existing building when additions are proposed. #2: This would only include new buildings and additions to buildings. This also would be a requirement if the use changed within the building. Klein made a motion, seconded by Denaway, to recommend to the City Council option #2 of Chapter 1306 of the Building Code. All Aye. Motion Carried. ADJOURNMENT Granger made motion, Arcand seconded to adjourn the meeting at 10:30 am All aye. Motion carried.