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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009.09.14 EDA MinutesMINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 14, 2009 EDA Vice President Phil Klein called the meeting to order at 8:30 am. PRESENT: Jan Arcand, Jim Bever, Tom Denaway, Mike Granger Phil Klein, and Fran Miron ABSENT: Brian Thistle CITY STAFF PRESENT: City Administrator Mike Ericson, Community Development Director Bryan Bear, Associate Planner Rachel Simone, and Shayla Syverson, Economic Development / Parks Intern APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF AUGUST 10, 2009 Arcand made motion, Granger seconded, to approve the minutes for the EDA meeting of August 10, 2009. All ayes. Motion carried. DISCUSSION ON CARPENTERS RESTAURANT PROJECT Miron gave background on the Carpenters project and his discussions with the property owners on their concerns. The Anderson's stated that they had concerns with the cost for SAC/WAC fees, TIF funding, and the costs for the right turn lane into the site. The CD Director stated that the project has been approved and that the City has granted an easement over the property to the north, free of charge, to the applicants for some of the the parking that is required for the project. The City has also changed its fee structure for sewer and water hook-ups that will save the applicants money. He felt that there was a gap in the financing that needs to be resolved. Mike Anderson agreed. Denaway asked if the Anderson's figured out what the gap in financing was. Mike Anderson stated that it has not been formally figured out. Mike stated that he wanted the City to help out on some of the costs with the right turn lane. Mike Anderson stated that all of the public uses for the project are too expensive. Granger stated that until we have a number for the gap in financing to work towards it's hard to help with the costs. The CD Director stated that if the project happens during the time that Highway 61 is improved there will be cost savings to the applicants. Granger and Klein stated that the gap in financing needs to be figured out. What the City has asked with this project has not been different that is required for the other projects approved in the City. Miron stated that the City is open to meeting with the financial entity to figure out what they need to finance the project. He stated that we will then have a good idea what the gap is and may be able to figure out a way for cost savings. Cathy Anderson asked if they were responsible for the entrance to the site and the public walkway in the front of the proposed building. The CD Director stated that this area of downtown needs to be planned together. MNDOT will only allow the City to have one entrance into the site. This is the first project and it needs an entrance. The City is also building the public trail along Egg Lake. Staff and the Commissions tried to be very up front during the development planning and there should not have been any surprises. Miron agreed and stated that there may be a way for the City and the applicants to work together. He stated that the EDA is willing to help, but the gap in financing is an important piece. The applicants agreed and stated that they will contact City staff to set up a meeting and include the bank on the discussions. Bever suggested working with the construction company on the costs. Miron made a motion, seconded by Granger, to continue working with the applicants to set up a meeting and to contact the EDA members if any help is needed at the meetings. All aye. Motion carried. UPDATE ON SAC / WAC FEE STRUCTURE REVISIONS Over the past year the City has been working on revising the sewer and water connection fees. The new rates were adopted in August. Staff updated the EDA on the revisions that were made. There is not a split of the costs between the developer and the owner. The cost to the end user is significantly less then the previous fee structure. There is also a break for redevelopment projects. UPDATE ON OFFERS TO SELL PROPERTY LOCATED ON 165TH STREET AND HIGHWAY 61 At the August meeting the EDA discussed the offers to sell for properties located at 165th Street and Highway 61. The EDA made a recommendation to the City Council to send a response letter to the listing agent stating that the City was interested, but was not in the position to purchase the property at this time. The Council considered the recommendation and directed staff to write and send the letters to the listing agent. UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT Staff updated the EDA on downtown redevelopment in the City. Hugo 1 Stop, formally 61 Stop, has reopened with new owners. Also the house behind the Ricci's property has been sold. UPDATE ON BR&E Staff updated the EDA on the progress of the BR&E Program. The task force orientation will be on September 22, 2009 and the training for the business visits will be on October 7, 2009. The task force will survey the businesses during the visits and follow-up on any immediate issues within a week of each visit. All of the business visits are planned to be completed by the beginning of November. UPDATE ON P.A.W.S. PET HOSPITAL GROUND BREAKING The ground breaking for PAWS Pet Hospital was on Monday, September 1, 2009 at 8 am. They plan on opening to the public this winter. CITY WIDE BUS TOUR The City of Hugo's annual City wide bus tour is on Monday, September 14, 2009 @ 4:30 pm. ADJOURNMENT Klein made a motion, seconded by Denaway, to adjourn at 10:30 am. All Ayes, Motion Carried.