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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010.08.09 EDA MinutesMINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF AUGUST 9, 2010 Granger called the EDA meeting, to order at 8:40 am. PRESENT: Jan Arcand, Jim Bever, Tom Denaway, Mike Granger Brian Thistle and Fran Miron (came later) ABSENT: Phil Klein, CITY STAFF PRESENT: City Administrator, Mike Ericson, Community Development Director, Bryan Bear, and Planner, Rachel Simone. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF JULY 12, 2010 Arcand made motion, Bever seconded, to approve the minutes for the EDA meeting of July 12, 2010. All ayes. Motion carried. DISCUSSION ON LETTER TO RIVER BANK — RICCI'S BUILDING Staff has been working with the representative of the River Bank that owns the Ricci's property on the demolition of the building. The property owners are interested in demolishing the building, but know that there are constraints on the property that limit what can be developed there. Staff has drafted a letter for discussion with the EDA on what the City would be willing to help with as they redevelop the property. Staff recommended that the EDA review the draft letter and provide feedback to staff. The EDA thought the letter was good and wanted the bank to move forward with the demolition of the building. Bever made a motion, seconded by Denaway, to make a recommendation to the City Council to send the letter to the owners of the Ricci's property. All aye. Motion carried. UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT Staff updated the EDA on downtown redevelopment. CD Director talked about the End Zone building demolition to happen this month. The antique store building demolition order hearing is on September 10, 2010. The demolition of the building should happen in the month of September. The missing link to the hardwood creek trail will most likely happen in 2013. The County needs to buy the right of way and abandon the railroad before the trail can be constructed. There may be a creative way the County can lease the property until acquisition and build the trail earlier. New traffic signals will be installed this year at the intersections of 147th Street and Highway 61 and 130th Street and Highway 61. This will be complete this construction season. A Development team has been looking at the church property in front of Muller Manor. The property is zoned commercial. The EDA discussed having a meeting with the interested parties. Miron made a motion, seconded by Granger, to direct staff set a meeting with the interested parties. All aye. Motion Carried. UPDATE ON THE BR&E IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT TEAMS Staff made a presentation to the HBA on the BR&E Marketing and Events implementation project teams at its July 13, 2010, meeting. The outcome was to have a BR&E and HBA joint meeting on the implementation project and distinguish roles of the City and the HBA on each goal. The joint meeting is on August 17, 2010. Staff will update the EDA in September on the outcome of the joint meeting. DISCUSSION ON THE PARK DEDICATION FEES The City of Hugo Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commission discussed possible revisions to the Park Dedication Policy at their July 14, 2010 meeting. Parks Planner Shayla Syverson discussed the Park Dedication Policy with the EDA. Currently, the Park Dedication Policy requires payment of $2,400 per acre with any commercial or industrial development. All funds that are dedicated are used by the Parks Commission to build new park facilities, which help meet the increased demand for parks brought by the development. The majority of funds received through dedication are from residential developments. Approximately $10,000 in park dedication has been paid to the city for commercial and industrial development between 1999 and 2009. Some cities do not require park dedication with commercial and industrial development. Granger stated that the park dedication fee for commercial and industrial properties is a disincentive for businesses to come to town. Denaway stated that the businesses pay property taxes and agreed with Granger. Granger made a motion, seconded by Denaway, to recommend to the Parks Commission to remove the fee for commercial and industrial developments from the park dedication policy with the following findings: 1. The parks are important to the City and make the community more attractive. 2. The park dedication fee is a competitive disadvantage for businesses to come to Hugo. 3. Many surrounding cities do not require commercial and industrial development to pay park dedication fees. 4. The park dedication fee collected for existing commercial and industrial developments is not a huge revenue generator. 5. Commercial and industrial property taxes help pay for park improvements. 6. Commercial and industrial businesses have made donations to several community and organized events in the City. All aye. Motion Carried. ADJOURNMENT Granger made a motion, seconded by Denaway, to adjourn at 10:30 am. All Aye. Motion Carried.