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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010.11.08 EDA MinutesMINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF NOVEMBER 8, 2010 Fran called the meeting to order at 9:10 am. PRESENT: Jan Arcand, Tom Denaway, Jim Bever, and Fran Miron ABSENT: Mike Granger, Phil Klein, and Brian Thistle APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF OCTOBER 11, 2010 Denaway made motion, Bever seconded, to approve minutes for the EDA meeting of October 11, 2010. All aye. Motion carried. PRESENTATION FROM DEVELOPMENT TEAM FOR THE CITY OWNED PROPERTIES Representatives Mark Finneman, Dick Fischer, and Mike Brass from NAI Welsh unveiled concept markups for the proposed Downtown Event Center. The proposed Event Center features modern design, with a style that has been infused with warm, French architectural d6cor. The proposed Event Center will house four businesses and employ a shared parking lot, with a capacity of 160 cars. NAI hopes to move a restaurant into one of the larger units, and envisions the restaurant as the anchor for the building. NAI Welsh has designed the building with a funeral parlor in mind for the other larger unit. The two larger units of the building measure 3,000 square feet per room, and the smaller two units measure 2,500 square feet per room. A 3,600 square foot shared area will be in the center of the building. Commissioners Bever and Denaway posed a number of tough questions, including inquiries regarding the design of the building, and concerns over its marketability as a modern -style, multi-purpose building. Denaway posed the question, "why not a more traditional building?" NAI Welsh made it clear that they are confident that a modern - style building will be "further ahead of the game" and will be an asset to the community picture. After a considerable Question and Answer period, Commissioner Arcand stated that though she did not expect to like the concept, that she would support the plan. Commissioners Bever and Denaway were also persuaded. No floor plan or design concept is final yet, but in the next few weeks NAI Welsh plans to begin marketing the space and building as presented. Finneman, Fisher, and Brass stated that they will remain open to re -design options from interested renters throughout the marketing process. UPDATE ON PARK DEDICATION POLICY Due to the revisions of Minnesota State Statutes regarding park dedication, the Parks Commission has drafted a proposal to amend the Park Dedication Policy to add an appeal process for fees. The Economic Development Authority has also made a recommendation to amend the Park Dedication Policy, inclusive of an appeal process for fees and a clause eliminating commercial/industrial development dedications. Denaway expressed concern over potential liabilities and inequitability of the proposed policy recommended by the Parks and Planning Commissions. He volunteered to attend the City Council meeting to represent the EDA. UPDATE ON TIF CERTIFICATION On July 22, 2009, the request to certify the TIF district was delivered to Washington County. The EDA decided to request certification at that time, because there is a three year time limit to use buildings that have been demolished to qualify. In order for the city to reimburse itself for the purchase of the properties and the demolition, the district needed to be certified within three years of the date that the property was deemed substandard. Staff was expecting to hear back from the County on the certification this summer. Staff contacted Washington County in August and they stated that they did not receive the certification request. The request was also sent to the State of Minnesota and they were aware of the request. As per the decision made at the October 11, 2010 meeting, staff has re -submitted the TIF request to the County, inclusive of a petition for the request to reflect the date of the initial request, July 22, 2009. UPDATE ON CITY RENTAL PROPERTIES IN DOWNTOWN The City owns two rental properties in downtown across from City Hall (barber shop/printing building and a duplex). For the last several years the duplex and the barber shop have been rented out. At the October 11, 2010 meeting, staff discussed with the EDA what the future will be for the two buildings. CD Director presented the holding costs for the barber shop and duplex. The barber shop building stands negative $27,430.99. The duplex stands at a $51,756.87 gain. CD Director stated that it is the opinion of Finance Director Ron Otkin that the surplus should be returned to the Park Dedication Fund. EDA decided to re-evaluate the duplex after the tenants have vacated, and decide on its future then. City Administrator also stated that a man who identified himself as a person of interest to save the barber shop has contacted him regarding the financial state of the barber shop, with an interest to contribute. UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT CD Director stated that Ricci's will hopefully be demolished by the end of the year. Pete Sampair, Bill Leutsch, and Paul Kelleher are working together to market the former End Zone property, and the property to the south, as a Senior Assisted Living project. It was reported that they feel if the abandoned Nadeau's gas station were involved, that the project would be more attractive to investors. NRI is still behind schedule with their clean-up effort. Owner has expressed his regret but continues the effort to clean up the recycling center. ADJOURNMENT Bever made a motion, seconded by Denaway, to adjourn at 11:04 am. All aye. Motion carried.