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Home My WebLink AboutHEDRA 06-11-09 MinutesHEDRA Commissioners, Pam Holzem, Kurt Keena, Bob Hollenbeck, Ron Toppin, Danna Elling Schultz present Commissioner Dennis Martodam, and Anthony Alongi, absent Staff present: Hastings EDRA Director John Grossman, John Hinzman, and Community Relations Specialist Shannon Rausch, Minutes from the May 14, 2009 meeting were presented, Keena moved to approve the minutes with no changes. Hollenbeck seconded the motion; Motion passed 5-0 Commissioner Hollenbeck moved to pay the bills. Commissioner Toppin seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0 A. Authorize Relocation Cost Study: Wilson Development The Authority was asked to authorize a relocation cost study of Hudson Manufacturing to the Intek facility in the Industrial Park by Wilson Development. The study would determine how much it would cost to relocate Hudson, and if it were economically feasible to do. The entire study will cost $10,000.00 and can be stopped at any point if it is determined that it is not feasible. If the study is stopped early, then the Authority would only have to pay for the portion of the study which was completed. The study will be done in phases. Phase one is expected to take about ten days. Commissioner Keena moved approval of authorizing Wilson Development to conduct the relocation cost study, Elling Schultz seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0 B. Approve Preliminary Agreement on Block 29 with Stotko Speedling th Language was added to the agreement based on comments from the May 14 meeting which allows a “check in” period in 2011 (two years). The agreement is for a total of three years, but at any point if Mr. Stotko and his partner Mr. Speedling choose, they can cancel the agreement by notifying the Hastings EDRA of their desires. Commissioner Keena moved to approve the agreement, Commissioner Hollenbeck seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0 Hastings EDRA: 06/11/09 1 C. Planning Workshop Dates considered for the Hastings EDRA planning workshop include Monday, July 13, or Tuesday, August 4; Wednesday, August 5; or Thursday, August 6. Commissioners discussed the fact that August might be best because by then more will be known regarding whether or not Hudson will be relocating to the Industrial Park, more details should be known about the changes happening to TRAC, and more information regarding the bridge type will have been announced. th The date of Thursday, August 6 was chosen. The work shop will be held from 1- 4pm. Location is still to be decided. A special meeting will be called at the next Hastings EDRA meeting. Suggested items to be discussed during the planning workshop included: Reviewing EDA power from other cities, Future Business Park/location, Commuter center (including information about transit and the metro transit taxing district), housing. D. Application by R. Hollenbeck for a Rental Rehab Loan (Commissioner Hollenbeck relinquished his place during discussion, was not counted for the quorum and did not vote on the matter.) Commissioner Bob Hollenbeck and wife Barb Hollenbeck submitted an application to the Hastings EDRA for a Rental Rehabilitation Loan to help with financing the repairs they are th making to 415 7 Street West. The single family house is being rehabbed for rental purposes. Mr. & Mrs. Hollenbeck are requesting a $20,000 HEDRA loan to help with the cost of rehabbing the property. Commissioner Keena asked if any special treatment was being given to Mr. & Mrs. Hollenbeck in providing this loan. Hastings EDRA Director Grossman answered “No, this is a standard program available to all citizens and the application meets the criteria.” Commissioner Toppin moved to approve the loan to Mr. Hollenbeck. Commissioner Keena seconded the Motion. Motions passed 4 – 0 – 1 Hollenbeck abstained. A. Industrial Park: 1.Redwing Dental Arts: Still moving forward. In recent conversations Planning Director Hinzman has had with Mr. Iocco, he has indicated possibly wanting to vary from the architectural standards established for the Industrial Park. Director Hinzman has told him that any variances would require council approval. 2.Spiral Blvd/Industrial Park Improvements: City Council ordered the Spiral Park th Improvements at their May 18 meeting. The improvements do include curb and gutter, and ditches for storm water. The project is expected to be opened for bids in July, with a August start date (October wrap up). Hastings EDRA is still moving forward with recommendation to spend $25,000 on the entrance sign for the Park. After reviewing the options, the Authority would recommend a tall but narrow sign with the “tighter” styled logo. (#1 of the five offered.) Hastings EDRA: 06/11/09 2 B. Vermillion Street/Midtown Square Area: 1. P&L Properties: HEDRA staff met with Mr. Peterson on June 11. He is still working on various concepts that include refacing some of the buildings, adding on to one and removing another. Staff will continue to update HEDRA as the project moves forward. 2. Salvation Army: No additional news. rd C. 315 East 3 Street Realtor for the property came back and said the seller would entertain any offers made. Staff asked if the Board would be interested in making a market value offer of $140,000 or even as low as $120,000? Commissioner Elling Shultz asked “what would the incentive be now since the Senior Center won’t be expanding at this time, and wouldn’t need the parking? At this time the Authority is uninterested. D. Downtown: 1. Levee Park: City Council was presented a report from the Levee Park Task Force st on June 1. Council directed the Natural Resources and Recreation Commission to continue to solicit input and refine the plan. The plans envision some form of visitor center on the Hastings EDRA property either on Block 1 or 3. 2. CDGB Funds: Stimulus funds were requested from Dakota County for the Hardwired Fire Alarm Assistance Program, but were turned down. [Commissioner Keena left at 7pm] E. Bridge: City staff is preparing the City’s response to the Environmental Assessment and th will be presenting these comments to the Council at their next meeting on the 15. Key items being addressed include: Noise, vibration, dust (safety and structural concerns for downtown) Staging area that Mn/DOT is proposing and their return to pre staging conditions. Moving the de-icing shelter to the north side of the bridge, rather than south side in the downtown area. Traffic Calming City prefers the cable stay bridge City opposes the girder bridge Concern with tree preservation on the north side. Still need to work out details regarding the replacement of the existing lattice towers th Turn lanes at 4 street Flood management Use of pieces of the existing bridge for memorial in Levee Park. City asks that the East lattice tower by replaced by a monopole as a mitigation of visual impact. th Mn/DOT expects to announce their preferred bridge type on July 15 following their th meetings with the FHWA on the 14. F. Bus Transit Study: Metro Transit is considering extending the Cottage Grove Park & ride south to Hastings but would requires Hastings to opt in to the Metro Transit Taxing District. Hastings EDRA: 06/11/09 3 G. Transfer of HRA Real Estate and agreements to Hastings EDRA: The transfer of Block 1 and all the other parcels of downtown real estate haven officially transferred to EDRA and follow this evening meeting Oliver’s Grove will be transferred to the City. City Attorney, Dan Fluegel is in the process of assigning to EDRA seven active loan agreements, the lease of UBC properties to the City, and the Abdo purchase agreement for Lot 1, Block 3. However Director Grossman and Hinzman along with City Attorney Fluegel reached the conclusion that transferring five active business subsidy agreements for Industrial Park Property would not be a good idea because their security is based on the City power to assess costs to real estate. EDRA does not have that power. Until an alternate security method can be identified, it is best to leave the unsold industrial real estate in the City’s ownership. Thus the EDRA will remain in the position of recommending land sales to the City Council. Commissioner Hollenbeck moved to adjourn at 7:20 p.m., Commissioner Toppin seconded; Motion passed 4-0 Next meeting is scheduled for July 9, 2009 at 6:00pm in the Council Chambers. _____________________________ Shannon M. Rausch, EDRA Secretary Hastings EDRA: 06/11/09 4