HomeMy WebLinkAbout20080407 - Minutes Special Meeting 20080331Hastings, Minnesota
City Council Minutes
March 31, 2008
The City Council of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a special meeting on Monday,
March 31, 2008 at 5:30 PM at the Historic LeDuc Estate at 1629 Vermillion Street, Hastings,
Minnesota.
Members Present: Mayor Hicks, City Councilmembers Alongi, Hazlet, Hollenbeck, Schultz
and Slavik
Members Absent: Councilmember Blueness
Staff Present: City Administrator Dave Osberg
City Attorney Dan Fluegel
Assistant City Administrator Melanie Mesko Lee
Planning Director John Hinzman
Public Works Director Tom Montgomery
HRA Director Jahn Grossman
Proclamation-Heritage Preservation Month
Moved by Councihmember Schultz, seconded by Councilmember Slavik to approve the
proclamation as presented.
6 Ayes; Nays, none.
Copy of proclamation on file.
Presentation and Discussion-Economic Development Authority
HRA Director John Grossman provided a summary of the committee recommendation
on the topic of establishing an Economic Development Authority. The following general
consensus items were reached.
• That the Council should consider establishing and EDA to encourage business growth,
taking advantage of statutory powers and tools not now available to the City;
• If established, the EDA board should be made up of councilmembers and residents;
• If an EDA is established, and EDC would not be necessary.
Councilmember Alongi, chair of the working group, stated that the group also
discussed that consolidation into one body would result in a more simple process, as opposed to
maintaining a separate HRA and EDA. Also, while additional tax capacity would be available,
that does not mean that it needs to be used to capacity.
Mayor Hicks stated that one body would enhance the coordination of activities more
efficiently.
Moved by Councilmember Alongi, seconded by Councilmember Slavik to support the
concept of creating an Economic Development Authority and directing staffto develop a
timeline for implementation by January 1, 2009.
6 Ayes; Nays, none.
Presentation and Discussion-Options Available for Downtown Improvement Project
Councilmember Alongi provided a summary of the committee's discussions over the
last several months, including the premise that it is important to move forward on items which
do not involve private investment. With that premise, the committee made a list of options and
ideas and created a matrix to assist with prioritizing
Public Works Director Montgomery provided a brief overview of the proposed 2008
street and utility improvements planned for downtown. There was discussion over phasing the
project for minimal impact on the summer car shows.
City of Hastings March 31, 2008
City Council Minutes Page 2 of 2
There was discussion about the conversations that have occurred with impacted
stakeholders and the importance of a public involvement and engagement process, including
use of website and a-mail to solicit feedback from the public. The committee and staff were
recognized for their work on these items to date.
Adjournment
Moved by Councilmember Slavik, seconded by Councilmember Schultz to adjourn
meeting at 6:55 p.m.
6 Ayes, Nays, None.
Paul J. Hicks
Mayor
Melanie Mesko Lee
City Clerk