HomeMy WebLinkAbout20080331 - Agenda Special Council Meeting
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
Dave Osberg, City Administrator
March 27,2008
Special City Council Meeting
City Councilmembers are reminded of the special meeting scheduled for Monday March
31,2008 at 5:30 PM at the Le Duc Mansion. Staff would suggest the City Council
consider the following schedule and agenda for evening:
5:30-6:00 PM
Gather and Dinner
Adopt Heritage Preservation Month Proclamation
6:00-6:45 PM
Presentation and Discussion-Economic Development Authority
6:45-7:00 PM
Break
7:00 -8:00 PM
Presentation and Discussion on options available for Downtown
Improvement Project
8:00-8:30 PM
Consider additional information
Next Steps
Wrap-Up! Adjournment
While the agenda and discussion can remain somewhat fluid, it seems reasonable that
discussion of each ofthe items on the agenda might follow a schedule and pattern as
addressed above
BACKGROUND
Special thanks to City Councilmembers Tony Alongi, Danna Elling Schultz and Mike
Slavik for their hard work the last several months addressing each of the two topics under
consideration at the meeting on March 31. In addition, Ron Toppin and Dennis
Martodam from the HRA have been instrumental with their involvement on the
Committee, along with Shane Bauer from the Economic Development Commission.
Finally, HRA Director John Grossman, Park and Recreation Director Barry Bernstein,
Planning Director John Hinzman, Public Works Director Tom Montgomery, and City
Engineer Nick Egger have been invaluable the last several months providing a great deal
of information on these topics, in particular the issues associated with the downtown
projects.
City Councilmembers may recall that last summer a Committee was established with the
two fold purpose of researching the opportunity to establish an Economic Development
Authority, and also the options available for the City and HRA as it relates to
improvements in the downtown area. The Committee has been diligent in its meeting
schedule the last several months, and its findings and recommendations to date, shall
serve as the basis for the meeting on Monday March 31, 2008.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Attached to this memorandum is a copy of the "report" from the Committee outlining the
discussion points and recommendations for consideration as it relates to the formulation
of an Economic Development Authority. City Councilmembers are encouraged to review
this report, as it will be used as the basis for a brief presentation by Staff and discussion
by the City Council. As the City Council considers the creation of an Economic
Development Authority, and should you wish to do so, there are several scheduling
considerations to keep in mind. Should the City Council wish to create an Economic
Development Authority, a natural target date would be January 1, 2009. This would allow
for appointment of members and also allow for inclusion of any budgetary considerations
when the process starts this summer. In the event decisions are made regarding the
Economic Development Authority resulting in its "merging" with the HRA in some
fashion, there will also need to be some consideration of proper transition, both from a
membership standpoint, but also transfer of certain assets, agreements and contracts that
currently exist in the name of the HRA.
DOWNTOWN PROJECT
Much of the work by the Committee the last several months has focused on the various
public improvements that might be considered in the downtown area, and seeking to
prioritize those possible projects. The Committee was directed to consider strategic
investments to facilitate future development, such as the 2008-2 water main and
Ramsey/Tyler project shown on the attached plan, and possible transit orientated parking
adjacent to the depot. The Committee was also expected to recommend short term (2008-
2011) projects to provide community amenities and facilities, which would not
necessarily rely on development. These might include phased improvements to Levee
Pa::-k. The Committee also reviewed the goals, development properties and land use
consideration. The Committee's recommendations and a matrix are attached.
Staff looks forward to the discussion with the City Council at the special meeting on
Monday March 31, 2008 and receiving direction on the next steps that should be
considered as it relates to the possible creation of the Economic Development Authority
and the downtown project.
Attachments include:
1.) EDA Memorandum
2.) Recommendation on EDA
3.) 2008 Public Works Improvement projects
4.) Public improvement matrix of ideas
5.) Redevelopment goals and properties
6.) Types of Private Development