Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHEDRA 03-12-09 II MinutesHEDRA Commissioners, Ron Toppin, Pam Holzem, Kurt Keena, Danna Elling Schultz, and Bob Hollenbeck present Commissioner Dennis Martodam and Anthony Alongi, absent Staff present: HEDRA Director John Grossman, Planning Director John Hinzman, Community Relations Specialist Shannon Rausch, City Administrator Dave Osberg and City Engineer Nick Egger Minutes from the February 12, 2009 meeting were presented, one correction was noted. Keena moved to approve the minutes with no changes. Toppin seconded the motion; Motion passed 5-0 Commissioner Toppin moved to pay the bills. Commissioner Keena seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0 A.Spiral Boulevard Reconstruction Project, City Engineer, Nick Egger City Engineer Nick Egger Presented information to the Authority regarding the Engineering Department’s current plans for improvements to Spiral Boulevard. The Project would include changing the existing separated road and ditch drainage system to a 36 foot wide two lane road which would include curb and gutter and a storm sewer system. A trail would be added on the north side of the Spiral Boulevard from Millard Avenue to Highway 316, and along the east side of Millard Avenue connecting bicyclist and pedestrians to the Vets Park Complex. Also as a part of the improvements a ravine trail and improvement project would be completed to better control the serious erosion issues that currently exist in the ravine. This project is proving to be very costly and many things have already been scaled back or eliminated altogether for the overall project scope. One such item is the directional signage throughout the park as well as the monument sign at the Industrial Park entrance. The monument sign was estimated to be around $30,000, with total signage in the park expected to be around $160,000. HEDRA Director Grossman told the Authority that there is approximately $70,000 in the Industrial Park Construction Fund. Previously this fund was used for signage and culverts (unclear about culverts?) for operations. Director Grossman suggested if the Authority was interested the Engineering Department could see if the entrance monument sign could be done for $25,000. If so, the Authority could choose to put $25,000 from the construction fund towards the new sign. Other options include repainting the existing sign, which has been done before. The Authority could also choose to remove the sign altogether and not replace it with anything. HEDRA: 02/12/09 1 Commissioner Toppin asked what the total cost of the Industrial Park Improvement Project was and what businesses within the park were like to be assessed per foot for their property. City Engineer Egger responded that the overall project was projected to cost around $4.4 million and that an open house was held earlier this evening to discuss with property owners the project. The estimated assessment to property owners is $75/frontage foot. The average assessment was in the range of $18,000. (The lowest is approximately $4,500, while the highest is expected to be around $60,000). Commissioner Elling Schultz emphasized to the authority that the project has been significantly scaled back from its originally proposed scope. Initially there was to be a new entrance to Vet’s Park from Vermillion Street, additional trail connections had to be eliminated, and some of the smaller streets within the Industrial Park that were initially going to be rebuilt during the project have also been eliminated. This project has been scaled back from the originally proposed $7.34 million project, due to the current City budget the City can only bond for $3 million, which when coupled with other funding sources would allow for a maximum project cost in the $4.5 million range. Commissioner Toppin stated his feeling that if the City was going to spend $4.4 million on the project the least HEDRA could do was contribute $25,000 towards a new monument entrance sign. Commissioner Keena agreed with spending the funds on the monument sign, but not on the directional signs within the Park. Commissioner Toppin moved to approve spending up to $25,000 from the Industrial Park Construction Fund to assist in building the monument sign, Keena seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0 rd B.23 Street Connection City Engineer, Nick Egger City Engineer Nick Egger presented the possibility of adding a stop light at the rd intersection of Vermillion and 23 Street. In order to do so first a true intersection would rd have to be created at 23 Street and a backage road would have to be put in behind the businesses on the east side of Vermillion Street. This would provide them better access to their businesses. If HEDRA and the City want to pursue this, Mn/DOT would require the City to conduct an Intersection Control Study, which would cost about $20,000. Plus rd an additional $20,000 would need to be spent to study the proposed continuation of 23 st Street to 21 Street and the backage road behind the businesses. Commission Keena inquired whether any property would need to be acquired to complete this project? According to City Engineer Egger, Gahnz Furniture may need to be acquired in order to rd continue 23 Street to the east. Some property through the Cemstone site, as well as property for the backage road behind the existing properties would also need to be acquired. Both Commissioner Elling Schultz and Planning Director Hinzman recall Cemstone being rd agreeable to possibly selling some of their land in order for the city to build 23 Street and the backage road, because this would give them better access to their plant from Vermillion Street. Planning Director Hinzman also stated that based on what the EDC learned while rd developing the Vermillion Corridor Guidelines, a traffic signal at 23 street would be received positively by the businesses, as well as the residents in the area. HEDRA: 02/12/09 2 Commissioner Elling Schultz shared with the Authority that there has been talk about rd adding a traffic signal at 23 Street for over 10 years. The EDC fully supported this for the past three years, and by doing the proposed study the Authority would have some definitive answers to whether or not it could even be done. Commissioner Toppin asked for clarification that the first $20,000 would be spent to study the intersection and the possibility of the traffic signal, then and additional st $20,000 would need to be spent to figure out whether the 23 Street extension and backage road would work or not. City Engineer Egger said yes, this was correct and that essentially all $40,000 would be “refunded” to HEDRA if the project ended up being completed at some point down the road. HEDRA Director Grossman told the Authority that there is $45,000 in the 2009 budget for studies like this, so if they are interested they do have the funds to spend. Commissioner Elling Schultz moved to allocate $45,000 to prepare an Intersection rd Control Study as well as on the layout of 23 Street and the backage road. Commissioner Hollenbeck seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0 C.Rehab Programs: HEDRA Director John Grossman presented four building rehab loan programs, Residential Owner Occupied, Residential Rental Properties, Commercial Direct Loans, and Commercial Interest Reduction programs, which have been adapted from the HRA programs. The Authority is asked to approve these for use by HEDRA. Commissioner Toppin moved to continue using the Rehab programs for residential and commercial properties as previously run under HRA. Seconded by Keena. Motion passed 5-0 D.Industrial Park Land Cost/Benefits and Land Prices. Planning Director John Hinzman presented information pertaining to the Industrial Park specific to the land prices over the years and amount of money the City has invested into the park. Director Hinzman discussed the cost of the land in the Park and whether or not that price should be adjusted to better fit the current value. Prior to 2006 the land was valued at $1.35/sq ft, in 2006 the EDC approved raising the price to $2.35/sq ft, which is now high in comparison with the current market value. Since the price was increased, there has not been a single sale in the Industrial Park. Commissioner Toppin reminded the Authority that since its beginning the Land Credit Program was meant more as a way to increase jobs in Hastings than it was about the price of the land. Director Hinzman told the Authority that there is a dental manufacturing lab looking at potentially relocating to Hastings. This individual has been inquiring whether there would be any negotiating in the price of the land to get it down to $1.00 - $1.35. Commissioner Toppin moved that HEDRA recommend to City Council that the price of the land be set at $1.65/sq ft in the Industrial Park. Motion was seconded by Elling Schultz. Motion passed 5-0 HEDRA: 02/12/09 3 1. Downtown Project Area: a.Greg Stotko’s proposal for Block 29 is expected by the end of March and may be reviewed at the April Meeting 2.Vermillion Street Project Area a.Ed Peterson is looking into upgrading the facades on his buildings rather than demolition. Right now HEDRA is just waiting to see what he decides on and will offer what assistance it can if he comes back with any requests for the Authority. b.No new up dates on the Jiffy site c.No new updates to report on the Walgreen’s area. 3.61 Bridge Update Planning Director Hinzman is now compiling weekly bridge updates for Council and staff. One of the current items on the latest update includes information about Hudson Manufacturing. The City has approached Hudson to see if they are interested in relocating to the Industrial Park. The City is still waiting for an answer. 4.Housing Updates a.HEDRA Director John Grossman reported to the Authority that he is still working with a home owner on potential housing assistance to pay utility assessment. The home owner is working with a mortgage company to adjust her loan payment. Until this is determined HEDRA will continue to wait and watch. b.CDA will be receiving money from the Federal Government to assist home owners facing foreclosure. Directors Hinzman and Grossman are still learning more about these programs and will keep the Authority informed as they know more. 5.Budget A snapshot of the current financial budget was provided for informational purposes. B. Website City Community Relations Specialist, Shannon Rausch provided an update on the revised HEDRA website and what all can be found on the site. As the site is finalized it will be presented to the Authority for their review. rd C.215 Ramsey and 315 East 3 Street. a.HEDRA Director Grossman reported that the consultant will be meeting with the rd realtor on the acquisition of 315 East 3 Street. Also it appears that the relocation cost will most likely be about 50% of what they were initially expected to be. b.Director Grossman updated the Authority regarding 215 Sibley Street (south half of the Senior Center.) At the March 2, 2009 Council meeting the City Council approved starting the process of looking at acquiring the rest of the building with the intent of expanding the Senior Center in cooperation with the School District. Further updates will be provided as this progresses forward. Keena moved to adjourn at 7:42 p.m., Martodam seconded; motion passed 5-0 Next meeting is scheduled for April 9, 2009 at 6:00pm in the Council Chambers. _____________________________ Shannon M. Rausch HEDRA Secretary HEDRA: 02/12/09 4