HomeMy WebLinkAbout20190509 - Joint CC and HEDRA Minutes Hastings,Minnesota
Joint City Council and Hastings Economic Development
and Redevelopment Authority(HEDRA)Meeting Minutes
May 9,2019
The City Council of the City of Hastings, Minnesota along with the Hastings Economic Development
and Redevelopment Authority(HEDRA)met in a workshop meeting on Thursday, May 9, 2019,at 6:00
p.m. in the Community Room at the Hastings City Hall, 101 East 4`h Street, Hastings, Minnesota.
City Council Members Present: Mayor Fasbender, Councilmembers,Braucks, Folch, Leifeld, Lund,
and Vaughan.
Absent: Councilmember Balsanek.
HEDRA Members Present: Chair Sinclair, Commissioners Sullivan,Toppin, Fox, and Councilmember
Vaughan
Absent: Commissioner Peine and Councilmember Balsanek.
Staff Present: Community Development Director John Hinzman
City Attorney Dan Fluegel
Economic Development Coordinator Rusty Fifield
Finance Manager Melanie Lammers
Great River Landing—Update from Confluence Development
Community Development Director Hinzman introduced the item for discussion including a
history of the project, schedule, and financial implications. The Purchase and Development Agreement
requires substantial completion of the entire project by December 15,2019; it does not appear likely that
Confluence will achieve substantial completion by that date. $1.6 million in existing grant funds for
development of the park and building environmental work must be spent by December 31, 2019.
Pat Regan and Mike Mattingly of Confluence Development provided details on project history
and current status. Since submittal of the building plans in November,2018 plans have been revised to
reduce project cost to better align with available financing. Significant cost savings have been eliminated
while maintaining the uses identified in the project approvals. Regan submitted a preliminary
construction schedule showing the timeline for completion of the parking ramp, park development and
rehabilitation of the Hudson building under this schedule. The parking ramp is scheduled for completion
by June 7, 2019, work on grant related items including the park and building environmentals would begin
July 8, 2019. All building construction would be complete by November 20, 2020. Confluence believes
grant funded work will be completed to allow for full use of grant funds. They have hired Rob Barse as a
project manager to provide increased oversight in managing a tight construction schedule.
Council and HEDRA Commissioners discussed the implications of not completing work to allow
for full use of grant funding,the ability of Confluence to begin work prior to closing of a construction
loan,timing of the agreements versus starting the project, and future consideration of an amendment to
the Purchase and Development Agreement to extend the substantial completion date.
Strategic Plan for Economic Development
Economic Development Coordinator Rusty Fifield provided a summary of the draft Strategic Plan
for Economic Development including study and development strategies for housing issues, capitalizing
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on events and facilities,updating the web site,managing the action the plan for the Vermillion Street
Corridor,and solidifying internal economic development functions.
Councilmember Folch discussed a number of housing related issues including potential creation
of a housing task force, understanding local housing needs and attracting additional younger people to
Hastings.
Councilmember Leifeld agreed on the need to entice a greater number of younger families to
Hastings, and that many people view Hastings as being a great distance from other areas within the Twin
Cities.
Commissioner Sullivan asked what the consensus is on what we should market. We should focus
on what makes Hastings great and lure additional younger people with money.
Councilmember Braucks stated the City struggles with its identity; historic versus future minded.
What do we want to be in the future? There appears to be a need for senior housing. What one or two big
things could the City be involved in to make a difference.
Commissioner Toppin believes the City should re-examine the use of the remaining 50 acres of
the Hastings Industrial Park north of Spiral Boulevard;this could be good place for additional housing
with close proximity to Veterans Park. The City should be more proactive in redevelopment of the
former UBC site near downtown for additional housing.
Commissioner Fox expressed the need to bring in additional younger families with children.
Councilmember Leifeld stated the City needs to be more proactive in courting development.
Councilmember Lund supports further evaluation of housing to determine what segments are not
being constructed.
Mayor Fasbender stated events are an important; how do we get our story out to entice more
people to visit and move to Hastings.
Councilmember Lund stated a need to pick from a variety of actionable items.
No action taken on the draft. Fifield will recommend next steps for the City Council and HEDRA
in the future.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:08 p.m.
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Mary Fas ender, Mayor laten,City Clerk
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City Council packets can be viewed in searchable format on the City's website at
http://www.hastin2smn.gov/city-.-overnnient/city-counci I/city-council-agendas-and-minutes