HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991/06/03 - ADMIN - Minutes - Economic Development Authority - RegularM IC R O F IL M E D
MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
June 3, 1991
1. Call to order
President Meland called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. Roll call
The following commissioners were present: Jeff Jacobs, George Haun, Allen
Friedman, Jane Tschida, Lyle Hanks, Keith Meland. Larry Mitchell arrived
at 6:07 p.m.
Also present were the Executive Director, City Attorney and Director
of Community Development.
3. Approval of minutes
It was moved by Commissioner Hanks, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to
approve the minutes of May 20, 1991. The motion passed unanimously.
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) 4. Approval of agenda
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It was moved by Cammi ss i oner Haun, seconded by Cammi ss i oner Jacobs, to
approve the agenda for June 3, 1991. The motion passed unanimously.
5. Reports
a. Status report: Meeting with Hennepin County
The Executive Director gave a brief update. Earlier this year, the Authority
had directed staff to meet with Hennepin County to discuss alternate
concept plans for the reconfiguration of Hwy.7/Minnetonka and a streetscape
project on Excelsior Blvd. between France/llwy. 100. A report on that
meeting was before the Authority.
Cammi ss i oner Friedman asked if these ideas had been discussed when the
businesses along both areas. Mr. Dixon said no, that staff wanted to first
brief the Authority lest there be some direction impacting any dialogue
with those businesses.
It was moved by Commissioner Friedman that the businesses and people
in the affected areas be notified so that it does not come as a surprise
when they read about it in the newspaper.
Commissioner Hanks noted that Barton-Aschman had met with the Hwy. 7
corridor people as well as the Excelsior Blvd. people. Mr. Dixon said
that was true but there has been no update since that time.
Commissioner Friedman felt the neighborhood/business groups could never
get enough information in projects such as these so they can feel their
interests have truly been taken into account.
MICROFILMED
Commissioner Haun said that since the Hwy. 7 segment will be started
on the Minneapolis side this year, he felt it wise to think about providing
fill in that area to bring it up to grade and when the project is ready
to go, there might be considerable savings realized.
Commissioner Hanks seconded Commission Friedman's motion if included
is receipt of staff's status report. Councilmember Friedman concurred.
Councilmember Mitchell had a problem with the motion in that staff had
visited with everyone numerous times. He thought further presentations
would be made by Barton-Aschman. He wanted Barton-Aschman involved all along
the way. He was concerned discussions with staff will get bogged down in details as before.
Councilmember Friedman did not care who talked to the residents and businesses,
just that someone did.
The motion passed 7-0.
Commissioner Tschida asked staff to address the question of doing lights,
landscaping, curbing, etc. all at the same time instead of one project
each year. President Meland said a report would be forthcoming.
b. Status report: 3400 Republic.
Mr. Dixon said apparently the owner of 3400 Republic is considering an
offer from a third party, so not much progress has been made to date.
The Director of Community Development said he had been cal led that day
by the property owner indicating he is negotiating very seriously with
the third party and at this time is not interested in having further
conversation with the Authority.
It was moved by Commissioner Friedman, seconded by Commissioner Tschida,
to receive the report for filing. The motion passed 7-0.
c. Status report: Park Tavern
Commission Friedman asked about off-street parking requirements vis-a-
vis the zoning ordinance.
Mr. Hagen said that for purposes of meeting the City's off-street
parking requirements, staff doesn't consider the land being leased by
Park Tavern on Block 7 to meet those requirements.
Counci lmember Friedman suggested Park Tavern take that into consideration
and that staff make it cl ear to them what that means. He felt they were
getting land at a bargain basement price. If the City closes it off,
they've got no parking.
It was moved by Counci lmember Friedman that staff explain the situation
clearer to Park Tavern. Councilmember Mitchell seconded.
Commissioner Hanks asked what was the percentage chance of ever developing
Block 7. He felt that should be looked into seriously.
The motion passed 7-0.
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MICROFILMED
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Councilmember Mitchell said the issue for him was fairness -- if they
are going to use that land for parking, they ought to be paying fair
market for it.
d. Status report: Suburban Plumbing redevelopment project
Mr. Dixon noted substantial cost savings can be realized if an electrical
re 1 ocat ion p 1 an can be agreed upon before NSP moves the lines and pol es
in question. Action was not being requested this evening.
It was moved by Commissioner Hanks, seconded by Commissioner Friedman,
to acknowledge receipt of the report and that it be filed.
The motion passed 7-0.
e. Status report: Nash Finch
It was moved by Commissioner Hanks, seconded by Commissioner Friedman,
not to pursue this matter any further.
The motion passed 5-1-1 (Commissioner Mitchell abstained; Commissioner
Tschida opposed).
f. Park Shore Place: Request for deferral of taxes
Mr. Dixon said the City Attorney was being asked to render an opinion
as to whether this can be done; however, if the Authority has no
interest in such an arrangement some legal work can probably be avoided.
It was moved by Commissioner Hanks to have the City Attorney check
to see if such a request can be honored.
Motion died for lack of a second.
Commissioner Friedman said many apartments, businesses etc. would
1 ike to be bailed out these days. A lot of concessions had been granted
to, Parkshore.,, Renters gf Parkshqrg apartments will not be affected, on y tiose wit» an investien at stake.
It was moved by Commissioner Friedman, seconded by Commissioner Tschida
to table this item.
The motion passed 6-1 (Commissioner Hanks opposed).
6. Unfinished business
a. Status report: Tower Place
Due to threatened litigation, this item was discussed in closed session
separate from the public meeting.
Following the closed session, the Commissioners returned to the public
meeting. Each Commissioner had received a draft of the proposed form
of Covenant Not to Sue. It was moved by Commissioner Friedman, seconded
by Commissioner Hanks, to authorize the President and Executive Di rector
to execute with Park Nicollet Medical Foundation, Park Nicollet Medical
Center and MedCenter a Covenant Not to Sue in the form submitted to
the Authority with such changes as are approved by the signing officers
as evidenced by their signatures. The motion passed unanimously.
M ICROFILMED
7. New business
None.
8. Communications and bills
a. May 1991 financial statement
It was moved by Commissioner Hanks, seconded by Commissioner Mitchell
to receive for filing.
The motion passed 7-0.
b. Claims
It was moved by Commissioner Tschida, seconded by Commissioner Haun,
to approve and authorize payment.
The motion passed 7-0.
Commissioner Friedman asked that the Executive Director provide the
Authority with a percentage of budget expended to date on 1 ega 1 1 i ne
items.
9. Adjournment
It was moved by Commissioner Friedman,' seconded by Commissioner Jacobs,
to adjourn at 7:35 p.m. The motion passe:~
/.c (ET
Executive Director