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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-04-20 HRA Regular Meeting • MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE EDINA HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HELD AT CITY HALL APRIL 20, 1998 - 7:00 P.M. ROLLCALL Answering rollcall were Commissioners Faust, Hovland, Kelly, Maetzold and Chair Smith. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS APPROVED Motion made by Commissioner Maetzold and seconded by Commissioner Hovland to approve and adopt the HRA Consent Agenda items as presented with the exception of HRA Minutes of April 6, 1998. Rollcall: Ayes: Faust, Hovland, Kelly, Maetzold, Smith Motion carried. MINUTES OF THE HRA MEETING OF APRIL 6, 1998 APPROVED AS CORRECTED Commissioner Faust asked the HRA Meeting Minutes of April 6, 1998, be removed from the Consent Agenda requesting a sentence in her comments be stricken. Motion made by Commissioner Faust and seconded by Commissioner Hovland approving the Minutes of the Edina Housing and Redevelopment Authority of April 6, 1998, as corrected. Commissioner Maetzold seconded the motion. Rollcall: Ayes: Faust, Hovland, Kelly, Maetzold, Smith Motion carried. WMEP PROPOSAL UPDATE GIVEN Executive Director Hughes reminded Council at the April 6, 1998, meeting, staff provided the HRA with an update concerning the WMEP proposal. Since that meeting, the Legislature has acted on the bonding bill. In its final form, this bill allocated $2 million for this school rather than the $13.2 million, which had been requested. The apparent logic for the $2 million allocation was to complete site purchase and to undertake planning studies. The Legislature would apparently then consider funding for the building during the 2000 Legislative Session. Staff met with School District staff to discuss the effect of the Legislation on the School District's proposal for the Kunz Oil/Lewis Engineering properties. The School District staff states that the District remains interested in using the Legislative allocation to purchase the subject property for later development when and if the school were funded. They also note that they may be interested in pursuing other locations in the City. Director Hughes said based upon this response from the School District, it is the belief that the HRA needs to discuss alternatives for the Kunz Oil/Lewis Engineering 1 • properties. It may be advisable to again conduct a joint meeting with the Board of Education for further discussions. Commissioner Kelly asked with $2 million already acquisitioned, when would funding for construction be available. Director Hughes explained money for construction should be available after the next Legislative Session. It would not be in the best interest of the City to sell the land to the School District without legal assurance they could not re-sell the property. If the land were sold to the School District a reverter clause could be made a condition of the sale. Commissioner Maetzold asked if the $2 million was all the funds that are available. Director Hughes said $1.8 million from last years session and $2 million from this session or a total available of $3.8 million. Commissioner Maetzold inquired if the School District were considering other sites in Edina. Director Hughes said the Grace Church site and the Morningside School properties were being considered but the Kunz Oil/Lewis Engineering site was their first choice. Commissioner Maetzold asked if there was a time limit on the land purchase. Director Hughes explained the Council is in a position to say no to the School District's land purchase knowing they would let the site sit for two years until funding is acquired to begin construction. He suggested the Council move on with proposals on the property. • Commissioner Hovland said the School District should be treated the same as any developer. We would never wait for two years for a developer to compete their development. He did not believe a joint meeting with the School District would be of any benefit. He further suggested the Kunz/Lewis site be used for both residential and commercial uses and not exclude the City's facilities needs, i.e. community center/senior center, etc. Commissioner Maetzold stated his disappointment with the lack of financing from the Legislature but development of the property should not be delayed. Use of the property offers exciting possibilities for either commercial or public uses. Commissioner Faust said the School Board has yet to answer questions asked of them and believes any meeting would be counterproductive until these answers are forthcoming. Commissioner Kelly indicated he sees no reason for the Council to meet with the School Board. Chair Smith pointed out if the proposed school were for Edina residents, the HRA would follow the long tradition of cooperation with the School Board to acquire a site. The proposed school is a regional school and staff should move forward with proposals on the public and private use of the site. 2 Commissioner Kelly requested staff to examine whether acquisition of tangential properties to the site is possible. Chair Smith asked if, 1) a timeline could be established for the development of the property, 2) if public use of the site could be studied, 3) if additional land could be acquired, and 4) if solutions could be found for traffic. Director Hughes acknowledged he could have a report back to the HRA by the May 18, 1998, regular meeting. Commissioner Faust made a motion directing staff to report back to the HRA at the May 18, 1998, regular meeting with alternatives for the Kunz Oil/Lewis Engineering site, to cover 1) a timeline for property development, 2) a study of public use of the land, 3) possible acquisition of tangential land, and 4) traffic solutions. Commissioner Maetzold seconded the motion. Rollcall: Ayes: Faust, Hovland, Kelly, Maetzold, Smith Motion carried. *CHANGE ORDER FOR CENTENNIAL LAKES SOUTH POND MASS GRADING (CONTRACT 97-2) APPROVED Motion made by Commissioner Maetzold and seconded by Commissioner Hovland approving the Change Order for Centennial Lakes South Pond Mass Grading (Contract 97-2) on Building 4 to McCrossan at $13,500.00. Motion carried on rollcall vote - five ayes. CLAIMS PAID Commissioner Hovland made a motion for payment of the HRA Claims as shown in detail on the Check Register dated April 15, 1998, and consisting of one page totaling $28,937.47. Commissioner Maetzold seconded the motion. Rollcall: Ayes: Faust, Hovland, Kelly, Maetzold, Smith Motion carried. There being no further business on the HRA Agenda, Chair Smith decl d e m eting adjourned. E e utive Director 3