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MINUTES/FLOOD RESPONSE COMMITTEE
Tuesday, December 23, 1997 - 12:00 Noon

1. Call to Order: Hafner, Glassheim, Polovitz, Carpenter.

3. Matter of authorization to request proposals for engineering services for downtown street overlay project and repairing Belmont Road.
Mark Walker, project engineer, reported they have received emergency road funds from Federal Hwy. Department for repair of downtown streets and to reconstruct/rehabilitate Belmont Road south of 47th Avenue South and are requesting authorization to advertise for engineering services to get consultant on that project as it will take some time; and brought to Flood Response as he can get ad in the paper this Saturday (if bring to public service committee will loose 3 weeks, but will bring this to public service for their information)

Glassheim stated these are special steps for overlay but want to go ahead and request funds but may not go ahead with it if other monies come down from Congress because attached to this may be possibility that once overlay certain streets cannot ask for additional monies to repair for certain number of years. He stated they may not go ahead and overlay all of the streets if receive funding (they have applied for special demonstration monies and if come through would replace first funding). Mr. Walker reported that in the six-year CIP it was for year 2002-2004 and that is still on schedule for total construction, but these emergency funds have to be used in two years. Mr. Walker reported they have to look at total infrastructure under those streets and make sure in permanent condition before putting permanent roadway over that; and also don't want to get ahead of building in the downtown, etc. Polovitz stated they should look at as an entire project. Ken Vein, city engineer, reported that they have looked at whole scenario very closely and brought to CIP and to DDC and sequencing being looked at and to address underground infrastructure needs and long term redevelopment. He reported that there is still demonstration project they are still proposing to do downtown and best leveraging of funds is to do, need revised CIP schedule and has been through CIP and will be coming to council. He reported that revised sequences have been passed by CIP and approved by DDC and only want to allow them to go through selection process for engineering firm, and would bring back to council. He stated that revision was supposed to come from Planning Department but he hasn't seen it yet. This is only proposal for selection and will be brought back to committee (committee asked for copy of minutes before being brought to council).

Glassheim also noted that if they don't get demonstration project there may be some difficult decisions council may have to make re. use of state and federal funding and priority (choose between various projects, etc.) and those are still open questions.

Moved by Polovitz and Carpenter to authorize staff to advertise for MINUTES/FLOOD RESPONSE COMMITTEE
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engineering services for this project. Motion carried.

2. Matter of purchase of First Bank land at corner of Fourth and
DeMers.
John O'Leary, director of Urban Development, presented information to the committee that part of the parcel of land for the construction of the corporate center is currently owned by First Bank and is the site of former First Bank building and distributed copy of map showing location (401 DeMers Avenue). He reported that the taxable value of the property is $95,500 and negotiated settlement for the two parcels is $52,500; and in addition to the site of the First Bank which has been cleared except for foundation the property at 401 DeMers is in footprint of the corporate center and the former site of the drive-through for the bank will be used as part of the parking ramp through 5th and 4th Streets. He stated that they hadn't intended to bring this to the committee until after the first of the year but First Bank had asked this to be cleared before the end of the calendar year for tax purposes. Glassheim stated that they would be responsible for clearing the foundation of the property asked what that cost would be; Mr. O'Leary est. $30,000, that they discussed with architect and engineers and they felt better to return later and will be part of the project cost.

Hafner reported that Mr. Hamerlik had wished to have this pulled and referred to finance committee, but to honor First Bank's request not able to do that; however, Hafner stated he felt this was clearly part of the Flood Response Committee. Carpenter stated this is directly part of corporate center and part of the Flood Response Committee. Hafner stated that Mr. Hamerlik didn't want to make issue of this.

Moved by Polovitz and Glassheim to authorize purchase of the property (Lot 8 and the south half of Lot 6, Block 27, Original Townsite and easterly one-half of Lots 1 nd 3, and all of Lot 5, Block 27, Original Townsite) in the amount of $52,500.

Jerry Waletzko, 4806 6th Avenue North, asked whether corporate center is done deal and going to happen, and committee stated no. He suggested that when they don't know that this is going to happen but that each step is being done without actually knowing that they are committing themselves to buy without knowing for sure what follow-up is going to be and committing to the future, suggested taking options before actually committing themselves to do it.

Glassheim asked that if they didn't continue with corporate center, would they be able to sell land for what paid for it. Mr. O'Leary reported he didn't know, but very possible, but these two parcels
of land are being treated as parcels on 3rd Street which were also demolished by fire/flood, and are acquiring properties in demo-lished condition but going to save City funds if were to demolish.
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He also noted that one parcel is located behind the Empire Theatre building and have been trying to acquire that property for long time - property is adjacent to City parking lot and fits in with City's pre-flood redevelopment strategy as well as post-flood, and if corporate center didn't happen, that property should be in portfolio of Parking Authority as part of the parking authority and access to the Empire Theatre and other buildings. Glassheim also stated that the buildings (Clifford Block) will not be torn down until have commitments to go ahead with corporate center. Mr. O'Leary reported that both properties (Clifford Block and Electric Const. building) would not be demolished until council has made commitment to proceed with the project; Historical Society was concerned with the same issue; he stated they didn't want to demolish buildings unnecessarily. Mr. O'Leary reported that the First National Bank controls site and it's clearly in the Bank's intentions to try to redevelop that site and are looking at number of options and may or may not involve City down the road and are looking at numbers re. tax implications and as plan revolves, City will be kept aware. Glassheim also stated that it seems that council wishes to proceed with the corporate center insofar as can get it to work, are committed to doing it, and within next month will or won't have leases signed by useable space, but don't want to mislead anyone that it's not a done deal - it is and isn't, will continue with corporate center under certain conditions, are going down road by choice, and are making judicious step by step activity to acquire property in order to do this. He stated they will do if financial conditions are met and council's intention to go ahead and is in the best interests of the city.

Mr. Waletzko stated that he is buying onto it, but stated that by asking about First National Bank Bldg. is if add that 40,000 sq.ft. with existing 25,000 sq.ft. and about to tear down for corporate center if City doesn't know but First National Bank Building pri-vate entity, and was concerned about tearing down buildings that going to have to compete with federally subsidized buildings that people going to gravitate to; he asked that they proceed cautiously. It was noted that all those issues being considered and will be used in making decisions. Polovitz stated that First National Bank Building won't be used as office building, but not in direct competition to corporate park space, and on land City purchasing would take lead even though not with corporate center and is right step for redevelopment of downtown.

Mr. O'Leary reported that this is more comment about First Bank, thanked John Snustad and First Bank for their cooperation and great supporter of downtown.

Upon call for the question, the motion carried.

4. Matter of staffing requests.
Dawn Wilkie, Human Resources Project Coordinator, presented two MINUTES/FLOOD RESPONSE COMMITTEE
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requests for staffing needs - 1) Planning Coordinator position for Tri-chairs under Recovery Organization and is already an approved position but request is increase grade from Grade 14 to Grade 16 and will be vacant in the next two weeks. 2) request to change previously approved Office Clerk for Emergency Management to Office Specialist at Grade 12 rather than Grade 10, and this is vacant position. Carpenter questioned amount of experience and training between two positions, with higher position requiring less experience, etc. Mrs. Wilkie reported those changes will be made. Glassheim stated that salaries seem to be high for the positions and Mrs. Wilkie reviewed salaries; she noted these are one-year positions and need higher salaries to lure in.

Moved by Polovitz and Carpenter to approve the requests for staffing needs.

Ken Vein reported that the job descriptions are very basic but actual requirements within job are very specific, time consuming and existing person leaving; very difficult to attract someone in recovery planning position which is very specific to get qualified person and when compare to other positions, Grade 16 is low. He stated they have to go in and do planning document and work with mayor, tri-chairs, committees, etc. and rest of community and probably understated. It was noted this does not go to Civil Service, and not governed under Civil Service.

Upon call for the question, the motion carried.

5. Next meeting: Hafner noted that if a meeting is held next week that any items receive approval by the mayor, tri-chairs or himself and be of emergency nature. Carpenter noted status of Mr. Hamerlik's proposal for housing rehab. program and if don't meet wouldn't bring in until after January 1. Committee set meeting for Tuesday at 12:00 noon.

6. Glassheim asked if they could include on the agenda council questions first, items they think are open. Hafner suggested that if there are items that council members want to contact Sandy Kowalski and place, and also to list items.

7. Mayor Owens presented several items:
a) She reported that they have scheduled a townhall meeting for January 6 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at civic auditorium, set up a format and have presentation to where been and where at, some things that have been accomplished and set up for citizens for comments, suggestions, etc. perhaps more publicly than previously. It was also noted that reps. from FEMA, SBA, etc. would also be there.
b) She also noted that there is a newsletter that will be
published sometime in January, not quite ready.
c) She thanked committee for their work and that Committee has
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been asset and need to continue.

8. Glassheim expressed some concern from constituent who had asked Office of Urban Development for copies of Phase III minutes when approved and program and need to be way to obtain, not sure what information is. Kevin Dean, Public Information Center, stated if any questions re Phase III buyout program to direct those questions to them and will be happy to answer any questions; that letters have not been sent out, still finalizing figures from assessing office, then foward to city attorney's office, and letters will then be sent out.

Moved by Polovitz and Glassheim to adjourn; meeting adjourned at 12:50 p.m.

Alice Fontaine
City Clerk

Dated: 12/27/97.