Committee Minutes
FINANCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Minutes
Monday, November 22, 2010 - - 5:30 p.m. - - Council Chambers
Present:
Christensen, Glassheim, Gershman, Sande
Chair Christensen called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
1. 2010 Employee Holiday Hours
Daryl Hovland, Director of Human Resources, stated that this is the annual request for 4 hours of time off for employees to be used between the date of approval by the Council and July 1, 2011. The hours can not be cashed out and must be used at a time when best for the department at the discretion of the department head.
Motion by Glassheim, Second by Sande, to recommend approval by City Council. Aye:All. Motion Carried.
2. 2011 Special Events Program
Katie Brockpahler, Urban Development, stated that the recommendation from the review committee is included in the packet. Gershman stated that he had served on the committee and explained that they did recommend keeping some funds in reserve for potential future items that could come up and be deserving of funding from the City. Brockpahler noted that the committee did not recommend funding for the USCC Racing event, as they had some questions regarding the budget for the event and that there is a gentleman from the organization present this evening to provide some further information.
Pat Mock, on behalf of the USCC Racing group, provided some information on the snowmobile race that the organization brings in each year including attendance and budget information. He explained that the budget and purse for the winning riders is set at a level consistent with other races in the industry and keep it at that level to attract higher talent to the event. Gershman suggested that since the organization has cleared up the questions that the review committee had, an allocation be added for this event.
Motion by Glassheim to approve the addition of a $3,000 allocation for USCC Racing, Second by Christensen. Aye: All. Motion Carried.
Sande commented that he would like to see the group revisit their budget model and see get to where are making money and become self sufficient. The committee discussed that this has been a long time desire for all applicants that they work toward establishing their event so that they can be self supporting and allow funding to open up to draw in new events. Christensen suggested that perhaps the Council could look at adding into the program that groups can only receive funding for a set number of years and then they are no longer eligible to apply.
Motion by Glassheim, Second by Sande, to recommend approval of the amended list. Aye: All. Motion Carried.
3. Sale of City-owned lots
Meredith Richards, Community Development Manager, stated that they have reviewed the process for disposition of the remaining surplus lots and would like to proceed with advertising and sale of the remaining lots listed in the packet, that the proposal is to offer them for sale at a 2010 price for respondents to the competitive process, and that if they don’t sell, then the remaining lots will be sold on a first come first serve basis at an increased price. Richards continued that they are intending to sell these in house initially rather than using a realtor as they have in the past.
The Committee discussed making a change and using the multiple listing service, potential benefits and problems that would need to be addressed if they wanted to work through a realtor instead of selling in house. The consensus of the committee was that they would like to see the lots sold and developed so that they add to the tax base of the community.
Motion by Sande, Second by Gershman, to recommend moving forward with staff recommendation and receive a report back on progress including potential ways to include use of realtor in the sale of the lots. Aye: All. Motion Carried.
4. Renaissance Zone.
Brockpahler, explained that besides the three block island in the Grand Cities Mall area, the City has the ability to add eleven contiguous blocks to the existing downtown Renaissance Zone. The number of blocks which we can add was determined by the State, which allows us to have a total of 32 blocks – 29 in the downtown area and the three block island. A map showing optional areas that could be added was included in the packet. Christensen suggested the committee members use the map and drive around the areas to get an idea of what area they would like to recommend adding.
Urban Development staff provided some additional details of the benefits to individuals and businesses that take advantage of the credits available under the program. Committee members discussed benefits that could be realized from adding different combinations of blocks. Gershman suggested that whichever blocks are added, the goal should be to add an area that will make an impact instead of little scattered areas. Hoover reminded them that they would also need to make sure that there is a connecting block to the main downtown zone.
The group discussed that the type of development or redevelopment would be different depending on which areas were selected and noted that several of the potential blocks are in residential areas. There is a current rehab program, but it is restricted to individuals that meet LMI criteria so this could be program that higher wage earners could use to redevelop some of the residential properties in those neighborhoods. It was also noted that there are several vacant city owned lots in some of those areas. Glassheim commented that he would not be in favor of giving an incentive to increase rental property over owner occupied properties. The committee discussed various ways to proceed and asked if the decision is time sensitive. Richards responded that it is not, however the three block island also can’t be put in place until a decision is made on an addition to the downtown zone. In addition, once a decision is made on the area to be added the police will need to be rewritten.
The committee requested that this item come back to the committee with additional information. Information should include: some written examples of what the benefits would be if you buy a property in the zone and renovate it, how that changes if you qualify for the LMI program, what options there could be to work in an urban renewal project in the area. Hoover clarified that the Committee would like an option that would perhaps redesignate some blocks currently in the zone to an urban renewal area and then that would free up additional blocks that could be added to the Renaissance Zone. The committee would also like a list of the vacant property that is in the area being considered for inclusion and further information on an urban renewal area, such as steps that need to be taken, where the funding comes from, etc.
Brockpahler stated that there is also a need to discuss how the City wishes to proceed in regards to the RFO which has been discussed at several previous meetings. The State contacted her for a decision, as if we do not wish to proceed, Fargo has requested the use of the credits for projects in their city.
The committee requested that information regarding the establishment of an RFO be redistributed to the committee and that Bruce Gjovig and Tom Kenville be asked to attend the next meeting to discuss the matter. Hoover provided a brief overview of some of the discussion that had taken place at prior meetings in regards to the proposal from Gjovig and his organization. The committee also discussed that perhaps there might be others in the community that would be interested in working with the City on establishment of a fund and perhaps we should also get the word out to consider those options as well. Consensus of the group was the Brockpahler should contact the State and inform them that the City wishes to retain the credits and is working toward establishing an organization and get information on a timeline that we would need to meet in establishing our RFO. This item will return to Committee for the next meeting.
5. Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) 2011-2012 Work Program.
Greg Hoover, Director of Urban Development, stated that they have been working to evaluate and recommend appropriate parking standards for the downtown and an appropriate schedule for assessments of free parking to downtown businesses/property owners. He noted that the last study in this area was conducted over 25 years ago and the new study would take into consideration changes in the downtown since the last study was done. He added that the plan would be to bring back a completed report by April. Consensus of the Committee was to proceed with the study and bring the report back to committee once completed.
Motion by Sande, second by Glassheim to adjourn.
Meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sherie Lundmark
Admin Spec Sr