Minutes - Council Work Session - 10/25/2011

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first get the parties together and facilitate a meeting. If that does not work then the Council can consider the approach suggested tonight. Councilmember Wise stated he would want to be careful about how much effort to put into this commercial node. He felt more effort was going into The COR because the City owned it. Councilmember Strommen noted when the Council started to put effort into The COR, it did not own the property and started through a partnership with the owner. City Administrator Ulrich pointed out the City is a significant owner in the 167 Avenue and St. Francis Boulevard area with the water tower site and wants to look, long -term, at how it fits into what is being done on the commercial corner. He noted that even with an internal process or public process involving stakeholders, land uses need to be considered so roads can be planned and utilities extensions designed so the City is assured of making good investments. All of those things need to be taken into consideration and that is where a master plan and involvement with stakeholders and property owners would be beneficial. Mayor Ramsey stated he thinks a small convenience store would be successful but it would need sewer utilities. Councilmember Elvig stated the whole property is tired, not well laid out, and needs a complete facelift to participate better with its surrounding uses. He agreed that a full -blown process is not the way to go at this time. Councilmember Elvig indicated that at one time there was pushback for other types of housing but now that the retail services are gone, there may not be much pushback. Councilmember Tossey stated support for limited involvement with stakeholders and property owners and stated concern that "we," as the government, are more involved than we should be. He felt that the property would have potential once Highway 47 was a viable and safe transportation hub. It was the consensus of the City Council to not move forward with the proposed work plan and direct staff to scale back the process and provide ideas on what the City can do that would not cost too much. 4) Acknowledge Elmcrest Park's Building as Local Match for Minnesota DNR Trail Grant Application Along T.H. #47 Parks Supervisor Riverblood reviewed the staff report and recommendation to submit a DNR trail grant application including the Elmcrest Park building as the City's match. Mayor Ramsey stated the issue is how to pay for the cost of the building. Kotchi Prosper, Northern Lights Soccer Association, stated they sponsor two tournaments a year that cost $5,600 for additional tents, portable toilets, etc. and could pledge those dollars. In addition, they could implement a bond for 1,700 Association members. Mr. Prosper explained City Council Work Session / October 25, 2011 Page 6 of 10