Agenda - Council - 01/24/2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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7.04: Receive Update on Strategic Plan Initiative — Corridor Improvement Program and Authorize Highway 10 Update Workshop Community Development Director Gladhill reviewed the staff report and the feedback from the EDA noting that the EDA was supportive of the initiative as proposed. He noted that much of the discussion with the EDA centered on financial incentives/loans less than $25,000 to encourage facade and exterior improvements above and beyond code requirements. He stated that by consensus the EDA agreed to one initial workshop to scope potential alternatives, inviting individual businesses to participate to refine the alternatives, and then one final workshop to agree on a policy for consideration by the City Council. Councilmember Williams stated that, in general, the EDA was in favor of finding incentives to partner with the community along these corridors including forgivable loans and grants. She stated that the EDA is looking to continue to build relationships rather than punish or create additional standards. Mayor Strommen referenced a property along County Road 5 where a property owner has trimmed a lot of the trees and completed landscaping that is very attractive along a trail corridor. She asked what encouraged that property owner to complete those actions and what could be done to encourage others to follow in those footsteps. Motion by Councilmember LeTourneau, seconded by Councilmember Williams, to authorize the Highway 10 Update for corridor stakeholders for the morning of October 19th,including discussion on the Corridor Improvement Program. Further discussion: Councilmember Shryock asked, and received confirmation, that Councilmembers can attend if available. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Strommen, Councilmembers LeTourneau,Williams, Kuzma, Riley, and Shryock. Voting No: None. Absent: Councilmember Johns.