Minutes - Council Work Session - 04/25/2017

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Asst. City Administrator/Economic Development Manager Brama said if Council is in a position not to support parking ramps then it will be removed from the Plan and will not be considered as part of the system plans going forward. Councilmember Johns thanked the Planning Commission for their work and said she would like the parking structures to remain, as citizens have commented that they do not want to see large parking lots. She said affording a parking ramp is another question but does not want to take the option off the table. Councilmember Shryock said it is important to have a vision and then follow it and if we have identified parking or other issues, then we need to further define them and suggested nodes of parking and then moving retail and housing around those parking nodes. She said there are too many moving parts right now but that this Plan will help us maintain cohesiveness. Acting Mayor LeTourneau said he would like to see the parking remain and said while he is not sure where the greater density will be it is important to be open to consideration. He said we could work on ways to recover costs as The COR develops as one way to approach funding parking structures. Councilmember Riley commented on the vision statement and how we know this is going to be something other cities do not have, especially when everything is market driven. He added the technology-orientated statement from the Plan could be dated. Chairperson Bauer said this statement was suggested by Planning Commissioner Brauer and was intended to focus on providing fiber for future businesses. Councilmember Shryock suggested the statement be amended to say technology accessible and not necessarily oriented. Community Development Director Gladhill said staff will review some language to address these concerns but noted they would like to see something included as technology is important. Acting Mayor LeTourneau agreed, stating vision statements helps narrow the focus. Councilmember Riley commented on the welcoming cultures point as this seems to state that it is not already happening. He said the unique point will be difficult to achieve as well with the market as architecture and historical Ramsey are not very unique. Councilmember Williams said the Plan twice refers to no big box stores but said if one came forward today she would approve it and is not comfortable with that vision. She said the community wants a big box store like a Target. Chairperson Bauer said big box stores are more interested in Highway 10 locations. Councilmember Williams suggested removing the big box reference entirely. City Council Work Session /April 25, 2017 Page 4 of 8