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this spring. He stated that he would like to see the pump house area move forward this spring in <br />order to improve that area that is adjacent to development that have invested significant amounts <br />of money. He stated that the Park and Recreation and Planning Commissions have reviewed and <br />provided input on the plan. He noted that the plan does not authorize expenditure but solidifies <br />the plans. He stated that after the review by the EDA, he would like to bring this forward to the <br />Council for review of the plan and with a request to move forward on the pump house elements in <br />January or February. <br /> <br />Member Burandt stated that streetscaping is in alignment with the vision of the COR and would <br />help buildout the COR which helps economic development. He agreed that it could seem excessive <br />but there are citizens that want this. He stated that the Council will make the ultimate decision on <br />what moves forward. <br /> <br />Member Howell asked if the Sapphire Street improvements are the only hard and fast obligation. <br /> <br />Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood confirmed that is the only hard <br />obligation. <br /> <br />Member Howell stated that she likes the style of Edina and Wayzata but practically speaking she <br />wondered how much interest a façade on the pump house would generate in terms of attracting <br />business. She stated that she would love to see it look that way but $250,000 does not seem a <br />reasonable expense for the project. <br /> <br />Chairperson Steffen asked if the $240,000 has been earmarked for the project or whether staff <br />would lobby for that money. <br /> <br />Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood replied that the funding for the pump <br />house treatment would be from the water utility fund. He commented that those funds are <br />available. He stated that while cheaper materials could be used, there should be an aspect of <br />longevity in the lifespan of the materials because the pump house will remain in perpetuity. He <br />commented that the City should reflect the same standards that developers are held to in this area <br />as this is in the center of this district. <br /> <br />Deputy City Administrator Gladhill asked staff to share the feedback that was received from an <br />adjacent development that chose to make an investment into this area. <br /> <br />Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood commented that the developer of the <br />Sapphire project was very displeased with the building in its raw unfinished state, especially in the <br />timeline when the City was talking about the base requirements for the Sapphire building. He <br />commented that the developer was investing over $18,000,000 in his project and was displeased <br />with the poor aesthetic of the adjacent City pump house. <br /> <br />Member Cords asked the annual income for the water utility fund. <br /> <br />Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood estimated that the annual operating <br />budget of the water utility is $10,000,000. He commented that the funds are available, and this <br />Economic Development Authority/ January 14, 2021 <br />Page 11 of 14 <br /> <br />