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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-26-1976. N RECORD OF OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL CITY OF ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA Agenda Item A-1 E-1 '• •-•u---- �� 1• . .• . 1100 . President Postier called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M., the following members being present: President Postier, Aldermen Allen, Kamper, Larson, McNary, Powers and Strain. Absent: None. Allen moved,Larson second to approve the minutes of the January 19, 1976 meeting. Ayes (7), Nays (0). Motion carried. Powers moved, McNary second to approve the appointment of Virgil Nielsen to the position of Motor Operator effective January 27, 1976, Ayes (7), Nays (0). Motion carried. Strain moved, Kamper second to approve the appointment of Russell F. Clark to the position of Firefighter effective February 2, 1976. Ayes (7), Nays (0). Motion Carried. - A moment of silence was observed.by the Council and the people attend• ing the Council meeting for the tragic and untimely death of Motor - Operator Otis. D. Ondler who died while fighting a fire on January 23, 1976. A Hearing on the Development District Tax Increment and Development Plans. Mr. Richard Ehrick, Chairman of the Downtown Development District was present and wished to be heard. Mr. Ehrick introduced the members of the Board and explained the Development District Program . This has been divided into five parts: I, Description of. Project which includes Boundaries, and Maps of the areas. II Development District Framework; III. Development District General Objectives a. Citywide objectives and b. Development District Objectives; IV Development District Land Use Objectives; V. The Development Program a. Street patt&4s,and traffic; b. Parking; c. Open Spaces, Parks, River Area, General Beautification and Aesthetics; d. Proposed Reuse of Private property; e. Pedestrian Oriented Areas;.f. Pedestrian Accommodations g. Public building sites; h. Environmental controls; i. Financing; j. Operation -of the District. Mr. Ehrick stated that the Board is a Board which was established by the Common Council in 1974 pursuant to the Minnesota Statutes on Development districts, and the function was to advise you on matters relating to the establishment and implementation of a Development district. The plans which are on file in the City Clerk's office on the Development District Program and the Tax Increment Finance Plan also on file with the City Clerk are a result of the recommendations of this committee. Mr. Carl Laumann, Member of the Board presented the Tax Increment Finance Plan whi:ch included the fo 1lowing: A. District Boundaries - Map.No. 1 - B. Objectives; C. Development Program; U. Cost of the Development Program; E. Source, of Revenue a. Tax Increments ; b. Other Revenues; 'F. ' Bonded Indebetedi ,to be incurred; G. Duration of the Program's Existence; H. Estimated 'Impact on Taxing Jurisdictions. This program is also on file in the .City Clerk's office. Mr. Laumann explained the charts found in the Tax Increment booklet, and the methods of financing the development .projects. Mr. Clarence Simonowicz,Consultant of C.R.S. and Associate! ess I. 2180 Upper Afton Road, St. Paul, Minnesota was present and presented RECORD OF OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE, COMMON COUNCIL Agenda Item B-1 CITY OF ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA Adjourned Meeti nq No. 36 - January 26. 1976 programs that he had experience with. He stated Minneapolis was done under a different set of laws but St. Paul Development District was similar, and he explained how this plan worked, he explained what took place, including the skyway system, and the parking ramp. He explained what was bonded, and how this would be paid back.�Mr. Simonowicz is. confident that this can take place in Rochester. President Postier then recognized Mr. Willard Knapp of 730 5th St. S. W. who.,wished to be heard -Mr. Knapp was wondering if the traffic flow would change in downtown Rochester. President Postier stated it was to premature to the Council at this point to state a definite traffic flow pattern. Mr. Richard Ehrick brought out a problem and asked " What happens if no development, comes in " ? Mr. Sinomowicz stated that a guarantee of development is necessary before the bond issue is initiated: Alderman. McNary questioned the identity of the block for development and would they _consider just a portion of the block for development or wait until the whole block is under consider. ation for development? Mr. Simonowicz stated that they begin in the very early stages of development. Mr. Laumann stated that the assistance of an Administrator to work with the developer is necessan to study what the city`s commitment: -As. President Postier asked when we could get a performance bond on the projects, and Me. Simonowicz stated that after the.project planning has been done and the City has identified the costs but an`agreement,would-have to be made by the developer, but the bond would have to be issued before the purchase of property and the demolition of buildings. Mr. Collan B. Kneale of 920 Elton Hills Drive wished to be heard and wondered about what the control 6.f!� the City would be for land outside of the 99 acre', designated for the development district. President Postier stated it would remain as it has been in the past. The Planning Department would receive any changes, zones, etc. and they advise the Council who make the final decision. Marilyn Wick of 604 21st St-.-.N. E. wished to be heard and questioned the.taxing of private businesses for improvement in the downtown development, such as new development ripping up sidewalk etc. would they have to pay for this over again. President Postier stated that past policy has been not to assess the property owner over again, if the City is responsible for removing a portion that is in good repair. This however would be a method of financing the project-. Mr. Richard Ehrick stated that the Council would have to decide on that method, but they could rely on the tax increment to cover this. Mr. Darryl Lee of the Chamber of Commerce was present that wished to be heard, and Mr. Lee spoke on behalf of Mr. Howard Winholz and stated that the Chamber supported the concept of what is being done in the development of the downtown. He congrat ulated the Council on the selection of the board, stated they did an excellent job and it is progressing fantastic, and now urged the Council to grab the "bull by the horns" and get going and do somethin, with these plans, and that the Chamber of Commerce would be happy to work with them. Mr. James Sheehan of 1644 Wilshire Drive, who is the manager of the Rochester School District stated that the school is th major source of taxes and was concerned about the tax increment, but stated that the tax increment provides an avenue for needs.in the community and if this. method_of financing would be -accepted, they 4-49-6 RECORD OF OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL CITY OF ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA Agenda Item B-1 would receive money from the State and less from the City.. Alderman Allen questioned the increase in duties from the various department heads, and -would it effect the work load in the department! Mr.Ehrick stated that it would not be expected that any extra burden be implemented on city departments. Alderman Strain wondered.what would happen to a business that wanted to return to the same location they were presently in. Mr. Ehrick stated that cooperation is urged from the business to relocate them, and eminent domain is the last choice. Mr. Simonowicz stated that certain funds are available to help businesses find a new location but one move is paid to businesse! and -only one move. Having no one else present that wished to be heard, President Postier closed the hearing. Larson moved, McNary second to instruct the City Attorney to prepare a resolution approving the proposed plans., Ayes.(7), Nays (0). Motion carried. Having no further business, Larson moved, Allen second to adjourn the meeting. Ayes (7)., Nays (0). Motion carried. City Clerk I?