1992-09-29199
N~NUTES - COmMiTTEE OF THE ~HOLE ~EETIN~ - SEPTEI~ER 29~ L992
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM. Members present:
Councilmembers Phyllis Jessen, Liz Jensen, Andrea Ahrens, Ken
Smith, Mayor Skip Johnson. Absent: none. Also present: Bruce
Chamberlain and Mark Koegler, Hoisington Koegler Group; Ed Shukle,
City Manager, and the following interested persons: Sandy Effertz,
Tom Effertz and Dennis Flack.
Bruce Chamberlain updated the City Council on the Mound Visions
project. He indicated that the positioning and strategizing phase
of Mound Visions is drawing to a close. He further stated that the
product developed by the Mound Visions teams will allow Mound to
present a clear picture of what the community envisions downtown to
be in ten years and how we plan to get there.
Chamberlain further explained that the Economic Development
Commission and the Mound Visions program have proceeded with as
much community wide input as possible and although that input may
have slowed the process, it has been invaluable in developing
community understanding of the project and collecting people's
creative ideas.
Some of the accomplishments that the Mound visions program has
included are as follows:
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT TEAM:
- Mound Market Position (complete)
- .Targeted Business List (complete)
- Business Cluster Plan (complete)
DESIGN TEAM:
- Downtown Redevelopment Concept Plan (complete)
- Redevelopment Phasing Plan (complete)
- Mound Environmental and Appearance Model
PROMOTIONS TEAM:
- Mound Visions Name and Identity (complete)
- Mound Promotional Booklet
Chamberlain stated that the majority of the items are complete, but
two key elements (environmental and appearance model and
promotional booklet) are in process and are scheduled to be ready
in the next two months. The schedule for completion and
presentation was presented with a December 8, 1992, public
presentation to the City Council. In late December a Request for
Proposal (RFP) ,will be distributed and targeted to developers for
redevelopment of the Auditor's Road area of downtown Mound.
Chamberlain hoped that the RFP responses would come in by March 1,
1993.
Chamberlain emphasized that the Mound Visions program was initiated
through the use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.
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The CDBG program will only pay for the planning phase of an
economic development project such as Mound Visions. The funding
will be cut off when implementation begins, which would essentially
mean the RFP process. He further explained that if the City wishes
to continue with CDBG monies to work with the RFP process that
regulations set by HUD would have to be followed in order to
utilize further CDBG funds, for example, we would have to undertake
an environmental assessment which would be a one to two day
project, etc.
Following Chamberlain's presentation, the City Council indicated
they were very supportive of the Mound Visions program and were
very pleased and happy to see the work that has been accomplished.
They were particularly impressed with the promotional booklet that
is being developed by the Promotions Committee and are anxious to
see that portion of the project completed. Council further
indicated that although tangible projects haven't been implemented
within the downtown area, there has certainly been a lot of hard
work put into the Mound Visions program by many volunteers and city
staff. Hopefully, projects will be implemented as a result of the
Mound Visions program.
A brief discussion was held on the Walgreens project. Chamberlain
indicated that City staff were still waiting to hear from the
Walgreens developer as to the status of Walgreens' interest in
locating in Mound. Chamberlain further indicated that projects are
still being considered that cannot be discussed publicly, but that
City staff is diligently working with interested parties in further
development and redevelopment projects.
City Planner Mark Koegler was present to review with the City
Council draft #3 of the Proposed Shoreland Management Ordinance.
Council spent significant amount of time analyzing the draft as
recommended by the Planning Commission. After review, Koegler took
the Council's comments under advisement and will be bringing back
a revised draft at the next COW meeting.
Commons markings and the establishment of a task force to study how
to identify commons and its uses was discussed. The City Council
directed that Councilmember Smith chair the task force which would
consist of two abutting property owners, two non-abutting property
owners, two citizens at large, for a total of seven members. This
task force would be meeting from November until February to come up
with recommendations on how to mark the commons areas, define their
uses and responsibilities of the commons users. The overall
mission of the task force is to study the issue of informing Mound
residents on the commons program. It could take the form of
markers, brochures, maps, etc. Recommendations will then be
forwarded to the city Council for discussion in March of 1993. The
city Manager was directed to solicit applicants from the community
via the local newspapers and to have names presented with resumes
and letters of interest at the next COW meeting. Appointments to
the task force will be made based upon the information submitted by
each applicant.
Advisory commissions appointments and reappointments were
discussed. The City Council reviewed the current policy with
regard to appointments and reappointments to commissions. Major
concern was based on how interviews were conducted and selections
made. The consensus of the Council was to have the joint
interviews of each commission and the City Council be held at
Committee of the Whole meetings with subsequent appointments to be
made at the next regular meeting following the Committee of the
Whole. Basically, the City Council and the commissions will
interview a candidate at the COW meeting and the commission will do
the ranking of the candidates at that COW meeting, and then forward
the rankings to the Council for discussion. Subsequent appointment
will then be made at the next regular meeting. If an applicant
cannot be present for the interviews, the candidate's resume will
stand on its own merit for consideration.
LMCD multiple dock licenses were discussed, city Manager Ed Shukle
made the Council aware of the potential litigation that the LMCD
faces with a group of marina owners that are being represented by
Mr. Jim Gilbert of Meshbesher and Spence. Mr. Gilbert contacted
the LMCD with regard to the large increase in fees being charged to
multiple dock license holders. The LMCD responded by indicating
that the fees charged are based upon administrative costs to handle
applications. The LMCD has emphasized that the lake programs ought
to be user fee oriented. The city Manager was directed to write a
letter questioning the LMCD's position supporting user fees but not
to the extent that has been proposed by the LMCD. The City Manager
is to draft this letter and review it with the City Council prior
to sending it. The overall message to be sent to the LMCD is that
the City Council is unhappy with the position they are taking in
this matter. The City Manager did indicate that the LMCD board has
tabled the matter and referred it to its water structures committee
for advisement prior to taking any action, which may or may not
result in any litigation..
Other items discussed were the brush drop off that will be located
at Lost Lake, reception for John Norman on October 1st, 3 PM, city
hall, review of the emergency preparedness meeting held September
29th at city hall with Don Anderson of Hennepin County and City
staff and Councilmembers. The annual Christmas party was discussed
with consensus to plan it with priority dates being 12-18-92, 12-
11-92 or 12-12-92.
Upon motion by Jensen, seconded by Johnson and carried unanimously,
the meeting was adjourned at 11 pm.
ctfully submitted,
City Manager
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