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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985 09-12 EBFMMINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 12, 1985 EARLE BROWN FARM, COMMITTEE MEETING CALL TO ORDER Dr. Duane Orn called the Earle Brown Farm Committee to order at 7:40 a.m. ROLL CALL Dr. Orn, Phil Cohen, Donald Peterson, Ron Christensen, Leone Howe, and Sylvia Kenney. Also present were City Manager Gerald Splinter, Director of Planning and Inspections Ron Warren, Administrative Assistants Brad Hoffman and Geralyn Barone and Clerk Patti Page. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Dr. Orn noted that there were no minutes prepared for today' s meeting and asked for a motion to defer approval until the next meeting. There was a motion by Leone Howe and seconded by Phil Cohen to defer approval of minutes to the next meeting to be held on September 19, 1985. QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS REGARDING STAFF MEMORANDUM ' City Manager Gerald Splinter stated that the bond issue was the Committee's biggest problem at the moment. There is no question that Congress will be changing the bonding laws. He also stated that the City/HRA has some internal funds that could be used for the restoration of the Farm. Discussion continued regarding the possible acquisition of the Texas Air property. City Manager Gerald Splinter stated that between Target and the Lombard retail center we would have enough funds from the increment to acquire Texas Air. Discussion moved to the type of residential development Lombard was proposing. ' Phil Cohen stated that he hoped that planning for the needs of the elderly would be started soon. He further stated that he felt some consideration has to be given as to how to house the elderly poor in Brooklyn Center. Administrative Assistant Brad Hoffman pointed out that one of the advantages of concluding a deal with Ryan would ' be that the City/HRA would then have money to develop the Farm which would give the City/HRA time to put an elderly plan together. Administrative Assistant Hoffman also stated that Ryan owns the property and he will develop it at some time - either ' now or 5 to 6 years down the road. Dr. Orn reminded the Committee that acquisition of Texas Air would determine the size of Ryan's building. ' Ron Christensen asked whether the bitY/HRA was committed to Lombard in some way. City Manager Gerald Splinter stated that we were not legally committed to Lombard. However, the City has worked with Lombard before and Lombard is who Deil Gustafson approached when he was ready to sell the Farm. Ron Christensen stated his concern of having a compatible development on the Texas Air property. t Phil Cohen left the meeting at 8:04 a.m. Administrative Assistant Brad Hoffman stated that Lombard is acting as a blind for the City/HRA. Texas Air is unaware of the fact that the City/HRA is interested in their property. It is staff's opinion that if Texas Air thought the City was interested then the price would go up. Dr. Orn stated that, in principle, ,it is to the City/HRA's advantage to bond for the whole project and have a recall. City Manager Gerald Splinter stated that the advice from the City/HRA's bond consultant is that a 1 year recall would be too soon and that it would be more realistic to look at a 5 or 6 year recall. Dr. Orn retracted his previous statement. ' Ron Christensen stated he felt the City should bond for the entire project and acquire the Texas Air property. He also stated that he thought Ryan would do what is ' best for the area because it would also be what is best for him. Administrative Assistant Brad `Hof fman pointed out that Ryan's decision will bean economic one. He (Ryan) would like to build with "cheap money" but if he feels he cannot rent space fast enough he will wait to develop. ' City Manager Gerald Splinter stated that the City/HRA is making contracts with contingencies so that when and if the time comes the City/HRA will be ready to move ' forward with the bond issue. Administrative Assistant Brad Hoffman stated that we have about 30 days to come to an , agreement with Ryan. He also stated that October 31, 1985 will be the last day the City/HRA could get their money back from the state. REVIEW OF MEMORANDUM ' Administrative Assistant Brad Hoffman stated that the total at the bottom of the Adjusted Budget should be $6.9 million. In reviewing the memo Administrative Assistant Brad Hoffman stated that the land acquisition figure covers all fees to ' date including attorney fees, appraisers, acquisition of the Farm and possible acquisition of the Texas Air property. Administrative Assistant Brad Hoffman also stated it is the staff's opinion that if we acquire Texas Air, Lombard should build around the utility easements versus the City/HRA paying to have the utilities moved. Discussion continued regarding the return to the City/HRA. City Manager Gerald Splinter stated that the City/HRA has abandoned the Phase II residential because of the traffic survey results. He also stated that the office development would ' generate more property taxes than the residential; and that if Ryan starts now the City/HRA will gain 5 years of taxes that had not been initially planned on. This would mean the City/HRA could pay off the tax increment district that much faster. Leone Howe stated her fear that the City/HRA won't move fast enough. Don Peterson ' asked how much time the City/HRA needs for issuance of bonds. Administrative Assistant Brad Hoffman replied that all the bonds would have to be sold and closed on , by the end of December. Dicussions concluded and it was decided to meet again on Thursdays September 19, ' 1985 at 7:30 a.m. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 a.m.