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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987 11-09 EDAM Special Session1 1 CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Economic Development Authority met in special session and was called to order by Chairman Dean Nyquist at 7:11 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairman Dean Nyquist, Commissioners Gene Lhotka, Celia Scott, Bill Hawes, and Rich Theis. Also present were EDA Director Gerald Splinter, Finance Director Paul Holmlund, Director of Planning and Inspection Ron Warren, Director of Public Works Sy Knapp, City Attorney Charlie LeFevere, HRA Coordinator Brad Hoffman, and Personnel Coordinator Geralyn Barone. OATH OF OFFICE The EDA Director administered the oath of office for Chairman Nyquist and Commissioners Lhotka, Scott, Hawes, and Theis. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OCTOBER 26. 1987 There was a motion by Commissioner Hawes and seconded by Commissioner Theis to approve the minutes of the October 26, 1987, Economic Development Authority meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. RESOLUTIONS MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA SPECIAL SESSION NOVEMBER 9, 1987 CITY HALL RESOLUTION NO. 87 -05 Member Gene Lhotka introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE BROOKLYN CENTER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO TRANSACT BUSINESS The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member Celia Scott, and the motion passed unanimously. RESOLUTION NO. 87 -06 Member Gene Lhotka introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION ADOPTING BYLAWS OF THE BROOKLYN CENTER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member Bill Hawes, and the motion passed unanimously. RESOLUTION NO. 87 -07 Member Rich Theis introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: 11 -9 -87 -1- RESOLUTION ADOPTING A SEAL FOR THE BROOKLYN CENTER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member Celia Scott, and the motion passed unanimously. The EDA Director introduced a Resolution Approving One (1) Brooklyn Center Economic Development Authority Grant. Commissioner Hawes asked if there are logical explanations for the variations in income and assets of the applicant. The HRA Coordinator said when an applicant fills out an application, people generally make an estimate and the City verifies the information; therefore, there may be some discrepancies. Commissioner Lhotka requested the City's criteria be included in the agenda packet for future grant applications, and the HRA Coordinator said he would take care of this. RESOLUTION NO. 87 -08 Member Bill Hawes introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION APPROVING ONE (1) BROOKLYN CENTER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY GRANT The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member Celia Scott, and the motion passed unanimously. DISCUSSION ITEMS ELECTING OFFICERS FOR THE BROOKLYN CENTER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY The EDA Director said in the past, the Chair of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) was the Mayor and the Mayor Pro tem was the Vice Chair. It would be his recommendation to follow suit with the EDA. The City Attorney said the titles of officers as specified in state statute and the bylaws include President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Assistant Treasurer. Of those, the Secretary and the Assistant Treasurer can be noncommission members and also can be one in the same person. There was a motion by Commissioner Scott and seconded by Commissioner Theis to appoint the HRA Coordinator as the Secretary and the Director of Finance as the Assistant Treasurer of the EDA. The motion passed unanimously. The Director of Finance said as Treasurer of the HRA, he and the HRA Director signed checks for the HRA. The City Attorney said he thinks the Assistant Treasurer could sign the checks for the EDA. The Director of Finance noted the HRA acted as a subsidiary of the City. The City Attorney said after reviewing the bylaws, it appears as though the Treasurer of the EDA must sign the checks. Councilmember Lhotka asked if the Treasurer has to be a board member, and the City Attorney responded affirmatively. The City Manager suggested the EDA may wish to reconsider the election of officers at its next meeting, and the City Attorney will verify who can hold what offices. Chairman Nyquist said this item will be laid over to the next meeting. 11 -9 -87 -2- 1 1 1 1 1 11 -9 -87 -3- INTRODUCING AND RECOMMENDING THE DESIGN /DEVELOPMENT TEAM FOR THE EARLE BROWN FARM The HRA Coordinator said City staff and the Earle Brown Farm Advisory Committee have, at the direction of the EDA, put together a selection committee to look for a group to take the ideas for the Earle Brown Farm and make them a reality. Staff and the committee were looking for a group to manage the entire process, somewhat like a construction management firm, but with a broader scope. The committee interviewed a number of groups and narrowed its choices down to two, and then finally choosing Heskin Resource Group, Inc. as the construction manager, Winsor /Faricy Architects, Inc. as the architectural firm, and McGough Construction Company for the construction project. The HRA Coordinator reviewed some of the projects that Heskin Resource Group, Inc. has been responsible for and said the committee felt comfortable with this organization. He said the action requested by the commission this evening is to authorize staff to negotiate an agreement with Heskin Resource Group, Inc. and bring such an agreement back to the EDA for its approval. Chairman Nyquist recognized Dr. Duane Orn who said in the spring of 1985 he was appointed chair of the advisory committee to review the potential uses of the Earle Brown Farm. In addition to maintaining the historical perspective of the farm, the committee wished to make sure any projects would be economically feasible, open to all uses, and serve the greatest number of citizens in Brooklyn Center. He said the committee interviewed a number of architects and developers, which was not an easy task, and two groups surfaced as the front runners. The final selection was that of Heskin Resource Group, Inc. with Winsor /Faricy Architects, Inc. and McGough Construction Company participating in the project. Dr. Orn said the Earle Brown Farm Committee supports this group as the design and development team for the Earle Brown Farm. Chairman Nyquist recognized Steven Cox, Vice President of Heskin Resource Group, Inc., who distributed a brochure outlining the team members for the Earle Brown Farm project. He proceeded to review some of the projects completed by and characteristics of the Heskin Resource Group, Inc. Commissioner Lhotka asked if the people involved in other projects completed by Heskin Resource Group, Inc. and its affiliates are similar to those people who will be working on the Earle Brown Farm project. Mr. Cox responded affirmatively, noting the architect is the same, and the people with the construction company have also done projects with Heskin Resource Group, Inc. Commissioner Lhotka said he is excited to be in this process and thanked Dr. Orn and the committee who have worked so diligently and for so long on this project. There was a motion by Commissioner Lhotka and seconded by Commissioner Theis to direct staff to negotiate a contract with the Design /Development Team for the Earle Brown Farm of Heskin Resource Group, Inc., Winsor /Faricy Architects, Inc., and McGough Construction, and to return to the EDA for final consideration and approval of the contract. The motion passed unanimously. INTRODUCING AND RECOMMENDING THE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT TEAM FOR THE EARLE BROWN FARM The EDA Director said a process similar to that used to select the design /development team was used for selecting the property management team. The HRA Coordinator said the Earle Brown Farm Committee felt it would be imperative to have the eventual managers of the Earle Brown Farm be involved in the design process and comment on it. The committee used the same method of recruiting a management firm as it did with a development team, and the committee received letters of interest from seven groups. This number was narrowed down to two groups, and after much discussion, the committee is recommending Al Beisner as the property manager for the facility. The HRA Coordinator said Al Beisner is very capable of providing the type of management for the Earle Brown Farm to be a success. Dr. Orn said he supports what the HRA Coordinator said, and the Earle Brown Farm Committee voted unanimously to select Al Beisner as the property manager for the project. Chairman Nyquist recognized Al Beisner, who said he is looking forward to this assignment and feels he will do a good job for the community. He discussed the possible uses of the farm, including trade shows and banquets. He pointed out that he is sensitive to the issues of the community. Mr. Beisner said this project will be separate from the Earle Brown Commons project. He said he has hired a public relations firm to assist in publicity for this project and then proceeded to review various potential uses of the property. There was a motion by Commissioner Scott and seconded by Commissioner Hawes to direct staff to negotiate a contract with Al Beisner as the property manager for the Earle Brown Farm and to return to the EDA for final consideration and approval of the contract. The motion passed unanimously. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Hawes and seconded by Commissioner Theis to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Economic Development Authority adjourned at 7:49 p.m 1 1