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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986 07-02 EBFMMINUTES OF THE JULY 2, 1986 EARLE BROWN FARM COMMITTEE MEETING CALL TO ORDER The Earle Brown Farm Committee was called to order at 7:40 a.m. by Vice Chairman Gil Engdahl. ROLL CALL ' Gil Engdahl, Leone Howe, Donald Peterson, Sylvia Kenney, Bill Eldridge, and Warren Lindquist. Also present were HRA Coordinator Brad Hoffman, Director of Planning and Inspection Ron Warren, Program Supervisor Kathy Flesher, and Administrative Aid Patti Page. ' APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JUNE 12, 1986 There was a motion by Bill Eldridge and seconded by Donald Peterson to approve the minutes of the June 12, 1986 meeting. The motion passed. UPDATE - PROJECT STATUS The HRA Coordinator stated that the City Council did approve the development agreement with Earle Brown Commons at the meeting on June 23, 1986. He noted that the deadline for a decision on kitchen facilities for a senior meals program is October 15, 1986. He explained that if the City does include a kitchen there would not be a write down on the property. ' PRESENTATION The HRA Coordinator introduced Mr. Al Beisner from Earle Brown Commons and stated that Mr. Beisner was present to answer any questions the Committee may have about his project. -Mr. Beisner stated that he has been developing land in Brooklyn Center for 11 years and went on to give a brief history of his involvement with the Earle Brown project. He stated that the proposed first phase of Earle Brown Commons would have 140 units and that each unit would be fully equipped with a kitchen, bathroom and either 1 bedroom, 2 bedrooms or 1 bedroom with den. He added that if the first phase was successful for seniors then the second phase would also be for seniors. However, he added the second phase could be market rate apartments open to everyone. He stated that in his studies of senior housing, he has found two types of housing. One being "full service" where all services are on-site including such things as beauty/barber shops, kitchens, and often the requirement of paying for 1 meal per day. The second type of housing is "no service" housing, much like Brookwood, where there is nothing on site except for possibly a community room. He stated that his proposal is basically a full service building because of the senior facilities located on the farm. He noted that 45% of the units would qualify for HUD low income rents. Mr. Beisner stated- that he has found that successful centers provide a wide array of services and classes. He noted that the centers do not necessarily run the programs, that most often the centers' staff would coordinate such things as times, rooms and instructors. He went on to explain how Whitney Center in St. Cloud is similar in some ways to his proposal. Phil Cohen entered the meeting at 8:30 a.m. d f or. Leone Howe asked what type of meal program he has planne Mr. Beisner stated that he proposes offering one meal per day, most likely the evening meal, but, he added the residents would not be required to pay for one meal per day as is the case in some centers. Mr. Beisner stated that the marketing for the center would be targeted at people ages 55 - 70 years old. He stated that they would not be targeting people over 70 because the center would not have a nursing home attached. There was a brief discussion regarding the physical link between the farm and the senior center and the possibility of outsiders thinking that the residents of the center dominated the ' activities at the farm. Bill Eldridge stated that he did not think there would be a domination problem. Discussion continued focusing on the length of stay of the residents and Mr. Beisner stated that he would anticipate a -5% turnover each year. 1 There was a brief review of the plans and drawings for phase 1 of the project and Mr. Beisner noted that the main question right now is the food service. He stated that usually establishments receiving subsidies. serve the best food and that those establishments without subsidies have marginal food. Bill Eldridge asked when the food service would have to be up and operating. The HRA Coordinator stated that according to the development agreement the City is committed to be operating. by November 1987. He added that the key for the City is to be able to target the office buildings for the lunch crowds. REVENUE PROJECTIONS The HRA Coordinator.reviewed the projected annual operating costs for the farm. He stated that there is approximately 25,000 square feet that is potentially leasable area. He added that the stable and hippodrome are not included in this figure. The HRA Coordinator stated that one problem the City would have is that the City would be charged 1/3 of the rent for taxes. He added that he will be looking into this matter more closely with the City Assessor. Phil Cohen stated that after his discussions with the Chamber and his involvement with the 75th Anniversary and the All America Cities groups he has come to the conclusion that the City needs to create a "tourist trap".