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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986 06-12 EBFMMINUTES OF THE JUNE 12, 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, Ron Christensen, Leone Howe, Sylvia Kenney and Warren Lindquist. Also present were City Manager Gerald Splinter, Director of Public Works Sy Knapp, Director of Planning and Inspection Ron Warren, Program Supervisor Kathy Flesher, HRA Coordinator Brad Hoffman and Administrative Aid Patti Page. DISCUSSION The 'HRA Coordinator stated that the Market Study has been completed, a development agreement with Ryan has been completed and that staff is close to an agreement with Earle Brown Commons regarding the residential development. The HRA Coordinator briefly reviewed the proposed annual operating budget for the farm. The City Manager noted that this figure does not include any costs for City operated programs. Gil Engdahl asked why the figure for the maintenance cost was so high. The HRA Coordinator stated that included in this figure were costs for salaries, unemployment insurance and benefits. He noted that if the City contracted this work out the cost would possibly be lower. The HRA Coordinator stated that staff recommends that the committee try to develop the farm so that it is self supported. The HRA Coordinator stated that Earle Brown Commons would like two things included in the agreement those being congregate dining facilities and a physical link between the residential complex and the farm buildings. He noted that the staff is concerned about a physical link between the two facilities because it could tend to intimidate people who were not residents of the complex. The City Manager stated that the committee will have to determine if this is a major concern and to what degree it should be dealt with. The HRA Coordinator stated that at this point Earle Brown Commons have been told that there would not be a physical link. He noted that staff is writing the development agreement in an either/or context. He stated that if the City puts in a dining/restaurant facility there would be no write down on the property but that if Beisner installs a kitchen on his property there would be some sort of a write down on the property. The City Manager stated that the City's basic interest in the residential development is for purposes of controlling traffic generation. The HRA Coordinator stated that so far all the City has done for Earle Brown Commons is to assemble the land and sell it to them. He noted that there is a July 1, 1986 deadline for the agreement. He noted that when you look at all the proposed scenarios for the Hippodrome they all seem to include a kitchen facility. He stated that the hotel industry is interested in this area for use by small conventions of approximately 1,000 people. He added that if the City provides a meal program, staff would recommend a restaurant which would give discounts to seniors. He noted that there will be a lot of office tenants and the Target center to draw customers from. The HRA Coordinator noted that a possible use for the house would be a "Bed and Breakfast" establishment and that Blumentals Architecture is interested in one of the barns for office space. The city Manager added that it would be approximately two years before the City would have access to the house. Leone Howe stated that she would like to see a tea room in the house which would be open to the public and tourists. Personnel Coordinator Geralyn Barone entered the meeting at 8:00 a.m. The HRA Coordinator stated that the people from the "Bed and Breakfast" suggested a tea room and ice cream parlor in one of the barns. Leone Howe stated that she felt a tea room in the house would be of more interest to people and be a bigger draw. The HRA Coordinator stated that the house could also be used as very prestigious office space. The City Manager stated that the hotel industry feels that they would be able to book approximately 20 nights a year. He noted the balance of the time could be used for wedding receptions, teen dances, etc. The HRA Coordinator added that the hotel industry is looking ahead to 1989 bookings. The City Manager noted that the hotels make money off of their hotel rooms not the conference/banquet rooms. He added that the ability to use the farm for small conventions would be a benefit to the hotels. He also noted that the tourism bureau would be handling the bookings for small conventions. Ron Christensen stated that the new Ramada ballroom will seat 360 people maximum and that the Hippodrome would have the potential for seating 1,000. The City Manager noted that the convention use alone would not support the Hippodrome but other uses could be added. Gil Engdahl asked if an elaborate kitchen would have to be installed for these type of functions. The City Manager stated that the kitchen would only have to have ovens and areas for keeping the food warm or cold because the actual preparation would take place somewhere else. Leone Howe stated that it seems there really are no other alternatives for the Hippodrome. The City Manager stated that both the Chamber of Commerce and the Tourism bureau have indicated an interest in office space on the farm if the Hippodrome is used for small conventions. Ron Christensen stated that he would like to see staff further investigate these types of uses. The City Manager asked if the Committee accepts the concept of an either/or agreement with Earle Brown Commons. He noted that an agreement must be made with Earle Brown Commons by the July 1, 1986 deadline or Ryan will then have the chance to step in. He added that the proposed agreement will be on the City Council agenda for the June 23, 1986 meeting. There was a general consensus among committee members that staff should proceed with the agreement with Earle Brown Commons as ' discussed. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Ron Christensen and seconded by Gil Engdahl ' to adjourn the meeting. The Earle Brown Farm Committee meeting adjourned at 8:50 a.m. 1