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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987 06-11 EBFMt MINUTES OF THE JUNE 11, 1987 EARLE BROWN FARM COMMITTEE MEETING ' CALL TO ORDER The Earle Brown Farm committee was called to order a'- 7:40 a.m. by Chairman Orn. ' ROLL CALL Dr. Duane Orn, Ron Christensen, Sylvia Kenney, Donald Peterson, Gil Engdahl, Bill Eldridge, Leone Howe and Warren Lindquist. ' Also present were City Manager Gerald Splinter, Director of Public Works Sy Knapp, Finance Director Paul Holmlund, HRA Coordinator Brad Hoffman, Program Supervisor Kathy Flesher, and ' Administrative Aid Patti Page. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - DECEMBER 18. 1986 There was a motion by Leone Howe and seconded by Bill Eldridge to approve the minutes of the December 18, 1986 meeting. The motion passed. ' SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT The HRA Coordinator briefly reviewed the process=-hich had been used in accepting proposals for the Farm. He noted a number of people expressed interest in the project initially but only one developer submitted a proposal. He stated he believed this was due to the fact the project is very complex with the historic restoration and is also quite small. He noted rehabilitation is ' different than new construction. ' The HRA Coordinator stated it would not be in the City/HRA's best interest to proceed with the proposal submitted by Al Beisner. The HRA Coordinator stated staff has looked into the concept of a ' trade show center in the Hippodrome. He noted this type of center is the fastest growing segment in the Y-ndustry at this time. He added there is no real competition at this time for ' trade show centers. The HRA Coordinator stated the trade show center would take the lead with the rest of the farm buildings supporting this type of use. ' The HRA Coordinator stated staff has recently met with Lee Maxfield of Maxfield Research Group. Mr. Maxfield's advice was to take a hard look at the revenue figures projecte d for this ' type of use, possibly by doing a market analysis. Mr. Maxfie ld's concern was that most small trade shows do not like to pay for the trade show space. The HRA Coordinator stated it would cost approximately $5,000 to $7,000 to do a market analysis and that ' staff is recommending this final analysis before a commitment is made for the use on the Farm. He stated this final analysis could be completed by mid-July. _ The City Manager sta ted the trade show concept is the least expensive to install in the Hippodrome and a banquet type ' 6 -11-87 1 facility would be more costly. The HRA Coordinator stated this , market analysis would not only tell the City how to design and construct the building but also who to market the use to. ' Bill Eldridge stated he had some concerns about delaying the project any longer because of the deterioration of the buildings. He inquired if a management team could be chosen while this ' market analysis is taking place. The HRA Coordinator responded affirmatively. A brief discussion then ensued regarding the buildings on the ' Farm and their appearance. The City Manager stated the outside appearance of the buildings looks quite bad but structurally these buildings are fairly sound. He added that the City does t not have access to some of the buildings until August, 1988. The City Manager pointed out the use will dictate the interior , construction to some extent. He noted that a banquet facility would require one size of storage area and interior decorating while a trade show would require something totally different. , Ron Christensen requested the HRA Coordinator to give some background information on Lee Maxfield. The HRA Coordinator ' state that Mr. Maxfield is probably one of the most respected persons in the Twin Cities doing market analysis' for convention center, multifamily housing, etc. He noted that Mr. Maxfield is often a guest writer for the MINNESOTA REAL ESTATE JOURNAL, and he seems to be familiar with just about every development going on in the Twin Cities. There was a motion by Don Peterson and seconded by Warren ■ Lindquist to recommend to the HRA that Lee Maxfield be retained to conduct a market analysis for the Hippodrome. The motion passed. ' There was a motion by Leone Howe and seconded by Don Peterson to accept the subcommittee recommendation to pursue the concepts of , a trade show center, meeting place or banquet facility for the hippodrome. The motion passed. DEVELOPMENT PROCESS , The HRA Coordinator stated as part of the development process a design team would have -to be named which would include members from the construction management firm, property management firm ' and city staff. He noted selection of this team would be similar to the process used in selecting Quality Decisions for the market analysis. ' The HRA Coordinator stated the HRA would contract with the private sector to construct the project. He added the facility will be a tax paying facility. He noted there will be parts of , the project which will be bid out and other parts such as architects and other professional areas which would not be bid. A discussion then ensued relative to the development team 6-11-87 2 i process, how it is assembled, paid, and how it works. The HRA Coordinator stated he has already been contacted by four firms which have expressed an interest in making a presentation. ' There was a motion by Don Peterson and seconded by Sylvia Kenney to establish an interview committee comprised of at least two members of the staff, Council and Earle Brown Farm Committee. ' The motion passed. Don Peterson and Ron Christensen both expressed an interest in ' being on the interview committee. Sylvia Kenney left the meeting at 9:00 a.m. A discussion then ensued relative to the composition of the design team and whether a decision should be made at this piont as to who will be on the design team. The Committee also ' discussed the time involved for membership on the design team and if a member of the Committee should be on the design team. Ron Christensen stated he would be interested and available to participate on the design team but because of the time commitment, he felt he would have to be reimbursed for his time. There was a motion by Leone Howe and seconded by Ron Christensen to delay voting on the design team composition until after the interview process. The following voted in favor thereof: Leone Howe and Ron Christensen; and the following voted against the same: Dr. Orn, Gil Engdahl, Don Peterson, Bill Eldridge and Warren Lindquist. The motion failed. ' There was a motion by Gill Engdahl and seconded by Warren Lindquist to delay final establishment of the design team until after the interviews are complete but to note the design team will probably include representatives from the construction ' management firm, property management firm and City staff. Don Peterson stated he feels it is important that the interview ' committee be aware of what positions they will be interviewing for. Ron Christensen stated he believes the committee will understand what the intent of the interviews are. ' Upon vote taken on the foregoing resolution the motion passed with Leone Howe opposed.. ' There was a motion by Bill Eldridge and seconded by Don Peterson to recommend to the HRA that an Economic Development Authority be established. The motion passed. ' ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Don Peterson and seconded by Leone Howe to adjourn the meeting. The Earle Brown Farm Committee adjourned at 9:27 a.m. ' 6-11-87 3 1