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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987 11-04 EBFM MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 4, 1987 EARLE BROWN FARM COMMITTEE MEETING CALL TO ORDER The Earle Brown Farm Committee was called to order at 7:45 a.m. by Chairman Orn. Dr. Orn thanked the committee members who attended the tour of Bandana Square. ROLL CALL Dr. Duane Orn, Ron Christensen, Sylvia Kenney, Donald Peterson, Gil Engdahl, Bill Eldridge, Leone Howe, Mary Jane Gustafson, Warren Lindquist, Phil Cohen, and Greg Watson. Also present were HRA Coordinator Brad Hoffman, Director of Public Works Sy Knapp, Program Supervisor Kathy Flesher, Al Beisner, and Administrative Licenses Secretary Sharon Knutson. PROPERTY MANAGER RECOMMENDATIONS Dr. Orn stated the subcommittee has met and interviewed property management groups and are ready to make a recommendation. The HRA Coordinator said there were seven different groups who showed interest in the property management of the Earle Brown Farm, and three of these groups were interviewed by the subcommittee. He stated after extensive discussion by the subcommittee- relative -to the three groups interviewed, Al Beisner is recommended for the property manager of the Earle Brown Farm. The HRA Coordinator then introduced Al Beisner to the committee. Al Beisner briefly reviewed for the committee his proposal for the Earle Brown Farm. He suggested the hippodrome be used for entertainment such as conventions and trade shows and also civic activities such as the Chamber of Commerce, and the stable be used for the dining room or restaurant with off premise catering. He suggested the house and guest house be used as a bed and breakfast to cater to the executives of the trade shows or the entertainers. He also mentioned that promotion needs to start now and suggested a grand opening celebration be video taped highlighting all the uses of the Farm. Phil Cohen inquired as to the structure operation. He had some concerns as to whether it would be a corporate structure as a separate entity from the Earle Brown Commons. He asked what would be the City's protection if the Earle Brown Commons would go sour. Al Beisner replied there would be separate staff and it would be a separate entity from the Earle Brown Commons. The HRA Coordinator said the contract between Al Beisner and the City would have a termination clause to cancel the contract and protect the City. Gil Engdahl inquired as to the parking availability for the trade shows and conventions. Al Beisner responded the biggest key issue is that trade shows and conventions are primarily a weekend business and most of these people would be staying at neighboring 11 -4 -87 -1- f ibilit d th t f y o a e u ure poss hotels/motels. Leone Howe mentione ramp such as the one at Bandana Square. Ron Christensen mentioned shuttles are a common means of transportation to trade shows and conventions. ' Dr. Orn said an illusion is created between the Earle Brown Commons and the Earle Brown Farm being linked together somehow. ' He further stated the needs of the City and the issues of what the Earle Brown Farm represents must be addressed. Al Beisner mentioned the historical significance of the Farm, and said he would do what is best for the City. ' Warren Lindquist inquired as to the needs of the citizens, especially the senior citizens. The Program supervisor said the senior citizens think there is a special spot at the Earle Brown Farm for them to meet on a regular basis. She further stated the study that was conducted a few years ago led the seniors to , believe this. Al Beisner said time is available for civic including Earle Brown activities Days, and a program can be put , together for the seniors to meet on certain days and at certain times. Ron Christensen mentioned the Earle Brown Farm needs public support. Dr. Orn said the plan has flipflopped since the study was conducted, noting it is geared commercially now. Phil Cohen said if the City does not follow through, seniors can change politics quickly. Dr. Orn stated the Earle Brown Farm is Brooklyn Center's heritage and is a strong community development. Discussion continued relative to the needs of the citizens and , uses of the Farm buildings. The HRA Coordinator said the committee must start making decisions quickly. He further stated this is a small project of 40,000 square feet, and there are twice as many uses for the Farm as there is space available. He said the City needs direction from the committee to make the recommendations for uses so the ' project can get under way by spring or early summer. He pointed out the architect is not hired to make decisions for types of uses, and it is up to the committee to decide on the final recommendation to the EDA. There was further discussion as to ' the uses and needs of the Earle Brown Farm. Al Beisner made his final comments noting his job is to manage ' the Earle Brown Farm, and it is up to the committee to decide what he is to manage. He then left the meeting at 8:31 a.m. There was a motion by Leone Howe and seconded by Mary Jane t Gustafson to accept the recommendation of the interview team to accept Al Beisner as the property manager for the Earle Brown Farm. There was some discussion relative to Al Beisner as the , property manager. There were still some concerns as to the Earle Brown Commons conflicting with the Earle Brown Farm. Mary Jane Gustafson inquired as to the salary that Al Beisner would be paid. Ron Christensen responded the City will negotiate a 11-4-87 -2- contract with Al Beisner. Gil Engdahl suggested specific goals be contained in the contract. Dr. Orn pointed out the City council will do its best effort in forming the contract with Al Beisner. Upon vote being taken on the foregoing motion, the motion passed unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS Leone Howe said the historical society should meet with the senior citizens to discuss their needs. The HRA Coordinator said a public hearing could be scheduled and defined a public hearing as a meeting open to the general public. Dr. Orn said a public :nearing is definitely needed to find out the needs of the people. Phil Cohen suggested the meeting be called a public informational meeting instead of a public hearing because public hearing sounds too formal. Mary Jane Gustafson suggested the meeting be called an update on the Earle Brown Farm. Dr. Orn said this item will be placed on the next agenda. The HRA Coordinator said decisions must be made now; the longer the committee stalls, the further the completion date will be of the Farm. He further stated a date should be set now for the informational public meeting and suggested two weeks from now. He added the notice would be published in the Post paper and broadcast on cable television. There was some discussion as to the date and time of the informational meeting. There was a motion by Don Peterson and seconded by Bill Eldridge to schedule a public informational meeting on the Earle Brown Farm for two weeks from now. The motion passed unanimously. Dr. Orn said he received two letters from people recommending a paid citizen be part of the makeup of the design team. Phil Cohen said a subcommittee needs to be formed to determine this. There was some discussion relative to the forming of a subcommittee. There was a motion by Phil Cohen and seconded by Leone Howe to direct the Chairman to appoint a subcommittee to determine if a paid citizen is needed to oversee the development of the Farm and the design team to protect the public interest. The motion passed unanimously. Dr. Orn chose the HRA Coordinator as a member of the subcommittee and said he would choose the other members at a later date. ADJOURNMENT There was adj ourn the Brown Farm 11-4-87 a motion by Phil Cohen and seconded by Don Peterson to e meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Earle Committee adjourned at 9:00 a.m. -3-