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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987 10-21 EBFM' MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 21, 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. ROLL CALL Dr. Duane Orn, Sylvia Kenney, Donald Peterson, Gil Engdahl, Bill ' Eldridge, Leone Howe, and Warren Lindquist. Also present were Director of Public Works Sy Knapp, HRA Coordinator Brad Hoffman, Program Supervisor Kathy Flesher, Greg Watson from Heskin Resources and Administrative Aid Patti Page. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - OCTOBER 7. 1987 There was a motion by Warren Lindquist and seconded by Leone Howe to approve the minutes of the October 7, 1987, meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. MAXFIELD REPORT/OPERATIONAL BUDGET The HRA Coordinator noted the Maxfield report found the trade show use for the Hippodrome to be a good, viable use for the space. He added that according to the report, the estimated ' revenue projections which had been originally figured were too high. He stated he asked Heskin Resources to give a rough estimate based on their past experiences. He noted Heskin ' Resources did no have access to the original figures. The HRA Coordinator went on to briefly review the figures submitted by Heskin Resources. He stated that a promotional ' budget will need to be completed, but added that is something the Committee/HRA will have to decide. ' The HRA Coordinator stated the entire Farm complex would need approximately $450,000 a year to be operational. He noted the Maxfield report indicates approximately $155,000 a year will be ' generated by the trade show area. He noted in order to make up the $300,000 deficit the balance of the Farm would have to leased/rented for $10 to $12 a square foot. He noted to do this the balance of the Farm would have to be filled with income ' generating uses. He stated this would have to be a policy decision at some time. Dr. Orn stated it appears the committee has lost all ability to have space for senior citizen or heritage events which had been discussed earlier. The HRA Coordinator stated the Hippodrome will be a multi-purpose space and there will be a number of days that it will not be used for trade shows or banquets. He noted the more space that is dedicated for specific uses will most likely require more subsidizing by the community from property taxes. 1 10-21-87 1 yr ' Bill Eldridge inquired if a public hearing would be required to allow the use of property taxes to subsidize the Farm. The HRA }F Coordinator stated a public hearing would not be required but the Council would discuss the issues very openly at Council meetings. , Bill Eldridge not the City will have to determine to what extent the citizens Farm. of Brooklyn Center are willing to subsidize the , A discussion then ensued relative to the possible uses for the other buildings on the Farm. The HRA Coordinator noted the other ' large, possible revenue producing buildings are the house and the D barn. He stated traffic generation will become an important factor for balancing the rest of the uses for the Farm. He noted a number of the uses the Committee has discussed could be accommodated by the Hippodrome. Dr. Orn stated he doesn't believe the social and community issues , discussed previously by the Committee will be addressed in the final outcome. The Director of Public Works stated he felt the Committee had agreed that converting the Farm to a senior center ' was not financially feasible. He stated because of the fact that the Hippodrome would not be rented every day of the year for trade shows and banquets it would allow adequate time for more public uses. Leone Howe stated she felt the main house should be open to the general public. A discussion then ensued regarding the possibility of property taxes subsidizing part of the farm expenses. The HRA Coordinator 1 stated it would be possible continue the tax increment district for 20 years to allow for a larger endowment. He noted the , interest off the investments of the tax increment district would be quite substantial. Dr. Orn stated it appears the social services portion of the ' project seem to be taking a second seat to the commercial uses. The HRA Coordinator pointed out the commercial uses will actually be subsidizing part of the operation costs for the rest of the ' Farm. He added the amount of public space that is dedicated for a public use will dictate the amount of subsidy needed. He stated the income which is received from the Farm is the money , which is needed to operate the Farm, the money from the tax increment district is being used to restore the Farm. The HRA Coordinator briefly reviewed the suggested ' recommendations which should be approved to go before the Council. There was a brief discussion regarding the possibility of a for profit senior citizen museum. There was a motion by Gil Engdahl and seconded by Leone Howe to recommend that a portion of the activities on the Earls Brown Farm may have to be subsidized and also that some space be , allowed for public citizen use. The motion passed unanimously. 10-21-87 2 A discussion then ensued regarding a proposed tour of the Bandanna Square facility. It was decided the tour would be on Wednesday, October 28, 1987, beginning at approximately 4 p.m. The HRA Coordinator stated the next meeting would be on November 4, 1987. ' ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Don Peterson and seconded by Bill Eldridge to adjourn the meeting. The Earle Brown Farm Committee meeting ' adjourned at 9:01 a.m. 1 10-21-87 3