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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989 05-17 EBFMMINUTES OF THE MAY 17, 1989 EARLE BROWN FARM COMMITTEE MEETING CALL TO ORDER The Earle Brown Farm Committee was called to order at 7:38 a.m. ' by Vice Chairman Engdahl. ROLL CALL Gil Engdahl, Mary Jane Gustafson, Warren Lindquist, Sylvia Kenney, Leone Howe, Phil Cohen and Ron Christianson. Also ' present were City Manager Gerald Splinter, EDA Coordinator Brad Hoffman, and Administrative Aid Patti Page. ' EARLE BROWN FARM UPDATE, r The City Manager stated bids have been opened for most development projects related to the farm. He noted most of the bids have come in at or below the architects estimate. He stated staff has been having problems finding a restaurant that will locate in the stable. He noted the reasons for the hesitation on the part of the restaurants are: being located on a low activity road; the odd shape of the stable; and parking problems associated with the heavy activity at the hippodrome. ' The City Manager stated some of the restaurants have expressed an He G Barn th e . interest in one of the other buildings such as explained the G Barn is in very bad condition and staff is recommending demolition of the G Barn. He stated the area would ' be left open until someone was interested in utilizing the space. The EDA Coordinator stated he has been contacted by Vern Ausen ' who is interested in using the Bunkhouse as a small museum for the highway patrol. He noted it is getting late to be adding new uses to the buildings. He stated he feels if Mr. Ausen is interested in making a deal with the state patrol, staff would be willing to work something out. The City Manager stated it appears there may be somewhat of a financial problem. He noted when the County originally set the value for the tax increment district the City felt the County had miscalculated. He stated the City did contact the County but when the funds were received it was in the amount the County had stated. He explained the County eventually found their error and notified the City that there would be $240,000 per year less from ' -the tax increment district. The City Manager stated if the G Barn is demolished and the kitchen facilities are not installed this should help the financial aspect of the development. There was a motion by Phil Cohen and seconded by Leone How e to approve the following staff recommendations: to demolish the G Barn and rebuild at a future date; to allow Vern Ausen until June 15, 1989, to come to an agreement with the State Highway Patrol 5-17-89 1 for a use for the Bunkhouse; and to demolish the Bunkhouse if an agreement cannot be made by June 15, 1989. The motion passed unanimously. There was a motion by Mary Jane Gustafson and seconded by Phil Cohen to eliminate installation of the kitchen facilities in the stable. The motion passed unanimously. There was a brief discussion of the type of restaurant that is being sought for the development. it was noted that staff has been looking for a restaurant that has the financial stability offered by restaurants who are subsidiaries of larger corporations. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Mary Jane Gustafson and seconded by Sylvia Kenney to adjourn the meeting. The Earle Brown Farm Committee meeting adjourned at 8:25 a.m. 5-17-89 2