CITY OF NEW HOPE 4401 XYLON AVENUE NORTH NEW HOPE, MINNESOTA 55428 Citizen Advisory Commission Regular Meeting July 14, 2015 New Hope City Hall, 7 p.m. CALL TO ORDER Chair Riley called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Staff Present: Commissioners Daniel Gates, Michael Isenberg, Tony LaBerge, Carl Lymangood, Rick Riley, Dick Sievert, Mike Terres (arrived 7:04 p.m.), Bill Wills None Susan Rader, Staff Liaison Jeff Sargent, Community Development Director APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Wills made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 9, 2015 meeting. Commissioner Sievert seconded the motion. Voting in favor: Commissioners Gates, Isenberg, LaBerge, Lymangood, Riley, Sievert, Wills. Opposed: None. Absent: Commissioner Terres. Motion carried. Chair Riley announced that Commissioner Tommy Berry had resigned due to relocation. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT UPDATE Jeff Sargent, Community Development Director, distributed a flyer outlining the Minnesota GreenStep Cities program and briefly reviewed it with the commissioners. He stated that the city had entered into this program in January, 2015, and had currently achieved step two status. He explained that step one had been achieved by registering for the program, while the requirements for step two were met by completing over eight Best Practices. He reported that the city had received a recognition award in June for reaching this step. He then briefly reviewed some of the notable Best Practices completed by the city. They included: Complete Streets policy, energy improvement project through McKinstry, planned underground water storage tank at Northwood Lake, bicycle parking requirements within commercial districts, Safe Routes to School grant and improvements, and LED lighting replacements for traffic signals, streetlights, and lighting at city facilities. Chair Riley inquired about the Complete Streets policy in relation to the street project along Xylon Avenue. Mr. Sargent explained that when retrofitting street improvements, staff would attempt to implement as many parts of that policy as possible.
Mr. Sargent then discussed some of the redevelopment projects currently underway. He mentioned that construction of the new HyVee store was scheduled for completion in July, and noted that the opening had been planned for September 22. He displayed photos of the convenience store as well as the interior of the HyVee store. Mr. Sargent also noted that North Memorial would soon begin construction on a 14,000 square foot office building on the HyVee property. He displayed a site plan and announced that the clinic would open in 2016. Mr. Sargent reported that the Compass Pointe apartment project was nearly complete, and would consist of 68 workforce housing units. He stated that the units were 100% leased, with approximately 750 people on the waiting list. He displayed a site plan and exterior photos, and noted that the anticipated move-in date would be around August 1. Commissioner Gates wondered about the proximity of the Bottineau rail line. Mr. Sargent stated that a rail station would be located a few blocks away, at 63 rd Avenue and Bottineau Boulevard. He added that the apartment complex was also on the bus line. Commissioner Wills referred to the extensive waiting list, and wondered if the builder would have any incentive to purchase the property next to the apartment complex to construct a second building. Mr. Sargent felt it would be difficult for the developer to secure a second project at this time due to the special financing method that had been utilized for this project. Mr. Sargent briefly reviewed the progress at Gates of New Hope, a 32-unit, market rate apartment building located at the intersection of Hillsboro Avenue and Medicine Lake Road. He stated that nearly all of the units had been leased, and construction was scheduled for completion in late July or early August. He reported that a grand opening had been held on July 10, and noted that some residents had already moved in under a temporary certificate of occupancy. Mr. Sargent displayed the site plan, and noted that the property included an enclosed parking garage. He also shared photos of the exterior of the building as well as interior photos of one of the units. Mr. Sargent next discussed the scattered site housing program. He stated that the city had partnered with Hennepin County to obtain funding to assist in purchasing and/or renovating blighted homes through their Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. He added that the city had recently purchased four properties, including 6059 West Broadway, which was purchased in November, 2014 for $115,000. Chair Riley wondered whether CDBG funds were distributed annually. Page 2
Mr. Sargent replied yes, and noted that funding could also be used for demolition of a blighted or obsolete-type of home. He added that the home at 6059 West Broadway qualified as a blighted house, and had been demolished. Mr. Sargent reported that the property at 9121 62 nd Avenue North had recently been purchased for $130,000. He explained that the current home and detached garage would be demolished and the lot split into two. Mr. Sargent informed the commissioners that the city was in the process of purchasing the property at 4415 Nevada Avenue in the amount of $67,000. He added that staff planned to demolish the existing home and detached garage and divide the lot into two parcels. Lastly, Mr. Sargent reported that the home at 5431 Virginia Avenue North had been purchased by the city in December, 2014 for $76,000. It was later demolished. He informed the commissioners that the property had been sold to a developer, who planned to construct a single-family home on the site. He displayed a picture of a recently completed home, and noted that the developer planned to build a similar home on this property. Commissioner Wills inquired about the value of the new home. Mr. Sargent estimated the value between $230,000- $250,000. Commissioner Terres wondered whether it would be a good fit for the neighborhood. Mr. Sargent felt a new home in the area might have a revitalizing effect on the neighborhood. He added that this lot was located just two blocks south of the new Centra Homes development. Chair Riley wondered if the developer had been given any guidelines for construction prior to the sale of the property. Mr. Sargent replied yes, and noted that the developer had agreed to a list of minimum requirements prior to the sale. Commissioner Lymangood inquired whether proceeds from the sale of the property would be paid back to Hennepin County. Mr. Sargent replied yes, and also noted that all expenses were tracked by the city for reimbursement through that program. Mr. Sargent then discussed future redevelopment projects within the city. He reported that a sandwich shop was planned for the former Gas N Splash property at 7820 42 nd Avenue North. He displayed the site plan and briefly reviewed it with the commissioners. Page 3
Mr. Sargent announced that the city had recently received a proposal from a developer to demolish the former Multiband building at 9449 Science Center Drive and construct a 48,000 square foot speculative industrial building. He displayed photos of the existing building and noted that it contained asbestos and was in a state of disrepair. He then shared site plans of the proposed building and stated that it was scheduled to go before the council on July 27. Mr. Sargent also reported that in the past few months the city had been approached by two separate developers who were interested in the 3.5 acre parcel located west of the golf course. He stated that the city council had recently held a special work session to discuss a proposal for luxury townhomes and apartments. He shared pictures of the proposed development and site plan, and noted that a neighborhood meeting would be held on August 6 to present that concept. Commissioner Sievert commented that he had recently observed soil testing on the site. Mr. Sargent noted that soil borings had recently been completed. He stated that tests conducted in 2004 or 2005 had indicated bad soil conditions. He noted that results of the recent soil borings had returned better than anticipated, but added that some soil corrections would probably still be necessary. Chair Riley mentioned the vacant gas station across from the Holiday station on 42 nd Avenue. Mr. Sargent informed the commissioners that the developer who had purchased the former Gas N Splash property was currently negotiating the purchase of that property as well. The commissioners thanked Mr. Sargent for his presentation. He excused himself from the meeting at 7:43 p.m. DISCUSS 4424 NEVADA AVE N DESIGN PLAN Ms. Rader reminded the commissioners that this item had been discussed at the council work session in June. Commissioner Terres was in attendance. Ms. Rader stated that council was supportive of moving forward with a project, and noted that design #4 was the preferred option, along with some aspects of design #2. She added that suggestions from the council included: use less wood chips, look into the cost of using engineered wood fiber, ensure flower beds allow space for mower, use low maintenance plants, and stay within budget. Chair Riley added that the goal would be to complete the project this fall. UPDATE ON ART COMMITTEE Chair Riley stated that he had recently met with the small business networking group to present the idea of allowing local artists to display art at area businesses. He added that a few businesses had expressed interest. Chair Riley encouraged the commissioners to attend the arts and crafts fair at Duk Duk Daze and offer their feedback. Page 4
Commissioner Terres inquired about potential involvement in the annual prayer breakfast. Chair Riley explained that this year s theme would focus on art, and stated that local artists were encouraged to submit their information or artwork to the city clerk for possible inclusion in the programs. SPACE NEEDS TASK FORCE UPDATE UPDATE ON MEADOW LAKE PLAYGROUND PROJECT Commissioner Wills reported that the task force recently toured the Richfield city hall complex. He noted that this two to three-year old facility was comprised of city hall, police and fire departments. He felt this tour offered task force members some perspective on the issues the city of New Hope has been facing. Ms. Rader reminded the commissioners that the project would start in August. She shared a drawing of the new amenities, and noted that a pre-construction meeting would be held the following week. Commissioner Terres wondered about the status of the container. Ms. Rader replied that the container would be kept. She noted that several benches had been planned for the area as well as a swing bench overlooking the lake. Chair Riley inquired about utilizing rubber mulch for the container. Ms. Rader replied that staff had not given it much consideration due to cost. She added that the sand in the container would be replaced with engineered wood fiber, which was more accessible and less likely to attract pests. PARK REPORTS OTHER BUSINESS Chair Riley reminded the commissioners to submit their reports prior to the meeting each month. Ms. Rader made the following announcements: Duk Duk Daze would be held this weekend. A schedule of events was handed out. The musical Oliver would start on July 23 at 8 p.m. at the outdoor theatre. An open house for the Bass Lake Road parcel would be held on August 6. Additional information would be forthcoming. Ms. Rader mentioned some of the award programs offered by the city, including the Outstanding Business Award, Residential Rave Award, 2015 In-Focus Photo Contest, and the Good Citizenship Award. She handed additional information on these programs. Commissioner Terres referred to the New Hope Business Networking Group, and noted that meetings were open to anyone who ran a business in New Hope. He added that meetings were held on the first and third Wednesday of each month. The August meeting of the Citizen Advisory Commission has been cancelled. Page 5
ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Terres made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting of the Citizen Advisory Commission. Commissioner Gates seconded the motion. All present voted in favor. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Penny Spitzer Recording Secretary Page 6