10-13-2003 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Minutes October 13, 2003 ............................. Page 2 5.1. 5.2 5.3. Center Point Minnegasco Grant for the Skatepark Arnie Hendrickson from Center Point Energy Minnegasco presented to the City a check for $1,500 to be used for the skatepark in Lions Park. This is grant money received by the City through the new pilot program for cities served by the company. Teen members active in planning for the skatepark accepted the check. Consideration of Libra~ Board Applicant Mayor Klinzing asked applicant Allison Olson why she was interested in serving on the Library Board. Ms. Olson replied that she has been a reader all her life, has great respect for those who serve at the library, enjoys books and being around them, she's an advocate for reading and feels it is important to step forward. MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE TO APPOINT ALLISON OLSON FOR A TERM EXPIRING DECEMBER 31, 2006. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. HRA Downtown Revitalization Project Update Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich gave an update to Council in regards to the Downtown Revitalization Project. She explained that the HRA has been considering staff's research to issues and questions with regard to MetroPlain's concept for the redevelopment of the Jackson Block and Bluff Block. Staff was directed to work with the project attorney and the developer and to bring back in the next 30 to 60 days a draft development agreement. Ms. Mehelich reported that the developer has requested that the City submit an application for grant funds to the Small Cities Development Program, which is administered by the MN Department of Employment & Economic Development. Typically this program has over 150 applications each year and approves about 30 of them. This grant application would not commit the City to final project approval. At the September meeting, the HRA recommended that the City Council consider authorizing staff to proceed in submitting a Small Cities Development Program (SCDP) application for the purpose of obtaining grant funds for commercial and residential rehabilitation, and new residential rental construction, in the Downtown Revitalization Project area. Under the proposed rehabilitation program, commercial properties could obtain a 5-year deferred loan at zero percent financing for up to 40 percent of the project cost for eligible health and safety building improvements. The City's Micro-Loan program could also be provided for up to $50,000 of the balance of the project at its regular policy rate. Participants would be required to maintain ownership of the property for 5 years. Residential rental property owners could request up to $15,000 per unit to make health and safety codes and energy efficiency improvements. Ms. Mehelich explained that a public hearing would need to be held and this had been tentatively scheduled for October 27 and two resolutions would need to be approved by Council after the hearing.