5.2. HRSR 12-06-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Rivers Edge Downtown Business Association Minutes July 14, 2004 The meeting was called to order at 8AM at the Elk River Chamber of Commerce Meeting Room. Attending were: Tony Mikols, Heidi Steinmetz, Meryl Gisselquist, Cliff Lundberg,Patti Hipsag, Marlys Ellingson and Wendy Simenson Secretary's Report: The minutes from the last meeting were accepted. Treasurer's Report: The Balance is $2535.23. Recent additions have come from the garage sale ($650.90). Recent subtractions have been for flowers ($404.00) Old Business City Update: Meryl asked Heidi to explain Tax Increment Financing (TIF) since the establishment of a TIF District is part of the project. As stated in the June 2004 Downtown Revitalization Q & A Newsletter, "TIF is a financing tool created by the MN Legislature in the 1970s to help encourage development and redevelopment of underutilized and/or blighted properties. Under TIF, property tax revenue equivalent to what the current property generates continues to go to all taxing jurisdictions. The portion of the tax revenue that results from the increased value of the new development, also called the "tax increment", is used to pay site costs such as acquisition, demolition, water, sewer, and street improvements. Once the site costs have been paid, the tax increment goes to the taxing jurisdictions." Heidi told us that the HRA was holding a visioning work session on June 30th to discuss a S redevelopment plan for downtown north of Hwy 10. City Staff will then take the results of the work session and put together concept options for HRA review this Fall. Since there are properties adjacent to the downtown post office available, Tony questioned whether the post office would consider expanding downtown rather than relocating. Post offices are governed by the Federal Government. We need to find out the best way to forward his suggestion. Garage Sale: Meryl reported that the garage sale was a success. Items are still being sold as she is emptying out the building. Estimated final revenue is $830.00. Unsold items will be donated to GoodWill in Elk River. We would not have had the success that we had without Meryl's hard, work. Make sure to thank her for her efforts. Flower Pots: Meryl has planted all of the pots with roses and dianthus using the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum's 2004 color scheme. Most of these plants will be moved to the Handke Stadium perennial garden in the fall, the remainder will be planted at the Chamber of Commerce. Steve Eid from Steve's Nursery in Elk River has said he would help with the planting and a mystery path at the stadium. Tina from Natural Expressions has donated recognition plaques for businesses participating in the adopt a pot program and helping pay for the plants. The adopt-a-pot program will continue for the next year. If you sign a contract to faithfully water the pot during the summer and give $20.00 for a mum to be planted in the pot in September, you for the following year. If you have not been can have a pot placed in front of your business fo t g y y • contacted by Meryl, you can pick up an adopt-a-pot form at Kemper Drug and drop off your$20.00. Once again, thanks to Meryl for taking care of buying the plants, planting them and taking care of the adopt-a-pot program.