4.1. HR DRAFT MINUTES 02-06-2017 (2 SETS)

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Housing and Redevelopment Minutes Page 5 December 5, 2016 ----------------------------- Commissioner Kuester suggested work with the schools to include some art element in the downtown. Commissioner Eder concurred. Commissioner Chuba asked if bike racks were an integral part of this proposal, and if there were any now. Commissioner Eder stated she has seen a lot of people riding bicycles in the downtown. Wagner stated there are a couple of racks, but she did not know how many spots were in them. Mr. McCoy stated there was one by alongside the Depot by the Park, also by the King Avenue parking lot. McCoy also felt there were a lot of people coming through the downtown on bicycle. Commissioner Chuba stated that promoting bike riding would tie in with Energy City. Discussion followed regarding the Ramsey trail along the Mississippi River under construction and the Holdingford trail. Mr. McCoy asked if the idea of a kiosk by Avalon Salon was still under discussion. Ms. Othoudt stated the kiosk was discussed as part of the wayfinding. She noted that they will be sending out the Request for Proposals (RFP) for Wayfinding soon. Ms. Othoudt stated that the wayfinding plan was part of the Mississippi Connections plan. She explained that other components of the plan that have been implemented are the blighted properties program and the rehab loan program for older homes, and are currently looking at redevelopment opportunities. She stated she could summarize what has been done and what is left to be done, and look at funds that have been allocated. Commissioner Eder asked if the Downtown River’s Edge group could come back with numbers and more information with what they want to see. Wagner asked who should get the quotes, since Park and Rec might have better resources for benches and pots. City staff was going to look at options and pricing. Ms. Othoudt stated she will be meeting with the association to discuss. Mr. McCoy stated they could look at bids for maintenance of the pots. Ms. Othoudt stated that staff can bring ideas to group at January meeting. She then will bring back to the February or March HRA meeting. She noted that funds will be utilized from the Mississippi Connections allocation. Chair Toth asked if the funding rolls over into their reserve account. Ms. Othoudt stated no, that funds have been budgeted for the year do not roll over to the following year. Mr. McCoy asked that the HRA consider contribution to a dock on the Mississippi River in the vicinity of the Rivers Edge Park. He stated that there are businesses willing to donate. Chair Toth stated that a request for funding and construction of a dock needs to go to the City Council. He stated that the HRA is not funded to allow that type of expenditure. Commissioner Chuba asked what type of dock they are looking at. Mr. McCoy stated that he has been working on this project for 1.5 years, and would propose a dock that was half fishing pier and half canoe dock. He explained that the DNR uses MINNCORE to do these