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City Council Minutes Page 3 <br /> September 8,2020 <br /> ----------------------------- <br /> Mr. Hartung stated he met with Karen Wingard who manages the Farmers Market <br /> and felt they came up with some great ideas on keeping the market downtown,and <br /> where to hold it in the new development as well as provide a space for a winter <br /> market. <br /> Chair Toth asked about the proposal for a one-way Main Street and where would the <br /> traffic exit. <br /> Mr. Hartung explained a traffic study would reveal more details about the best traffic <br /> routing design. <br /> Chair Toth asked about the future of the Elk River Meats building. <br /> Mr. Hartung stated he has had ongoing discussions with the owners of Elk River <br /> Meats and discussed mutual goals of enhancing their building and increase their <br /> business if they chose to remain in that location. He stated when the owners are <br /> ready to retire,he has designed a plan to offer them a premium for their land and <br /> building and incorporate the space into the project. He stated the owners are not <br /> ready to make any decisions at this time. <br /> Commissioner Swenson asked for clarification on the residential parking spaces for <br /> the 127 mixed units, and Mr. Hartung clarified one parking unit is proposed for each <br /> studio, 1- and 2- bedroom units,and two parking units for the townhouses and 3 <br /> bedrooms. He stated they could sell additional spots as they will have additional <br /> spots available. <br /> Several members of the audience spoke:'""' <br /> The owner of Olde Main Eatery expressed concerns with the lack of parking for his <br /> restaurant as well as other area businesses during the first six months of construction <br /> and how that would negatively affect his business, stating his business needs at least <br /> 30-40 parking spots for operation. <br /> Mr. Hartung stated the parking ramp would be open in a matter of months. He <br /> stated if the Council and HRA could come to an agreement tonight, and when he <br /> comes back for official vote, he could present some options to the affected <br /> businesses and seek ways to stage the project to minimize parking impacts. He stated <br /> he would like the local business' feedback. He discussed a creative marketing budget <br /> to include some incentives and assist in parking off-site. <br /> Frank Galli felt a six-month project of this size in a small community can be <br /> devasting and asked what could be done. <br /> Mr. Hartung provided a suggestion to mitigate the effect of decreased parking by <br /> making Jackson Avenue a one-way and doubling the parking along both sides of the <br /> street. He stated he hopes and will push for a shorter timeline and will guarantee that <br /> P 0 W I R I D 9 Y <br /> otmaA UREI <br />