05-18-1998 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, MAY 18, 1998 Members Present: Mayor Duitsman, Councilmembers Farber, Thompson, and Dietz Members Absent: Councilmember Holmgren Staff Present: Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Sandra Thackeray, City Clerk; Steve Ach, City Planner; Terry Maurer, City Engineer; Paul Steinman, Director of Economic Development 1. Call Meeting To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the special meeting of the Elk River City Council was called to order at 5:07 p.m. by Mayor Duitsman. 2. Consider Agenda COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE MAY 18, 1998, CITY COUNCIL AGENDA. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 3. Discussion of Land Use Options for Elk River Mall City Planner Steve Ach introduced Jack Sheedy and Larry Leitschuh who were present to represent the Elk River Mall. Steve indicated that this meeting was called by the City Council due to some concerns that were raised regarding the future of the Mall and appropriate uses for the Mall. He further indicated that last month the Living Waters Church requested a conditional use permit to operate a church revival in the Elk River Mall. The City Council had some questions and concerns as to whether this was an appropriate use for a Mall. Steve Ach discussed the possibility of amending the PUD agreement due to the fact that the existing PUD agreement at the Elk River Mall is quite outdated. Jack Sheedy distributed a letter to the City Council which was wdtten by Peter Scherer, owner of the Mall. The letter addressed issues of marketing, existing uses, and allowable uses. Mr. Sheerly indicated that although they continue to market the Elk River Mall, there are several restrictions that limit leasing of the Mall. He indicated that some of these include parking limitations, the fact that the Elk River Mall is facing away from the highway, and a previous agreement indicating that a grocery store could not lease the Mall until the year 2000. Mr. Sheerly discussed the possibility of using tax increment financing to redevelop or rebuild the Mall. He requested the Council to consider this possibility as he feels the Mall is a distressed situation. Discussion was held regarding the restrictions in the TIF law which preclude the city from using TIF for this type of situation. Mayor Duifsman suggested that Mr. Sheedy contact the city's Director of Economic Development to further discuss this issue.