05-16-07 EDC Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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EDC Minutes May 16, 2007 Page 2 of 4 The group agreed to work on the Mayor's version ofthe plan. Chair Kunkel asked when this plan should be presented to Council. Karen noted that it is on the June City Council W orksession. . Chair Kunkel asked if there are any issues that are of significant substance that the group wanted to discuss. The Mayor said that any strong passions should be incorporated into the Executive Summary portion of the plan. Nancy indicated her idea of an issue of substance for her is the City Administrator position. She indicated she believed the Administrator should have more authority to help with the day to day activities of the City. She thought maybe the title doesn't have to be changed from Administrator to Manager, but maybe the Council could give more authority to the Administrator at their discretion. The Mayor reminded the group if there were a City charter change, it would have to go before the citizens of Arden Hills as a referendum and once passed it was not irreversible. Nancy suggested the plan be changed by no longer suggesting the Administrator have a title change to Manager. Chair Kunkel noted the group needed to vote on this suggestion. Nancy moved to change paragraph 4 to reflect this change. Dale seconded. The group agreed with the exception of Ray abstaining. Chris expressed he thought we should focus on the City Center designation. He asked if the group should address this item. Jim said until that TCAAP committee goes through their process if the EDC should tackle the City Center issue. Chris indicated he thought because of the way the freeways go through Arden Hills, that it will create an old district and a new district once TCAAP is developed. The Mayor said there is a lot of action items embedded within the City Center issue. Chair Kunkel expressed that he doesn't believe the plan should get into tactical ideas but rather point out the issues. Ray said he believes the Council should be told they need to plan to spend money on redevelopment. Rob reminded the group that the plan already does state the City needs to plan for this. Ray said he believes we can't present a 21 page document to the Council and expect them to approve it. Nancy said she thought the City had already decided that the downtown district is within TCAAP and that was evident by where the City Hall was placed. She thought anything south of 694 is going to become a suburb of Arden Hills and those living there will continue to shop along County Road E. Jim said he thought the group that is most interested in the City is south of 694 and there is always going to be an interest from them in maintaining County Road E. Chair Kunkel said that area also serves a significant portion of Shoreview. Karen noted she believes we do not have to designate only one downtown area. The Mayor said the big burden in the County Road E area is the bridge.