HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-12-26 CC WS 2City Counci12007-12-26, 7:40 p.m
Minutes of Work Session
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Present were Mayor Capra, Council members Tom Lee, Linda Broussard-Vickers, Jeff
Paar, and Michelle Lakso. Also present were Finance Director John Meyer, Mark Statz of
Bonestroo & Assoc., and EDA member Jenny Dosh.
Tom Gump and Ron Mehl of Beard Group were present to provide an update on the
status of the downtown development. Ron Mehl explained that the housing market has
softened substantially and that they are looking to revise phase 1 to make it more feasible.
They would purchase the larger properties that are east of Progress and north of Sorel and
increase the number of units slightly. Letters are going out in the next two weeks to the
property owners in this area indicating the developer's interest to negotiate a purchase.
Mehl still believes that this portion of the project can begin in late 2008 or early 2009, but
that will depend on their negotiations with a home builder such as Centex.
Mr. Mehl explained that the Block 8retail-housing project is still planned to begin in late
2008, subject to their being able to acquire the necessary properties. Block 9, north of
Main Street should start shortly after Block 8. Mehl indicated that Beard Group is
sending letters out soon to property owners in Blocks 8 & 9 expressing an interest in
negotiating a purchase.
The Council and Beard representatives discussed the issues associated with street and
utility improvements. Water and sewer extensions are a minor issue, but the street and
sidewalk improvements are more of a problem. Mark Statz of Bonestroo indicated that
Centerville Road (CSAH 21) could be built in phases with a temporary curb on the east
side of the street, but felt it would not be feasible to construct only a block at a time. It
was clear that the street will not be reconstructed unti12009. After Beard has a more firm
schedule for its first phase, the street improvements can be finalized.
Ron Mehl of Beard indicated that he would return in about a month and about every two
months thereafter, to report on their progress.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:30 p.m.
Dallas Larson, Administrator