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HRA Meeting Minutes – Tuesday, May 19, 2015 Page 7 1 Mr. Bilotta alerted the HRA Board that given the heavy rail traffic for oil trains, one of the secondary 2 factors was the need for increased freight moving to over-the-road trucks due to delayed shipping by 3 rail of other products. Mr. Bilotta noted this resurrected one of the City’s previous major blight 4 influences with that trucking industry coming alive once again, and market responses for truck terminal 5 use in Roseville on sites previously used for that purpose. Mr. Bilotta advised that truck terminals were 6 no longer considered a legal use on some of those sites, which may prove to be a contentious issue for 7 property owners; while others remained able to grandfather those use rights in at this time. Mr. Bilotta 8 noted that some of those interested parties were local while other bids were being received from out-of- 9 state; and causing staff to make sure they are monitoring those sites to ensure compliance. 10 11 On a related note, due to the increased interest in the trucking industry, Mr. Bilotta reported that FedEx 12 had decided to hold the State Truck Driving Championship in Roseville this year. 13 14 Specific to the hotel/motel study by Hamline University students and continuing delays with the study, 15 Member Wall questioned the timing of the study results given that those students would be completing 16 their semester course work and leaving school shortly after staff is scheduled to receive their report and 17 prior to the HRA board having an opportunity to thoroughly review the document. Member Wall 18 cautioned staff of the need to make sure the instructor was aware of the HRA’s desire to have input with 19 the potential for revisions in the report; and for him to be available for any questions or problems the 20 HRA might have with the study results. 21 22 Mr. Bilotta noted that the instructor would continue to be available, and has already accepted 23 responsibility for that role with the HRA; and planned to report to the HRA at their June 16, 2015 24 meeting. If necessary and if staff found something needing special attention, Mr. Bilotta noted that a 25 Special HRA session could also be scheduled to address that item. 26 27 Chair Maschka stated his anticipation that the study results would serve as a catalyst to solve a number 28 of problems already identified. 29 30 Mr. Bilotta concurred with Chair Maschka, opining that given the scope of the problem, the study 31 would not be the last word. Mr. Bilotta noted actions of other jurisdictions, using the City of St. Paul as 32 an example in their purchase and demolition of defunct or problem hotels. Knowing a number of the 33 issues involved, Mr. Bilotta opined that some of the solutions were not easy and cautioned that those 34 solutions may be under consideration and discussion for some time before being resolved. 35 36 11. Adjournment 37 The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:08 p.m. 38 39 Joint Meeting with the City Council: June 15, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. 40 Next Regular Meeting: Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at 6:00 p.m.