HRA Agenda 01-24-1996AGENDA
MONTICELLO HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Wednesday, January 24, 1996
City Hall
Following Joint Meeting
between the HRA and Parks and Planning Commissions
MEMBERS: Chairperson Al Larson, Vice Chairperson Brad Barger, Everette Ellison, Tom
St. Hilaire, and Roger Carlson.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: 011ie KoTgxhak.
CONTINUATION OF THE 6:30P.M.JOINT MEETING.
2. CONSIDERATION TO REVIEW FOR APPROVAL THE REQUEST FOR
PROPOSAL AND AUTHORIZATION TO SUBMIT TO CONSULTANTS.
3. CONSIDERATION TO APPOINT AN HRA REPRESENTATIVE TO THE
MONTICELLO COMMUNITY PARTNERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
4. OTHER BUSINESS.
5. ADJOURNMENT.
HRA AGENDA
JANUARY 24, 1996
Enclosed as supporting data is a draft of the request for proposal. Modifications
have been made to the first draft from input received from Theresa Washburn and
Tom St. Hilaire. The proposal may be reviewed at the joint meeting; however, final
comments and approval is by HRA members only.
Page I
The Monticello Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA), City of Monticello (City), and the
Monticello Community Parmers (MCP) are requesting proposals from qualified firms for the
development of a design, traffic, market, and financial plan for redevelopment or revitalization of
the traditional downtown and nearby riverfront area (Study Area). The final plan must stem from
community involvement and reflect, to the extent possible, the desires of the public. A
community-based process is as important as the product.
The parties are seeking qualified consulting firms that have had expeinam in preparing
revitalization studies and developing strategic plans for implementation of study
recommendations.
The submission deadline for proposals is 4 p.m., February 15, 1996, to be submitted to the
address specified below. The project is expected to be completed within six months of the award
of the contract.
CITY OF MONTICELLO
ATTN: JEFF O'NEU1
250 EAST BROADWAY
PO BOX 1147
MONTICELLO, MN 55362
The Monticello HRA has allocated sufficient funds to pay for this project. It is the intent of the
parties t6 have the -HRA 'enter into a contract for services with the selected firm. The City
Council, Planning Commission, Parks Commission, MCP, other civic organizations and citizens at
large will contribute toward development of a plan by providing input. Staff support will be
provided by the City.
The project involves four basic components. They include:
Physical design of the downtowntriverfiront area (study area) and other adjacent areas
defined by the study as affecting the vitality of the study area.
A market analysis of the study area.
The project should identify and shape the proper mix of activities and land uses (elements)
using ideas listed by citizens in a. ecei t visioning workshop as a guide.
WUNT1 URRI•P; INIM Page 1
4. Specific recommendations for financing and implementing the plan
PROdECF COMPONENTS
1. Physical design of the stud, area.
This project should assess and analyze the historic and existing conditions of the study
area as well as a design for future improvements. This section should include but not be
limited to:
a. A land use plan for the study area and a land use plan for adjacent areas identified
by the firm as affecting the vitality of the study area.
b. Existing public amenities and infrastructure and recommendations for
improvements (including public parking and access to the study arm). This is to
also include traffic impacts and recommendations for transportation system
changes both in and out of the study area, which could include identifying a plan
for relieving traffic on CSAH 75 (Broadway).
C. Existing parcel, easement, pathway, and road configuration and recommendations
for replatting to improve commeraal viability, and to improve utilization of the
riverfront as an asset.
d. Historical significance.
e. Existing uses of buildings and specific recommendations for buildings to be
removed or rehabilitated.
f. Development of design criteria for private and public structures, including
buildings. fes, and signage.
g. Reettmnurtdations for atfotcement of design criteria.
h. Recommadations should include designs and preliminary estimates of costs.
1. Describe hoar the plan is in conflict or harmony with the comprehensive plan for
the City,
2. Market anal)Ws of the area.
The project should include the following:
a. Identification of existing and fixture economic opportunities and threats to the
traditional downtown area.
? b. An analysis of the existing and potential public, commercial. residential. and
industrial, recreational/tourism user in the area.
uu11i"I `NAIT: 11910 Page 2
C. Potential for methods to encourage restoration or improved maintenance of
housing stock within and adjacent to the study area.
d. Specific recommendations regarding recruitment of commercial and recreational
users to the study area.
e. Plans for reuse of existing vacant or underutilized buildings within the study area
f. The market analysis should include local business survey information.
gL"C.
The project should determine which elements are a necessary part of a
development plan for the study area given eoonomic factors and the desires of the
community (see attached Overview of Visioning Workshop).
The project should identify the variety and optimum location(s) of selected
elements necessary to support study area development goals and meet community
desires.
Financing:
A discussion of available financing options.
Recommendations as to responsible parties for financing.
A financial feasibility anislyais.
Implementation of the Plan:
The implementation portion of the plan should focus on the implementation of any
and all reoonanendations identified in the plan and the identification of
organizations that would be primarily responsible for each project. This portion of
the plan should be a specific, step-by-step action plan that identifies future actions
and activities.
The prem should be divided into phases with recommended start and finish dates
and methods of accountability for each phase. It is important to have quantifiable
measures to indicate the success of each phase of the plan. The consultant must
identify these methods of accountability in the plan. The plan shall be a blueprint
for the steps and projects that need implementation for a systematic revitalization
of the traditional downtown arca.
MWNUMNAR: 11916 Page 3
FINAL. PRODUCT
The consultant shall prepare and submit 50 copies of the final plan and shall schedule a final
presentation to the community at a public meeting, which shall include professional visual aids
summarizing the findings and recommendations.
TBFCM
Monticello is a city of 6,000 people located on the Mississippi River and on Interstate 94
approximately 30 miles northwest of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Metro area. The population within
a radius of 5 miles is approximately 13,000.
Founded in the 1850'x, Monticello was incorporated in 1856. Since 1972, the city has
ecpericnccd significant growth which has accelerated since 1992. The city population is currently
growing at a rate of about 4% per year.
MONTICELLO COMPREHENSIVE P •ANNIN •/DOWNTOWN REDEVELA3PMENT
ACTIVITIFS TO DATE
In 1995, the City began the process of updating the comprehensive plan for the city. The draft of
the plan identified downtown and riverfront redevelopment as a priority for the community.
Subsequent to the identification of this community issue, a team is emerging to address
redevelopment issues. Following are team members, activities to date, and the role each plays.
The Planning Commission and City Council, through development of the comprehensive plan,
have identified downtown/riverfront redevelopment as an important issue. There is a community
consensus that action needs to bo taken to utilize the riverfront setting to enhance the viability of
the downtown area. The City Council has provided staff support for the activities of the HRA
and the activities of the MPC.
The HRA has followed up on comprehensive planning efforts by conducting two well -attended
community workshops focusing on the downtown area with the guidance of consultant Theresa
Washburn. The workshop spawned the recent establishment of Monticello Community Partners
which includes Promotion, Design and Economic Restructuring subcommittees. The NRA is
providing support to the MPC by loaning funds sufficient to hire Washburn to help organize and
develop the MPC organization. The NRA will play the lead role in preparation of the
development plan with major input from the MPC and City Commissions, The HRA has
earmarked funds sufficient to finance the redevelopment plan activities proposed in this document
and will be involved in funding appropriate redevelopment activity as identified in the plan.
The MPC is a private, non-profit organization with firnctions similar to a "Mainstreet..
orgwiization. The MPC duties include conducting promotions, business financing, establishment
of design standards.
1I(AM mWNAW. Irorve Page 4
FORM OF PROPOSAL
Your proposal should inchrde the following:
I. Information demonstrating your understanding and perspective regarding the goals of the
project, assumptions underlying the project, and problems you anticipate in completing the
Project.
2. A proposed approach to the project. The approach shall include how your firm intends to
communicate with the partners and how you propose to involve local business people,
property owners, and other citizens.
3. Specialized experience in the type of work required. Please include names and telephone
numbers of clients we may call about these projects.
4. Resumes for professional staff members who will be assigned to this project with synopses
oftheir particular responsibilities for this project.
5. An estimated schedule for completing the project with a graphic illustration of major
tasks.
6. A schedule of fees including a not -to -exceed fee for this project.
A selection committee made up of the HRA and members of the City Council, Planning
Commission, and DRDC will review all proposals and will invite a limited number of firms to
Monticello for a personal presentation and interview. Final selection will be made by the
Committee. Cost of preparing proposals and being involved in personal presentations will be
borne entirely by your firm. Ten copies of your proposal should be submitted by 4 p.m., February
15, 1996, to the following address:
CITY OF MONTICELLO
ATTN: JEFF O'NEILL
250 EAST BROADWAY
PO BOX 1147
MONTICELLO, MN 55362
Atttdtments: Overview of Visioning Workshop
Organization Chart
1X)%%Wn►wN.ruv: 1/9/96 Page 5
01-12-91 11 *05 ID 112 295 1540
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January 11. 19%
Fir. Al Larson
Chairman BRA
I-rom Ace Bardrare
P.O. Bout 367
212 West 3rd St.
Monticello. 10i 53362
LARSON'S ACE HD. PAGE - 01,01
Zees Long Lalm Road, suits 100
Rowv&. Minnesota 65112
Phone (812) 821.3376
Fax (612) 821$129
Dear Al,
This letter is in regard to the draft specs discussed at the IOTA seecing on 01/10/96.
I request you delete item 3 under The Project and delete all references to iter 3.
As an alternative, I suggest you add the following and add all referenced
Analysis of cost/benefit of incorporating development of .... into the overall
plea for the study area.
4. A commercial river walk
S. A business district with required parking
6. A shopping center/sell complex
7. A combined cnsercial/businesa/abopping and recreational complex.
My purpose in adding several different specific projects in to press upon the planner
the desired outcome o nivesue producing a au. It is my fire belief that the
current specs do not accomplish this and, is fact, direct the planner to incorporate
a civic center into the project.
I do not believe the specs are objective. I as not is favor of the current specs.
Theuk you for your consideration.
Sincerely.
-rW-,ll',Z4'1-4�
Thomas W. BL.Rilaire
TWO a kd
1-22 96 13:29 FROM:P05TPET 16006377049 70:6122964404 PA E:01
Theresa A. Weshbum
Rt 1 Box 235
Viroqua, Wt 54665
(608)637.7264
January 23. 1996
011ie Kompcbock
250 East Bnmt aty
Mormicello. UN 55362.9245
Fax 612 2954404
�.�•'ti�lt!1
Eaebsed is a AC&dMA overview of the Visimiug Wmkahop. This is not a final
document. That will contain more dead m well as say comrssmb and sugg uwm. This
doeumcm is intended to naris: the HRA m dwmm sinking mmund plans for the
rivaGoat development and the RFP.
Two quick comments on the Request for PmpomL Fm make tete initial dwwn m
smaller. send ituaested fins a more dcmflOd document upon their request. Fiaauially
you want, a rived cat and businras disuict pbm whicb wculd include supponiog nuterial
in the form of • market welym atd traffic sun" The pian wmM be driven by
`— information pilvered 6om rho market analysis. commkmity walksbops and pubbe
surveys. Seeaift am"lle all fbehs to vWt tbo commm ty prior to semdwS the
proposal. This may be a givem, bin I did no bear or see that implied artywbm.
Jeff did not all this storming l imagine that he is buoy. If the HRA would like 1 will
marc line by tim commerm on Ibe RFP. Due to the lint that I am trot really working for
them 1 am reluctm to be coo aggressive in my „ .. t►as with that group.
I win be out of town on Weftsk. feel floe to all Thunday or Friday wild any
Cos>ments or quer iom.
JAN -22 96 13:29 FROM:P05TNET
16086377049 T0:61229544 4 PAGE:02
Visioning Workshop
Goals and Objectives
The goal of the workshop is to come to a consensus about the visions, goals and projects
for the future in Monticello. The workshop will concentrate on goals and projects for
downtown riverfront redevelopment, but will not be limited to them. The vision and
goals laid out should address community issues and their relationship to the specific
downtown project. To be successful, representatives of all sectors of the community
should participate.
In the workshop participants will focus on issues relating to the four points of
revitalization which include: orgaoiMion, design, economic restructuring and
promotions. The workshop will begin with general creative visioning and progress into
the nuts and bolts decision making about specific goals, projects and tasks. The entire
group will begin as one, we will divide into smaller groups and then the return as one
group again, h is imperative that the majority of the participants commit the full seven
hours to the workshop
Visioning Workshop
Schedule (revised)
9:45 Arrival • Coffee aid rolls
9:00 Welcome and overview of the day
9:15 Fill out survey
9:30 Creative visioning exercise
10:00 Group bruinstorming of ideas from exercise
10:30 Nurrowing and categorizing
10.45 Break
1 I :0u Introduction of group exercises • divide into at least, four groups
12:00 Lunch break
12.45 Group exercises
Create goals and activities
Nvelop general project and task lists
2.15 Break
2:30 Group presentations
Organization
Economic Restructuring
Promotion
Design
4:00 Set date lits first committee meetings and workplan workshop
JAN -22 96 13:29 FROMI:POSTPET 16086377049 M:6122954404 PAM: 03
Overview of the Visioning Workshop
Visioning Eurdse
To begin the day. participants were allowed time to imagine Mormectlo as their "perfect
community'. Afterwards they were asked to write down what elements they perceive to
be important in achieving the "perfect MonttcdW*. Each participant was asked to call
out some of the dwrgs that they had written Aft the individual lists were exhauued.
the pstucipants voted for the top five on the newly created group list. Below are the 20
that received the tru goxity of the votes.
Top 20 elements treaded to achieve the "perfect MndceDo-
1. Weekly farmenlardsao market in town. (20)
2. Development of commucial areas on the riveftpnt including specialty shops, cafes.
restaurants. (19)0
3. Community neater in downtown (1 g)
4. less noo4sential traftic through downtown. (17)
S. Specialty shops is the downtown arca. (15.)
6. Spillway on river to make it usable for more tponiog and recreational activities. (14)
( the group suggested that the emphasis would be on utilizing the river for more
sporting and recreational activities and no so much on the spillway itself)
7. Aquatic center within community center. (14)
9. Conium theme or "look" to downtmwo and retail areas. (14)
9. Development of natural areas on the river to crate a scranc setting (13)
10. Well planned attractive, convenient puking lots (11) •
r e . oowwnwwn as a euuness complex with cons or ousnsesses including
professionals and service oriented businesses. (11) •
12. Large commercial anchor on river, hold a prime exempla (7)
13. Town square for information and gsdwft plate. (7)
14. Unification between downtown and other business areas. (6)
I S. Walking path, sidewalk connection from busimss areas to residential area. (6)
16. Signs a entrances of down wown designuing the commercial district (4)
17. Memphis style bistro/blues bar. (4)
1S. Promote Monticello as small convention ,atte .(4)
19. Canoe sod kayaking with shuttle services in town. (4)
20. Flowers plastied in comtr udill utas. (3)
0 These were combined votes using two like ale erre and canting one category.
JAN -22 % 13:29 FROM:POSTNET 16086377049 TO: 6122954404 PAGE:04
Not stated but implied was an essential element to the group virion of downtown This
element or issue was that of the rehabilitation vs. demolition of the nonhws..st block of
Broadway. from the highway 2J intersection to Walnut street. The issue surfaced during
the group discussions. With an informal showing of rhe hands it was clear that the group
wac spltr on she question. In addition, participants were umwe of exactly what they
imagined to replace the block Yfdemolished Lira to important economic and
psychological impact the demolition or rehabilitation of the block would have on the
community, it should be addressed and researched thoroughly before any decision is
made.
Croup actilvirIks
The participants were divided into four groups, organization, design, promotion and
economic restructuring. Organizations task was to develop a structure and name for a
new organization that would guide the redevelopment of Monticello. The three
remaining groups were assigned the task of creating goals and activities created from the
relevant issues on addressed on the top 20 list,
Overview of the group preenadom
Orgaruzanon
Yining on rhe name of the new arganaation
Result: Monticello Community Partners
Diseinsiun of the structure of the tnant:anion
I . Nine member Board of Directors with representative from the following groups.
Planning Commission. Parks Commission, Chamber, Mescharta, City Council, IBCA,
and three community members at large.
2. The new organization will have three committees: Design, Economic Restructuring
and Promotions.
3. The new organization will be a separnte non-profit entity.
0. New organization will working closely with crusting groups to assist in community
related projects.
Econonuc Ratrvctudo>t
This committee dealt with business retention, bsuiness espies niton, bsuinau recruitment
and market analvsis issues jor the grogµ The commuttee quickly realised thw rhe
econnmtc restruclwing activities farm the top 20 list were lamg term, graiu/, protects that
needed research and thought. lkrrefore their list inclined mostly market analysis type
activities.
JAN -22 96 13:30 FROM:POSTNET 161486.377049 70:6122954404 PAGE:05
1. Gather all existing information from other orgmintions in town.
2. Complete a face to face surveys of the existing businesses.
3. With professional assistance, develop a customer survey of the area
4. Complete a customer phone survey within the market area.
This grout concentrated on three areas of the prmnottem image promotion. sale%
promottow, aro/ special events.
Image promotion
a. Develop promotion that would create a sense of pride in the community. (Example
"Catch the Wave", using the symbol of small town friendliness, waving to your
neighbor and expanding the theme to the business and residential community.)
b. Hold a community clean-up day for the downtown and river area.
Sales promotions
Assist and expand existing merchant group promotions
Special Events
A. Farmers Market
B. Clcan-up and planting week in spring and fall
C. Block party with neighborhood contests
D. Winter river festival
E. Work with irvertest to expand the promotion.
The design cummutee concentrated on public and private improvement activities. Like
the F.cummntc• Reviructuring umnmmee the parac4%ws m/i:ed that the categories for
which included design activities were longterm and grand. ]herefore, they decided to
concentrate their energy on smaller projects to start.
1. Visit similar communities noting business and building activities at well as physical
attributes.
2. Identify city resources including, buildings, natural areas, infrisstructurc, and
atmosphere.
3. Identify why people come to Monticello said capitalize on these.
4. Clean up nverfran
S. Educate the committee on design pnncipala, historic preservation, construction and
rehabilitation practices.
Utilize data from other committees to develop focus for downtown.
HRA AGENDA
JANUARY 24, 1996
3. Consideration to anooint an HRA representative to the Monticello Community
Partaers Board of Directors.
A.
In a phone conversation with Steve Bubul, HRA Attorney, he recommends the HRA
appnint an individual, independent of the HRA Commission, as the HRA
representative to the Monticello Community Partners (MCP) Board of Directors.
As a member of both the HRA and the MCP, the conflict of interest becomes an
issue because the HRA will enter into a contract with the MCP relating to the
approved $100K) loan. Other conflicts may arise in the future. The HRA member
conflict of interest relates to both personal financial gain and the organizations
financial gain.
If an HRA member would like to be a member of the MCP, an option to consider
is to resign from the HRA. Mr. Bubul's recommendation are strictly legal advise
and not personal.
B. Alternative Action: 0
1. A motion appoiming an individual to the MCP who is not an HRA member.
2. A motion accepting the resignation of an HRA member for appointment to
the MCP.
3. A motion appointing an HRA member to the MCP.
4. Other.
C. $lgdommeQda{iow
The Executive Director supports the recommendations of Attorney Bubul,
Alternative Action No. I or 2.
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