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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 31, 1994OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 31, 1994 The Special Council Meeting was called to order at 7=00 p.m. by Mayor Sturdevant. 1. ROLL CALL Jolly, Nawrocki, Ruettimann, Peterson, Sturdevant - present 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PUBLIC HEARING ON SHEFFIELD REVITALIZATION PLAN a. City Staff Presentation Pat Hentges, City Manager, reviewed the Sheffield Neighborhood Revitalization Plan. He defined the boundaries of the area and the problems being experienced over.the last few years. The problems were identified in the following categories: crime and public safety concerns; rental housing maintenance/ management; ]and use conflicts; low income concentration; negative perceptions of Columbia Heights which affects the City's image and implementation schedule. This the second informational meeting to be held on the Sheffield Neighborhood. The City Manager addressed what has been done since the first meeting to improve the area. Among the activities are zero tolerance by poi. ice patrols; drug enforcement increased; Section 8 oversight; purchase of fifteen problem duD]ex buildings; creation of a neighborhood organization (SHINE); revision of a development plan and improved code enforcement. The City Manager presented information on ten redevelopment alternatives which identified project scope, development assumptions, projects costs and financing sources. b. City ,Council Questions/Comments Members of the Council alternatives presented. stated their preferences for Councilmember Jolly inquired as to the ttmeframes for grant fundinq. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 31, 1994 PAGE 2 · The City Manager advised that the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency has indicated some flexibility on the City's behalf if it is funded. Funding choices should be available by February 7th. Councilmember Peterson felt the 'alternative which would acquire and clear properties for the City to market lot sales was the best choice. He was concerned with how long this may take. He inquired if there could be any incentives for developers to complete the redevelopment in a shorter time such as two years or less. The City Manager suggested there could be consideration given for placing incentives into the project. Councilmember Peterson questioned the size of the lots, most of which are sixty feet, as being marketable. He suggested they be platted to a larger size resulting in sixteen lots rather than twenty. The City Manager stated there had been funds budgeted to look at marketing these properties and he would also look at replatting. c. Public Ouestions/Comments The resident at 4216 Seventh Street felt the duplexes should be razed and the lots sold for single family homes only. He was of the opinion that if this isn't done the same problems will return to the area in the future. Keith Roberts, Chairperson of SHINE, noted that members of the organization had some items which they felt should be tied to the redevelopment plan. Among their suggestions were the City should acquire all buildings in the target block and raze them; the alley should be closed off and no vehicular traffic allowed; community policing programs should stay in tact; there be no sidewalks; landscaping requirements to include low interest loan availability for adjacent properties; additional lighting in the area; low interest rehabilitation loans; and two homes be designated for Habitat for Humanity projects. It was also desirable by the organization to have the additional officer proposed for 1994 be designated to work in a drug task force related position. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 31, 1994 PAGE 3 Councilmember Nawrocki inquired if the organization had any suggestions for sources of funding for these additional items. Me noted that funds for these items may be taken from sources which would no longer be available for use in other areas of the City. Carol Knoph, 1315 45 1/2 Avenue, felt property values in the area will increase as soon as the buildings are razed. She supports razing the buildings and decreasing rental property. She has experienced increased safety in the area but was concerned with how long these empty buildings will remain. Jane Halek, 4602 Fillmore Street, inquired if the decision is going to be made by the City Council exclusively for the future of the Sheffield Neighborhood or are there going to be other people making the decisions as well. She also wondered if this issue could be put to a vote of residents. Councilmember Ruettimann responded that all concerns of the area and of the City will be taken into consideration by the City Council. He felt some of the goals of the SHINE group will be achieved although not immediately. Tony Yurkew, who recently sold two properties located in the Sheffield Neighborhood to the City, commended the City Council, the City Manager and the City Attorney on the work done to date on the Revita]iation Plan. Councilmember Peterson noted that the value of the community has declined because of this lingering problem area. He noted it will be costly to improve the Sheffield Neighborhood but felt the City cannot afford to not do this. He supports razing all of the structures. CONTINUANCE Motion by Ruettimann, second Peterson to continue this Special Meeting which is a public hearing on the Sheffield Neighborhood Revitalization Plan to February 14, 1994. Roll call: All ayes