City Council Minutes 2018 05 15 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Council Meeting Minutes May 15, 2018 Page 7 of 10 Councilmember Maloney noted Sam's Club had been closed for 7 1/2 years and the loss of sales tax. He felt the investment in the RFP and study could have a good return on investment. He thought doing nothing was not the right thing with the potential for sales tax in the area. Mayor Pro Tem Lipton felt it was unacceptable to do nothing and perhaps see the rest of the area go downhill. He was concerned with the RFP and noted residential might not need to be a large component of any redevelopment. He noted the principle about long term fiscal balance should be strengthened to be more than break even. The desired community character is important and there could be agreement on what is not wanted. Perhaps more direction should be provided to the consultants on what that community character means. Mayor Muckle agreed at some level this is the responsibility of the owner, but the City has a great interest in the area. The study would help explore the options to sustain the area. Housing was not a part of the plan. He suggested a phrase about future looking to generate creative ideas. He wondered if there could be expanded uses allowed there. Something needs to be done to move forward. Councilmember Keany noted the area had been blighted and perhaps the City should start over. Councilmember Stolzmann asked about the scope of work and wondered if staff could put in actual figures for what the corridor needed to generate in sales tax. She asked for a strengthening of language about what the City is trying to attract. She wondered what the scope of work about reviewing the rules and regulations was really about. Director Dejong said staff was trying to point out the challenges a developer might face. Councilmember Leh felt the residents wanted Council to do something in this area. He felt it would be useful to know what kind of businesses would not be drawn in because of the restrictions. Mayor Muckle felt putting a reasonable number in the fiscal performance was a good idea, but noted the area would not likely perform like it once did. Director Zuccaro asked if the number should be in the RFP or the study. He suggested in the study. Councilmember Leh felt the area could continue to produce good sales tax revenue. Mayor Pro Tem Lipton was concerned about the corridor not just this property. His fear was the corridor might suffer if this property was not done well. He agreed the numbers would likely be better stated in the study.