Committee of the Whole

Committee-Of-The-Whole Meeting Minutes May 16, 2017 Mayor Nold called the Committee-of-the-Whole meeting to order at 6:10 PM. Members Present: Aldermen Schmidt, Strey, Kowieski, Miller, Rosek and Shaw Excused: Aldermen Zwart (arrived at 6:11 PM) and Ellis (arrived at 7:10 PM) Staff Present: Mayor Nold, Kitsembel, Sullivan, Buerger, Pfister, Lesniewski and Coenen 2. Motion by Kowieski to go into Closed Session per Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(e) Deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session regarding Police Department Agreement; second by Schmidt. Motion carried 6-0. Council convened into Closed Session at 6:10 PM. 3. Reconvene into Open Session Staff Present: Mayor Nold, Kitsembel, Sullivan, Buerger, Frye, Osborn, Duffy, Gallo, Kelliher, Pickart and Coenen Others Present: Atty. Riffle 4. Discussion on Continuing Role of Community Development Authority: Duffy gave a Power Point presentation starting the CDA was created in 2002 and at the time was directed by Council to pursue downtown revitalization strategy. He went over the role and authority of CDA, the By- Laws and outlined bigger projects they were involved in such as the Downtown Development Plan, Downtown branding, the Gateway Apts., the Downtown Loan Pool and Façade Improvement Program which provides $5K grants if a building owner invests $10K or more in façade improvements. The CDA has been the catalyst for downtown redevelopment areas 3.1 – 3.9, however with the zoning code revisions in 2012 made to ease the process for developers, it changed the role of the CDA because developments in part no longer needed CDA or Council approvals. Next Duffy went over what has changed in the Downtown since 2002, the recently adopted Downtown Overlay Zoning District and the status of TIF #4. He noted there are opportunities for the CDA to work with developers on several potential areas identified for redevelopment, not just in the downtown but throughout the City, however the CDA would need direction from Council. The Committee discussed the changing environment since the CDA was created, the CDA being underutilized, having the CDA bring ideas forward to Council for redevelopment, limiting the approval power of the CDA, having the CDA focus on opportunities for the entire City and the role of the CDA in the Fowler Lake Village proposal. The Committee agreed the CDA should continue to operate and focus on one or two projects before starting another. Both Mary Blaska and Floss Whalen spoke about the role of the CDA, it was created out of a need identified by a body of citizens because there were many empty storefronts, and the CDA does the upfront work that Council directs them to do and once completed, refers the project back to Council. Nold stated that he and Kitsembel would develop a plan of action for the CDA. Motion by Shaw to adjourn the Committee-of-the-Whole meeting; second by Strey. Motion carried 8-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:14 PM. Minutes taken by Diane Coenen, City Clerk S:\Committees - Commissions\Committee-of-the-Whole\Minutes\2017\C-O-T-W Min 5-16-17.doc