The Hiawatha City Council met in a work session on August 13, 2008. Mayor Theis called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M. Council members present: Linda Bendixen, Marty Bruns, Bob Rampulla, Nancy Melsa, Dick Olson. Staff present: City Administrator Dave Van Dee; Deputy City Clerk, Cindy Kudrna; Community Development Director, Mark Powers; City Engineer, Dick Ransom. Guest present: Dan Hoffman.

Linda Bendixen moved the approval of the agenda, second by Marty Bruns. Motion carried.

Town Center Master Plan- Overview & Discussion with Dave Ciaccio 
Dave Ciaccio of Olesson Associates shared an overview of the 2004 Town Center Master Plan which includes a town square park with new buildings and a small town square in front of city hall. 

Ciaccio presented to the council three (3) designs of how the buildings within the Town Center could be placed they are as follows:

•	L shaped
•	Circular shaped  (more expensive building product)
•	Invert L shaped
	Note: Ciaccio also discussed corner entries or regress entries.		
Ciaccio asked the council to think about how they would want the pedestrians to walk.

Ciaccio presented different imageries of the Town Center they are as follows: 

•	Traditional- columns, brick, soft color tones, awnings and various building roof heights
•	Contemporary-clean crisp lines, lots of glass, metal  
•	Blended- mix of traditional and contemporary; past, present and future
Note: Imagery/character comes from the materials, color, texture and detail of the buildings. 
Ciaccio also noted that the developers should concentrate on the bottom 8' of the building because that is what people notice.

The Council members Bruns, Rampulla, and Olson expressed their preference of contemporary imagery for the Town Center area. They also stated that they do not want to see a cookie cutter effect. 

Ciaccio told the council they would need to focus on several things including the following: 

•	Agree upon the Town Center Master Plan direction (focusing on all aspects of the town center area not just the intersection)	
•	Agree upon the corner treatment 
•	Agree upon the architectural style
•	Hold two (2) public input meetings 
•	Direct Ciaccio to prepare final Town Center Master Plan
•	Review city ordinances to accommodate the final Town Center Master Plan
•	Direct Ciaccio to present a final Town Center Master Plan for council approval 

Bruns asked if this plan is being directed with retail development in mind. Bruns stated that he would question retail development and would be pessimistic about developing a retail corner. 

Rampulla stated that before making a decision on the placement of buildings and imagery that he would like Dave Ciaccio to break down each of those components discussed and place them into a matrix that would demonstrate the pro's and con's of each concept and point out what the trades offs of each would be and its compatibility for council to view and bring back for further discussion in September. 

Council stated that the City of Hiawatha is not a traditional community and because the city is young traditional old country imagery is probably not the concept they want to use in the town center.

Council member, Bendixen asked if the council should have an intentional conversation with the citizens before the City spends any more money or time on the Town Center Master Plan. 

City Administrator, Dave Van Dee stated that the council needs to take a serious look at the Emmons/Robins/ North Center Point intersection. Van Dee stated that to stimulate the development of this area, the city will need to remodel its infrastructure such as the intersection. If the council wants the intersection improvement, then this Town Center Plan has validity.  Van Dee additionally stated that this Town Center Plan could sit on the shelf for several years but that we need to have a plan for the future so that we are prepared. 

Bendixen stated, "We need to concentrate on the intersection first and then take a look at the Town Center building area.” 

Bruns disagreed. He stated, " We need to think of the entire concept and set ground rules; rules of set backs to be compatible with our intersection plan." 

Van Dee stated, "We need to protect the area to allow enough room for the infrastructure improvements and building concepts."

Olson added, “We are running out of commercial land, infield development is less expensive then developing out north of Hiawatha and the City should consider certain incentives to retain current businesses and additionally consider certain incentives for new businesses."

Van Dee clarifies for the council that the only investment in the Town Center Plan would be for the infrastructure improvements, such has land acquisitions for intersection improvements, and possible improvements of water and sewer lines and not in the development of buildings. 

Bendixen asked, "How the city would sustain the down town area."  Olson stated, "It is not a "we" thing, it’s a them thing".

Bruns added, "We can't look at 20 to 50 years, we have to look at the next five years; that’s our loss, our risk. It would be open land until the market catches up". 

Bruns additionally stated, “Hiawatha is unique, we get to start from starch". "The developers are the one who takes the risk".

Olson stated, "We are ahead of the game. The intersection needs to be done soon." Those business owners that would be affected by the intersection improvements would be offered a tax incentive for relocation".

Bendixen stated that she is concerned about moving business owners out of their businesses. Van Dee also stated that he is also concerned with the relocation of businesses. "We will have to take this in steps. First we will have to have a plan on the table, begin the intersection, and have a developer build a building to put the relocated businesses in. We would than have to offer greatest incentive to the first developer to relocate the current businesses. This would be the ideal plan, however it doesn't always happen."

The council is projecting that the intersection improvements would take the mini mall, Papa's and Pour Sports parking lot. The intersection will be a major construction project that will affect many and will take lots of dollars. 

Dave Ciaccio confirmed the following: 
•	There will be no round-a-bout (Ciaccio will get with Dick Ransom in regards to the intersection) 
•	Matrix will be developed and will focus on contemporary
•	Ciaccio will develop the entire plan concept from Fisher St. to Willman St. and from intersection (Robins Road to Ahearn's) 

Ciaccio will develop a matrix and meet again on Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 5:30 PM to further discuss the next steps to allow for the council to proceed forward.

Bendixen moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:59 PM, second by Burns. Motion carried. 

                                                                                                            ________________________
								Thomas A. Theis, Mayor

ATTEST: ___________________________
                Kim Downs, City Clerk