CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL – meeting convened at 7:26 p.m.

Members present: Mayor Don Richards, Tom Heimerl, Sandy Bowen, Susan Reese, Ellen Smith, Todd Schultz, David Cronk, Erin Tomlinson, Reid Wronski

There was a quorum present at all times.

Staff present: Buddy Lucero, Planning Director; Tony Steiner, City Planner

1. Commissioners Scope of Work for 2008

Each of the Commissioners has met or will meet with Planning Director Buddy Lucero to highlight their ideas for their Scope of Work for 2008. The intent of the meeting tonight was talk about each goal and how they wish to accomplish it. Mayor Richards would like to participate in creating affordable housing in River Falls, specifically working with Habitat for Humanity. Conversations with St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity found that the main concern is that they cannot find lots in River Falls. At one time they were interested in a group of lots on Apollo Road, however curb and gutter would be too expensive to install. As part of the implementation process Mayor Richards will review the Municipal Code and policies, and suggest possible amendments. A possibility is that as new development occurs, the City would work with developers to dedicate lots in their development for affordable housing.

Reese asked what the current definition of affordable housing is? Lucero responded that there are two definitions in the Comprehensive Plan for affordability. One is workforce and the other is affordable housing. To define an affordable home for a family they take the average income multiplied by three. In River Falls this figure is approximately $195,000 ($65,000x3). This is deceptive because many families are two income families, and many of those families work in the cities. The other is workforce affordability. This looks at the workforce inside the City of River Falls, which isn’t the same as those people that work here and live outside the City. This figure is approximately $160,000. The information we have on affordability and affordable housing should be reviewed and figures adjusted as necessary, and then work with developers and ask for lots to be dedicated for affordable housing. This can possibly be done by amending the policy or changing the developers’ agreements. We can also look at lots in the City and other options for building new affordable housing.

Cronk intends to work to preserve and enhance the downtown area and protect neighborhoods from encroachment by non-neighborhood commercial development. A Downtown Design Plan was adopted approximately 3-4 years ago. However, zoning for the downtown area has been in place for 50-60 years. Many areas along the river are zoned industrial. If those properties were sold and someone got a building permit and built industrial, it would be very hard to stop.

Smith is working to ensure the consistency in language between the Comprehensive Plan and ordinances. The goal is to have consistency throughout and find one definition that makes sense for all documents. To date there are 50 pages of definitions from the Zoning and Subdivision Codes and Comprehensive Plan. The Commission will also look at the Streets, Utilities and Building Codes. The intent is to be able to say, "see appendix A for definition. " In some cases it may be necessary to keep a definition in that section because of something unique or different about it.

Bowen is working on sustainable growth, specifically the Natural Resource Protection Area. The Environmental Task Force has this as part of their work list as well. One goal is to possibly produce a checklist to be given to developers so they understand what the City expects before they begin work. They are currently provided storm water area information. We will want to review and not duplicate what is already distributed. The preservation of Lake George is high on the list of projects.

Schultz will be working on a study/survey of the downtown area. There was talk of a survey recently by the UW Extension Office but no further action has been taken. He will attempt to survey UW River Falls students and faculty and ask what they want, what would attract them to the downtown area, etc. Another part of this project is to survey what businesses are currently downtown and what buildings are vacant and try to establish what type may be needed and the best location for a certain type of business. Commission members asked Schultz to remember the people who live, work and own businesses in River Falls, what do they want?

Tomlinson is working on a project to utilize the history of River Falls and its buildings. She would like to make this a "Walkable City." The goal is for people to enjoy the inner city rather than drive to the outskirts. A possibility is to use GIS to help map locations using older buildings as guide points.

The rest of the members (Reese, Heimerl, and Wronski) will share their 2008 work projects at the December meeting

ADJOURNMENT – Workshop adjourned at 8:11 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jessica Urbach, Recording Secretary