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MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP MEETING <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />LITTLE CANADA, MINNESOTA <br />SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 <br />Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a Workshop meeting of the City Council of Little Canada, <br />Minnesota was convened on the 8th day of September, 2021 in the Conference Room of the City <br />Center located at 515 Little Canada Road in said City. <br />Mayor John Keis called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and the following members of the City <br />Council were present at roll call: <br />CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Keis, Council Members Fischer, Torkelson, McGraw & Miller. Absent: <br />None. <br />ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator Chris Heineman, Finance Director Brenda Malinowski, <br />Parks & Rec/Community Services Manager Bryce Shearen, Community Development Director <br />Corrin Wendell, and City Clerk/HR Manager Heidi Heller <br />SOUTH OWASSO BOULEVARD & SPRUCE STREET DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL <br />The City Administrator explained that there is a proposal to develop a parcel on Spruce Street and <br />South Owasso Boulevard that has never been built on due to poor soils. He stated a developer has <br />done some due diligence and financial feasibility on the proposal for a 74,000 square foot industrial <br />warehouse facility. <br />Mikaela Huot, Municipal Advisor with Baker Tilly, explained that she was here to review the <br />potential tax increment financing (TIF) that could be considered by the city in order to help finance <br />anew industrial project. She reviewed eligible costs that qualify for tax increment financing and <br />common methods for financing costs. She reviewed a summary of the industrial development <br />project and the financials for a potential TIF District. She stated that a financial review is used to <br />assist the city with making a determination if the project would be unlikely to proceed without TIF <br />assistance and do the project needs qualify for TIF. <br />Dan Oren, President of Atlas Real Estate Management, Inc., stated that he first looked at this parcel <br />about three years ago, but the soils report came back and he determined that they just couldn't do <br />anything with this property. He explained that the location is so good for their business so about <br />nine months ago they had engineers look at the site again to find a way to build on this site. He <br />stated that something similar to pilings would be needed in order to build on this site, which he has <br />cost estimates for $800,000 to $2,000,000 just to be able to place a building on the property. <br />Fischer stated that this is the perfect example of what to use TIF for. McGraw asked what kind of <br />business would be located here. Mr. Oren explained it is warehouse storage, but there are no <br />tractors or trailers there. Fischer asked about traffic volume and hours of operation. Mr. Oren <br />stated a busy day is about 10 trucks in to the facility, and they operate mainly between 7:00am and <br />5:00pm, seven days a week. McGraw asked if there would be any office space included. Mr. <br />replied there would likely be a small amount of office space, maybe about 2,000 square feet. <br />McGraw asked if the Council is bound to anything if they agree tonight to allow additional analysis <br />to continue. The City Administrator replied no, and explained that there will be further discussion <br />after more information and details are determined. There was Council consensus to move forward <br />