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1 <br />1 <br />1 <br />COUNCIL WORK SESSION AUGUST 3, 1988 <br />Mr. Bisel thanked the Park Board for raising the survey <br />issue. He thanked Mr. Miller for his participation and <br />noted that almost all of the Park Board and Economic <br />Development Committee was present tonight and said this is a <br />good opportunity to get together. Mr. Reinert said we now <br />know what one third of the City is thinking. He felt the <br />City should sit down and prioritize its needs. The City <br />will have to stretch its dollar. The County Park is a <br />regional park and at some point we must sit down with the <br />park officials and ask that trails be put in first. He also <br />suggested meeting with school boards to discuss mutual <br />concerns. <br />Mayor Benson suggested that a future agenda address specific <br />issues as well as general issues. He asked that the Boards <br />make recommendations to the Council. He felt that within <br />ninety days a package should be put together with plans on <br />how we can implement the suggestions. <br />Mayor Benson thanked everyone for coming this evening. <br />STATUS REPORT ON GATEWAY FOODS DISTRIBUTION CENTER <br />Mr. Miller told the Council that Gateway Foods has expressed <br />interest in locating its distribution center in either <br />Shoreview, Blaine or Lino Lakes. They are looking for about <br />one hundred acres. Plans are to build a $800,000 to <br />$1,100,000 facity in 1989. They will employ about six <br />hundred and fifty people with an average annual income of <br />about $30,000.00. Gateway has been shown two sites in Lino <br />Lakes. <br />Mr. Miller said that the staff has agreed to give Gateway a <br />proposal on both properties. They are interested in Tax <br />Increment Financing and they are also looking at more land <br />than they need. It is possible that they may 'sell a portion <br />of the land to make a profit. The proposed tax base for <br />this facility is $25,000,000. This will help the short term <br />tax problem and establish the first large industry in Lino <br />Lakes. Tomorrow he will be meeting with the bond consultant <br />for Lino Lakes to determine just how good of a deal the City <br />can offer Gateway. He said getting the first.,big user is a <br />must to prime the pump and suggested the City should do <br />anything short of selling their souls to attract Gateway. <br />He felt that Gateway is a quality firm and would be an <br />asset. <br />PAGE 7 <br />1`49 <br />