06/05/2008 EDAC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

Approved CITY OF LINO LAKES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES DATE: Thursday, June 5, 2008 MEMBERS PRESENT: J. Milbauer, B. Combs, J. Helgemoe, K. Corson, K. Lodico, J. Stranik, D. Roeser MEMBERS ABSENT: J. Schwartz, M. Keller OTHERS PRESENT: M. Divine GENERAL/MINUTES Minutes Minutes for May 1, 2008 were approved. EDAC Business Survey Mr. Combs noted that Michello’s in Spirit Hills is out of business. Ms. Divine stated that a couple of businesses from Spirit Hills voiced their concerns in the survey. A petition was given to the city for a stoplight at Ware Road/Birch Street. It was forwarded to the county, but it’s unlikely the county will approve it because of the short distance to Hodgson Road. Signage is another issue, the business owners want signage on Hodgson Road, which is not on that property. Things that stood out included the number of people who said “Lino Lakes Business Climate” was an issue for them. Ms. Divine noted a few had a particular issue, but most just seemed to mean the business climate in general. Ms. Lodico said high taxes seemed to be an issue, and there’s no doubt Lino Lakes has higher taxes than some surrounding cities. Freeway access and location appeared often as an asset. Responses came from mainly shopkeepers, not larger industry. The survey sets a baseline, so it was discussed how to use it in the future, keeping the same questions or not. Nos. 11 and 12 were key. Ms. Divine will go back and make a list of which businesses answered those with concerns, especially those who would leave because of specific issues such as “Lino Lakes business climate”, “incentives from other cities or states,” and “inadequacies of land or facilities.” Also the names of those who may relocate. Ms. Divine noted that one issue remains, there is very little developable industrial land available. Until 35E develops, and Industrial Equities decides to develop the business park land it owns, little is going to happen. There are two small lots in Marshan Industrial Park on Lake Drive. City Charter Ms. Divine passed out information to explain what the charter issue is, that the city cannot improve local roads, and assess a portion of the cost to benefiting property owners, without going to referendum. The council has submitted the amendment suggested by the Citizen Task Force to the Charter Commission. The commission now has an opportunity to accept it, reject it, 1