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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/04/1999 EDAC MinutesAPPROVED CITY OF LINO LAKES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES DATE: Thursday, November 4, 1999 MEMBERS PRESENT: B. Johnson, B. Wessel, J. Bergeson, J. Milbauer, J. Schwartz, H. Juni, D. Gorowsky, Roger Jensen MEMBERS ABSENT: F. Johnson, P. Rickaby, G. Rehbein, F. Chase, OTHER PRESENT: M. Divine, D. Carlson GENERAL/MINUTES The next scheduled meeting is December 2. Mr. Bergeson explained the procedure for filling the vacant council seat. He said he would like to continue as liaison to EDAC, but all liaison positions need to be examined by the new council. Mr. Wessel noted that Ms. Schwartz, Mr. Jensen and Ms. Rickaby were up for reappointment to the board. Mr. Bergeson stated that Linda Waite Smith had rescinded her resignation. Mr. Wessel stated that while substantial progress has been made in economic development in the past five years, he was disappointed in the past year. He will reconsider his resignation within the next two weeks. FIVE YEAR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN Mrs. Gorowsky said that EDAC needs to meet more often and become more effective. He suggested subcommittees that met and dealt with specific issues. Mr. Milbauer noted the bad publicity and lack of clear direction in the city has discouraged developers and business people. Mr. Milbauer moved to meet as often as needed over the next few months to develop subcommittees and complete a non-political economic development plan that can be presented in January. Seconded by Ms. Schwartz. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Gorowsky suggested EDAC identify the needs and look at what resources are available. He suggested more communication with the Town Center Group, P&Z, the chamber, and city council. He asked staff to come back to EDAC with recommendations for subcommittees. He suggested that each meeting deal with one issue, along with an overview of projects. Ms. Schwartz asked about the advisory nature of EDAC. Mr. Wessel said the city council was the EDA and handled official actions. Mr. Bergeson said the role of EDAC could be revisited. Ms. Divine said she envisioned EDAC as more policy oriented and not another board that reviewed specific projects. Mr. Bergeson and Mr. Jensen both stated they liked the current role of EDAC where members were less confined by regulation and discussed issues freely. Mr. Johnson suggested at-large members could be brought in to share expertise on special issues. He added it would like to see formal reports with recommendations from EDAC to the P&Z. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE Mr. Bergeson said the only issue was MUSA, and it may be possible to work out an agreement before year end. Mr. Jensen said he believed that some things in the comprehensive plan were put in to appease Chris Lyden and should be changed. Mr. Johnson noted that after the comp plan is passed that P&Z will be rewriting the zoning code. EDAC should look at each commercial and industrial parcel and recommend most appropriate uses. INDUSTRIAL/COMMERCIAL PROJECT UPDATE Ms. Divine reported that the Master Plan and design standards should be complete by the first of the year. She explained the access issue in The Village and said that the Gibbs Planning Group is completing a marketing study on the Town Center. Mr. Bergeson said the landowners need more ownership in the plan. Landowners have suggested that the city buy the land, and the city doesn’t have the resources to buy it all. Mr. Wessel said the shopping center needs one owner to develop smoothly. He also explained the issue regarding the Rehbein parcel on Apollo Drive and that the best solution could be to combine it with the VFW parcel. He also noted that the city will soon own a 4-acre parcel on 49/23. Mr. Jensen commented that Blaine is seeing a lot of commercial activity, and Lino Lakes isn’t quite there yet. Market forces determine development. What happens on the Lexington/35W interchange will impact Lino Lakes, and it may be good to delay on the shopping center and focus on the Village. OTHER ISSUES The group tentatively agreed to meet at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 16 to discuss the five year plan. Meeting adjourned, 8:45 a.m.