HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/07/2024 EDAC MinutesAPPROVED MINUTES
CITY OF LINO LAKES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
DATE:
March 7, 2024
TIME STARTED: 8:05 a.m.
TIME ENDED: 9:15 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Blakely LaCroix, Don Johnson, Patrick Kohler, Chad
Wagner, Nathan Vojtech
MEMBERS ABSENT: Julie Jeffrey-Schwartz, Steve Marchek, Andrew
Cavaro, Jim Schueller, Keith Hembre
STAFF PRESENT: Michael Grochala, Julie Whitney
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Grochala called the Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting to order at
8:05 a.m. on March 7, 2024.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
No minutes were available from the previous meeting.
3. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Mountain Manufacturing Expansion (400 Apollo Drive)
City staff has been working with Mountain Manufacturing Technologies (400 Apollo Drive)
on a proposed expansion of their existing facility. Mountain Manufacturing is a full-service
precision manufacturing business providing R & D, production, and machining services to
the medical device industry. They were proposing a 41,000 SF addition to their existing
building. The City’s EDA took action to acquire the adjacent 2.03 acre tax forfeit property
from Anoka County to facilitate the expansion. A purchase agreement was subsequently
approved in January with MIT, USA, Mountain Manufacturing’s, property holding
company for that property.
Mr. Grochala explained that staff with MIT on a right -of-way vacation and conveyance of a
remnant parcel northeast of the current building. The County has a market value of the
property at $13,000, however; the City was going to convey at a nominal price as part of
the expansion.
Economic Development Advisory Committee
March 2, 2023
Page 2
APPROVED MINUTES
He further noted that Mountain Manufacturing, has since informed the City that they are
temporarily holding off on expansion but would still like to obtain the property. Mr.
Grochala described their hybrid plan to lease 45,000 square feet at another location and
expand the existing facility in four to five years.
Mr. Grochala presented options to the Board, with the absence of a project. The City
could 1) clear the title and let them purchase the property for $1.00 ; 2) the City could
charge them market value which is $13, 000; or 3) just hold onto it.
It was suggested by the Board to continue to sell it for $1.00 with a time contingency to
complete the project. If they fail to complete the project they will forfeit the property
back to the City. Another suggestion was to charge them a market price for the land with
an adjusted inflator to reflect value of the property in 4 – 5 years. The proceeds could be
held in escrow and if MIT constructed in that time the proceeds would revert back to
them. If the property was not developed, the City would receive the proceeds.
Mr. Grochala stated he would explore those options with MIT.
B. 35E Interchange Update
Over the past two years the City has partnered with Anoka and Ramsey Counties, White
Bear Township and the City of North Oaks to plan for the reconstruction of the Interstate
35E and County Road J interchange. Reconstruction of the interchange will include the
addition of northbound 35E on ramps and southbound off ramps. The improvements will
resolve existing operation problems and the interchange, increase capacity and address
operational problems at Ash and Centerville and the Centerville and County Road J
intersections.
Mr. Grochala addressed the Board questions and concerns.
C. Project Updates
Mr. Grochala updated the committee on current City projects.
4. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 9:15 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie Whitney, Community Development Administrative Assistant