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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/15/1985 Council Minutes134 SPECIAL MEETING October 15, 1985 A special meeting of the Lino Lakes City Council was called to order by Mayor Benson at 6:00 P.M., October 15, 1985. Council- members present: Bohjanen, Reinert, Marier. Councilmembers absent: Kulaszewicz. Administrative Assistant, Dan Tesch and Clerk- Treasurer, Marilyn Anderson were also present. The purpose of this special meeting is to hear a presentation regarding tax increment financing (TIF) by Roger. Jensen. Mr. Jensen is the Director of the Anoka County Economic Develop- ment Partnership. This is a public, private partnership and is a group of industries and businesses in Anoka County that have formed a partnership with Anoka County Board of Commissioners with the purpose of stimulating economic development in Anoka County. They have been in existence for about six months. Mr. Jensen is the staff of the partnership. He explained several projects he has been involved with noting that he is currently working with the City of Blaine to try and attract the NCR Comten facility. They are currently looking at the vacant Ball Brothers facility. Another project is a Minnesota Medical Technology Park for the City of Coon Rapids. Minnesota is looked at as the medical tech- nology capital and it is projected that by 1990, the medical technology industry will be the number one employer in the state. Mayor Benson said the Council is interested in establishing a person that they can use to give them further information about TIF. The Economic Development Committee has not made a recommendation regarding a consultant, but did go on record stating the City should look into TIF. The Council is interested in looking into how Mr. Jensen can be of help to the City as they progress looking at TIF, the cost, etc. Mr. Jensen said there is no cost for his service, however, he is the only staff and could not take on a project from start to finish as a consultant. He will assist in any way he can to help get some- thing going. He said a bond consul and attorney would be needed to complete a project. A team of people would need to be put together. The City would also need to define what it wants to accomplish. He can then advise them on how to proceed. Mr. Reinert asked if the City were to look at a regular consultant, how could.Mr. Jensen be of service and reduce the costs. Mr. Jensen said he would have to give this some thought. He would do whatever time would allow, assist the consultant. Mr. Marier asked if Mr. Jensen had a list of consultants that the County recommends. Mr. Jensen said no, but he did know of several who have worked in this area. He listed several and suggested that the Council check around and have them come and talk to them. 135 Page Two SPECIAL MEETING October 15, 1985 Mayor Benson said the City is looking at developing an industrial park. Mr. Jensen said he felt this was a good use of TIF, especially when economic development district is created. A district meets the intent of the state statute in that it creates employment opportunities and ultimately builds a tax base. He suggested getting a developer in at the beginning because he may be able to do some of the sewer and water work using TIF. He said that Lino Lakes has a lot to offer since both 35E and 35W run through the City. He felt the City should be talking to developers because if sewer and water can be brought in very reasonable land can be .offered. Mr. Karth told Mr. Jensen what the Economic Development has looked at for development. Four printing companies have looked at this area.; Mr. Jensen asked if the Ci-zy has a development company. Mr. Karth said they have considered this. He explained Wyoming, MN purchased land, installed the utilities and then sold the property for indus- trial use. Mr. Jensen said the Partnership is also looking at . setting up a County -wide development.company. Mr. Karth said the Economic Committee would like an expert to come in and advise them to see whatever route is chosen is correctly carried out. They would like help in setting up guidelines as well as other services. Mr. Jensen explained consultants charge from $40 per hour to $100 per hour. Before a consultant is hired, the City should sit down and determine what it wants to accomplish. He said he would be willing to help in this area. There could be several ways to accomplish those goals; explore TIF, development company or talk to individual developers. What is the potential for this area? Mr. Reinert suggested that Mr. Jensen work with the Economic Development Committee and develop a strategy, or determine what the City should accomplish. Mr. Marier suggested that when the Economic Committee and Mr. Jensen come to a conclusion then they should bring their ideas to the Planning and Zoning Board. Mayor Benson told Mr. Karth there is some money in their budget to spend for a consultant if necessary. Mr. Karth and Mr. Jensen will be in contact with each other to start working on this matter. Mr. Jensen said he had asked all municipalities in Anoka County to put together a list of all available industrial and commercial sites in •their municipalities so that when the Partnership receives inquiries from developers they can refer to these lists. He felt the list received from Mr. Tesch was the most concise of any he received. Mayor Benson thanked Mr. Jensen for spending time with the Council tonight and asked Mr. Karth to work with Mr. Jensen and to include the City staff in any meetings. Mr. Marier moved to adjourn at 6:42 P.M. Mr. Bohjanen seconded. Aye.