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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/06/2010 EDAC Minutes 1 APPROVED CITY OF LINO LAKES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES DATE: May 6, 2010 MEMBERS PRESENT: M. Keller, J. Stranik, K. Corson, L. Masonik, D. Johnson MEMBERS ABSENT: J. Schwartz, B. Combs, B. Menke OTHERS PRESENT: M. Divine APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Minutes of April 8, 2010 were approved. EDAC LAISONS TO EDA Mr. Stranik noted that most cities have an EDA, which has specific economic development/bonding authority. In this city, the EDA comprises the City Council. In 2009, after discussions with the Council regarding enhancing communication with EDAC, it was concluded that EDAC should appoint up to two liaisons to EDA. These liaisons would attend EDA meetings to provide EDAC’s point of view and keep lines of communication open. EDA meetings are not regular, and generally EDA meets at 6 p.m. before a regular Council meeting. Mr. Stranik suggested that EDAC not look so much at specific people, but at the roles, and that the chair and vice-chair be the liaisons. Ms. Keller moved to approve the chair and vice chair as liaisons for the one-year term. Mr. Corson seconded the motion. Motion approved unanimously. LAKE DRIVE NONCONFORMING USES ISSUES Mr. Stranik noted that Mr. Smyser’s summary last month was helpful to zero in on this particular issue. He said he understood that the city would rather not see limited facelift development in these non-conforming areas, because it makes it more difficult to redevelop in the long term. The problem is getting sewer and water to the sites on Lake Drive. He agreed with Mr. Masonic’s point that a developer has to bear the costs of bringing utilities to the site. Ms. Keller asked about the city of Ramsey’s temporary uses ordinance. Ms. Divine passed around Ramsey’s transition ordinance and pointed out that it is not much different from controls used by Lino Lakes. It limits expansion and intensification in areas of future highway development. Mr. Corson said another option would be that something be recorded with the county so owners know that it is a non-conforming use and the use can’t be intensified. Mr. 2 Masonic said that in Roseville there was an issue about forcing people to hook up and pay, so the city paid the cost through bonds. EDAC was asked to look at whether the city should consider ways to extend the life of non- conforming uses so that vacant, non-conforming buildings can be resold and not further deteriorate. Or should EDAC be looking for ways to find solutions to enable redevelopment? Does the city charter make it more difficult to extend utilities, and does the charter need to be amended? Discussion of city charter ensued. Ms. Divine suggested that Mr. Grochala attend an EDAC meeting to explain the charter in more detail at a future meeting. Mr. Corson noted that long-term approach is better. Mr. Johnson noted that some of these Lake Drive sites have problems to enable development, including wetlands and very wide right-of- ways. Ms. Keller said there’s nothing likely to happen soon, so she understands it would be better to have somebody in to get it fixed up, but once somebody gets in, they might be there a very long time. She said while it might be painful in the short term, long term redevelopment would be better. Mr. Masonic said Lino Lakes has wrestled with whether it wants development or not, and the charter was formed to make it more difficult to develop. He feels strongly the city can’t trample on homeowner’s feet. Properties should be able to be used if it doesn’t affect others personal rights. He asked what other options are available to solve these kinds of problems. Ms. Divine noted that there are a variety of ways cities clean up properties to entice a developer, including purchasing them, but that requires financial commitment. Funding can be available to cities through EDA levies, commitments to revolving loan programs, and potential new grants/loans programs to stimulate the economy. Currently there is a state loan program to purchase blighted property, but the program is yet unfunded. Members agreed there is an issue, but felt that there was no action that EDAC needed to take at this time. Members discussed extending an invitation to a couple of representatives of the charter commission for a future meeting. JOBS BILL Ms. Divine informed EDAC of the recent legislative action, including a compact development district. In this district you don’t have to meet the all the substandard criteria of redevelopment districts, but you need to build 3 times the square footage of what is currently within the district. You need a development prospect and the district can only be created within the next two years. Another new district is that a 10-year economic development district can be created for any use, residential, commercial or industrial. It must be created within the next year. This district offers some possibility for east side improvements, using any new development that occurs. She noted that staff is working to get stakeholders on the east side together to discuss the potential. Angel tax credits are now available for small businesses, especially technology business, where investors in the business can now receive tax credits. 3 SOCIAL MEDIA Mr. Stranik thought it was difficult to find staff names on the website, and he had to make about four clicks to get there. Ms. Divine said she has some of the economic development website improvements completed. She said the city website has certain limitations. She has met with the mayor and Mr. Roeser, and discussed Facebook and Twitter. She is seeking input from EDAC as to how it could best be used for economic development. Mr. Corson said a good website is more important to focus on, and things should be easy to find. Mr. Stranik suggested finding experts, where possibly initial consultations are free. Email blasts may make sense if a data base of developers or brokers was available. EDAC MEETING TIME Members discussed moving the meeting to 8 a.m. Mr. Stranik will email other members for their opinion. Next meeting will be June 3, 2010, time to be determined. Meeting adjourned.