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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/02/2010 EDAC Minutes 1 APPROVED CITY OF LINO LAKES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES DATE: September 2, 2010 MEMBERS PRESENT: J. Stranik, L. Masonik, B.Combs, K. Corson, MEMBERS ABSENT: B. Menke, D. Johnson, J. Schwartz, M. Keller OTHERS PRESENT: M. Divine, M. Grochala, Leonard Gandel, Anoka County United (part), Mr. Karlson (part) APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Minutes of May 6, 2010 and June 3, 2010 were approved. ANOKA COUNTY UNITED Ms. Divine introduced Leonard Gandel, executive director of Anoka County United, a new organization for promoting economic development in Anoka County. Mr. Gandel explained that they are a 501C4 that sprang from the Viking stadium opportunity. The board is a partnership with Anoka Area and MetroNorth Chambers. Funding has been from private sources, and the board is making an effort to not ask for public funding. The mission is to be a centralized resource to try to tie economic development work done by cities so that development stays within Anoka County. They were recently the primary sponsor and fiscal agent for the Anoka County tent at the 3M golf tournament. This group wants to supplement what the county and cities are doing. Mr. Gandel noted that Anoka County has higher unemployment and lower wages than the rest of the metro area. Anoka Ramsey Community College has the lowest graduation rate of any college in Minnesota. These facts impact businesses’ decision to come to the area. They are also working with local legislators to try to reduce the corporate income tax. Ms. Divine gave Mr. Gandel a short review of the major project areas in Lino Lakes. Mr. Gandel then left the meeting. Members discussed whether connecting Lino Lakes as part of Anoka County was a benefit considering some of the statistics that Mr. Gandel mentioned. Ms. Divine noted that there have been several county economic development groups started up over the years that have failed, which is why Anoka County may be gun shy in supporting this group. Mr. Stranik noted that this group may be best for large projects that cross city boundaries. Lino Lakes has many advantages that other cities do not, including higher income and education. 2 INTERNATIONAL MOTORSPORTS ENTERTAINMENT & DEVELOPMENT CORP PROPOSAL Ms. Divine informed the board that Councilmember Roeser invited this group to the council work session. They have been trying to tie up the land in the northeast corner, but the question is whether they have the ability to move forward with a project of this scope. This is multi- jurisdictional, will need environmental review, the location needs roadway improvements and sewer/water. Mr. Masonik says the city needs to sell to this group. Mr. Grochala said the door is opened, staff is meeting with them. REDEVELOPMENT TASK FORCE Councilmember Roeser has asked that EDAC look at non-conforming uses within the city. She reminded members that the city planner presented issues to EDAC regarding non-conforming uses. Staff will begin by doing inventory to determine how big an issue this is. The purpose will be to define the issues and possible resolutions. Members agreed that EDAC should look at this. Mr. Grochala said if the city is trying to change the land use to something better, doing an interim use just keeps the property what it is. As bad as it sounds, the best thing to happen is for the property to become vacant so that it can be torn down and redeveloped. There may be some of the city’s current ordinances that need to be tackled different. Mr. Grochala would like to ultimately see a redevelopment plan where the city is getting involved in making things happen. LETTER TO THE EDITOR Mr. Masonik asked whether EDAC should respond to the letter from Mr. Friemuth that was in the Quad Press. The city administrator recommended EDAC not respond. Mr. Masonik asked if the allegations were true. Members discussed that businesses have moved in, businesses have moved out, but there were no specifics to what businesses the writer was talking about. Mr. Grochala noted that some of Mr. Friemuth’s past allegations have no merit, such as his alleging that businesses in Apollo Business Park had no utilities or fire suppression systems. They do. Mr. Karlson, the new city administrator, stopped in to introduce himself. Next meeting is October 7. Meeting adjourned.