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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/05/2008 EDAC MinutesApproved CITY OF LINO LAKES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES DATE: Thursday, June 5, 2008 MEMBERS PRESENT: J. Milbauer, B. Combs, J. Helgemoe, K. Corson, K. Lodico, J. Stranik, D. Roeser MEMBERS ABSENT: J. Schwartz, M. Keller OTHERS PRESENT: M. Divine GENERAL/MINUTES Minutes Minutes for May 1, 2008 were approved. EDAC Business Survey Mr. Combs noted that Michello’s in Spirit Hills is out of business. Ms. Divine stated that a couple of businesses from Spirit Hills voiced their concerns in the survey. A petition was given to the city for a stoplight at Ware Road/Birch Street. It was forwarded to the county, but it’s unlikely the county will approve it because of the short distance to Hodgson Road. Signage is another issue, the business owners want signage on Hodgson Road, which is not on that property. Things that stood out included the number of people who said “Lino Lakes Business Climate” was an issue for them. Ms. Divine noted a few had a particular issue, but most just seemed to mean the business climate in general. Ms. Lodico said high taxes seemed to be an issue, and there’s no doubt Lino Lakes has higher taxes than some surrounding cities. Freeway access and location appeared often as an asset. Responses came from mainly shopkeepers, not larger industry. The survey sets a baseline, so it was discussed how to use it in the future, keeping the same questions or not. Nos. 11 and 12 were key. Ms. Divine will go back and make a list of which businesses answered those with concerns, especially those who would leave because of specific issues such as “Lino Lakes business climate”, “incentives from other cities or states,” and “inadequacies of land or facilities.” Also the names of those who may relocate. Ms. Divine noted that one issue remains, there is very little developable industrial land available. Until 35E develops, and Industrial Equities decides to develop the business park land it owns, little is going to happen. There are two small lots in Marshan Industrial Park on Lake Drive. City Charter Ms. Divine passed out information to explain what the charter issue is, that the city cannot improve local roads, and assess a portion of the cost to benefiting property owners, without going to referendum. The council has submitted the amendment suggested by the Citizen Task Force to the Charter Commission. The commission now has an opportunity to accept it, reject it, 1 or come back with their own. A charter amendment would take away the need for a referendum. The proposed task force amendment would still give rights to the benefitting property owners to petition against the improvements. Members are going to study the information and discuss it again at the next meeting. Ms. Lodico questioned if the council wants EDAC to support this. EDAC’s role is to give advice. Perhaps a meeting with the council is needed. Mr. Roeser passed out a draft of a Letter to the Editor for members to consider. EDAC will define its position by September. Members will email their ideas to Ms. Divine. They could use block parties to get the word out. Ms. Divine will send EDAC the names of the members of the Citizen Task Force, so if EDAC agrees with what the task force is recommending, they might want to check with them to see how they could assist in supporting it. Lino Lakes EDA Ms. Divine passed out background information on the role of an EDA. Members had suggested that the city council consider having EDAC be the EDA. It also provides information about how many cities have EDAs that include residents. Mr. Milbauer noted that businesses or residents on an EDA bring in a fresh perspective and can take some of the pressure off the council. Mr. Helgemoe questioned how many metro area cities have EDAs that include outside members. Wyoming and Forest Lake have EDAs that include outside members. Risk Assessment for Legacy at Woods Edge Ms. Divine shared the Springsted scenarios for EDAC’s information regarding the foreclosure on the downtown development. There may be short term issues until the taxes are assessments are paid. To date the city council has determined that it wants to stay the course on the kind of development it wants. Currently developers are saying that vertical mixed use is not successful and that there might need to be some flexibility in that. Ms. Divine also distributed the current design standards for the project and the covenants upon which the TIF was provided to Hartford. Mr. Milbauer asked if a new developer will be bound by the Hartford agreement. This is a gray area that Ms. Divine will research. Hodgson Road/Cty. Rd. J The developers have been unable to work out an agreement with landowners for road access to the east side development. They are going back to Anoka County to discuss other access options. The July meeting is cancelled. The next EDAC meeting will be August 7 unless a matter arises that requires immediate action. Meeting adjourned. 2