HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/02/2007 EDAC MinutesApproved
CITY OF LINO LAKES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
DATE: Thursday, August 2, 2007
MEMBERS
PRESENT: J.Milbauer, J. Kuschke, M.C. Pap, M. Keller, K. Corson, K. Lodico, B. Combs
MEMBERS
ABSENT: J. Schwartz, J. Helgemoe
OTHERS
PRESENT: M. Divine
GENERAL/MINUTES
Minutes of June 7, 2007 were approved with one change
ANDERSON BUILDERS UPDATE
A member asked about the past meeting’s discussion regarding the potential for an abortion
clinic in the Anderson development. Ms. Divine said EDAC members at the previous meeting
wanted assurance that the proposed clinic would not be for that purpose. The city council also
brought it up. The developer agreed to include that in the list of restricted uses on the city site.
Ms. Divine gave an update on council action regarding the Anderson proposal. The proposal
went to the council as two separate actions; the first reading of the land sale, which was
approved, but the second action to approve an agreement that the city would move ahead with a
feasibility study and negotiate a purchase agreement for the ROW for the new 77th Street, was
tabled. At the next meeting, two members voted against both actions. Councilmember Reinert
did not want two separate agreements; he didn’t want the land sale to move forward until the
feasibility study was complete.
The developer had requested that the second phase of the development be handled separately for
a number of reasons, including his timeline that required approvals and construction beginning in
2007. Waiting for the feasibility study would require renegotiating all of phase 2 to completion
before beginning phase 1. He was likely to lose his major tenant if that occurred. His request was
that the city and the developer move ahead in good faith, with his guarantee that he had control
of the parcels needed for the road realignment, and with a maximum price set for the city’s
purchase of the ROW.
Ms. Kuschke questioned the importance of the realigned road. Benefits include a four-way
signalized intersection leading into the Target development, making the pads on the west side of
Lake Drive more developable for commercial, and providing an opportunity to a backage road to
serve future commercial rather than having separate driveways off Lake Drive.
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Ms. Keller stated that this shows how right Ms. Schwartz was in the Comp Plan Advisory Panel
meeting regarding defined guidelines, not a deal by deal basis. Ms. Divine stated that seven
months earlier, the council wanted this project to move forward. The feasibility study was not
done earlier because the cost is generally something completed when there is a real project
request. Without the sale of city land, there would be no road realignment.
Members discussed that land appraisals that was the source of Councilmember Carlson’s concern
and subsequent vote against the project. Members discussed the devaluation of land prices in the
current economy and the restrictions against certain uses on the site that would make the second
appraisal the more accurate one. Mr. Milbauer stated a property is worth what a willing buyer
and seller can agree to. Ms. Divine stated she will have a letter from the city’s TIF attorney that
addresses the issue, hopefully to Councilmember Carlson’s satisfaction.
The project may be tabled at the next council meeting because of another council member who
will not be attending. Members questioned if a special meeting was possible to get a full council
vote. Ms. Divine stated that the council generally doesn’t do it to accommodate a developer.
Business Expansion and Retention
Ms. Divine stated the business list is being updated with e-mail addresses. The survey will be
placed on the website and an e-mail will be sent out with the link to the survey. Ms. Keller stated
one question should be if they have a concern do they want to meet with someone. Other
suggestions include the question “are there any businesses not located in Lino Lakes that would
benefit your business?” The survey can make the city aware of business and would be good P.R.
to work with the businesses, and for marketing materials. Another question could ask them to
rate the effectiveness of local government. Also add an attachment or link that takes them to the
home page or the list of city officials. Is the minority/woman-owned business question needed?
Add more emphasis on what is right with the city. Knowing why they came here will be helpful
as a marketing tool. The question about whether sales have gone up or down should have a space
to explain why. What factors are affecting their business? Make it easy to fill out by clicking,
with room at the end of a section for comments.
It was concluded that after the holidays might be the best time for the survey to go out. Ms.
Divine stated she would take the draft survey to a local work session before sending it out.
School District Boundary Map
Members looked at the school district map. Most of the Apollo Business Park is in Centennial
School District, however, Hardwood Creek development will not. Ms. Lodico stated that
changing school district boundaries are not changeable. Open enrollment is a possibility, but
only if there is room available.
Meeting adjourned.
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