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EDC Minutes December 19, 2003 Page 2 Southern Anoka and New Brighton-Mounds View chambers. The second was Resolution 6153 approving a lease agreement to allow the TCN Chamber to relocate its offices from the City of Fridley to Mounds View. The TCN Chamber will be leasing a portion of the Mounds View Community Center from the Mermaid (a site map was distributed to the members). The Mermaid will pay for the necessary leasehold improvements and workstations. Backman also mentioned that earlier this month the City of Arden Hills has decided to drop membership with the St. Paul Chamber and join the Twin Cities North Chamber. D. Report of Staff: 1. Hwy 10 Business Center—Twin Cities Scout Shop: Backman reported that the largest Boy Scout shop is relocating this month from Har Mar Mall in Roseville to the Hwy. 10 Business Center in Mounds View. Marlene Gerdts, the Territory Manager, is excited about the change. The new location offers the store a more visible location with easy access and better parking for customers. 2. Developer Activities—Velmeir Companies (Amoco Site): Not a lot has transpired over the past month. The biggest obstacle has been Amoco and the issue of potential environmental cleanup. Velmeir Companies appears to be willing to take on that responsibility to move the project forward. Hopefully progress on this project will occur in the near future. 3. Developer Activities—Pro Craft Homes (Woods of Mounds View): Chair Belting introduced Jim Melcher, President of Pro Craft Homes and Gary Nordness, President of Essence Real Estate Services (also part of the Pro Craft team). Backman briefly reviewed the history of The Woods of Mounds View project. Backman distributed three plans of the project to the members—Plan A (included City property, Fyksen property & Vik property), Plan B (City property, Fyksen property), and Plan C (City property only). Backman commended the Pro Craft team for their hard work and persistence in the negotiations, and willingness to spend time and money on the project. He turned over the presentation to Mr. Melcher. Melcher discussed the challenging negotiation process with the private landowners. As it stands today it appears that Pro Craft will go ahead with Plan C. The City’s property would still allow for 11 homes in the $400,000 price range. McDonald stated that this project is an example of everyone winning—homes with more amenities and more tax base created. Belting asked about ponding requirements. Mr. Nordness noted the physical challenges with the site, including the need for fill, soil balancing, and drainage. Backman asked for the Commission’s input regarding this project. The consensus of the EDC members was that the project was exciting and still a benefit to the community even if Plan C is the selected version that is pursued. 4. Mounds View Community Center—Banquet Center: Discussion already occurred earlier in the meeting regarding this topic. 5. Metro North CVB—Executive Committee & Board Mtg.—12/10/03: Backman attended the Executive Committee meeting on December 10, 2003. To generate additional revenues for the Convention & Visitors Bureau Backman suggested to the Board that Arden Hills be approached to join the CVB. The Board approved taking this step. 6. Community Survey Update: Kurt Ulrich arrived at this point in the EDC meeting. Backman distributed a copy of the proposed survey with 50 questions. This was presented to the City Council on December 1st. There is not a separate section for Economic Development in this survey instrument. Mr. Ulrich indicated that the last time such a survey was done was 1988 and that the City Council wants to conduct a survey to get customer feedback to better