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Mounds View City Council August 22, 2005 <br />Regular Meeting Page 11 <br /> <br />around the world. She asked each Councilmember if any had negotiated a deal of this 1 <br />magnitude. All Councilmembers, Director Ericson, and Finance Director Beer indicated they 2 <br />had not. Ms. Dofney asked City Administrator Ulrich and City Attorney Riggs if they had 3 <br />negotiated a deal of this magnitude. Both indicated they had not. 4 <br /> 5 <br />Ms. Dofney agreed this is a big deal. She stated she knows all care about the City as does she, a 6 <br />32-year resident. She stated this is a tough situation and asked if Medtronic would be willing to 7 <br />renegotiate because of resident’s concern and good questions. Ms. Dofney stated that most 8 <br />believe in the “golden rule” but commented that most know that “those who have the gold rule.” 9 <br />She stated she knows Medtronic has a lot of money and asked if the City is getting the best deal. 10 <br />She stated she hates to leave this burden up to the Council and noted there are many educated 11 <br />and knowledgeable people who want to assure we get the best deal and jobs. 12 <br /> 13 <br />Mayor Marty stated a Mounds View Medtronic employee is in attendance tonight. 14 <br /> 15 <br />John Kopis, 2222 County Highway 10, stated his business has sold carpet to people who bought 16 <br />a home in Mounds View which is beneficial to him. He stated he talked to many businesses in 17 <br />Mounds View and every single person he spoke with is excited that Medtronic is coming to 18 <br />Mounds View. He emphasized that that the business community really supports it. Mr. Kopis 19 <br />stated he does not have a home in Mounds View but does have a building as big as 10 houses, 20 <br />pays a lot of taxes, and works 60-70 hours a week so he can pay his taxes. He stated he wants the 21 <br />Council to know this is a good thing for the City of Mounds View and while nothing is perfect, 22 <br />and 25 years may be a bit too long, it is a good thing. He stated it is important to have Medtronic 23 <br />in Mounds View and he would be proud to say they are where he has a business. Mr. Kopis 24 <br />stated almost every week or day someone comes in for donations and he has donated money for 25 <br />fireworks. He stated he resents it when you have been asked to make a donation and are then 26 <br />criticized for it. 27 <br /> 28 <br />Mayor Marty stated he knows John Kopis works 60-70 hours a week. 29 <br /> 30 <br />Jon McKusick, 8465 Eastwood Road, asked if they are paying interest to other TIF districts. 31 <br />Economic Development Coordinator Backman answered in the affirmative. 32 <br /> 33 <br />Ms. Haake reviewed the Light Industrial zoning language on that property and indicated that it 34 <br />applies if Medtronic is going to have 50% of the principal building devoted to office or storage or 35 <br />warehousing of merchandise. She referenced the Planning Commission meeting minutes of 36 <br />January 19, 2005 and February 2, 2005 public hearing on this particular public facility. At one 37 <br />time it was zoning to Industrial I-1 and stating that the office designation most likely correlated 38 <br />with the planned office complex development. She stated she goes back to what she said 39 <br />previously and thinks the attorney should look at it again. She stated she thinks a zoning change 40 <br />is needed so it correlates to the Comprehensive Plan. Ms. Haake stated the Comprehensive Plan 41 <br />amendment the City did calls for this to be an office space. That means there has to be a zoning 42 <br />class of Office. Ms. Haake stated there has to be a zoning change, which would require an 43 <br />ordinance. She indicated that will then kick off, all over again, another petition. 44 <br /> 45