10-21-2016 Cancelled - Laserfiche WebLink

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EDC Minutes July 15, 2016 Page 5 of 10 and then theoretically get its money back, but it is also extra money out of people’s pockets. Helgemoe asked if the Commissioners had comments in terms of the uses. Is it something we want to do or not? Personally working with business, these are things that are important to businesses in terms of projects to attract and retain business, new development deals, etc. If the city doesn’t have the money to do it then we can’t get it done. Commissioner Freichels agreed that it is a good use of funds to acquire property to get updated in the City of Mounds View especially with the Rice Creek Commons development coming on-line. The City will be competing against a blank slate and Mounds View is an older city so there a several buildings that need some attention, especially if considering a new development across the freeway. I believe the city is going to have to do something because there is a lot of land over there for redevelopment. Mounds View has a good story in the sense that they have a history of well-established business which may not be competing against high property tax values in land with this year’s building verses buildings built 10-20 years ago. Particularly if the city has specific sites they have in mind for redevelopment. Currently, the city doesn’t have the funds to negotiate. This takes a lot of time and money. I would like to see how Crossroad Pointe turns out since the city hasn’t done one of these projects for a while. If the project turns out successful, then this is a great example of funds being put to good use. I believe it is a good idea, whether the city goes to the maximum or not. I know how that would affect my business in town but I would support the levy just because I know the problems we’ve had over the years dealing with certain properties and situations where we couldn’t do anything because we didn’t have the money. It will be interesting to see how the Crossroad Pointe project turns out. Even though it would increase the taxes collected on my business property, I would be in support of it. Commissioner Rieland, said she believes the key would be to know how much it would affect tax payers. She supports the levy because in order to have a vibrant city we will need funds in order to prevent further pockets of decay in the city as it gets older. Also with the recent Rice Creek development, there is increased competition. This is a great opportunity especially with the new Bel-Rae and Crossroad Pointe development and the Rice Creek Commons development. This is a great time to put this on the table to at least see how people react. Commissioner Dan Larson and Laurie Shoop agreed. Larson mentioned that as a resident he is seeing the housing stock deteriorate and we can either let it go or take steps to improve the situation. Therefore, I am for it. Commissioner Freichels said that the city is limited on the funds that are available and with more blight this type of funding could help alleviate this problem. Perhaps more enforcement could also be part of the solutions depending on how the funds could be used.