11-13-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

EDC Minutes May 19, 2017 Page 3 of 5 were quite a few companies classified as headquartered in Mounds View. Beeman clarified that the term headquarters is defined broadly and this definition includes businesses that may only have one office but started in Mounds View and doesn’t necessarily mean a large office complex. A better way to describe it is the home office. Muckala asked where the technical schools are located for students to get proper training. Beeman mentioned Anoka Technical College, Dunwoody, others mentioned Century, Alexandria Technical College, North Metro, etc. Of those businesses surveyed, there are 6291 fulltime equivalent employees translating to 90 employees on average per business. I-35 is key for many Mounds View companies in distributing products. The Mounds View School District is also a main attraction for employment opportunities and living conditions for employees. Muckala asked when new surveys will be given to the business owners. Beeman said the average is to revisit about every three years. This is when we start seeing some turnover in CEO’s and other key positions. Some businesses don’t want to be bothered and some require several months’ notice to schedule visits. Most of the 140 businesses have been visited. Rice Creek Commons Beeman informed the Commission that the over under pass along I-35W is nearing completion and the thumb road and other infrastructure is expected to be substantially complete by the end of 2017. According to the Master Developer, a few housing starts might be possible if the development is completed on-time or ahead of schedule. Ramsey County Commissioner Blake Huffman made a presentation at the March 27 City Council meeting in order to provide an update on the project which was distributed to Commissioners about a month ago. They are looking at attracting some anchor grocery stores, about 40 acres in light industrial and 4100 new jobs and housing units. Farmer asked if any businesses adjacent to the project had any comments on the site and access to the site. Beeman said he initially received questions about the roundabouts and how they would be able to get their trucks through but new innovations in engineering design has corrected this issue and those concerns have dissipated. Generally, the business are supportive of the project, however they are ready for it to be completed. Website Beeman reported that staff has met several times to review the details for the new City website. The website task force is on their second round of design revisions and has one more round of feedback before finalizing the design phase. The next phase is the staff training and launch. When completed, the website will consist of a responsive display meaning the screen will automatically resize to any devise for ease of use.