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Mounds View EDA May 9, 2005 <br />Regular Meeting Page 4 <br /> <br />in Mounds View school programs in addition to $600,000 committed for park and recreation 130 <br />dedication fees. He stated that Medtronic’s Community involvement does not end with 131 <br />contributions noting that Medtronic employees also volunteer in various schools and mentoring 132 <br />programs. He acknowledged that none of these decisions are easy adding that he understands the 133 <br />passion and concern of the residents and their want to see their Community be successful. He 134 <br />referenced the passion of the people who work for Medtronic and the community they live in 135 <br />stating that it is a real blessing and it is his hope that Medtronic becomes a good neighbor in the 136 <br />City of Mounds View. 137 <br /> 138 <br />Rodger McCombss, Vice President, Medtronic, stated that his organization includes real estate, 139 <br />construction, facility mgmt, security and travel support noting that all of it comes to bear, in 140 <br />some way, to this project. He reviewed the financial elements of the project and the site plan 141 <br />with the Commission. He stated that they have worked closely with State, County and City 142 <br />officials to ensure that the site is positively developed. He stated that one item of concern that 143 <br />was brought up during a past public hearing was the concern regarding the wetlands. He assured 144 <br />the Commission that Medtronic views the wetlands area as an amenity noting that they have 145 <br />included wetlands as a natural amenity at other facilities as a buffer. He stated that Medtronic 146 <br />wants to ensure that the campus is a positive environment for both the employees and the 147 <br />residents of Mounds View. 148 <br /> 149 <br />Mr. McCombs stated that the property to the west could be developed with park dedications fees 150 <br />adding that they could incorporate walking trails and park areas throughout. He acknowledged 151 <br />that the development would create an increase in traffic flow stating that they have worked 152 <br />closely with MnDOT, Ramsey County, Anoka County, Hennepin County, Shoreview and Blaine 153 <br />to address the traffic concerns. He reviewed traffic access points and flow with the Commission 154 <br />noting that this was a project that MnDOT originally was not going to address for another ten 155 <br />years. He stated that Medtronic endorses the plans to upgrade 35W/County Road J bridge 156 <br />intersection; the County Road J traffic turn lanes, Airport Road and State Highway 10 noting that 157 <br />the projects are fully funded at the State level. He explained that Real Estate and Construction is 158 <br />part of his responsibility noting that the expansion would add 300 jobs over the next two years. 159 <br />He stated that the new campus would generate the need for jobs to operate and provide services 160 <br />at the new campus in addition to the positive impact it would have for local and regional 161 <br />businesses. 162 <br /> 163 <br />Mr. McCombs stated that Medtronic deals with the tax issues noting that the TIF calculation that 164 <br />was used for the Fridley Headquarters, was for $100.00 per square foot. He explained that 165 <br />Medtronic reached an agreement with the City of Fridley to engage a third-party mediator to 166 <br />come to an agreement for $109 per square foot as an appropriate charge. He explained that 167 <br />Medtronic pays taxes in Anoka County, Ramsey County and Hennepin County noting that the 168 <br />increase in the tax base would be now with an additional potential for growth. He indicated that 169 <br />millions of dollars are available now through the sale of land, park dedication fees, franchise 170 <br />fees, permits and administrative fees. He stated that the Medtronic expansion would be a great 171