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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-23-1995Minutes of the Economic Development Commission City of Mounds View Ramsey County, Minnesota Regular Meeting February 23, 1995 City Hall 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 6:03 p.m. by Chairperson, Phil Seipp. 2. Roll Call: Members present were as follows: Rosemary Goff, Mark Malone, Dan Nelson, Ron Schmidt, Delane Welsch and Phil Seipp. In addition, EDA Liaison Sue Hankner and Economic Development Coordinator Cathy Bennett were present. Member Peg Mountin is on leave of absence. 3. Approval Of Minutes: There were no minutes for approval. 4. Special Business A. Presentation Regarding Proposed Improvements to Moundsview Square Richard Janke, Leasing Agent for Moundsview Square gave an overview of the retail shopping center located on Highway 10. Mr. Janke mentioned that the nature of shopping centers has changed due to the big box centers whereby the center is supported by large stores such as Cub, Target or Menards. Also, he mentioned that it is very unlikely that Moundsview Square will attract a grocery store or hardware store. In any case they are currently working with a Mattress Store, Furniture Store and Copy Center. Mr. Janke gave an overview of improvements that they would like to make to the center such as a new pylon sign, tenant improvements to eliminate the common area, parking lot lighting and illuminated entrance signs. Mr. Janke mentioned that other Cities have contributed Tax Increment Financing for these improvements and would like Mounds View to consider this as well. Staff will work with Paster Enterprises on a plan to present to the EDC. 5. EDC Business: A. Discuss Promotion of the Value of EDA\EDC. Coordinator Bennett mentioned that there has been some concern in the community regarding the increased economic development activities. Most of the concerns stem from the notion that property tax dollars are being used for these activities. The EDC discussed options to educate the public on the economic development programs and explain that all these activities are funded solely from development revenues generated from the use of Tax Increment Financing. Commissioner Seipp suggested that we prepare a package to give to people when they have concerns and put an article in the Mounds View Matters regarding Tax Increment Financing. A suggested item is to look at what the residential property taxes would be if the property had remained undeveloped. B. Consideration of Taraet Industries for Mounds View's Future Develooment Coordinator Bennett presented some target industries for consideration by the EDC. This is a requirement under the 1995 work plan and the target industries will assist staff in prioritizing projects on the basis of needs for the community. Commissioner Goff suggested adding a Gift Shop and Commissioner Seipp suggested adding a white table cloth restaurant (fine dining) and mailing facility. Motion/Second: Goff/Schmidt move to accept the list of targeted industries as amended. 6 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried C. Review results of Hotel Development Survey. Coordinator Bennett presented the results from the Hotel Development Survey. Over 600 businesses received the survey with a 12 percent return. Eighty-five percent of the respondents were in support of the hotel\conference center, only a few were opposed and the remaining did not currently use or have use for a hotel/conference center. EDC directed staff to relay the results of the survey to Mr. Hall and continue to contact some of the larger companies in Mounds View who did not respond. D. Consideration of Action regarding the Realignment of Old Highway 8 Coordinator Bennett noted that in her interviews with businesses on Mustang Drive there was a concern regarding the condition of Old Highway 8 and the intersection of 8, Highway 10 and County Road H. Recently it was learned that the County have pushed the realignment of Old Highway 8 from 1996 to 1997. In an effort to send a message to the County regarding the importance of the realignment it was suggested to send a resolution to the County Commissioner Dick Wedell expressing the EDC's concern from an economic and health and safety standpoint. Motion/Second: Welsch/Goff move to accept Resolution No. 95-EDC6 strongly encouraging the County to keep the realignment of Old Highway 8 on schedule for 1996 rather than move it to 1997. 6 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried E. Review of Business Sion Issues At the request of the Planning Commission, Coordinator Bennett reviewed the results from the business retention survey regarding the City's sign ordinance. Forty six percent of the companies felt that the City should place a high priority on revising the sign ordinance. The EDC encouraged the Planning Commission to place a high priority on revising the sign ordinance keeping in consideration that Mound View's sign issues need to at least be competitive in relation to surrounding communities. 2 The summary of the report will be passed onto the Planning Commission through a memo from the EDC. 6. Reports From Chair, Commissioners and Staff: Coordinator Bennett noted that Mounds View School District has set up a task force to explore the needs of the elementary schools in Mounds View. The task force will be reviewing the possibility of the City providing up front funds for expansion of the schools using tax increment financing. These funds will be repaid over time from the School District. A representative from the EDC is requested to sit on the task force which will meet 3-4 times between March and May 1995. The EDC's input is valuable since the school's proposal involves the use of TIF funds. Motion/Second: Schmidt/Welsch move to assign Dan Nelson as the EDC representative on the task force. 6 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried Adjournment There being no further business before the Commission, this meeting of the Economic Development Commission adjourned at 7:25 p.m. Res ctfully Submitte Economic Develop ent Coordinator