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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-15-2008Minutes of the Economic Development Commission City of Mounds View Ramsey County, Minnesota Regular Meeting August 15, 2008 City of Mounds View, Council Chambers 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 1. CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chair Gary Meehlhause called the meeting to order at 7:33am 2. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Vice Chair Gary Meehlhause, Commissioners Jackie Entsminger, Torri Johnson (arrived at 7:55 a.m.), Dan Larson and Jennifer Wagner Members Absent: Chair Jason Helgemoe and Commissioner Belting Staff Present: Community Development Director Ken Roberts and Economic Development Specialist Heidi Steinmetz 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Motion/Second: Commissioner Larson moved and Commissioner Wagner seconded the approval of the August 15, 2008 EDC agenda. Motion Carried: 4 Ayes 0 Nays 4. APPROVAL OF EDC MINUTES: Vice Chair Meehlhause noticed that Jim Ericson's name needed to be added to the last paragraph on page 3. Motion/Second: Commissioner Larson moved and Vice Chair Meehlhause seconded the approval of the July 18, 2008 EDC minutes. Motion Carried: 4 Ayes 0 Nays 5. SPECIAL BUSINESS Economic Development Specialist Heidi Steinmetz introduced Melissa Deming to the Commission. Ms. Deming is the Chamber's new Director of Events and Marketing. She is here today in place of Chamber President Tim Roche. Ms. Deming announced two EDC Minutes August 15, 2008 Page 2 of 5 Chamber events: the August 21s' Annual Meeting and the September 12t" Chamber Golf event. 6. EDC BUSINESS A. Introduce Patrick Bettenburg of Risdall Marketing Group & Discuss Branding, Marketin and Public Communications Process Ms. Steinmetz reminded the EDC that the EDA approved a contract with Risdall Marketing Group on July 28, 2008. The contract will provide Mounds View with branding services and a public communications/marketing plan. Ms. Steinmetz stated that the EDC and EDA/Council will be involved in three of six phases of the process. She said staff would handle the last three phases of the project. Patrick Bettenburg is here today to explain Mounds View's brand development process in detail. EDC members are invited to attend a tour of Risdall's offices in New Brighton following this morning's meeting. Ms. Steinmetz asked for the EDC's input on the types of questions they would like Risdall to ask developers and real estate brokers. She referenced a spreadsheet included in the EDC's meeting packet that summarized staff's business development efforts from November 2007 to date. Mr. Bettenburg began his presentation with stating that developing a "brand" for a city is unique and that it is different then branding a company or a product; however the values are the same. He stated that Mounds View's brand is a bit dated and lacking in definition. Mr. Bettenburg said that strengthening Mounds View's brand will help residents better understand their city and will drive business development and attract more consumers to the area. Mr. Bettenburg talked about Risdall's six -phase process for the project: Discovery, Strategy, Identity Visibility, Implementation and Analysis. He said that Risdall's current contract with the Mounds View EDA ends with the Visibility phase. Risdall's first step is to develop the survey questions with City staff. He asked the Commission if they had any questions with the process that he presented. Commissioner Meehlhause stated that he was very impressed with Risdall's proposal and he asked about the appropriate response rate. Mr. Bettenburg said that they will send the survey to a large number of people but they have not determined the appropriate response rate yet. The results will not represent the City as a whole but will generate enough insight to move forward. Commissioner Wagner asked if we would advertise in the local paper. Mr. Bettenburg said "yes" and that we'll also advertise on the City's Website. Commissioner Meehlhause added that perhaps the City Council could help promote the surveys during Council meetings. Commissioner Wagner asked about the results of Risdall's branding projects for other cities. Mr. Bettenburg replied that Risdall has not completed a full-blown branding effort for another city; however Risdall's founder, John Risdall was New Brighton's public relations EDC Minutes August 15, 2008 Page 3 of 5 person when New Brighton did not have city staff. He added that Risdall's 36 -year history has helped refine and prove their branding process for a variety of businesses and products. Commissioner Meehlhause added that Mr. Bettenburg began his presentation this morning stating that branding a City is different then branding a business and acknowledging that fact is a positive thing. Ms. Steinmetz listed examples of Risdall's community -related clients: Visit Minneapolis North (11 member cities), Twin Cities North Chamber (10 member cities), Mounds View School District and the Rotary. Commissioner Entsminger inquired of the project timeline. Mr. Bettenburg said that it would probably take four months to complete the project but they are flexible to the City's needs. Commissioner Johnson arrived at 7.55am. Ms. Steinmetz asked the Commission if they had any ideas for survey questions. She gave examples of business-related survey questions. Mr. Bettenburg encouraged the Commission to submit questions for the different survey audiences. He added that conducting a survey in itself is a positive thing because it shows that the City is interested in receiving input and is willing to listen. Commissioner Johnson said that she would like to see questions related to the environment and would like input from other governmental entities, utility companies, the DNR and Ramsey County. Commissioner Meehlhause wants to know how residents feel about redevelopment along the County Road 10 corridor. Commissioner Entsminger is interested in why current businesses chose to locate in Mounds View. Commissioner Wagner wants to know if non-residents would consider living in Mounds View. Commissioners Wagner and Meehlhause asked for a list of potential questions that they could use as a basis to form their own survey questions. Community Development Director Ken Roberts and Commissioner Meehlhause agreed that Ms. Steinmetz would follow up with an e-mail deadline for submitting questions and that it is not necessary to wait until the next EDC meeting to review the questions. 7. REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Johnson mentioned several Irondale High School fundraisers: the Huddle Club, the band and the boys/girls high school hockey fundraiser (golf tournament) is next Saturday. She feels that assisting these organizations brings the community together. Commissioner Meehlhause added that the Huddle Club's discount card includes .05 off gasoline from a local gas station. The card also provides discounts from local fast food restaurants. Commissioner Johnson reminded the group about this weekend's Festival in the Park, which will include fireworks. Ms. Steinmetz invited people to visit the City's 501h Anniversary booth because Mounds View cookbooks, history books and water bottles will be for sale. EDC Minutes August 15, 2008 Page 4 of 5 8. REPORTS OF STAFF A. Information Regarding EDCs Becoming EDAs The EDC briefly discussed this item last month per Chair Helgemoe's recommendation. New information added to this month's meeting packet was a list from the League of Minnesota Cities showing how EDAs are structured throughout the state. Ms. Steinmetz suggested postponing this topic until Chair Helgemoe is available. Commissioner Johnson said that this is good information but it is not an urgent issue at this time. B. Information Regarding University of Minnesota's Extension Service's Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E) Program Last month, the EDC discussed business retention efforts in Mounds View and Chair Helgemoe asked for more information on the U of M's BR&E Program. Attached to this month's packet was more information about the program; however Ms. Steinmetz recommended that Mounds View conduct an informal business retention program. C. Updated Economic Development Component of Comprehensive Plan The EDC spent several meetings this year providing input on the Economic Development component of the Comprehensive Plan; however staff is asking the EDC to review it one last time but no later than September 1, 2008. There is new information in the Economic Development component thanks to Mr. Roberts fresh eyes (as a new employee). Mr. Roberts added that the city will be asking the Met Council for an extension for completing the entire Comprehensive Plan because the City has been short-staffed this year. D. Verbal Report on 96 -Unit "Select Senior Living" Prosect Mr. Roberts presented the artist's rendering of the proposed 96 -unit, three-story senior living facility for the northwest corner of County Road 10 and Groveland Road. This project would include the redevelopment of three lots: the former trailer hitch property and two single- family homes. The Planning Commission has recommended approval and the Council will review the proposal for the first time on August 25th. The developer hopes to begin construction this year. He estimated that the market value of the finished project will be $12 million. Commissioner Johnson asked if the developer has built similar projects elsewhere. Mr. Roberts said that the developer has built one in Coon Rapids and West St. Paul. Ms. Steinmetz stated that the key component of this project is the estimated $12 million of increased tax base, which is an example of the benefits of redevelopment. Mr. Roberts added that the developer has not requested City financing for this project. Commissioner Johnson asked if the City will be continuing the trails near the property. Mr. Roberts said that the developer will pay park dedication fees but the City will construct the trailway so that it is cohesive with the rest of the trail system. Commissioner Entsminger inquired of the neighbors' concerns over the project. Mr. Roberts felt that the concerns related to maintaining privacy (noise, light). EDC Minutes August 15, 2008 Page 5 of 5 Commissioners Johnson and Meehlhause agreed that this project continues Mounds View's efforts to provide life -cycle housing for its residents. Commissioner Entsminger added that this project may entice new reinvestment in nearby business properties. 9. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Commission, Vice Chair Meehlhause adjourned the meeting at 8:32 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Heidi Steinmetz Economic Development Specialist