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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-20-2012 Minutes of the Economic Development Commission City of Mounds View Ramsey County, Minnesota Regular Meeting July 20, 2012 City of Mounds View, Council Chambers 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Torri Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:35am. 2. ROLL CALL Members Present: Chair Torri Johnson and Commissioners Greg Belting, Jason Helgemoe, Dan Larson, Gary Meehlhause and Jim Paron Members Absent: Vice Chair Jennifer Wagner-Harkonen Staff Present: City Administrator Jim Ericson and Economic Development Specialist Heidi Steinmetz 3. APPROVAL OF JULY 20, 2012 AGENDA Motion/Second: Commissioner Belting moved and Commissioner Larson seconded the approval of the July 20, 2012, EDC agenda, with an 8:30am meeting end time. Motion Carried: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays 4. APPROVAL OF APRIL 20, 2012 EDC MINUTES Motion/Second: Commissioner Meehlhause moved and Commissioner Belting seconded the approval of the April 20, 2012, EDC minutes. Motion Carried: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays 5. EDC BUSINESS A. Discuss the Use of TIF for Mustang Drive Improvements Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz provided a summary of her staff report. Commissioner Belting mentioned that during the EDC's tour of Bauer Welding back in July 2011, the company had mentioned that Mustang Drive was an issue for them. Commissioner Belting added that the road is dilapidated to say the least. He asked if city staff has an idea of the amount of TIF (a portion of the project cost)that might be needed to assist with this project. Ms. Steinmetz answered that city staff does not have those figures yet. EDC Minutes July 20,2012 Page 2 of 3 Chair Johnson noted that the City's Street and Utility Improvement Program does not include this area. Commissioner Meehlhause asked city staff what the ballpark cost would be for this project. City staff answered that they do not know the total project cost, yet land acquisition for the creation of stormwater facilities could significantly increase the project cost. Commissioner Meehlhause said he would support using some TIF towards the project but not all of it. Commissioner Larson agreed. Ms. Steinmetz noted that city staff would provide the EDC with detailed project costs at a later date. Motion/Second: Chair Johnson moved and Commissioner Meehlhause seconded a recommendation to the City Council that it consider using a portion of the EDA's unobligated TIF fund balance to assist in the cost to reconstruct Mustang Drive and Mustang Circle. Motion Carried: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays B. Discuss Vision for County Road 10 Ms. Steinmetz reminded the EDC that the City Council discussed this item at the July 2, 2012, Work Session. She said the City Council asked the EDC to focus on two main issues: County Road 10 and vacant/blighted housing. Ms. Steinmetz mentioned that the vacant/blighted housing issue will be on the EDC's next agenda. Ms. Steinmetz stated that the City Council has asked the EDC to create a short term and a long term vision for County Road 10. Chair Johnson said that she doesn't feel that it's the EDC's role to create a vision for the city. She added that the EDC could continue to make recommendations as they have done in the past. She said the EDC has provided the Council with plans and priorities, the EDC has participated in studies and workshops and the EDC has visited with businesses. She said the EDC could provide the Council with overall templates and input. She reiterated that it's the City Council role to develop a vision of their short and long term goals for County Road 10. She does not agree with hiring a visioning consultant because it would not be the best use of city funds. Commissioner Belting agreed with Chair Johnson. He said that renaming County Road 10 would be a big improvement. He added that a total reconstruction of County Road 10 would be somewhat out of the City's control because Ramsey County owns the roadway. Commissioner Meehlhause agreed that it's the City Council's responsibility, with the assistance of staff, to create a vision for County Road 10. Commissioner Larson said the businesses and residents should be consulted for what they would like to see along County Road 10. He added that the city should focus on redevelopment around the two intersections on County Road 10 (County Road H and Silver Lake Road) that will be reconstructed in the next few years. EDC Minutes July 20,2012 Page 3 of 3 Chair Johnson provided the EDC with the following draft vision for County Road 10: "County Road 10/Northtown Boulevard is a divided county road with trails that provides the ability to safely move around through the city. As the main corridor for the City of Mounds View, it contains an eclectic mix of businesses and housing that serves the residents and attracts businesses and guests to our community.This mix may include restaurants, senior housing, small retail, medium retail, services, parks, trails, government services and a library." Commissioner Helgemoe arrived at this time (8:05am). Commissioner Belting suggested that the EDC review the 2002 County Road 10 redevelopment plan to see if there are any ideas in that plan that could still be implemented today. Commissioner Meehlhause added that the EDC should also review the 2006 Premium Stop area study. The EDC decided that they would review the two latest studies for County Road 10 (the 2002 and 2006 studies) before discussing County Road 10 again at their next meeting. 6. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS Chair Johnson thanked Mike, the camera guy, for his work videotaping the EDC meetings. Today is Mike's last date working for the City of Mounds View. Commissioner Meehlhause updated the EDC that the Thrifty Car Rental building is still for sale and that a non-profit dentist will be purchasing the former"Let's Get Graphic" building. Chair Johnson commented that she and EDC members Helgemoe and Meehlhause attended the Allina Medical Transportation open house and that it was a nice event. 7. REPORTS OF STAFF City staff provided updates on the following items: May 9th Mounds View Business Council meeting, TCAAP, Mounds View business news, available business Sites in Mounds View, upcoming events and the City's new eFeedback tool called "My Mounds View". 8. NEXT REGULAR EDC MEETING The next regular EDC meeting was scheduled for Friday, August 17, 2012, at 7:30am. 9. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the July 20, 2012, meeting adjourned at 8:31 am. Respectfully submitted, Heidi Steinmetz, Economic Development Specialist