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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-24-2014 Minutes of the Economic Development Commission City of Mounds View Ramsey County, Minnesota Regular Meeting March 21, 2014 City of Mounds View, Council Chambers 2401 County Road 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Greg Belting called the meeting to order at approximately 7:30 am. 2. ROLL CALL Members Present. Chair Greg Belting and Commissioners Jim Freichels, Jessica Birken, Jim Paron and Dan Larson Members Absent. Commissioners Jason Helgemoe and Gary Stevenson Staff Present: City Administrator Jim Ericson 3. APPROVAL OF MARCH 21, 2014, AGENDA Motion/Second: Commissioner Freichels moved and Commissioner Larson seconded the approval of the March 21, 2014, EDC agenda. Motion Carried: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays 4. APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 20, 2013, EDC MINUTES Motion/Second: Commissioner Larson moved and Commissioner Freichels seconded the approval of the December 20, 2013, EDC minutes, as presented. Motion Carried: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays 5. EDC BUSINESS A. Administer Oath of Office, Jessica Birken Chair Belting administered the oath of office to newly appointed member Jessica Birken. B. Administer Oath of Office, Dan Larson Chair Belting administered the oath of office to returning commission member Larson. Chair Belting expressed his gratitude and appreciation to both Commissioners Birken and Larson for the insights they will bring to the Commission and for their willingness to volunteer their time and efforts to the community. C. Elect Chairperson and Vice Chairperson Administrator Ericson explained that the City Code requires that the EDC elect a chairperson and vice chairperson annually to occur at the first meeting of the year. A chairperson can serve for no more than two consecutive years. Chair Belting could serve another term as chairperson if that was the desire of the Commission. The EDA would then need to confirm EDC Minutes March 21,2014 Page 2 of 4 the Commission's chairperson selection. Chair Belting indicated that past practice has been that the vice chairperson would transition into the chairperson role, however in this case, there is no vice chairperson so he would consent to serving another year as chair. Motion/Second: Commissioner Freichels moved and Commissioner Larson seconded the nomination of Dr. Greg Belting as EDC Chairperson for 2014. Motion Carried: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays The Commission then discussed possibilities for a vice chairperson, noting that the two commissioners not in attendance were fair game. Motion/Second: Commissioner Paron moved and Commissioner Freichels seconded the nomination of Jessica Birken as EDC Vice Chairperson for 2014. Motion Carried: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays D. Review the EDC Bylaws Administrator Ericson indicated that the City Code requires that the EDC review its Bylaws annually. The last time the Bylaws were amended, Ericson stated,was in 2002. There did not appear to be any changes that were necessary, in his opinion, but this would be the time to do so if the EDC so desired. Commissioner Birken asked whether the meeting days and times worked for the other commissioners. Chair Belting felt the 7:30 am start time worked better for him; other commissioners were fine with the third Friday at 7:30 am. No changes were suggested. Motion/Second: Commissioner Birken moved and Commissioner Larson seconded the reapproval of the Bylaws for the Economic Development Commission. Motion Carried: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays E. Establish the EDC Meeting Calendar for 2014 Chair Belting reviewed the proposed meeting calendar for 2014 with the Commission and pointed out that April 18th is Good Friday which may cause a conflict for some members, but remarked we could possibly be a little flexible by shifting the meeting date forward or back a week as may be needed. The Commission expressed support for the proposed meeting schedule. Motion/Second: Commissioner Freichels moved and Commissioner Larson seconded the approval of the Economic Development Commission's 2014 Meeting Calendar. Motion Carried: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays F. Review the EDC's 2013 Economic Development Priorities Administrator Ericson recited the EDC's priorities from 2013 and asked the Commission to consider whether the ten identified priorities needed to be revised at all. EDC Minutes March 21,2014 Page 3 of 4 Commissioner Freichels suggested that Crossroad Pointe be added as a separate propriety item on the EDC's list. Chair Belting agreed. Commissioner Larson asked about the former Thrifty Car Rental site on Country Road 10. Administrator Ericson provided a brief update. Commissioner Freichels asked about the Silver View Plaza property and whether Kraus Anderson was going to be reinvesting into the facility now that occupancy seems to be increasing. Administrator Ericson reported he would inquire with the leasing agents for an update. The Commissioners discussed the TCAAP redevelopment site and transportation improvements, reiterating that the County Road 10 and H intersection is sorely in need of update. Administrator Ericson asked whether the Commission still wanted to retain the reconstruction of County Road 10 as a priority item. Chair Belting suggested perhaps this item could include intersection improvements as discussed at County H. Commissioner Birken wondered whether the Planning Commission's work on the creation of a County Road 10 overlay district should be included. The Commission thought this was a good idea. Chair Belting expressed support for ongoing business retention efforts. Motion/Second: Commissioner Freichels moved and Commissioner Larson seconded the approval of the revised EDC priorities, as discussed. Motion carried: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays 6. REPORTS OF STAFF A. Crossroad Pointe Project Report Administrator Ericson provided an update on the Crossroad Pointe redevelopment project, indicating that the Council had selected Stantec to conduct a market and planning study to determine what could be feasible for the site. The study concluded that office/retail would be viable. Administrator Ericson invited the Commission to attend the Council meeting Monday night, 6:30 pm, March 24, 2014, at which time the EDA will be considering the development scenarios. Administrator Ericson expressed hope that the City could move forward with the marketing of the site subsequent to the EDA reviewing the plans. B. Mounds View Project Updates Administrator Ericson reported that the Coventry project is moving forward, that the closing has occurred and site clearing work has begun. Administrator Ericson extended an invitation to the Commission to attend a groundbreaking ceremony scheduled to occur on Monday, March 24, at 5 pm. Work is scheduled to be completed in one year's time. Chair Belting asked about Apple Tree Dental and whether the work is progressing on schedule. Administrator Ericson indicates that he believed they are still on track for a mid- may completion. The Commission asked about some other projects and were thusly updated. EDC Minutes March 21,2014 Page 4 of 4 C. Update on the Recruitment of the Economic Development Specialist Position Administrator Ericson reported that the City had advertised for the part time economic development position and received more than 20 applications. The pool of candidates to be interviewed has been identified, and it is his hope that a candidate will be selected in April. 7. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Larson indicated that UL,a new business to the community last year, remains quite pleased with their facility here in Mounds View and that they continue to add staff here. He also recognized new residents to the community. 8. NEXT REGULAR EDC MEETING The next regular EDC meeting was announced as Friday, April 18, 2014, at 7:30am. 9. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the March 21, 2014, meeting adjourned at 8:25 am. Respectfully submitted, Gvvv"-� James Ericson City Administrator