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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-23-2014 Minutes of the Economic Development Commission City of Mounds View Ramsey County, Minnesota Regular Meeting May 23, 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, Gary Stevenson and Dan Larson Members Absent: Commissioners Jason Helgemoe, Jim Paron and Jessica Birken Staff Present: City Administrator Jim Ericson 3. APPROVAL OF MAY 23, 2014, AGENDA Motion/Second: Commissioner Freichels moved and Commissioner Larson seconded the approval of the May 23, 2014, EDC agenda. Motion Carried: 4 Ayes, 0 Nays 4. APPROVAL OF MARCH 21, 2014, EDC MINUTES Motion/Second: Commissioner Freichels moved and Commissioner Larson seconded the approval of the March 21, 2013, EDC minutes, as presented. Motion Carried: 4 Ayes, 0 Nays 5. EDC BUSINESS A. Review Proposed Revisions to the Economic Development Specialist Position Description City Administrator Ericson reviewed proposed revisions to the economic development specialist position description. He highlighted how the position's emphasis has evolved and should better reflect the City's business, communications and marketing needs. He reported that the City Council will be discussing the position at its work session in June. Commissioner Freichels agreed that the changes made sense, reporting that it's easier to keep the existing businesses in the community versus recruiting new ones. A business liaison would be appreciated. Commissioner Larson asked about the part time status of the position. Administrator Ericson confirmed that the position is budgeted for half-time but that could be increased, and the next year's budget will be revised to accommodate the desired schedule. EDC Minutes May 23,2014 Page 2 of 4 The Commission discussed other aspects of the position, and ultimately expressed support for the proposed changes and renaming the position as "Business Development Coordinator." Administrator Ericson indicated he would be meeting soon with Chamber president Tim Roche to review the proposed revisions and to ascertain if there's anything else Mounds View should be considering in such a position. 6. REPORTS OF STAFF A. Crossroad Point Redevelopment Project—What types of uses would the EDC like to see on the site? Administrator Ericson provided the Commission with some background on the City's Crossroad Point redevelopment site, located at the corner of County Road 10 and County Road H2, reminding the group about the City Council's visioning process and the types of general uses the Council envisions would be appropriate. He indicated that the Council did not feel residential would be appropriate on the site, but aside from that, the Council wanted some feedback from the Commission as to specific types of uses. Commissioner Freichels suggested that a medical clinic would seem to be a good fit for the site and would address a deficiency in our service area. He also indicated that a restaurant use might be appreciated by residents. Commissioner Stevenson agreed, stating that a sit-down restaurant would be a "destination" and would be good for the City. We'd It would be preferable to get a big player for name recognition so as to draw clientele from neighboring communities in addition to our own. Commissioner Freichels mentioned traffic counts on County Road 10 and whether it was enough to support some chains; he recalled the redevelopment study highlighted certain `traffic" expectations for a few different restaurant chains. Chair Belting asked if there are any forecasts that predict impacts on traffic levels assuming a fully developed TCAAP site. Administrator Ericson responded that there were no such projections to his knowledge, however the expectation is that there would likely be an increase on County Road 10. Chair Belting also wondered whether there were any vendors or businesses that could serve as a support role to Medtronic that might be looking to locate closer to Medtronic. He also agreed that a restaurant such as Buffalo Wild Wings would be nice to have. The Commission talked about shared uses on the site and associated parking requirements. Administrator Ericson responded that the redevelopment plan contemplates multiple uses so that would be fine, and as to the parking required, it would simply depend upon each use's footprint. Commission Stevenson reported that the Zoning Code provides for reduction in parking needs when the uses have offsetting hours of operation, such as an office building and a restaurant. EDC Minutes May 23,2014 Page 3 of 4 B. Mounds View Project Updates Administrator Ericson reported on the expansion of Allegiance Fitness, the business is located in the building formerly occupied by Medtronic, who had used it for product distribution. Administrator Ericson also reported on Northwood Outdoors, which is located in the former bakery thrift store building on County Road 10. They had originally signed a one-year lease but the lease was extended as the business seems to be thriving at that location. He explained the types of goods one might find at Northwood outdoors. He reported on Apple Tree Dental, indicating that they are not yet open but the work is progressing. Administrator Ericson explained that the former Minnesota Institute of Public Health building next to Holiday has been purchased by Technical Life Care, a medical equipment repair, service and equipment installation company. He was unsure how many employees would be working out of the facility. Administrator Ericson provided an update on the Coventry Senior Living project as well as the build out by the Mounds View School District of space by the theater and within Silverview Plaza. Commissioner Stevenson asked about the Mounds View Community center and whether there was any vacant space that could be leased out. Administrator Ericson indicated that the vacant space has been used for MVCC programming and another smaller office would likely be repurposed as an expanded prep area. Chair Belting referenced a previous Mounds View Business Council with MnDOT officials; he mentioned that the ramps to and from County 10 would be closed to address some lingering water issues from the recent reconstruction. Administrator Ericson mentioned that the Highway 96 bridge would be replaced in 2015 and the County Road H bridge in 2016. Chair Belting talked about the continuing need to address the signage associated with County Road 10 and Highway 10, and the need to move ahead with a name change. He mentioned that at least there has been some dialogue on this issue, which is good. Commissioner Freichels believes the issue to be political--requiring a political solution. 7. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Larson thanked Administrator Ericson for sharing the photos from the recent demolition of the house at the corner of Groveland and County Road 10. He thinks the area looks much better now with the blighted home removed. 8. NEXT REGULAR EDC MEETING —June 20, 2014 Administrator Ericson indicated he would be unavailable to attend the June meeting and wondered if the Commission would like to reschedule to a different date. The consensus was to wait and make a decision later depending upon whether there would be a need to meet. EDC Minutes May 23,2014 Page 4 of 4 9. ADJOURN There being no further business, the May 23, 2014, meeting adjourned at 8:21 am. Respectfully submitted, `-) James Ericson City Administrator