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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-19-2014Minutes of the Economic Development Commission City of Mounds View Ramsey County, Minnesota Regular Meeting December 19, 2014 City of Mounds View, Council Chambers 2401 County Road 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 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, Jason Helgemoe, Jessica Birken and Dan Larson Members Absent: Commissioner Jim Paron Staff Present: City Administrator, Jim Ericson Brian Beeman, Business Development Coordinator 3. APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 19, 2014, AGENDA Motion/Second: Commissioner Freichels moved and Commissioner Stevenson seconded the approval of the December 19, 2014, EDC agenda. Motion Carried: 6 Ayes, 0 Nays 4. APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 17, 2014, EDC MINUTES Motion/Second: Commissioner Stevenson moved and Commissioner Birken seconded the approval of the October 17, 2014 EDC minutes, as presented. Motion Carried: 6 Ayes, 0 Nays 5. EDC BUSINESS EDC Applications -Provide Recommendation to EDA Chair Belting announced this was his last meeting and thanked the Commission for his past 14 years as a Commissioner. Chair Belting reported that the Commission has been great to work with, the city has a great addition with the hiring of Brian Beeman as the Business Development Coordinator, and City Administrator Ericson has been fantastic to work with. Gary Meehlhause, who was in the audience and former EDC Commissioner, is now a City Council Member who has shown his support over the years. The Commission and community have been very supportive of economic development. Coordinator Beeman reported that Jim Paron is moving out of Mounds View and therefore will not be submitting his application for a second term. Also, Jessica Birken has submitted her resignation due to her many other priorities leaving openings for two Resident and one Business Representative. There were three applicants, two for the Resident Representative EDC Minutes December 19, 2014 Page 2 of 5 opening and one for the Business Representative opening. Royal Dahlstrom, a Resident Applicant was present, and provided his background of being a chef for 26 years and who also has been involved in business development activities. Coordinator Beeman provided the background information on Laurie Shoop, a Resident applicant who has been a resident of Mounds View for 35 years and Jessica Rieland, a Business Representative from Biolife Plasma Services. Motion/Second: Commissioner Freichels moved and Commissioner Larson seconded the motion to approve all three applications to be appointed to the EDC Commission as a recommendation to the EDA. Motion Carried: 6 Ayes, 0 Nays Approve a Meeting Schedule for 2015 Business Development Coordinator Beeman informed the Commissioners of the bylaw requirements to set the annual meeting dates and time for the upcoming year. Motion/Second: Commissioner Stevenson made a motion and Commissioner Birken seconded the motion to approve Resolution No. 14 -EDC -38, establishing the calendar of meeting dates for 2015. Motion Carried: 6 Ayes, 0 Nays 6. REPORTS OF STAFF Business Retention & Expansion and Project Updates Business Development Coordinator, Beeman provided the Commission with an update on Crossroad Pointe redevelopment site. Coordinator Beeman had two 4 X 8 signs marketing the 4.25 acres installed. Marketing brochures of the site were also created and distributed. Beeman has contacted over 30 developers and is in regular contact with five of them who have shown interest. Three developers seem serious with one developer interested in a medical facility, another interested in a restaurant, and a third, has not specified, but is known for constructing mixed use buildings. Beeman noted that contact will be made again after the first of the year. Coordinator Beeman explained what BR&E visits are and noted that over 10 visits have been completed. A summary report of the visits was provided to the Commission earlier in the week and Chair Belting congratulated Beeman on doing a great job. Beeman thanked the Commission and noted that many of the businesses are busy this time of year making it difficult to schedule more visits until after the first of the year 2015 when the visits will pick up again. Beeman reported that many of the businesses are reporting an increase in their numbers over last year and some are still recovering from the "Great Recession". Albert's Organic Foods is relocating mid -summer 2015 to Prescott, Wisconsin. They are constructing a 300,000 Sq. Ft. facility. Chair Belting asked if the company owned the building or if they were leasing and asked about how many square feet the space was. Beeman reported that the company is leasing the space and he didn't know square footage off hand, but has the exact square footage number in his office. Beeman reported that he is in regular contact with the building owners to fill the vacancy. EDC Minutes December 19, 2014 Page 3 of 5 Beeman reported that he has made contact with over 70 businesses in health and welfare visits. Beeman explained the difference between formal BR&E visits and health and welfare visits, noting that appointments are made and tours provided by the company in BR&E visits, while health and welfare visits are less formal giving the owner or manager on duty a chance to provide a quick snap shot of their business operations while allowing the city to establish a point of contact and learn of any issues the business might have that the city might be able to assist with. Beeman noted that some trends or common questions from businesses are about temporary signage, when County Road 10 will be renamed, and available lots and lease space. Overall, businesses are doing well. Beeman is working with a few companies in expansions, contractions, and relocations. While the expansions are normally positive for the community, it creates challenges in Mounds View due to the limited developable land availability. Beeman's goal is to meet with every business in the city the first year, about 130 total, then establish a regular schedule, meeting with at least one business per week, so as to stagger visits each annually Beeman provided an update from the December 10, 2014 Mounds View Business Council meeting, summarizing County Commissioner Blake Huffman's comments on the TCAAP development site, otherwise known as Rice Creek Commons. It is a 430 acre site purchased by Ramsey County for $28.5 million. It will be a city within a city becoming a premier spot for restaurants, entertainment, and grocery store chains. Over 1,400 housing units are expected to be built in the northeastern and northern edge of the site and about 4,000 residents, and 4,300 jobs. Beeman reported the breakdown of the zoning and number of acres dedicated for each type of zoning. Beeman noted, the City of Arden Hills will be adopting the TCAAP Master Plan and zoning code as soon as February 2016. Beeman also updated the Commission the I -35W & County Road H interchange project which will be completed in the spring of 2016 which will include a roundabout on the east side of 35W. The intersection of County Road 10 and County Road H will also be completed in 2016. 1- 35W and County Road I interchange is proposed to be completed in the spring of 2015 and will also include a roundabout on the TCAAP side. An intersection will be completed connecting the spine road through the TCAAP site to Highway 96. Finally, the 1-35W and Highway 96 interchange will be a divergent diamond intersection and is expected to be completed spring 2015. Coordinator Beeman provided updates on a number of other projects: Construction of the new Biolife facility is about 20% complete and is on track to open July 2015. It is a $6 million investment. Build to Suit, the developer, is also selling the 2.78 acre site north of the new Biolife facility and Beeman is working with a local company on an expansion project for the site. Snap Grocery Store, formerly known as Sam's, is renovating the building located at County Road I and Edgewood Drive. New refrigeration units have been installed to the new neighborhood grocery store. The business is expected to open after the first of the year. Beeman reported that Tom Frazen Sports Collectibles has moved from its Mounds View Square location to its new Edgewood Plaza location next to Carmike Cinema. They are using the vacant space adjacent to them for card shows and events. Chair Belting encouraged residents and other Commissioners to visit the store noting the high volume of merchandise and its appeal to sports minded individuals. EDC Minutes December 19, 2014 Page 4 of 5 State Farm Insurance Company has moved next to Subway sandwich shop and will open January 2015. Apple Tree Dental opened June 2014 adding $5 million investment to the community. They still need to complete the build -out on the second floor for their corporate offices in the next year or so. Bel Rae Senior Residential Facility is about 40% complete. Some of the units have been painted and electrical is being installed. They are still on schedule to open spring 2015. Ebenezer, the management company is leasing temporary space in the Community Center until the new building is built. Finally, Pat's Muffler Shop located at 2848 County Road 10 closed and the city has been receiving interest from car dealerships. Beeman reported that the city code currently doesn't allow those types of used for lots less than two acres. Beeman added that Tire's N More recently closed its business in Mounds View and has moved to Fridley. The current business owners own the building and are considering selling the building, however, no signs have been posted and the building is not listed for sale anywhere. Commissioner Birken complimented Coordinator Beeman on a good effort and job well done by visiting over 70 businesses in a short amount of time. Chair Belting also thanked Mr. Beeman noting the detailed reports, time, and dedication. Belting also saw humor in Beeman's staff reports when he read that some of the businesses thought he was an inspector at first, in some of his business visits. Beeman added that most of the businesses have been visited before but it has been a long time and others had not been visited. Once they realized that he was not an inspector, they were more open to Beeman's visits and they stated their appreciation for the city showing interest in their operations. Chair Belting asked when the 1-35W and Highway 96 interchange will be completed. Coordinator Beeman said the project is expected to be completed in 2015. Chair Belting thanked Beeman for providing such a complete update. 7. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS Chair Belting asked if any Commissioners had any questions for Coordinator Beeman or updates. The Commissioners didn't have questions for Beeman and didn't have any further updates. Chair Belting reported that the next meeting will be January 16, 2015. Gary Meehlhause, former EDC Member and current City Council Member, thanked Commissioner Birken for her service and noted his understanding for her needing to remove herself from the Commission having other priorities such as small children and praised her for serving on the Commission for the past year. Meehlhause also thanked Commissioner Paron, even though he was not present at the meeting, highlighting his rich family history in Mounds View. Finally, Meehlhause thanked Chair Belting for his many years of service, dedication, and support to him on the Commission and in becoming a City Council Member. He encouraged the other members to continue to serve the community as Commissioners and in attending the Mounds View Business Council meetings. EDC Minutes December 19, 2014 Page 5 of 5 8. NEXT REGULAR EDC MEETING — January 16, 2015 9. ADJOURN There being no further business, the December 19, 2014, meeting adjourned at 8:02 am. Respectfully submitted, Brian Beeman Business Development Coordinator