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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-20-2015 Minutes of the Economic Development Commission City of Mounds View Ramsey County, Minnesota Regular Meeting February 20, 2015 City of Mounds View, Council Chambers 2401 County Road 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Jason Helgemoe called the meeting to order at approximately 7:30 a.m. 2. ROLL CALL Members Present: Chair Jason Helgemoe and Commissioners, Gary Stevenson, Jessica Rieland, Royal Dahlstrom, and Laurie Shoop Members Absent: Commissioner Jim Freichels Staff Present: Business Development Coordinator, Brian Beeman 3. APPROVAL OF JANUARY 16, 2015, AGENDA Motion/Second: Commissioner Stevenson moved and Commissioner Dahlstrom seconded the approval of the January 16, 2015, EDC agenda. Motion Carried: 6 Ayes, 0 Nays 4. APPROVAL OF JANUARY 16, 2015, EDC MINUTES Motion/Second: Commissioner Dahlstrom moved and Commissioner Stevenson seconded the approval of the January 16, 2015 EDC minutes, as presented. Motion Carried: 6 Ayes, 0 Nays 5. EDC BUSINESS Administer Oath of Office Acting Chair Helgemoe called for the oaths of office. Business Development Coordinator Brian Beeman administered the oath of office for Commissioner Laurie Shoop. Bel Rae Senior Living Update Coordinator Beeman reported that representatives from the Bel Rae Senior Living project were in attendance to provide and update. Kelly Royten, Executive Director, Miriam Aaland, Director of Sales and Outreach, and Heather Harstad, an Owner Liaison, reported that the facility will be managed by Ebenezer and developed by Hart Development. They are expecting to receive the EDC Minutes February 20, 2015 Page 2 of 6 certificate of occupancy the first of April, at which point, the Ebenezer leasing office will be moved to the new facility and staff orientation will begin. Construction is nearing completion with cabinets and internal features being installed. There are 65 independent and assisted living apartments. Residents can stay in their room for life and still receive both independent and assisted living services as needed. One and two bedrooms will be offered ranging from 410 to 995 square feet and featuring full-size kitchen appliances, ample storage, walk-in closets, and in-unit laundry. The 32 memory care apartments will consist of two secure neighborhoods with 16 pods and dedicated outdoor spaces, open plan studios and one-bedrooms ranging from 410 to 525 square feet. The units surround the commons area where the meals and activities take place. The common spaces consist of a community room, rooftop deck & garden, movie theater, hair salon & spa room, library with public computer, guest suite for visitors, a craft room & workshop, fitness center with physical training equipment, heated underground parking, and a bus for group outings. Three meals per day will be offered with a variety of menu choices. Memory care services include dedicated specially trained staff offering 24/7 care and specialized abilities based activity programming. Both memory care and independent living rental leases are month to month. The independent living includes heat, electricity, internet and satellite T.V. services. Assisted living rentals include a large menu of homecare services, three-chef prepared meals a day, Wi-Fi-enabled pendant system, enriching activities and programing, weekly housekeeping and laundry. Ebenezer management services are part of the Fairview Health Services providing senior services since 1917. Fairview provides homecare and hospice, a visiting physician group for general care, and also affiliated with the Alzheimer's Association, and partnered with the University of Minnesota & Medical Center. Ebenezer has been receiving several phone calls with residents interested in the new facility. Eleven units have been rented consisting of 16 people. Many couples have shown interest. The Good Times Club membership will be offered acting as a founders group for the first group of renters. An informational session will be held February 27 at 10 a.m. and residents can call 763.784.7863 or go the website, www.belraeseniorliving.com. On site tours will begin April with a Grand Opening celebration June 20, 2015. A ribbon cutting ceremony is also being planned; however, no dates have been set. Chair Helgemoe thanked the presenters and asked Commissioners if there were any questions. Helgemoe asked what the price point would be for a two bedroom rental. The presenters reported that the two bedroom price is $2,200 for independent living. Helgemoe asked the price for studios. The price is $1,200 to $2,800 depending on square footage and amenities like decks etc. Helgemoe asked about the rooftop garden. The presenters clarified that they were raised gardens and not part of the roofline. Helgemoe asked about vacancy levels. It was reported that with the strong interest, Ebenezer believes they are ahead of schedule and should stay on track by the time they open. Ebenezer has also been receiving many calls about job availability. They are actively hiring and anyone interested should go to, www.fairviewebenezer.org or call the EDC Minutes February 20, 2015 Page 3 of 6 phone number on the website. There being no further questions, Chair Helgemoe thanked the group for presenting. Review EDC Bylaws Chair Helgemoe called for the review of the ECD By-laws. Business Coordinator Brian Beeman informed the Commission that according to City Code, the EDC bylaws should be reviewed at the first regular meeting in February of each year. The last time the bylaws were amended was in 2002. Helgemoe asked if any Commissioner recommends any changes to the bylaws. Staff's recommendation was to leave the bylaws as-is. Hearing no changes, Chair Helegoe called for a motion to approve the bylaws as-is. Motion/Second: Commissioner Larson made a motion and Commissioner Shoop seconded the motion to approve they bylaws as-is. 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 the Crossroad Pointe redevelopment site. Coordinator Beeman is waiting to hear back from three developers who have shown interest in the site and staff will be contacting the developers again in March. If there is no interest, staff will conduct another marketing push to developers in an attempt to gain interest in the site. Coordinator Beeman informed the Commission that Business Retention & Expansion visits were completed with Quanex and Allegiance Fitness and another visit is planed with Medtronic immediately following the EDC meeting. Businesses are still recovering from the recession with retail growing slower than the manufacturing industry. Many businesses have had issues with theft, however business are pleased with the Police response. Businesses are generally pleased with the city and its services. Staff always does a follow-up with business owners who have questions or needs. Beeman reported that the pharmacy chain, CVS is showing strong numbers and adding stores across the country. Beeman reminded the Commissioners that the Tires N More building is up for sale at $550,000, Pat's Muffler is for sale for $350,000, and the Silverview Plaza is for sale listed at $3.8 million. Colliers International of Minnetonka has all three listings. Staff is gathering information for the area as a possible redevelopment site so that when the time comes, staff will be ready with the information for the area. Chair Helgemoe asked about the current zoning for the area. Beeman reported that it is B-2 and B-3, Commissioner Stevenson confirmed. Heidi Heller, Planning Associate, who was in the audience, provided specific uses that could be constructed in the area such as retail, auto repair, office, and said the area has a lot of flexibility, but no manufacturing would be allowed. Commissioner Dahlstrom asked if the city was actively encouraging existing businesses that have outgrown their facilities to fill space in other areas of the EDC Minutes February 20, 2015 Page 4 of 6 city. Beeman reported that he has a list of all properties available in the city, including the number of square feet, prices for sale and lease, as well as other information bringing it with him as he meets with businesses. Once he understands the business's needs he conducts follow-ups and he is proactive in this effort. Beeman provided an update on the Rice Creek Commons (TCAAP) site stating, that there is a new website for the development area and anyone interested is encouraged to view the new website at http://ricecreekcommons.com. Local businesses recently attended a preliminary construction planning meeting February 2, 2015 and raised their concern with the proposed closure of Clifton Drive and a driveway at McDonalds. Jim Ericson, City Administrator sent a letter to the County expressing the city's concern with the closures. As of the February EDC meeting the city has not received a response and is requesting that the county provide an alternative to the closures. Chair Helgemoe asked if they would be changing the Park N Ride configuration. Beeman stated that the road is expected to have a slight modification and the circle roadway that is currently being used as an on-ramp to 1-35 will be closed. Commissioner Dahlstrom expressed his concern with the effects on businesses if the Park N Ride is closed for construction. Beeman said he would bring it to the county's attention. Commissioner Shoop raised her concern with turning into the gas station at the first turn after the light, with a number of accidents in the past. People are traveling fast and there isn't a turn lane. She wanted to know if it would make more sense to close off the two small entrances to the gas station and leave Clifton Drive. Beeman stated that the county plans to construct five lanes at that intersection which will allow for turning lanes and the plans are preliminary allowing time for changes if the county allows them. Commissioner Rieland provided an update on the Biolife construction project, stating that construction is ahead of schedule and they will gain access to the building in July. Move in is planned for August 17. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony in September. Reiland will start receiving update calls starting March 10 and can provide more details at that time. Beeman showed the Commission a series of pictures on the progress of the building. Coordinator Beeman provided an update on Snap Market, stating that they are open for business and working out arraignments to install a new sign and obtain garbage service. Beeman also showed the Commission a marketing video for the North Metro Community Home & Garden Show to be held Saturday February 28, 2015 at the National Sports Center's Sport Expo Center in Blaine. Beeman informed the Commissioners that the information and link has been posed to the city's Facebook site and admission is free. Beeman reported that he has been in regular contact with the realtor who has listed the vacant Snyder building. The listing information was provided in the packet. Several businesses have shown interest in the building; however the price and lack of parking are recurring issues, which means that restaurants would not be able to locate at the site limiting the options to retail businesses. Chair Helgemoe expressed his concern with the price, recognizing that not much could be done if the prices are set by the corporation in Canada. Beeman concurred, and informed the Commission that he remains proactive in trying to fill vacancies. Beeman has contacted Silverview Plaza, Mounds View Square, and Edgewood Plaza on several occasions for a variety of possibilities and he has recently attempted to get the building owners interested in a vitamin shop among other EDC Minutes February 20, 2015 Page 5 of 6 types of businesses. Beeman informed the Commission of the vacancies in each location stating his efforts to stay on the forefront identifying which business are coming in and leaving. Commissioner Stevenson made the statement that this is a challenging job with Helgemoe concurring. Helgemoe asked if anything was being done with redevelopment efforts just north of the Tires N More area. Beeman informed the Commission that he is actively working on gathering information about that area as a future redevelopment site stating that the Crossroad Pointe redevelopment site would need to be sold first, and then those monies could be used to purchase the parcels in the Tires N More area. Once that site has been developed, then those monies could be used to purchase parcels across County Road 10, north of the Tires N More area. Beeman has been in contact with a resident showing interest in one of the parcels to build a new single family home. A couple of the parcels are in tax forfeiture and a housing redevelopment project would seem to make more sense in that area. Beeman and Heidi Heller, Planning Associate, took two Ramsey County Economic Development employees on a tour of Mounds View showing them potential redevelopment sites and gathering information on funding opportunities for each project. Beeman is exploring options for Tax Increment Financing, Tax Abatement, County, Met-Council, and State financing options. Beeman reported that the more he is in contact with several of the businesses, the more follow-up is needed, and stressed the importance of staying ahead of any business moving into or leaving the city and understanding how it affects the community with the number of jobs etc. Commissioner Dahlstrom asked who a business owner would talk to if they were moving into the community or expanding. Beeman informed the Commission that he is the point of contact for any business wanting to locate to Mounds View. Beeman can work with small, medium, and large companies. He has done business planning, and can assist with financial incentives and lease/buy space among other types of business information and assistance. If the business needs more detailed information on zoning, setbacks, conditional use permits, etc., then Heidi Heller, Planning Associate is able to answer those types of questions and if needed, Jim Ericson, City Administrator can be brought in once the business gets to that stage. 7. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS Hearing no further questions, Chair Helgemoe asked if there were any reports from Commissioners. Hearing none, Helgemoe provided an update on the Mounds View Business Council. Helgemoe is working on getting an Economist from the Federal Reserve to speak at the next Business Council meeting in March. All meetings are held at the Mounds View Community Center at 7:30 a.m. the second Wednesday of each month. The Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce is holding their Annual Gala March 19. Council Member, Gary Meehlhause provided an update on the County Road H project slated for 2016 from an open house he and Council Member Sherry Gunn had attended, including a new County Road H off ramp from 1-35 W. The intersection at County H and 10 will be a huge improvement with controlled left hand turning lanes, making it much safer to make turns. If going east on County Road H, there will be a designated right hand turning lane, The City Council met to discuss the proposed road closures that would affect some of our local businesses as discussed earlier in the EDC meeting. The EDC Minutes February 20, 2015 Page 6 of 6 County and MNDOT is also talking about a light signal at Old County 8 and H. Also, the Council talked about rehabilitating Mustang Circle slated for this year. A public meeting will be held Monday night February 23, 2015 at the Council meeting because assessments are being considered for those businesses near the road improvement. This would affect Commissioner Freichel's business as well. Coordinator Beeman informed the Commission that if there are no actionable items and/or enough content to hold a meeting in the future, then staff may send out an update through email. The Commissioners were in agreement that if there isn't a reason to meet, then an email update would be fine. Chair Helgemoe requested that if any Commissioner knows that they will be gone for any upcoming meetings, then they should notify Coordinator Beeman. 8. NEXT REGULAR EDC MEETING — March 20, 2015 9. ADJOURN There being no further business, the February 20, 2015, meeting adjourned at 8:30 a.m. Motion/Second: Commissioner Stevenson made a motion and Commissioner Shoop seconded the motion to adjourn. Motion Carried: 6 Ayes, 0 Nays Respectfully submitted, Brian Beeman Business Development Coordinator