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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-19-2015 Minutes of the Economic Development Commission City of Mounds View Ramsey County, Minnesota Regular Meeting June 19, 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, Jim Freichels, Jessica Rieland, Royal Dahlstrom and Dan Larson Members Absent: Commissioner Laurie Shoop Staff Present: Business Development Coordinator, Brian Beeman Meeting Attendees: Council Member, Gary Meehlhause 3. APPROVAL OF JUNE 19, 2015, AGENDA Motion/Second: Commissioner Freichels moved and Commissioner Stevenson seconded the approval of the February 19, 2015, EDC agenda. Motion Carried: 6 Ayes, 0 Nays 4. APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 20, 2015, EDC MINUTES Motion/Second: Commissioner Stevenson moved and Commissioner Larson seconded the approval of the February 20, 2015 EDC minutes, as presented. Motion Carried: 6 Ayes, 0 Nays 5. EDC BUSINESS None 6. REPORTS OF STAFF Crossroad Point Redevelopment Prosect Business Development Coordinator, Beeman provided the Commission with an update on the Crossroad Pointe redevelopment site. Staff has been busy trying to attract developers to the site and has had contact with approximately 30 developers. Staff also met with four developers in cooperation with Ehler's, the city's financial consultant discussing all of the redevelopment sites in the city. Each of the developers rated Crossroad Pointe as the best site for redevelopment. EDC Minutes February 20, 2015 Page 2 of 7 The developer meetings led to a planned tour of select developer's facilities to be held June 29, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. The City Council, Planning Commission, Economic Development Commission, and city staff will attend with the purpose of viewing each developer's product, ask questions, and then determine which developer the city would prefer to develop Crossroad Pointe. Staff has advertised Crossroad Pointe on several free sites. One site provided approximately 130 hits. If these sites don't provide developer interest, staff may look at advertising on paid sites. Business Retention & Expansion Visit (BR&E) Updates Coordinator Beeman informed the Commission that he tries to visit at least one business each week with the goal of visiting all 150 this year. Business Retention & Expansion visits were completed with Central Transport and Apple Tree Dental. Beeman and EDC Chair, Jason Helgemoe visited Central Transport in June and found out that they will be moving in about a year because they outgrew their current space. Currently, they are on about 13 acres with 65 terminals and they are looking for 20 acres with about 85 terminals. The decision was not made locally; it was made at corporate headquarters in Michigan. Therefore, there was no control locally in the decision to move. Trucking companies are struggling to find qualified drivers because most trucking companies require at least two years of experience. In order to gain this experience new drivers must work in teams and be away from their families for extended periods of time. This hinders gaining the necessary driving experience. As a result, trucking companies are contracting with rail road companies to pick up the slack. However, many trucking companies have room for growth and if able to hire qualified drivers, they would continue expanding their operations. Chair Helgemoe added that the company is a fairly large national company and as a result, they don't have some of the local control over the decisions being made. Helgemoe stated, the company is looking for more land and Mounds View doesn't have the amount of land they require. However, trucking companies seem to be doing well, which is a good indicator that the economy is doing well. Helgemoe continued, stating the business didn't have anything bad to say and they are pleased with the city services. Beeman added, that another trucking company named Saia has purchased Central Transport's site and will be leasing it back to their competitor, Central Transport for about a year before taking over the site. Beeman reported that he also visited Apple Tree Dental. Apple Tree Dental will complete their second build out in the spring of 2016 as long as they can get the proper financing. Once completed, approximately 10-30 administrative staff will move from Coon Rapids to the Mounds View location creating a parking concern. They are in conversations with the movie theater to determine if they could possibly park in the theater's parking lot then use the city trail to access their building. Apple Tree Dental asked if the city had planned to install lighting along the path. Currently, the city does have plans for this. Another possibility is to park on both sides of Mounds View Drive. Another idea is to park at the Ramsey County Library with an agreement that the dental office would maintain the EDC Minutes February 20, 2015 Page 3 of 7 proposed trail from the library building to the existing city trail. However, this is only an idea at this point. Since the parking wouldn't be needed until next spring, there is still time to work out the details. Chair Helgemoe asked what is meant by maintaining. Beeman said it meant removing the snow, cutting the grass along the sides, and clearing the path when needed. Beeman said the County has the money to install the trail but they don't have anyone to maintain it once installed. Helgemoe said that he assumed Apple Tree Dental already had their own maintenance person anyway, so this seems reasonable. Commissioner Gary Stevenson mentioned there was already a trail in place that the city owns. Beeman clarified that the trail the library is considering would be a spur connecting the existing city trail to the library. Chair Helgemoe asked if Apple Tree Dental was staying busy. Beeman responded that when he was there it was very busy and they continue to grow. Beeman added there is a misperception that Apple Tree Dental only services special needs patients since they are a non-profit organization. Beeman clarified that Apple Tree Dental is open for anyone needing dental care even though they have specialized equipment like a chair lift and sliding chair and 3D x-ray machines and special payment plans. Helemoe added that they also accept all insurances. Silver View Plaza Coordinator Beeman updated the Commission on Silver View Plaza, stating that it was sold this spring, is under new ownership, and a new property management team. Beeman talked to the new property manager meeting in the vacant space and discussing options to fill the vacancy. Beeman also reviewed the list of $15,000 worth of improvements expected to be completed this year like new security lighting in the rear of the building and new overhead led lighting under the front awning. Beeman asked the property manager if the large sign along County Road 10 would be removed or improved. The property manager said the sign is in the 2016 budget and a decision will be made at that time. Chair Helgemoe said the Silver View property has been a challenge in past years to get the property owners to make any improvements like Pastor Enterprises did a number of years ago across the street in Mounds View Square. So this news is promising. Beeman reported that the property manager tried to convince Fantastic Sam's to move into the vacant space so the school district could take the entire east half of the building. However, Fantastic Sam's hasn't been interested in moving due to cost and other reasons not given. Rice Creek Commons (TCAAP) Development Update Next, Coordinator Beeman provided an update on anticipated improvements relating to Rice Creek Commons. An aerial picture was posted for the Commission to review. Beeman stated that most of the businesses were in agreement of the County Road H improvements and that the County had tried to contact the owner of Lucky's Gas Station EDC Minutes February 20, 2015 Page 4 of 7 numerous times with the owner not returning calls or emails. As a result, the County conducted a study to determine if fuel trucks could still access the site and make their turns if both accesses were shut off. The County concluded that the fuel trucks could still make the turns and needed to move forward with the project despite the owner of Lucky's not returning messages. Beeman said this will be a major improvement with turning lanes at the intersection of County Road H and 10, a roundabout east of 35W Auto Repair, a new modern bridge over 1-35W, and access to the regional trail system. Ramsey County and the Minnesota Department of Transportation are still finalizing the plans. Chair Helgemoe asked if a stop light would be added on Old Hwy 8 near the Mermaid. Beeman reported that from the latest information the County did not plan to include a stop light at that intersection. Commissioner Dahlstrom asked about County Road 1. Beeman stated that Ramsey County is still considering their options for that intersection and most of the discussion revolved around County Road H. Commissioner Freichels asked if the sound wall would be installed. Council Member Meehlhause stated that the sound wall is only for 1-35W and not to Hwy 10 as part of this project. Commissioner Freichels raised his concerns for the anticipated increase in traffic from Old Hwy 8 to the intersection of County Road 10 & H. He would like to see a stop light at the Old Hwy 8 & County Road H intersection. Commissioner Helgemoe stated that the distance from that intersection to County Road 10 is short and perhaps that is one reason the County decided against the stop light. Freichels suggested it was most likely the result of costs and a lack of County resources. Mounds View Project Updates Commissioner Rieland provided an update on the Bio Life building project. Bio Life will take possession of the new building in July and exterior signs where installed this week. The only other issue is the address. They will be processing donors in August with a grand opening expected in September. Coordinator Beeman further explained the addressing issue stating that the County left old signs, each with different wording, which confuses people. Some businesses are using three variations of County Road 10; Hwy 10, County 10, and Hwy 10 NE. Medtronic and Sysco are located near Hwy 10. Otherwise, Mounds View doesn't have any businesses on Hwy 10. They are all located on County Road 10. Businesses have been complaining that their patients and customers can't find them because Google Maps and other mapping aps don't recognize the different addressing versions. Staff contacted the U.S. Postal Service because they stopped delivery to the new Bel Rae Senior Living who was using County 10 on their address. The Post Office is delivering mail by referencing the old county signage which is out dated, causing further confusion. There is also controversy on what to officially name County Road 10. In the past, Mounds View Boulevard was suggested among other names. However, what happens when the road also passes through Coon Rapids Boulevard, and Spring Lake Park, EDC Minutes February 20, 2015 Page 5 of 7 etc.? Also, the signs were estimated at around $800,000 to update. The issue comes down to funding. Commissioner Helgemoe said the State engineers came up with the estimate and in the past Mounds View has worked with the City of Blaine and Spring Lake Park to come up with an agreed name called North Town Boulevard. New sign specifications and mounting, as well as the length of the name, footings, etc. increased the cost. Commissioner Dahlstrom suggested staff work with Google to update the mapping Apps with new tags. Helgemoe said the GPS services use different database services. So, staff would need to contact all of the services like TomTom and Garmin, etc. Commissioner Freichels, said, if business are advertising old addresses on websites, then he could see where this would be a heartache for customers. Beeman stated that if staff spent the time contacting all of the businesses to change their address to County Road 10 then the name gets changed once again, businesses will be starting all over with new addressing. Dahlstrom suggested that businesses should be checking where the hits are happening, whether it is Google or TomTom, etc. then telling them of the updated address so each business can contact the App companies to update their system. Coordinator Beeman reported that the Bel Rae ribbon cutting ceremony was well attended and this weekend is their public open house. Anyone is welcome to park at City Hall or the Community Center. Shuttle busses will be running back and forth from the parking areas to the Bel Rae facility where they will have food and entertainment. The event runs from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. They are over 30% occupied. Snyder Building Beeman reported that filling the Snyder building is a continual challenge. The price of $2.4 million is the main reason the building still hasn't sold. Beeman has received a number of inquiries, however as soon as they hear the price, they either laugh or simply walk away. Chair Helgemoe said the property has been sitting there for a long time and believed the price was about three times the market rate. He also asked if the building was currently leased. Beeman said when he talked to the realtor, she indicated it was not leased but they are asking $14 per square foot plus utilities and taxes which is still too high for this area. Beeman said he'll continue to market the property, however until they decide to move down on the price, he anticipates the building will continue to sit vacant. Helgemoe asked if anyone could expand towards the public works area. Beeman said there is a water well in that area with an easement and a new public works building will be constructed next year on the property. Helgemoe asked about the area across the street near the church. Beeman said that is a wetland area and mitigation may be cost prohibitive. Mounds View Business Council Meeting Beeman said he had already provided the EDC an update of last month's Mounds View Business Council meeting in the latest monthly update and there will be no meetings this summer. The next meeting will be held in September. EDC Minutes February 20, 2015 Page 6 of 7 Other Upcoming Events Beeman reported that Music in the Park started last night, followed by Movies in the Park. Commissioner Dahlstrom attended both events and provided an update, stating there were about 100 people in attendance and the movie ended about 10:30 p.m. It was fun, nice to have a community event. Viewing the movie was better abound 9:00 when it was darker, however he acknowledged that kids do need to get to bed to start the next day and the event was a nice way to utilize the park. Beeman added the Movies in the Park was rained out a week or so earlier and that is why both events were the same night. Dahlstrom commented that the Facebook updates were a big help to inform the public of the change. Beeman said the next Music in the Park will be held July 16 at 6:30 p.m. in Silver View Park. The Teddy Bear Band will be playing and all kids are encouraged to bring their teddy bears. The country band, Two Hicks and a Chick will be playing August 20 at 7:30 p.m. at Silver View Park. 7. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS Chair Helgemoe asked for reports from Commissioners. There being no reports, Helgemoe reported there may be an increase of traffic this weekend due to the Back to the 50's event at the fairgrounds. The event is held each year. Freichels mentioned that they normally have security to direct traffic and staging is done at the Mermaid. Helgemoe reported that the Mounds View Business Council will not meet in June, July, or August and will start again in September. 8. NEXT REGULAR EDC MEETING —July 17, 2015 if needed. 9. ADJOURN All Commissioners said they should be able to make it to the next meeting. Chair Helgemoe asked Business Development Coordinator Beeman his thoughts on holding meetings if there are no actionable items. Helgemoe thought the Commission could meet on the County Road 10 issue or other projects if needed. Beeman provided that he doesn't mind meeting if that is what the Commission desires, however he doesn't want to waste the Commission's time either. If it is only an update and something he can email to the Commission he is fine doing that if the Commission would prefer that over a meeting. Beeman suggested they break for the summer then hold a meeting in the fall unless something happens with the Crossroad Pointe development. Helgemoe said the meeting can be held as needed then asked for any other comments from Commissioners. Chair Helgemoe asked if a motion was needed to adjourn the meeting. Beeman read Robert's Rules of Order and concluded that the Chair can either state that the meeting is adjourned or ask for a motion whichever the Chair prefers. There being no further business, the June 19, 2015, meeting adjourned at 8:22 a.m. EDC Minutes February 20, 2015 Page 7 of 7 Respectfully submitted, 9V& Brian Beeman Business Development Coordinator