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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-30-01 Minutes of the Economic Development Commission City of Mounds View Ramsey County, Minnesota Regular Meeting November 30, 2001 City of Mounds View, Council Chambers 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 1. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:38 a.m. by Chairperson Tom Field. 2. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Dr. Greg Belting, Cindy Carlson, Torri Johnson, Wendy Marty, Tom Field and Stan McDonald Member Absent: None Staff Present: Community Development Director Jim Ericson 3. AP PROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion/Second: Carlson moved and Johnson seconded the approval of the September 21, 2001 EDC minutes Motion Carried: 6 Ayes 0 Nays 4. SPECIAL BUSINESS No special order of business was scheduled or discussed. 5. REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS, STAFF AND EDA LIAISON A. Commissioner Reports: Chairperson Field reported that he felt communication between the EDC and the EDA was disjointed and should somehow be improved. Carlson believed that the communication was better when there was an EDA Liaison. Director Ericson indicated he would bring this up with the EDA the next time it met. B. NB~MV Chamber of Commerce Update Commissioner Carlson gave a brief report regarding the Chamber, which will be holding elections for its positions. She had offered to become the next chairperson, replacing Dr. Greg Belting. Carlson discussed the Chamber’s “Gift of Knowledge” campaign and announced that there would be a Chamber lunch meeting on December 13, which will be more of a social function. The search continues for the executive director’s position; applications will be accepted through December 14th. C. Report of Staff 1. Mermaid Project Update: Director Ericson brought the Commissioners up to speed regarding the status of the Mermaid development. Construction activity continues to progress at a fast pace; the banquet facility is nearing completion. 2. EDA-owned 2091 Hillview Road: Director Ericson discussed the four-plex located at 2091 Hillview, the blighted rental property the EDA recently purchased from HUD. An RFP was sent out to area redevelopment and renovation specialists. Staff has shown the building to numerous parties and it is believed that a many suitable offers will be submitted. 3. New Businesses: Director Ericson informed the Commissioners Petter’s Warehouse Direct would be locating to Mounds View Square. Dr. Belting noted that he believed this was a relocation of the existing Petter’s at Highway 65 and Rice Creek Boulevard. The Commission also discussed Jake’s of Mounds View, the business that recently took over the Knotty Pines business. Commissioner McDonald asked if the EDC or the City should investigate why some businesses were closing, and if there was something that should be done proactively to help make businesses more viable in the community. 4. Economic Development Coordinator Position: Director Ericson announced that an offer was extended and accepted by an individual for this position. The offer is conditioned upon successful background and reference check and Council approval, which is slated for December 10th. His start date would be December 17th. Director Ericson indicated that this person has significant experience in the field and he will have much to offer Mounds View. 5. County Highway 10 Development Update: Director Ericson indicated that there have been many meetings of late regarding the County Highway 10 redevelopment project and that a final plan has not yet been decided. Ericson indicated that there have been discussions with Ramsey County regarding the MnDOT program dollars and the timing of the planned mill and overlay. Ericson also mentioned that additional speed limit signage would be going up as well as pedestrian signage. 6. Office of the State Auditor’s FINAL Letter of Non-Compliance: Director Ericson briefly reported that the City had received the OSA’s FINAL letter of noncompliance, which serves as their response to the City’s response to the original OSA letter of non- compliance. There is really nothing more the City can do but wait and see if the County Attorney will take any action on the findings. The County has one year to take action. If it does not, the OSA would forward the matter on to the state Attorney General’s office for action. 7. December EDC Meeting. Chair Field asked whether or not a December meeting of the EDC should be held, given the lack of any business. Director Ericson pointed out that while there was no pending business before the EDC, a meeting on December 21st (the next regularly scheduled meeting of the EDC) would give the EDC an opportunity to meet the new Economic Development Coordinator, and vice versa. Commissioner Carlson suggested the meeting could be less formal, more of a social gathering. The commissioners agreed this was a good idea. EDC Minutes November 30, 2001 Page 2 8. Open Seats on the EDC: Director Ericson pointed out that in addition to the seat recently vacated by Sean Walther, the terms of Commissioners Field, Carlson and Marty expire at the end of the year. Commissioner Marty and Carlson have indicated they will not be returning to the Commission due to other obligations and engagements. Commissioner Carlson mentioned that someone in her office would like to participate with the EDC. Chair Field announced that he was giving some thought to his continued participation and expressed some frustrations with what had turned out to be a less than productive year for the EDC. Commissioner Carlson applauded the efforts of Chairperson Field and encouraged him to continue in that role. Carlson’s sentiments were echoed by the rest of the Commissioners and by Director Ericson. 9. EDC BUSINESS No business was scheduled or discussed. 8. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Commission, Chair Field adjourned the November 30th meeting of the Economic Development Commission at 8:38 a.m. Respectfully Submitted, James Ericson Community Development Director N:\DATA\GROUPS\ECONDEV\EDC\Minutes\Min01\11-30-01.doc EDC Minutes November 30, 2001 Page 3