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Home My WebLink About10-18-2002 Minutes of the Economic Development Commission City of Mounds View Ramsey County, Minnesota Regular Meeting October 18, 2002 City of Mounds View, Council Chambers 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 1. CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Greg Belting called the meeting to order at 7:42 a.m. 2. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Dr. Greg Belting, Tom Field, Dave Fox, Jason Helgemoe, Torri Johnson, and Stan McDonald Members Absent: None. Staff Present: Economic Development Coordinator Aaron Backman Others Present: Community Development Director Jim Ericson EDA Liaison Rich Sonterre 3. APPROVAL OF EDC MINUTES: Motion/Second: Johnson moved and McDonald seconded the approval of the August 16, 2002 EDC minutes as amended. Motion Carried: 6 Ayes 0 Nays 4. SPECIAL BUSINESS No Special Business Scheduled. 5. REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS, STAFF AND EDA LIAISON A. Commissioner Reports: Fox inquired about whether the tent by the Mermaid complex is a permanent structure. Backman indicated that it was a three-season tent used for lunches/receptions and not a permanent structure. Field asked if the Mermaid tent is setting a precedence in the City. Ericson responded that at this point it is unregulated, but there are ongoing discussions regarding the matter. B. Report of EDA Liaison: Mayor Sonterre stated that the City hosted a Commissions Appreciation Dinner last night at the M.V. Community Center. The event recognizes the contributions of citizens that serve on the various bodies. Certificates of Appreciation were given last night to Johnson and McDonald. Sonterre distributed Certificates to the rest of the Commission members. EDC Minutes October 18, 2002 Page 2 C. TCN Chamber of Commerce Update: Backman has attended various committee meetings and Board meetings on August 23rd and September 27th. The merger process continues to go well. Jim Witkowski has been relocated to the Chamber office in Fridley and serves as the Gaming Manager. The Chamber is contracting with Minnesota Gaming Services to improve gaming operational procedures and financial reporting. Backman the financial trends of the gaming operations at Jake’s in New Brighton and Mounds View. D. Report of Staff: 1. Manufactured Home Park Revitalization Application Process: Backman set up a meeting on August 22nd to sort out program parameters and relationships among Ramsey, HRC, and the City re this program. He remained in contact with Jennifer Bergman, Program Director of the Housing Resource Center in Shoreview. The role of the HRC will include application processing, income verification, loan documentation, construction monitoring, and other administrative activities. A follow-up meeting was held on September 10th with HRC to finalize the program guidelines and householder applications for assistance. Applications were available beginning September 16th at HRC, Site Manager’s office (now Jacki Pearson), and City Hall. Since that time 24 households have sent notices of intent to participate in the program; over a dozen households have picked up applications (for rehab and for acquisition of new units); and five households have qualified for financial assistance. 2. Metro North CVB Board Meeting: Backman participated in the quarterly Board meeting on September 11th. The major focus of the meeting was the 2003 budget and what areas to cut in light of lower revenues. The CVB Executive Director had recommended cutting the budget by 12% or $173,000. Ultimately the Board decided to adopt an 8% reduction and tap additional cash reserves. Some of the monies added back were designated for amateur sports promotion (an area of tourism less affected by 9/11, etc.). Backman also discussed with the CVB the makeup of the hotel reps on the Board and the need for greater representation by certain communities. 3. Hwy 10 Business Center (Abbey Carpet) Project Update: The Planning Commission approved the conditional use permit for the Hwy 10 Business Center on September 4th and the City Council approved their permit on September 23rd. The appraiser should be done this week. Village Bank of Blaine will be the lead lender for the project. Soil testing occurred two days ago. 4. Community Center & Mermaid Collaboration Discussion: A collaboration meeting was held at the Mermaid complex on September 30th. Those in attendance included, Cindy W inegarner (Mermaid), Rich Sonterre, Kathleen Miller, Dabney Bradley, Shannon Roepke, and Backman. Following a tour of the facilities, we discussed current marketing activities and areas that could be improved. Catering activities were discussed and coordination of future activities (eg. holding a joint bridal fair in February, 2003 5. Colonial Craft—Development Activities: Colonial Craft is moving forward with its lease commitment for Building I and relocation from Roseville to Mounds View. On August 29th, Quanex, the parent company, signed off on the lease. It will occupy 122,000 sq. ft. of production/office space, 50% more space than what the company currently has in the Twin Cities. During September the City issued permits for renovation of Building I. Northco is renovating the space and expects to be completed the last week of November. EDC Minutes October 18, 2002 Page 3 6. SYSCO Minnesota Expansion—Development Activities: The City has approved SYSCO’s Development Plan on Monday of this week. Construction is expected to begin at the end of the month. 7. Community Resource Guide—NovoPrint USA: The narrative regarding the City of Mounds View and an ad were submitted to the Chamber and NovoPrint (the printer) the last week of September. 8. I-35W Corridor Coalition Insert in Twin Cities Business Monthly: The Coalition continues to work on getting corporate sponsors for this 24-page insert. Backman indicated that he has interacted with and obtained commitments from the Mermaid and Wells Fargo. 6. EDC BUSINESS A. Development Assistance Tools and their Application: Backman discussed the current economic development tools in the City of Mounds View—Business Improvement Partnership Program, TIF, and Tax Abatement. He raised the idea of looking at other funding programs that would not have the many restrictions that TIF currently has. After an extended discussion, it was the consensus of the members that Backman would seek additional information regarding Tax Abatement and how other cities are utilizing it. B. Economic Development & Site Selection Conference: Backman attended the Site Selection Conference on October 8th at the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis. He thought the various sessions were useful. C. MV Boards & Commissions Appreciation Dinner: Covered under EDA Liaison report. D. Culver’s Restaurant—Prospect Activities: Culver’s Restaurant—purchase completed with St. Anthony, so therefore Mounds View would be the fourth location for Sparks. Demolition of the old Hardee’s has occurred in St. Anthony, but no construction has started there. E. Other: Broker from United Properties called regarding a prospective printing business that is considering Mounds View. Mr. Rob Kost indicates that the businessman needs 4,000 sq. ft. of space and wishes to own the building. 8. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Commission, Chair Belting adjourned the October 18th (Johnson moved, Fox seconded motion) meeting of the EDC 8:58 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Aaron A. Backman Economic Development Coordinator \\Ntserver\CityHall\DATA\GROUPS\ECONDEV\EDC\Minutes\Min02\10-18-02.doc