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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-01-2002 Minutes of the Economic Development Commission City of Mounds View Ramsey County, Minnesota Regular Meeting February 1, 2002 City of Mounds View, Council Chambers 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 1. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:35 a.m. by Chairperson Tom Field. 2. INTRODUCTION & SWEARING IN OF NEW COMMISSION MEMBERS: Staff member Backman proceeded with the swearing in of David Fox and Jason Helgemoe. 3. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Dr. Greg Belting, Tom Field, Torri Johnson, Stan McDonald, Dave Fox, and Jason Helgemoe Member Absent: None Staff Present: Economic Development Coordinator Aaron Backman Community Development Director Jim Ericson 4. APPROVAL OF EDC MINUTES: Motion/Second: Dr. Belting moved and Johnson seconded the approval of the November 30, 2001 EDC minutes. Motion Carried: 6 Ayes 0 Nays 5. SPECIAL BUSINESS A. Election of 2002 Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. Commissioner Field made a motion to nominate Dr. Belting as the Chairperson for 2002. Seconded by Commissioner McDonald. Motion carried: 6 Ayes 0 Nays Chairperson Belting made a motion to nominate Torri Johnson as the Vice Chairperson for 2002. Seconded by Commissioner McDonald. Motion carried: 6 Ayes 0 Nays 6. REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS, STAFF AND EDA LIAISON A. Commissioner Reports: Backman became the City’s new Economic Development Coordinator in December. He expressed his appreciation for the welcome he has received from City staff and looks forward to working with the Commissioners to promote business development. EDC Minutes February 1, 2002 Page 2 B. Report of EDA Liaison: The Mounds View City Council has agreed that Mayor Rich Sonterre will be the EDA Liaison during 2002. He was not available for today’s meeting. C. NB-MV Chamber of Commerce Update: Chairperson Belting indicated that the New Brighton-Mounds View Chamber has hired a new President, Jim Witkowski, who started last month. His goal is to increase membership and reinvigorate the Chamber, which has been without a President for much of 2001. Cindy Carlson is the new Chairperson for the Chamber Board of Directors. D. Report of Staff: 1. Mermaid Project Update: Backman relayed that the $9.0+ million Banquet and Hotel expansion at the Mermaid is about 70% completed. This is a big deal for the community in terms of tourism and other services that will benefit. He added that the City’s role includes approving $815,000 in revenue bonds last fall. 2. Highway 10 Revitalization Plan Update: Ericson indicated that the City of Mounds View was moving forward with the development of a Master Plan. Greg Lee, Public Works Director and Ericson met with URS/BRW, the Minneapolis consulting company, this week regarding changes to the plan. The idea is to present a plan that improves safety, provides street realignments, signs, crosswalks and trails. An open house is slated for the middle of March. 3. Sale of 2091 Hillview Road Property: Ericson highlighted that this four-plex is located in the northeast portion of the city. Closing on the sale is slated for late February. The main priority was for the EDA to sell the building to a housing group that was experienced in purchasing property, renovating and operating housing stock. The EDA purchased the property for $80,000 and is selling it for $100,100. The acquiring group selected is investing over $235,000 into the property for purchase and renovation. 4. I-35W Corridor Coalition: Backman mentioned that the I-35W Corridor Coalition is an organization of seven contiguous cities to the north of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The communities (Arden Hills, Blaine, Circle Pines, Mounds View, New Brighton, Roseville, and Shoreview) seek to address issues that cross municipal boundaries. These subregional issues include transportation, housing, GIS, and workforce. Ericson noted that as the Twin Cities metro area grows, a good portion of it will occur in the north metro area. A Build-Out Study is underway now and will be presented before the EDC when completed. 5. Mounds View Square Developments: Backman spoke about the Grand Opening yesterday by Petters Warehouse, now the largest tenant (22,000 sq. ft.) in Mounds View Square. He and Ericson met with Ken Henk, Director of Development for Paster Enterprises (owner of EDC Minutes February 1, 2002 Page 3 the shopping center). They are working with several prospective businesses to fill up the remaining vacancies. 6. Minneapolis Metro North CVB Annual Meeting: The Minneapolis Metro North Convention & Visitors Bureau promotes economic growth for its north metro members as a preferred destination for events, meetings, and tourism. Funding for the Bureau’s operation is derived from a 3% lodging tax assessed by hotels on rooms. Mounds View is the newest member of the CVB, joining Anoka, Blaine, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Coon Rapids, Fridley, Maple Grove and Shoreview. Backman attended the Metro No. CVB’s annual meeting on January 13th and represents the City on the Board. 7. 2002 Public Finance Seminar: Backman will be attending a public finance seminar focusing on Tax Increment Financing (TIF) put on by Ehlers & Associates at the Earl Brown Center in Brooklyn Park on February 7th & 8th. Chairperson Belting requested that it would be beneficial for the Commission to receive information regarding TIF. 7. EDC BUSINESS A. Consideration of Resolution 01-EDC-33 setting the 2002 Meeting Schedule: Backman raised the subject of meeting dates and times, and whether the Commission would prefer to keep meeting on the third Friday of each month at 7:30 a.m. All indicated that the present meeting schedule was satisfactory. Commissioner Johnson moved to approve the proposed 2002 meeting schedule, with the February meeting occurring on February 1st instead of the February 15th. Seconded by Commissioner McDonald. Motion Carried: 6 Ayes 0 Nays B. TIF District Developer Payment Issues: On a semiannual basis (2/1 & 8/1) the City makes TIF payments to developers who have developed properties for industrial, commercial & housing projects. Currently we are making payments for the following projects: C.G. Hill, Building N, Silver Lake Pointe, Midwest I.V., and Zep Manufacturing. In reviewing the Development Assistance Agreements, Backman noticed some apparent discrepancies in what was paid and what should have been paid. Two of the payments (Bridges Leasing Co. for Midwest I.V., and Kenmark Partnership for Zep Manuf.) were determined to be appropriate and were authorized by the City. The other three are being reviewed. More complete information regarding these payments will be provided for the March EDC meeting. C. Developer/Business Meetings: Backman spoke of his priority to meet with the businesses in the community. Within the current economic climate some sectors have been doing better than others. He mentioned several businesses that he has toured and met with management. D. Discuss Disetronic Medical Systems Retention: Backman indicated that this medical device company located in Bldg. N is a business to keep an eye on. It has grown from 25+ employees to over 120 during the past three years. It is close to running out of space, however, it has not been able to come to terms with the building owner to expand into more of the building or to purchase the building. Backman has met with Disetronic officials and representatives of Everest Development. Chairperson Belting appreciated Backman’s efforts. He indicated that the EDC needs to be proactive on businesses like this and that we should be ready to do retention visits or other steps to keep the business growing in Mounds View. Commissioner Field pointed out the need for clear communication between the City (EDA) and the EDC on projects and issues. EDC Minutes February 1, 2002 Page 4 8. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Commission, Chair Belting adjourned the February 1st meeting of the Economic Development Commission at 8:40 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Aaron Backman Economic Development Coordinator N:\DATA\GROUPS\ECONDEV\EDC\Minutes\Min02\2-1-02.doc