Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-19-2002 Minutes of the Economic Development Commission City of Mounds View Ramsey County, Minnesota Regular Meeting April 19, 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 7:35 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: EDA Liaison Rich Sonterre 3. APPROVAL OF EDC MINUTES: Motion/Second: McDonald moved and Johnson seconded the approval of the March 27, 2002 EDC minutes. Motion Carried: 6 Ayes 0 Nays 4. SPECIAL BUSINESS No Special Business Scheduled. 5. REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS, STAFF AND EDA LIAISON A. Commissioner Reports: There were no reports. B. Report of EDA Liaison: Mayor Rich Sonterre spoke on behalf of the EDA and City Council. He indicated that not enough attention has been given to development issues in the past. The City Council is anxious to get back to the business of the city, including reviewing the Comprehensive Plan, considering new development opportunities, and accomplishing other goals. C. NB-MV Chamber of Commerce Update: Backman reviewed the ongoing challenges with the Chamber—declining membership (currently there are 116 paid members, at one time there were over 160), operational debt and no financial reserves, and reduced member participation in committees. He noted that consolidations of EDC Minutes April 19, 2002 Page 2 chambers are happening both regionally and nationally. At the March 28th Board meeting, four options were considered: Status quo (no change); cease operations or disband; reorganization (reduce overhead); and merge with another chamber. A survey of chamber members revealed that none selected options one and two, 14 selected option three (reorganization), and 28 selected option four (merge). In looking at merger candidates, the Chamber Board is considering three: Southern Anoka (Spring Lake Park, Fridley, and Columbia Heights), Metro North (Coon Rapids and Blaine), and St. Paul Area (inc. St. Paul, Roseville, Maplewood, White Bear Lake, Little Canada, Shoreview, Vadnais Heights, North Oaks, etc.). Joint meetings with Board members were held on 4/11 (St. Paul), 4/12 (So. Anoka), and 4/15 (Metro No.). Backman attended the latter two. All three have strengths and are interested in the merger. Jim Witkowski, NB-MV President, prepared a merger matrix that compared the three chambers in terms of members, financial, programmatic activity, committee activity, member activity, fundraising, public policy, board, staff, and gaming experience. St. Paul Area has 2,200, Southern Anoka has 341, and Metro North has 774 members. The NB-MV Chamber Board will consider the merger options at its April 25th meeting at the Pratt Ordway Building. Mayor Sonterre spoke positively about the North Metro Chamber and has attended several of their events. North Metro is politically well-connected and reaches out to all levels of government. It has organized luncheons with major speakers, including Gov. Ventura, that are of interest to the membership. Field mentioned that the 4th Annual Chamber Golf Tournament will be held at Brightwood Hills Golf Course on May 16th. The public and Chambers members are encouraged to participate. D. Report of Staff: 1. TIF Cash Flow Analysis: Backman reviewed a memo recently prepared by Shelly Eldridge, Ehlers & Assoc., that will be presented to the City Council on Monday, April 22nd. The purpose of the cash flow analysis is to provide the City of Mounds View a picture of the financial health of the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts, as well as opportunities and options to consider. Backman noted that there are three active TIF districts in the City. All three were created before 1990 when the state placed more restrictions on new TIF districts. In 2001 legislative changes regarding property taxes had a major impact on revenues. It is projected that there will be a 35% reduction in increment available for Pay 2002. The increment for District 1, for example, is projected to fall from $1.5 million to $1.0 million. The increment is used to pay a $1.1 million bond payment. Hence, a cash flow problem for 2002. Fortunately that bond is paid off in 2003 and the cash flow situation improves. Backman discussed the three primary obligations for the districts: 1) paying off the 1994, 1996A & B bonds, 2) the annual EDA operational budget, and 3) various developer payments for TIF projects. In the files e-mailed to the Commissioners were cash flows for each district and an overall summary of all three districts by year, as well as the cumulative effect of the obligations and revenue projections. Due to the class rate compression that decreased the increment revenues, it is projected that there will be a $222,000 deficit in 2002. This will require interfund borrowing, that is a loan from an EDA or other City fund. Shelly will make a presentation at the City Council meeting on Monday night. Backman also pointed out that increment may have to go back to Ramsey County as early as 2005/6 unless another significant development project occurs that requires increment. Johnson inquired about the developer payments situation. Backman indicated that discussions continue. Everest met with John Evans, Co. Appraiser, seeking to reallocate the building valuation. Ramsey County agreed to place 39% on the north parcel and 61% on the south parcel. The total valuation remains the same and only applies to the future (Pay 2003). EDC Minutes April 19, 2002 Page 3 2. Manufactured Home Park Revitalization Activities: Last year the City was able to garner a CDBG grant through Ramsey County to improve the home units at Mounds View Mobile Home Park. The voluntary program has two elements to it—an acquisition program to purchase and demolish substandard manufactured homes and a rehabilitation program to upgrade existing units to eliminate health and safety violations. The manufacturing program slowed down in late 2001. Subsequent to the awarding of the grant, Ramsey County required that a survey be done of the park residents. In addition to the survey, staff turnover occurred. To the move the process forward, Backman encouraged a meeting of all the parties to be held at the MV MHP main office. Representatives from Ramsey County, Durand & Assoc. (property mgmt. company), and the City met on April 10th. Five expectations/steps were agreed to: 1) Ramsey Co. wants to move forward with the project and wants to see a commitment on the part of the park owner to invest in needed infrastructure (eg. $300K+ for water line replacements). 2) Ramsey Co. will write a letter to the City delineating its expectations. A copy will go to Durand & Associates. 3) Perry Hansen from Durand will contact the park owners regarding the commitment, timelines, etc. 4) Tom Hipps, the new park manager, and Backman will draft a letter inviting all residents to a meeting at City Hall or the Community Center to discuss the program. The goal is to hold the meeting before Memorial Day. 5) Ramsey Co. will check on the feasibility of an interest buydown program as an added option to encourage new units. A reduction of 1 to 3% in loans rates would stimulate new manufactured units in the park. Sonterre inquired if there were studies showing if people maintained manufactured units. Backman responded that the condition of units reflected the management policies of parks and other factors. Some households view the units as intermediate housing options, whereas others view it as a long term choice. McDonald asked about the resale value of manufactured homes. Backman stated that the market is different than regular detached homes. In general, manufactured homes do decline in value over time. However, well-maintained units can hold their value. McDonald added that a rehab program may encourage other households to upgrade their units as well. 3. Mermaid Hotel & Banquet Center Project Update: Backman reported that the AmericInn Hotel portion of the complex started taking guests on April 6th. A Grand Opening with black tie casino gaming occurs tonight and members are welcome to attend. Fox mentioned that now that the facility was open that it would be good if somebody could clean up construction materials that have blown across County Road H toward Rice Creek. Backman will relay the concern to Mr. Hall. 4. Highway 10 Revitalization Public Meeting: Earlier in the week Backman dropped off a copy of the schematic plan for redeveloping Highway 10 to each member. Backman briefly reviewed the plan discussing some specific pages, such as the H2 intersection and the adjacent redevelopment opportunities. Sonterre mentioned that the Long Lake Road redevelopment site could open up an area (3 ½ acres) to the east of Gas & Splash that the City owns along Highway 10. The Highway 10 Revitalization Plan will be presented by URS and the City at a Public Meeting on April 24th at 6:00 p.m. in the M.V. Community Center. 7. EDC BUSINESS A. Review of EDC Bylaws: Members considered the Commission’s Bylaws. Chair Belting noted that the Commission did review the Bylaws last year and adopted two changes at that time. The most notable change was moving the regular meeting date for the EDC. Johnson moved to amend Section III Informational Packets. The present language in the first sentence states that EDC Minutes April 19, 2002 Page 4 the informational packet being received by the Commission members be provided on the Friday before the EDC’s regular meeting date (the 3rd Friday of each month). Johnson suggested giving Backman additional time to complete the packets and moved to substitute the word Tuesday for Friday. The motion was seconded by Field. The amendment to the Bylaws was passed 6 to 0. No additional amendments were proposed. McDonald moved to approve the amended EDC Bylaws. The motion was seconded by Johnson. The Commission approved the Bylaws as amended 6 to 0. At this point, Chair Belting excused himself and turned the meeting over to Vice Chair Johnson. B. Meetings with Mounds View Businesses: Backman noted meetings with Glacier Machinery Sales and TitleSource, Ltd. He also spoke with Tony Mezzinga regarding his new office building on County Road I. He indicated that it was recently sold to Morningside Mortgage. C. Business Prospects/Current Business List: Backman discussed the Mounds View business list that he recently updated. He noted the list has some limitations. For example, a number of the home businesses still need to be verified and he eliminated some subsidiaries to limit duplication of addresses. He also distributed a top ten list of major employers in Mounds View comparing 1994 and 2002. At this point Mayor Sonterre excused himself to attend another meeting. McDonald asked if it would be possible to provide information regarding the type of business. Backman responded that he has SIC code information for some of the businesses, but it would take more time to gather it for all. Backman also discussed Minuteman Press and a building products/service company prospect. D. Met Council Livable Community Grant Application Workshop: Backman attended a workshop April 17th in Maplewood regarding Opportunity Grants. The Metropolitan Council administers two types of grants from its Livable Communities Fund. The Opportunity Grants fund early planning or predevelopment costs to develop project-specific and site-specific land use plans. A total of $500,000 is available this fiscal year. Last year 10 applications were funded. Backman is intending to work with Jim Atkinson in the office to submit an application to the Met Council. E. Other: Backman updated members regarding prospects. Building I is still on the list with CRESA Partners. No decision has been made by CRESA’s prospect. Action is expected in 60 days. Backman continues to interact with Colliers Towle regarding the site south of 10 (across from Multi-Tech). Backman supplied Greg McDonald with ownership and PID information and they were pleased with the information. Colliers also provided information regarding a prospect that wants 4,000 sq. ft. of office space. Aside from renovating the old Perkins site, we have limited options for existing office space along Highway 10. 8. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Commission, the April 19th meeting of the Economic Development Commission adjourned at 8:50 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Aaron A. Backman Economic Development Coordinator N:\DATA\GROUPS\ECONDEV\EDC\Minutes\Min02\4-19-02.doc