Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-21-2002 Minutes of the Economic Development Commission City of Mounds View Ramsey County, Minnesota Regular Meeting June 21, 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 7:40 a.m. 2. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Dr. Greg Belting, Dave Fox, Jason Helgemoe, Torri Johnson, and Stan McDonald Members Absent: Tom Field Staff Present: Economic Development Coordinator Aaron Backman Others Present: None 3. APPROVAL OF EDC MINUTES: Motion/Second: McDonald moved and Helgemoe seconded the approval of the May 17, 2002 EDC minutes. Motion Carried: 5 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: Backman noted that Mayor Rich Sonterre would not be attending today’s meeting. He and City Administrator Kathleen Miller were attending the League of Minnesota Cities conference in Rochester, MN. Johnson mentioned that she had participated in Minneapolis Chamber Leadership Development Program. She described it as a wonderful program and would highly recommend it. The cost is $2,000 (grants are available). Fox expressed his appreciation to Liberty Enterprises for arranging the tour for the EDC last month. McDonald asked that a thankyou be sent to Liberty. Backman will follow-up. EDC Minutes June 21, 2002 Page 2 C. NB-MV Chamber of Commerce Update: Backman discussed developments regarding the merger of the New Brighton-Mounds View Chamber and the Southern Anoka County (SAC) Chamber. He mentioned that several documents have been reviewed and approved by both Boards of Directors (Plan of Merger, Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws) on June 13th. Backman thanked the attorney, Gary Dahle, for his help in drafting and reviewing the legal documents. The general membership of the Chamber will vote on June 25th whether to approve the merger documents. Also, on June 4th the Transition Team selected a new name for the Chamber—Twin Cities North (a total of 88 names were considered). D. Report of Staff: 1. Chamber Merger Activities/Business of the Year Luncheon: During June the NB-MV Chamber Business of the Year Luncheon on June 6th was held at the New Brighton Family Service Center. Tim Pawlenty was the main speaker and attendance was good. Backman introduced and presented awards to two Mounds View businesses: George Winiecki, WIN Insurance Agency (Business Longevity), and Cindy Carlson, Western Bank (Leadership & Innovation). A New Brighton businessman, John Ordway, Stony Lake Properties, was recognized as Business of the Year. Backman introduced Jim Witkowski, President of the NB-MV Chamber of Commerce, to discuss the merger. Mr. Witkowski noted an upcoming event being put on by the Southern Anoka Co. Chamber—a Ronnie Milsap Charity Concert, Saturday, June 29th in Columbia Heights. He mentioned that the appropriate documents have been taken to the Attorney General’s office for approval, and will be taken to the Secretary of State. Even though SAC is the larger entity, legally the SAC will merge into the NB-MV Chamber and then the new Chamber will change its name. This is being done due to state gaming rules governing organizations. Witkowski sees enhanced services for members as a result of the merger. He looks forward to continued involvement by the Cities of New Brighton and Mounds View in the new Chamber. 2. Met Council Livable Community Grant Application Submittal: The Metropolitan Council administers two types of grants from its Livable Communities Fund—Opportunity Grants and Development Grants. The Opportunity Grants fund early planning or predevelopment costs to develop project-specific and site-specific land use plans. At the May meeting Backman indicated that due to the labor dispute at the City, the application was not submitted by the May 15th deadline. Backman requested and received an additional week to submit the application. He intends to apply for funds ($32,500 out of a total budget of $65,000) to do a market analysis and land use evaluation of the Aggregating Amoco Area (or Triple A) adjacent to Hwy 10 and Silver Lake Road. There are seven parcels in the 5 acre site, several of which are vacant. 3. Development of Second Remodeling Planbook for Split-Level Homes: A consortium of communities is focusing on the development of the second Planbook for remodeling Split- Entry/Split Level homes. Backman suggested, and the City’s EDA approved on May 13, 2002, the commitment of $2,500 for the second remodeling Planbook. (The commitment for the first Planbook was $5,000. The smaller financial commitment is commensurate with the size of the community.) Jenni Tovar, Planner with Burnsville, indicated that nine cities and 3 counties have committed $60,000 for the project and that $10,000 is left to raise. Backman has also been dealing with the surplus of Planbook #1 that Mounds View has—he encouraged the City of Circle Pines to purchase 85 books for $850, and he is in discussions with the City of Burnsville. EDC Minutes June 21, 2002 Page 3 4. I-35W Corridor Coalition—Economic Development Activities: Backman distributed a sample of the marketing insert that the City of Blaine used for the Twin Cities Business Monthly magazine. The Economic Development & Marketing Committee would like to develop a similar marketing piece for the I-35W Corridor Coalition. Backman indicated that he would be talking to potential business regarding potential sponsorships for the insert. 5. Metro North CVB Board Meeting: Backman attended the CVB Board meeting on June 12th. John Connelly, Executive Director, discussed the changes in the tourism/convention sector post-September 11th. The full-service and business traveler markets have been affected more. On average the Minneapolis Metro North CVB communities have seen an 8-10% reduction in room occupancy. Metro-area CVB’s are drawing down their reserves. Connelly indicated that it would be prudent to review operational expenses in relation to revenues. The Board directed Mr. Connelly to reduce the 2002 budget by $35,000 (or 2.7%). 6. EDC BUSINESS A. Manufactured Home Park Revitalization Public Meeting: Since the April 10th meeting of Ramsey County, Durand & Associates, and City staff several milestones have been met. Ramsey County sent a letter on April 29th delineating its expectations. Ramsey Co. wanted a commitment on the part of the park owners to invest in needed infrastructure (eg. water line replacements). Durand & Assoc. provided this commitment letter to the City on June 5th. Backman has drafted a letter inviting all Moundsview MHC residents to a public meeting at the Community Center on July 10th to discuss the program. After some input from the other entities, this will be mailed out to residents shortly. B. Meeting w/Everest & Request for Revised C.G. Hill Development Agreement: Backman distributed four handouts to the members—letters from Backman to Everest re C.G. Hill and Building N, a summary of developer payments for all TIF projects with the City, and a letter from Everest requesting an extension of the TIF note for the C.G. Hill project. Backman reviewed the handouts with members. He met with Tim Nelson and Jim Knight on May 30th to discuss the revised TIF developer payment calculations. At the meeting, for the first time, they agreed that there were overpayments over six years regarding C.G. Hill (totaling $12,073.76). Subsequently, the developer has requested that the TIF Note for C.G. Hill be extended for 10 ½ years and that this request be considered at the next EDA meeting. Backman will bring the matter before the City Council at its July 1st Work Session. C. Abbey Carpet—Prospect Activities: Backman briefly discussed the status of Abbey Carpet. John Kopas was looking at relocating the business to a leased building in Arden Hills (across Lexington Ave. from the SuperTarget). Cub Foods, in turn, came in and bought the property. This caused Kopas to look at Mounds View again. On June 18th Backman met with Kopas, Tom Link (John’s partner), Rob Carlson (his builder), and John Gearin (his attorney). The focus was on the old Perkins Restaurant site. Kopas asked what the City could do to help financially. He indicated that their intent is to put up a new 20,000 sq. ft. building on the 1.8 acre site. Backman, noting that Kopas and the Halls still needed to come to terms with the purchase price, discussed forms of assistance that the EDA could consider for this redevelopment project. At this point Dave Fox left the meeting for another appointment. McDonald noted that the City of Mounds View has made redevelopment along Hwy 10 a top priority and that this project would complement the recently expanded Mermaid complex. McDonald moved that Backman explore financial assistance for Abbey Carpet that would take the form of TIF funds allocated for EDC Minutes June 21, 2002 Page 4 demolition of the existing building at 2214 Hwy 10 (the old Perkins Restaurant building), and/or a tax abatement for the new building with a graduated rate over five years. Seconded by Johnson. Motioned carried unanimously. D. Culver’s Restaurant—Prospect Activities: Backman has been in contact with Steve Sparks, the owner of the Culver’s Family Restaurant in Vadnais Heights. This is a fast growing franchise. Backman is meeting with Mr. Sparks next week to discuss locations for an additional location in Mounds View. Sparks is in discussion with St. Anthony regarding adding a restaurant there. E. Other Business Prospects: Tom Mart continues to work on his laundry business idea to be located in the Silver View Plaza. He has signed a lease with Kraus Anderson and is working on his financing. F. EDAM Summer Conference: Backman will be attending the Economic Development Association of Minnesota Summer Conference at Madden’s Resort near Brainerd (6/26 – 6/28). G. Other: Belting again thanked Liberty for conducting the tour for the EDC. He mentioned that Calvin Academy will be expanding north into the space currently occupied by Addie Lane Florists. Addie Lane will be moving to the north side of Silver View Plaza to where the M.V. Animal Hospital was located. 8. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Commission, Chair Belting adjourned the June 21st meeting of the Economic Development Commission at 9:10 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Aaron A. Backman Economic Development Coordinator N:\DATA\GROUPS\ECONDEV\EDC\Minutes\Min02\6-21-02.doc