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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-17-2003 Minutes of the Economic Development Commission City of Mounds View Ramsey County, Minnesota Regular Meeting January 17, 2003 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, Dave Fox, Jason Helgemoe, and Torri Johnson Members Absent: Tom Field, Stan McDonald Staff Present: Economic Development Coordinator Aaron Backman Others Present: None 3. APPROVAL OF EDC MINUTES: Motion/Second: Helgemoe moved and Fox seconded the approval of the December 20, 2002 EDC minutes as amended. Motion Carried: 4 Ayes 0 Nays 4. SPECIAL BUSINESS Election of 2003 Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. Commissioner Helgemoe made a motion to nominate Dr. Belting as the Chairperson and to nominate Torri Johnson as the Vice Chairperson for 2003. Seconded by Commissioner Fox. Motion carried: 4 Ayes 0 Nays 5. REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS, STAFF AND EDA LIAISON A. Commissioner Reports: No Report. B. Report of EDA Liaison: No Report. EDC Minutes January 17, 2003 Page 2 C. TCN Chamber of Commerce Update—Backman reported that Colonial Craft joined the local Chamber the last week of December (as they said they would do when Backman first met them in Roseville). Earlier this week he attended the Public Policy Task Force meeting in Fridley. The Committee decided to continue the focus on transportation issues and to add a focus on fiscal matters (state & city budget issues). Along the lines of transportation, the Chamber held a Transportation Forum yesterday at the Majestic Oaks Clubhouse. Attendance was good. Chuck Morris, another Chamber member, and Backman put the agenda together and developed a short marketing piece for the forum. Frank Pafko, the Division Area Manager for MNDOT and the main speaker for the event focused on six primary highway issues: Trunk Hwy 10 from 35W to Elk River, Interstate 35W north of Hwy 36, Additional lanes on Interstate 694, Hwy 10/Snelling/694 Bottleneck east of 35W, Trunk Hwy 65 north of Interstate 694, and Hwy 252 south of 610. Pafko distributed a handout discussing construction projects planned in Anoka and Ramsey Counties Backman also obtained Pafko’s overhead presentation and has copies available for members. D. Report of Staff: 1. Edgewood Regional Pond Project: Backman noted that the State of Minnesota did process the drawdown or disbursement request to DTED for the Edgewood Regional Pond in conjunction with the Mermaid project. The $105K was wired on December 20th. 2. Met. Council Practicum—Revitalization of Suburban Retail Strips: On January 8th Backman and Ericson attended a workshop discussing reinventing suburban retail strips. The main speaker Michael Beyard from the Urban Land Institute discussed ten principles for reinventing strip malls. In brief they were: 1) Form public/private partnerships to develop strategies and implement change, 2) Anticipate an evolution in demographics and in the marketplace, 3) Realistically assess the market for a strip mall, 4) Develop zoning strategies that improve the quality of strip malls by limiting the amount of retail-zoned land, 5) Establish pulse nodes of development interspersed with stretches of low-intensity land use or open space, 6) Create traffic patterns and parking to provide convenient access to retail stores and also serve through-traffic, 7) Create suburban “places” that attract people and encourage them to visit often, 8) Diversify the development of strip malls as development pressures increase and land values rise, 9) Eradicate the ugliness by enhancing the physical design to attract new and repeat customers, 10) Put your money & regulations where you policy is. In addition to Mr. Beyard, there were presenters representing local projects that utilized this principles—Lyndale Gateway West in Richfield, and Coon Rapids Blvd./Port Riverwalk (4 PORTS , that is Preservation Or Renovation Tract). 3. Rob Carlson Builders Activities—Hwy 10 Business Center: Rob Carlson Builders began pouring concrete for the footings the week of January 6th. Up until this week unseasonably warm weather was a big help for the project. The crane that appears there now will be used to hoist concrete panels later this month. 4. Developer Activities—Amoco Site Prospect, etc.: Not a lot to report regarding the Old Amoco site. Written offers have been provided to BP Amoco and to owners of the vacant lot behind the Glacier Sales (or PAC) bldg. Tony Strauss, the broker, is waiting for a response from the landowners. Hopefully they will respond. Other Developments/Projects: On January 8th Backman was contacted by a business in Fridley interested in relocating to Mounds View. He provided information about some potential locations, met with one of the owners, and toured some warehouse space that is currently available. Nice article appeared EDC Minutes January 17, 2003 Page 3 in yesterday’s issue of the Sun-Focus regarding Loads of Clothes, the new Laundromat in Silver View Plaza slated to open in February. This week Backman had a good discussion with a representative of Paster Enterprises re the former Hardees Restaurant location. Backman now has a better understanding of the issues there. First, 12 years ago Hardees signed a 20 year lease, so therefore they have 8 years left. Second, that agreement is only a ground lease. That is, Hardees owns the 3,900 sq. ft. bldg. and Paster owns the land. Third, Paster has been working with a variety of restaurant chains, but the mixed ownership does present a challenge (eg. Hardees doesn’t want to be in the property management business). Backman distributed the document of the 15 largest employers in Mounds View. 5. Metro North CVB Annual Meeting: On January 23rd Backman will be attending the CVB’s Annual Meeting at the Earle Brown Center in Brooklyn Center. Board members will be elected and new officers will be selected. 6. 2003 Public Finance Seminar (Ehlers): On February 6 & 7 Backman will be attending the annual TIF seminar that is put on by Ehlers. It will also be held at the Earle Brown Center in Brooklyn Center. 6. EDC BUSINESS A. Review of Mounds View’s Tax Abatement Policy: Belting indicated that he had requested that Backman review with the EDC Mounds View’s Tax Abatement Policy over 2 or 3 meetings (more manageable). Mounds View’s policy was adopted in October of 2000 and has not changed. Backman provided to members samples of policies from the Cities of Elk River and Roseville. Belting expressed his view that the Elk River format was easier to follow than Roseville’s. Backman noted that Mounds View’s general format is similar to Elk River’s, and stated that the goal today was to review pp. 2-5, focusing on the abatement policies and objectives sections. For purposes of clarity and communication with the public, Backman suggested that the policy be referred to as Tax Rebate Financing instead of Tax Abatement Financing. It seems to better reflect that taxes are in fact paid by the businesses, captured by the city, and used for infrastructure improvements. The sense of the EDC members was to support the change. Backman reviewed the Table of Contents and suggested placing attachments under an exhibit section. Belting indicated that he liked identifying the document on the bottom of each page. Members discussed provisions regarding purpose, duration, differences with TIF, and objectives duration through Section III. Backman will incorporate the changes and strikethroughs in the next draft and e-mail it to the members. B. Upcoming Review of the City’s Business Subsidy Policy. The City of Mounds View adopted its Business Subsidy Policy in March of 2000. Backman indicated that the EDC will need to update this state-mandated policy to conform with statutory changes that have occurred in the last two years (eg. specific wage guidelines must be shown in the policy). The policy will need to be updated by May 1, 2003. C. Other: EDC Minutes January 17, 2003 Page 4 7. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Commission, Johnson moved, Fox seconded and Chair Belting adjourned the January 17th meeting of the Economic Development Commission at 9:05 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Aaron A. Backman Economic Development Coordinator \\Ntserver\CityHall\DATA\GROUPS\ECONDEV\EDC\Minutes\Min03\1-17-03.doc Minutes of the Economic Development Commission City of Mounds View Ramsey County, Minnesota Regular Meeting January 17, 2003 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, Jason Helgemoe, and Torri Johnson Members Absent: Tom Field, Stan McDonald Staff Present: Economic Development Coordinator Aaron Backman Others Present: None 3. APPROVAL OF EDC MINUTES: Motion/Second: Helgemoe moved and Fox seconded the approval of the December 20, 2002 EDC minutes as amended. Motion Carried: 4 Ayes 0 Nays 4. SPECIAL BUSINESS Election of 2003 Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. Commissioner Helgemoe made a motion to nominate Dr. Belting as the Chairperson and to nominate Torri Johnson as the Vice Chairperson for 2003. Seconded by Commissioner Fox. Motion carried: 4 Ayes 0 Nays 5. REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS, STAFF AND EDA LIAISON A. Commissioner Reports: No Report. B. Report of EDA Liaison: No Report. EDC Minutes January 17, 2003 Page 2 C. TCN Chamber of Commerce Update—Pleased to report that Colonial Craft joined the local Chamber the last week of December (as they said they would do when I met them in Roseville). Earlier this week I attended the Public Policy Task Force meeting in Fridley. The Committee decided to continue the focus on transportation issues and to add a focus on fiscal matters (state & city budget issues). Along the lines of transportation, the Chamber held a Transportation Forum yesterday at the Majestic Oaks Clubhouse. Attendance was good. Chuck Morris, another Chamber member, and myself put the agenda together and developed a short marketing piece for the forum. Frank Pafko, the Division Area Manager for MNDOT and the main speaker for the event focused on six primary highway issues: Trunk Hwy 10 from 35W to Elk River, Interstate 35W north of Hwy 36, Additional lanes on Interstate 694, Hwy 10/Snelling/694 Bottleneck east of 35W, Trunk Hwy 65 north of Interstate 694, and Hwy 252 south of 610. Pafko distributed discussed construction projects planned in Anoka and Ramsey Counties (handout). I also have his overhead presentation. There were a number of interesting points brought up. D. Report of Staff: 1. Edgewood Regional Pond Project: Backman noted that the State of Minnesota did process the drawdown or disbursement request to DTED for the Edgewood Regional Pond in conjunction with the Mermaid project. The $105K was wired on December 20th. 2. Met. Council Practicum—Revitalization of Suburban Retail Strips: On January 8th Backman and Ericson attended a workshop discussing reinventing suburban retail strips. The main speaker Michael Beyard from the Urban Land Institute discussed ten principles for reinventing strip malls. In brief they were: 1) Form public/private partnerships to develop strategies and implement change, 2) Anticipate an evolution in demographics and in the marketplace, 3) Realistically assess the market for a strip mall, 4) Develop zoning strategies that improve the quality of strip malls by limiting the amount of retail-zoned land, 5) Establish pulse nodes of development interspersed with stretches of low-intensity land use or open space, 6) Create traffic patterns and parking to provide convenient access to retail stores and also serve through-traffic, 7) Create suburban “places” that attract people and encourage them to visit often, 8) Diversify the development of strip malls as development pressures increase and land values rise, 9) Eradicate the ugliness by enhancing the physical design to attract new and repeat customers, 10) Put your money & regulations where you policy is. In addition to Mr. Beyard, there were presenters representing local projects that utilized this principles—Lyndale Gateway West in Richfield, and Coon Rapids Blvd./Port Riverwalk (4 PORTS , that is Preservation Or Renovation Tract). 3. Rob Carlson Builders Activities—Hwy 10 Business Center: Rob Carlson Builders began pouring concrete for the footings the week of January 6th. Up until this week unseasonably warm weather—as you can see in the photographs—was a big help for the project. The crane that you see out there now will be used to hoist concrete panels later this month. 4. Developer Activities—Amoco Site Prospect: Not a lot to report regarding the Old Amoco site. Written offers have been provided to BP Amoco and to owners of the vacant lot behind the Glacier Sales (or PAC) bldg. Tony Strauss, the broker, is waiting for a response from the landowners. Hopefully they will respond. Other Developments/Projects: On January 8th I was contacted by a business in Fridley interested in relocating to Mounds View. I provided information about some potential locations, met with one of the owners, and toured some warehouse space that is currently available. Nice article appeared in yesterday’s issue of the EDC Minutes January 17, 2003 Page 3 Sun-Focus re Loads of Clothes, the new Laundromat in Silver View Plaza slated to open in February. This week I had a good discussion with a representative of Paster Enterprises re the former Hardees Restaurant location. I now have a better understanding of the issues there. First, 12 years ago Hardees signed a 20 year lease, so therefore they have 8 years left. Second, that agreement is only a ground lease. That is, Hardees owns the 3,900 sq. ft. bldg. and Paster owns the land. Third, Paster has been working with a variety of restaurant chains, but the mixed ownership does present a challenge (eg. Hardees doesn’t want to be in the property management business). Distribute the document of the 15 largest employers in Mounds View. 5. Metro North CVB Annual Meeting: On January 23rd Backman will be attending the CVB’s Annual Meeting at the Earle Brown Center in Brooklyn Center. Board members will be elected and new officers will be selected. 6. 2003 Public Finance Seminar (Ehlers): On February 6 & 7 Backman will be attending the annual TIF seminar that is put on by Ehlers. It will also be held at the Earle Brown Center in Brooklyn Center. 6. EDC BUSINESS A. Review of Mounds View’s Tax Abatement Policy. B. Upcoming Review of the City’s Business Subsidy Policy. C. Other: 8. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Commission, Johnson moved, Fox seconded and Chair Belting adjourned the January 17th meeting of the Economic Development Commission at 9:05 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Aaron A. Backman Economic Development Coordinator \\Ntserver\CityHall\DATA\GROUPS\ECONDEV\EDC\Minutes\Min03\1-17-03.doc