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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-19-2003 Minutes of the Economic Development Commission City of Mounds View Ramsey County, Minnesota Regular Meeting December 19, 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 8:00 a.m. 2. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Dr. Greg Belting, Jackie Entsminger, Tom Field, Jason Helgemoe, Torri Johnson, Stan McDonald Members Absent: David Fox Staff Present: Economic Development Coordinator Aaron Backman; Kurt Ulrich, City Administrator Others Present: Jim Melcher, Pro Craft Homes; Gary Nordness, Essence Real Estate Serv. 3. APPROVAL OF EDC MINUTES: Motion/Second: Helgemoe moved and Entsminger seconded the approval of the October 24, 2003 EDC minutes. Motion Carried: 5 Ayes 0 Nays 4. SPECIAL BUSINESS Backman reminded Commissioners whose terms end this month and who wish to continue on the Commission need to fill out the application form. 5. REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS, STAFF AND EDA LIAISON A. Commissioner Reports: Johnson inquired about EDC members whose terms are expiring this year (12/31/03). Backman noted there are three—herself, Stan McDonald, and Jason Helgemoe in this category. Members can speak with Backman or others at City Hall regarding there interest in continuing on the Commission. Members may need to fill out the application again. Backman will look into the matter. B. Report of EDA Liaison: None. Stan McDonald arrived at this point in the EDC meeting. C. Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce Update: At the December 8th City Council meeting two Chamber related items were considered and adopted. The first was Resolution 6146 that recognized, for charitable gaming purposes, the name change due to the merger between EDC Minutes December 19, 2003 Page 2 Southern Anoka and New Brighton-Mounds View chambers. The second was Resolution 6153 approving a lease agreement to allow the TCN Chamber to relocate its offices from the City of Fridley to Mounds View. The TCN Chamber will be leasing a portion of the Mounds View Community Center from the Mermaid (a site map was distributed to the members). The Mermaid will pay for the necessary leasehold improvements and workstations. Backman also mentioned that earlier this month the City of Arden Hills has decided to drop membership with the St. Paul Chamber and join the Twin Cities North Chamber. D. Report of Staff: 1. Hwy 10 Business Center—Twin Cities Scout Shop: Backman reported that the largest Boy Scout shop is relocating this month from Har Mar Mall in Roseville to the Hwy. 10 Business Center in Mounds View. Marlene Gerdts, the Territory Manager, is excited about the change. The new location offers the store a more visible location with easy access and better parking for customers. 2. Developer Activities—Velmeir Companies (Amoco Site): Not a lot has transpired over the past month. The biggest obstacle has been Amoco and the issue of potential environmental cleanup. Velmeir Companies appears to be willing to take on that responsibility to move the project forward. Hopefully progress on this project will occur in the near future. 3. Developer Activities—Pro Craft Homes (Woods of Mounds View): Chair Belting introduced Jim Melcher, President of Pro Craft Homes and Gary Nordness, President of Essence Real Estate Services (also part of the Pro Craft team). Backman briefly reviewed the history of The Woods of Mounds View project. Backman distributed three plans of the project to the members—Plan A (included City property, Fyksen property & Vik property), Plan B (City property, Fyksen property), and Plan C (City property only). Backman commended the Pro Craft team for their hard work and persistence in the negotiations, and willingness to spend time and money on the project. He turned over the presentation to Mr. Melcher. Melcher discussed the challenging negotiation process with the private landowners. As it stands today it appears that Pro Craft will go ahead with Plan C. The City’s property would still allow for 11 homes in the $400,000 price range. McDonald stated that this project is an example of everyone winning—homes with more amenities and more tax base created. Belting asked about ponding requirements. Mr. Nordness noted the physical challenges with the site, including the need for fill, soil balancing, and drainage. Backman asked for the Commission’s input regarding this project. The consensus of the EDC members was that the project was exciting and still a benefit to the community even if Plan C is the selected version that is pursued. 4. Mounds View Community Center—Banquet Center: Discussion already occurred earlier in the meeting regarding this topic. 5. Metro North CVB—Executive Committee & Board Mtg.—12/10/03: Backman attended the Executive Committee meeting on December 10, 2003. To generate additional revenues for the Convention & Visitors Bureau Backman suggested to the Board that Arden Hills be approached to join the CVB. The Board approved taking this step. 6. Community Survey Update: Kurt Ulrich arrived at this point in the EDC meeting. Backman distributed a copy of the proposed survey with 50 questions. This was presented to the City Council on December 1st. There is not a separate section for Economic Development in this survey instrument. Mr. Ulrich indicated that the last time such a survey was done was 1988 and that the City Council wants to conduct a survey to get customer feedback to better EDC Minutes December 19, 2003 Page 3 understand the needs of Mounds View and evaluate services. He met with the Parks & Recreation Commission last night. They want 10 questions related to park facilities and what type of programming and capital investments should be made. Two bids have been received—the cheapest being $10,000. This random survey is not fully authorized yet by the Council and questions still need refinement. Johnson asked about the prevalence of questions within questions leading to a longer survey. Field suggested performance measures to evaluate the survey’s effectiveness. Belting suggested holding town meeting(s) instead of the telephone survey. 6. EDC BUSINESS A. Consideration of Resolution 03-EDC-36 setting the 2004 Meeting Schedule: It was the consensus of the EDC members to keep the EDC meetings on the third Friday of each month. Motion was made by Johnson and seconded by McDonald to approve the resolution setting the 2004 meeting schedule. Motion carried 6 to 0. B. Everest Development Request for Supplemental TIF Payments for the Building N Project: Backman distributed a handout to members with Tim Nelson’s letter and various attachments. Due to time constraints, the Commission decided to consider this matter at a later meeting. 7. ADJOURNMENT Commission members provided a Christmas gift basket to Backman in appreciation for his work. There being no further business before the Commission, Belting adjourned the December 19th meeting of the Economic Development Commission at 9:07 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Aaron A. Backman Economic Development Coordinator \\Trout\CommDev\Economic Development\EDC\Minutes\Min03\12-19-03.doc