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Home My WebLink About04-18-2003 Minutes of the Economic Development Commission City of Mounds View Ramsey County, Minnesota Regular Meeting April 18, 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 7:39 a.m. 2. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Dr. Greg Belting, Jackie Entsminger, David Fox, Jason Helgemoe, and Torri Johnson Members Absent: Tom Field, Stan McDonald Staff Present: Economic Development Coordinator Aaron Backman Others Present: Interim City Administrator Jim Ericson 3. APPROVAL OF EDC MINUTES: Motion/Second: Johnson moved and Helgemoe seconded the approval of the March 21, 2003 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: None B. Report of EDA Liaison: None C. TCN Chamber of Commerce Update: During the past month Backman participated in various meetings, including the Board of the Directors Meeting and the Membership Gaming Meeting on 3/28/03. That same day he participated in the 2nd round of interviews for the new Director of Membership & Marketing position. Three people were interviewed. In early April Renee Sandee accepted the offer for the position. Sandee previously served as the director for the Chamber in Elk River. She begins her work at the TCN Chamber on April 28th and Backman thinks she will be a great addition to the staff at our Chamber. The Chamber’s luncheon was held at the EDC Minutes April 18, 2003 Page 2 Mermaid on April 14th. The main speaker was U.S. Senator Norm Coleman. Attendance was good—225 people attended. Chamber’s Spring Golf Tournament occurs on May 20th D. Report of Staff: 1. Edgewood Regional Pond—April 7, 2003 DTEDAudit / RCWD: The reimbursement of $58,196.24 from Ramsey County for the regional drainage pond was received at the end of last month. On March 28th Backman met with Steve Hobbs, Director of RCWD re reimbursement from RCWD for the Edgewood Regional Pond. The information was satisfactory and yesterday the district sent its engineer to inspect the pond. Assuming everything is satisfactory, the City of Mounds View should be reimbursed later this month. On April 7th Kristen Lukes, DTED conducted an audit of the City’s files regarding the state grant received. Charlie Hansen, the City’s Finance Director sat in on part of the meeting. Backman expects that Ms. Lukes will provide DTED’s evaluation to the City shortly. 2. Metro North CVB Executive Meeting: The CVB is concerned about the impact of the proposed Racino for the Canterbury Downs on tourism in the north Metro area. The CVB is tracking the legislation. Also, the legislature is considering a significant budget reduction for the MN Sports Commission (different body than the National Sports Center). The Executive Committee has directed John Connelly to consider options to promote amateur sports events. He is preparing a memo detailing options for the Board of Directors. 3. Three Seasons & 4, Inc.—Prospect Activities: Another prospect has emerged for the Hwy 10 Business Center. In addition to Abbey Carpet, there is now a business called Three Seasons & 4, based in Sioux Falls, SD. It is a family-owned business that sells mid-priced sun rooms and decks. Yesterday the owner, Ozzie Osborne, met with John Kopas and Rob Carlson regarding the proposed lease. 4. Developer Activities—Community Dev. Group (Amoco Site): Process is going slow. URS, the architectural firm hired by the developer, inquired about property easements. The Amoco attorneys continue to interact with the developer’s attorneys regarding a purchase agreement. Mike Fox, the owner of the Silverview Terrace Apartments (to the south of Amoco), wants his northern boundary defined before he considers selling 40 feet or so of his property. The developer has made a financial offer to relocate the garages, however the negotiations have not been completed. 5. Developer Activities—Long Lake & Hwy 10 Medical Office: Backman showed the Commission the site plans provided by ATA-Beilharz Architects. LandCor, the developer, seeks to develop both Parcels A and B. This project was considered by the Planning Commission at its April 16th meeting. Jim Ericson indicated that the Theater Planned Unit Development (PUD) was created in 1998 and this is the first complete submission for development. He noted the PUD specified that the Long Lake and Co. Hwy 10 site (Outparcel A) was established for siting a restaurant. However, after marketing the site for five years with no success, the owner would like to revise the PUD to allow for an office building. Ericson views this as a good alternative and one that conforms to the development plans for the corridor. No leases have been signed yet. Chair Belting asked about the outcome of the PUD amendment. Backman stated that the Planning Commission unanimously approved a resolution recommending approval of the amendment. On April 28th the City Council will hold a public hearing on the amendment. Ericson anticipates City Council approval. EDC Minutes April 18, 2003 Page 3 6. Potential Residential Development near Co. Rd. H2: Since the March EDC meeting, several activities have been accomplished regarding this potential residential buildout project in the southwest corner of the City. On March 31st and during the first week of April Backman met with five development companies individually. They were Nedegaard Custom Homes (Columbia Hts.), Pro Craft Homes (Vadnais Hts.), Dave Regel Construction (Spring Lake Park), Homes by James (Lino Lakes), Heritage Development (Little Canada). Backman walked the property with the developer teams, and provided each information regarding watermains, sanitary sewers, storm sewers, aerial/contour maps, water mgmt plan info, general zoning requirements, etc. All have experience in building executive homes and have expressed an interest in the Co. Rd. H2 project. They were asked to submit one or more concept plans for the project to the City of Mounds View. Backman expects to receive the concept plans over the next two weeks. 6. EDC BUSINESS A. Pawnshop Ordinance: At the April 16th meeting of the City’s Planning Commission, testimony was given regarding a proposed pawnshop that would be located in Mounds View Square. One of the principals of the business, David Przetycki, was present to respond to questions of the Commission and the public. Among the items discussed included fees imposed on the business and the impact on the City’s Police Department. Ericson stated that the City obtained information regarding fees from neighboring communities. These fees included the annual license, per transaction fee, bond and investigation fees. Chair Belting asked if a lease has been signed. Backman indicated that a lease has been signed, however, it is contingent on city approval. B. Review and Adoption of City’s Revised Business Subsidy Policy (4/4/03): At the March EDC meeting, the members gave Backman direction regarding changes to be incorporated into the city’s revised Business Subsidy Policy. Communities need to bring their business subsidies criteria into compliance with Statutes by May 1, 2003. Backman discussed the revised policy with the members, including the guidelines for commercial/retail and industrial business subsidies. Ericson described this revised policy as a better document than the current policy, and one that provides maximum flexibility to the City. Johnson asked about the need to have a reference to creating housing opportunities in Section 3, since the state statute excludes housing as a business subsidy. After discussion, members agreed to remove the reference to housing as a public purpose in the policy. Johnson moved, and Entsminger seconded, a motion that the EDC adopt and recommend for approval to the Mounds View City Council and the EDA the revised “Policy and Procedures Relating to the Use of Business Subsidies”. The motion carried 5 to 0. 7. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Commission, Belting adjourned the April 18th meeting of the Economic Development Commission at 8:42 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Aaron A. Backman Economic Development Coordinator \\Ntserver\CityHall\DATA\GROUPS\ECONDEV\EDC\Minutes\Min03\4-18-03.doc