Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-20-2003 Minutes of the Economic Development Commission City of Mounds View Ramsey County, Minnesota Regular Meeting June 20, 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 7:40 a.m. 2. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Dr. Greg Belting, Jackie Entsminger, David Fox, Tom Field, and Stan McDonald Members Absent: Jason Helgemoe, Torri Johnson Staff Present: Economic Development Coordinator Aaron Backman Others Present: None. 3. APPROVAL OF EDC MINUTES: Motion/Second: Field moved and Entsminger seconded the approval of the April 18, 2003 and the May 16, 2003 EDC minutes as amended. 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: The most significant event occurred yesterday, June 19th—the visit by President George Bush to Micro Control, a member of the TCN Chamber. Backman believes that it is the first time a President has visited the City of Fridley and Anoka County. Harold Hamilton, the owner the business, is active in the Chamber. For instance, he allocates staff and resources to be active in the Public Policy Committee. Our Chamber was allocated 85 tickets for the Presidential visit (over 2,000 people attended) and Backman was fortunate to go to the event. Earlier in the week, Backman attended the Minnesota Chamber’s presentation regarding the 2003 Legislative Update. Results for the session were discussed, EDC Minutes June 20, 2003 Page 2 including transportation, joint and several liability reform, and fiscal policy. Priorities were considered for 2004 D. Report of Staff: 1. Developer Activities—Community Dev. Group (Amoco Site): Backman has discussed the project with Steve Alexander with Community Development Group who is based in Michigan. During the past month, CDG rented office space in the Twin Cities and has hired Steve Mangold from the Velmeer Companies to be the local point person for the developer, Community Development Group. He is taking over for Steve Alexander, though Alexander will still be involved in the Amoco site redevelopment in Mounds View. Not a lot a progress in the Purchase Agreement to report. The negotiations between CDG and BP Amoco continue to drag on. Field asked if the City could take steps to push or motivate Amoco to conclude the negotiations. Backman responded that he had asked Mayor Linke the same question. The Mayor’s preference is to let Amoco and CDG negotiate and not get between the two sides at this time. There do not appear to be any punitive actions that can be taken. 2. Update of County Rd. H2 Residential Project: A lot of activities occurred over the past month regarding this proposed project. Backman discussed his presentation to the Planning Commission on May 21st. The Commission reviewed the concept plans submitted by three developers, Dave Regel Construction, Homes by James, and Pro Craft Homes, who were present to answer questions. The Planning Commission viewed all the concept plans as appropriate and ones that would be positive for the City. They encouraged the City Council to consider all three developers. Backman also mentioned to the P.C. that acquisition of one of the lots along Co. Road H2 would come before them. Currently the City owns three lots and has a use deed on a fourth lot. The use deed with Ramsey County allows for utilities or a park, but not streets or homes. To control the area for development it would be better to own the 1.5 acre lot. The acquisition cost would be $68,901.14. On May 27th Backman went before the EDA to present the concept plans. The EDA was pleased with the quality of the three housing developers and asked Backman to come up with developer criteria in order to make a decision. Backman reviewed with the EDC the developer responses to the criteria used by the EDA to select the developer. Two of the three developers responded by the June 5th deadline—Homes by James and Pro Craft Homes. Dave Regel decided that the “numbers” did not work for him and chose not to respond. Fox asked how many homes would be built and Backman indicated approximately 18 to 21 units. Entsminger inquired whether the Developer would be marketing the homes. Backman replied that both developer teams have marketing partners to sell the units (Norcrest Realty and RE/MAX respectively). One June 9th Backman presented the responses to the EDA and Pro Craft Homes was selected to be the developer of this residential development. The Pro Craft team has already sent an introductory letter to all residences on the block, and begun individual meetings with homeowners to explain the project. Backman has been responding to residents that have concerns. On June 4th Backman requested that the Planning Commission to recommend approval of purchasing the lot on Co. Road H2. After review, the P.C. unanimously recommended to the City Council the acquisition of Lot 36. Chairman Belting asked when the acquisition would be brought before the City Council. Backman replied that he would like to see the results of the soil borings and have a Letter of Intent developed before bringing the matter to the City Council. Belting expressed that he is excited about the project and feels that it will be boost to the City’s tax base. On June 9th the City Council also selected Twin City Testing (the low bidder) to undertake the soil borings on Mr. Fyksen’s and the City’s property. Three borings will be done on Fyksen’s land and six borings on the municipal lots. The cost will be pro-rated between the parties. EDC Minutes June 20, 2003 Page 3 3. Developer Activities—LandCor / Long Lake & Hwy 10 Office: As the EDC members are aware, on May 12th the City Council approved the PUD amendment to allow for siting an office on Outparcel A (Long Lake Rd. & Co. Hwy 10) near the theater. At the June 9th, The City Council considered LandCor’s Development Review Request for a brick, two-story office building at the corner. Some of the council members continue to prefer a restaurant at that location. With only four members present, the motion failed on a 2-2 vote. Given the PUD amendment, this office building would conform to the City’s zoning requirements. The development request will be considered by the City Council on June 23rd. 4. Mtg. re 2nd Access Point to the M.V. Manufactured Home Community: As part of the Moundsview Manufactured Home Community Revitalization Program, there were two components to improving the manufacture home park—loans for improving the housing units and infrastructure improvements to freshwater and stormwater systems, etc. Work has begun on the infrastructure changes, including adding valves and catch basins. Currently there is only an entrance at the southern end of the property, that is, one entrance for over 500 residents. City ordinance requires that there should be two access roads for each manufactured home park. Earlier this year the City Council authorized the engineering firm Bonestroo to undertake two feasibility studies regarding access, one for Moundsview M.H.C. and one for Townsedge Terrace. Backman discussed the Moundsview M.H.C. feasibility study. The second access road would be added on the northwest corner of the park (connectingGlenhaven Lane with Belle Lane) and would cost $46,000. Field asked about the traffic impacts with the proposed second access. Backman reviewed the traffic analysis from the feasibility study. Field inquired as to the study’s relation to economic development. Backman responded by saying the City is concerned with not only creating jobs, but ensuring that a variety of housing is available for its residents. 5. Midway Industrial Supply Expansion: Backman met with Gregg Lien, President of Midway Industrial Supply off Old Hwy 8 on June 10th. The business specializes in providing fluid handling and spray finishing solutions to industry. Mr. Lien wishes to expand the building (currently he has 16,400 sq. ft.) to accommodate additional growth of the business (8,000 sq ft. of warehouse & 1,600 sq. ft. of office space). The owner was concerned about the setback and parking requirements. As Backman looked at the information, it appears the most that can be added is a 5,000 sq. ft. warehouse addition. Mr. Lien will be talking with contractors or architects to better assess costs and feasibility. 6. Tour of the City for City Administrator Candidates: Backman was asked to conduct/narrate a bus tour of the City for the five City Administrator candidates. The one and one half hour bus tour on June 13th went well. The City Council interviewed the candidates on June 14th and an offer has been made to one of the candidates. 7. Dinner Theater—Prospect Activities: This dinner theater prospect is a referral from the Metro North CVB. Backman met with the principals of the company on June 17th at the theater. They have been operating for several years in eastern Ramsey County and have outgrown their current space. Their current seating capacity is for approximately 100 guests. Because of space limitations, the dinner theater has turned away over 10,000 customers in the last two years. Ideally they would like a 30,000 sq. ft. facility that would have two stages, seating for 300 customers, a full kitchen, offices, and storage space. The dinner theater is considering locations in St. Paul and would consider Mounds View. Backman has considered several locations along County Hwy 10, including Mounds View Square and near the Mermaid. He has discussed redevelopment and this business prospect with Paster Enterprises, the owner of Mounds View Square. EDC Minutes June 20, 2003 Page 4 8. Pres. George Bush’s Visit to Micro Control Co. in Fridley: Item already discussed earlier in the EDC meeting. 6. EDC BUSINESS A. Review of Mounds View’s Tax Abatement Policy: Backman indicated that this should be the final version of the revised policy, however, due to time constraints the Commission will have to consider this at its June meeting. B. Amending the TIF Plan to Identify Parcels for Potential Acquisition: In accordance the settlement with the Office of State Auditor, the TIF Plan needs to be modified to reflect properties to be acquired for redevelopment, along with residential properties considered to be substandard. Due to time constraints, the Commission decided to consider this matter at a later meeting. 7. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Commission, Belting adjourned the June 20th meeting of the Economic Development Commission at 9:04 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Aaron A. Backman Economic Development Coordinator \\Ntserver\CityHall\DATA\GROUPS\ECONDEV\EDC\Minutes\Min03\6-20-03.doc