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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-16-2004 Minutes of the Economic Development Commission City of Mounds View Ramsey County, Minnesota Regular Meeting January 16, 2004 City of Mounds View, Council Chambers 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 1. CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Torri Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:35 a.m. 2. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Tom Field, Jason Helgemoe, Torri Johnson, Stan McDonald Members Absent: Greg Belting, Jackie Entsminger, David Fox Staff Present: Economic Development Coordinator Aaron Backman Others Present: None. 3. APPROVAL OF EDC MINUTES: Motion/Second: McDonald moved and Field seconded the approval of the November 21, 2003 EDC minutes. Motion Carried: 4 Ayes 0 Nays 4. SPECIAL BUSINESS A. Election of 2004 Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. Given that only four members are present, Field moved and McDonald seconded to postpone the election of the 2004 Chair and Vice Chair until the February meeting. Motion passed 4 to 0. 5. REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS, STAFF AND EDA LIAISON A. Commissioner Reports: None B. Report of EDA Liaison: Backman pointed out that the Annual Home & Garden Show is going to be held on Saturday, March 6th at the Mounds View Community Center. The Show is a cooperative effort among four cities—Blaine, Fridley, New Brighton, and Mounds View. Field reminded the public that “Split-Visions”, the new planbook for remodeling split-level homes, is available at City Hall or online. EDC Minutes January 16, 2004 Page 2 C. TCN Chamber of Commerce Update: Backman highlighted the Chamber’s new map that was received from the printer last week. On one side is a map of the whole Twin Cities area and on the other is a detailed map of the north metro area, including all member cities and adjacent communities. The Chamber did relocate its offices from Fridley to the Mounds View Community Center at the end of December. The new location provides more space for offices and meetings. The TCN Chamber sponsored a health care forum yesterday at the New Brighton FSC. It was well attended and had a panel of presenters, including providers, doctors, and consultants. Backman presented the EDC members with written information from the forum. The Chamber’s annual Gala will be held at the Mermaid on February 28th. It represents the Chamber’s largest fundraiser. The theme this year is “Tropics Galore in 2004”. D. Report of Staff: 1. Everest Development Request for Supplemental TIF Payments for Building N Project: Backman reviewed the history of Building N, the $1.2 million TIF Note with Michael Investments, and Tim Nelson’s request for Supplemental Increment from the City. The documentation that Backman has found appears to point to $108,000 in expected increment for the project, not the $150,000 a year as suggested by Mr. Nelson. The shortfall in TIF increment appears to be due to multiple reasons, including property tax rate changes, and significant vacancies in the building. Backman reviewed this request with Ehlers & Associates and they sent a memo that questioned this request. The bottom line is the current development agreement clearly places all the risk on the developer. The consensus of the EDC members was that approving such a request would set a precedent for the City of Mounds View and would encourage other developers with existing TIF notes to seek similar assistance. After lengthy discussion, Johnson made the following motion regarding Everest’s (Michael Investment’s) Supplemental TIF request: The Mounds View EDC does not recommend to the EDA approval of the proposed Supplementary TIF payments based on the documentation presented and reviewed by the EDC.” Seconded by Helgemoe. The motion passed 4 to 0. Backman mentioned that he had received a call from a CB Richard Ellis broker that indicated a church was interested in buying Building N. This use would require an amendment to the current PUD. 2. Developer Activities—Velmeir Companies (Amoco Site): Backman provided a copy of a letter sent by Ramsey County that assures access to County Highway 10 and Silver Lake Road to Velmeir. The Developer is still waiting for a final okay from BP Amoco. Field inquired about the Pac building. Backman replied that Glacier recently consolidated to St. Paul. That building is not directly part of this phase of redevelopment. 3. Developer Activities—Pro Craft Homes (Woods of Mounds View): In December the Pro Craft team made a presentation to the EDC. Due to the difficulties in finalizing purchase agreements with adjacent landowners, Pro Craft decided to present Plan C—a residential development located on just the City’s property. This reduces the number of single-family that can be developed to 10 homes. On January 12th the Pro Craft Team presented Plan C to the EDA. This week negotiations began anew between the Fyksens and Pro Craft Homes. 4. Mounds View Community Center—YMCA Room Policies: Backman has been dealing with several aspects of the Mounds View Community Center over the last four months, including the Banquet Center and renting out the former Community Education area. In an effort to have transparent, consistent and appropriate rates. Backman worked with Jeanette Steeves (the YMCA’s scheduling person) to develop two things—revised Room Policies and Room Rates. Backman and Steeves made a presentation at the City Council’s Work Session on EDC Minutes January 16, 2004 Page 3 January 5th and at the City Council meeting on January 12th where it was adopted unanimously. Potential users are divided into four classes with different room rates. Class I users, such as the City and non-profit Mounds View community groups, are given the highest priority and the most economical rates. 5. Metro North CVB—Executive Search Committee & Annual Mtg.—1/20/04: As the Commission is aware John Connelly tendered his letter of resignation as Executive Director to the Board in December. His last Board meeting occurs on January 20th at the Annual Meeting that will be held at the Shoreview Community Center. Backman currently serves as the organization’s Treasurer and on the Executive Search Committee that is seeking to hire a new director. Backman revised the Executive Director’s position description, with input from the other committee members, and placed various ads. Resumes for this position are due to the Bureau on February 16, 2004. 6. 2004 Public Finance Seminar (Ehlers)—February 6 & 7: Backman has attended this Ehlers seminar in the past two years and will be attending this one. It will be held at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center 6. EDC BUSINESS A. Discuss 2004 Work Plan: Backman distributed a draft of the 2004 EDC Work Plan for EDC member review. It will be discussed more fully at February’s meeting. Backman touched on the status of LandCor and other projects in the community. B. Amending the TIF Plan to Identify Parcels for Potential Acquisition: Due to time constraints, the Commission decided to consider this matter at a later meeting. Backman asked members to think about properties in the City that could be acquired by the City with TIF dollars for development or redevelopment purposes. 7. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Commission, Johnson adjourned the January 16th meeting of the Economic Development Commission at 9:02 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Aaron A. Backman Economic Development Coordinator \\Trout\CommDev\Economic Development\EDC\Minutes\Min04\1-16-04.doc