Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-21-2005 Minutes of the Economic Development Commission City of Mounds View Ramsey County, Minnesota Regular Meeting January 21, 2005 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 7:38 a.m. 2. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Jackie Entsminger, Tom Field, Jason Helgemoe, Torri Johnson Members Absent: Greg Belting, Stan McDonald Staff Present: Economic Development Coordinator Aaron Backman Others Present: Community Development Director Jim Ericson 3. APPROVAL OF EDC MINUTES: Motion/Second: The December 10, 2004 minutes were not completed by this meeting. No Commission action was taken. 4. SPECIAL BUSINESS A. Election of 2005 Chairperson and Vice Chair. Backman noted that traditionally the Chair of the EDC has been serving two one-year terms, and that Chair Johnson is now completing her first term. Helgemoe is Vice Chair. Following discussion, a motion was made by Field, seconded by Helgemoe, to continue with the current chair and vice chair. Motion passed 4 to 0. B. One Applicant for one EDC Seat Currently Open. As commissioners are probably aware, at the end of December the terms for two Commissioners, Tom Field and Dave Fox, are ending. Mr. Field would like to continue on the EDC and is seeking another three-year term. Due to business commitments Mr. Fox is not continuing on the Commission. Jerry Jaker, the Executive Director of the Minnesota Institute of Public Health, has filled out an application to serve as a business representative on the EDC. Backman has provided the application to the Mayor for his review. Both individuals will be considered at the January 24, 2005 Mounds View EDA meeting. 5. REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS, STAFF AND EDA LIAISON A. Commissioner Reports: Field asked how the EDC opening was publicized. Backman indicated that it was mentioned at the EDC meeting, the City Council meeting and the Mayor’s Forum. Ericson mentioned that it was also on the City’s website for a period of time. Field suggested that a mailing to business owners could also be done. EDC Minutes January 21, 2005 Page 2 B. Report of Staff: 1. Update on Medtronic Corporate Campus / Bridges Redevelopment Project—CRESA Partners: A lot of activity has occurred during the past six weeks. Over two dozen meetings related to the project were held, including 4 transportation stakeholder meetings, 5 project update meetings at Medtronic’s headquarters, and various committee meetings. Some of the notable meetings: At the December 13, 2004 Transportation stakeholders mtg., Medtronic indicated that it hired SRF to do its own traffic study. (The City, through the AUAR process, also completed a traffic impact study.) SRF is analyzing projected traffic patterns, including a zip code analysis of Medtronic employee home addresses. As part of the AUAR process, the draft AUAR was published on November 17th and comments were due from 25 reviewing agencies or governmental bodies on December 22nd. The City received comments from 10 entities, including the DNR, MnDOT, MPCA, Met Council, MAC, RCWD, Blaine, Shoreview, Anoka and Ramsey Counties. Most comments were positive. Backman e- mailed two letters to EDC members. The first letter from Medtronic indicated the company’s strong interest in purchasing the Bridges golf course in its entirety and a preliminary term sheet that describes the goals and objectives for the redevelopment. The second letter from the City indicated that the Council had reviewed the Preliminary Term Sheet at its January 3, 2005 Executive Session, and had “directed city staff to continue to proceed with further negotiations with Medtronic and to pursue a course of action consistent with potentially selling the Bridges for redevelopment.” The term sheet does not bind the City to the project, unlike a signed Development Agreement. On January 10, 2005, the EDA and City Council approved additional services to undertake a comprehensive plan amendment. The $20,000 cost is in additional to the $60,000 cost for the AUAR. Johnson asked if the same company would do this. Backman indicated yes. Ericson noted that given RLK’s analysis of the site and development project as part of the AUAR, they had the expertise to complete the application to the Metropolitan Council (which is extensive). Johnson asked if this would be paid with EDA/TIF funds. Backman replied yes. Backman distributed to the members the draft of Medtronic Traffic Study (1/14/05) and reviewed some of the key findings (e.g. number of vehicle trips per day by phase, likely direction of traffic, and cost estimates for specific road components). The key issue at this point is the funding source(s) for the road improvements. The consensus among the transportation stakeholders is that because it is a regional benefit, the state should consider funding this, preferably with general obligation bonds. 2. Metro North CVB Annual Meeting—January 19, 2005: Backman is the City’s representative on the Board of Directors and this past year served as the President of the Board. He spent a lot of time on CVB business, especially in the first quarter when he was involved in the search process for a new Executive Director. In the second quarter Bob Musil was hired as the new Executive for the CVB. At the Annual Meeting Backman presented a yearend summary, discussing staffing, membership, marketing and financial management. 3. 2005 Public Finance Seminar (Ehlers)—February 3 & 4: Jim Ericson and Charlie Hansen are signed up and Backman is likely to attend the Ehlers Seminar. It is an annual event that provides cities with the latest information about TIF and other financial tools used for development. 4. Caribou Coffee / Hardee’s Restaurant Redevelopment—Paster Enterprises: On December 16, 2004, Ericson and Backman met with representatives of Paster Enterprises to discuss reuse of the Hardee’s restaurant site. The 4,000 sq. ft. building next to Moundsview Square has been closed for some time. We discussed potential financial assistance that could assist in redeveloping the site (total costs could approach $400,000). Backman distributed EDC Minutes January 21, 2005 Page 3 correspondence with Paster about the building. Among the milestones/issues: As of December 26th Hardee’s is officially out of picture, Caribou Coffee has executed a lease with Paster Enterprises, and Paster indicates that it has a financing gap of $125,000 and wants a three year payback on its proposed investment instead of six years. Commissioners discussed the project. Field indicated that if we provide assistance he would like to see something done with the ill kept water retention ponds. Ericson agrees that we should look into improving the ponds, however, if the footprint of the building does not change, the owners may not be compelled to improve the ponds. Motion made by Chairperson Johnson, and seconded by Entsminger, that the EDC recommends the City pursue additional discussions with Paster and that we explore various financial assistance options, such as TIF. Motion passed 4 to 0. 5. Laport Meadows Housing Development—Rob Carlson Builders (Blaine) & Rick Boschee Homes (Roseville): Backman distributed maps and other information about this potential location for a residential development. The Laport Meadows area has a mixed ownership pattern with private landowners and the City owning or controlling some parcels. Also there are issues of wetlands and the need for a noise barrier along State Hwy. 10. Backman believes there is an opportunity for such a development and has been in discussions with two developers—Rob Carlson Builders and Rick Boschee Homes. They have shown to Backman several schematics of what the area could look like, including single family and higher density options. Members discussed the usefulness of Ardan Park and the compost site located in it. The consensus of the commissioners was to continue to work with developers regarding a potential residential project. 6. Potential Sale & Redevelopment of Gas for Less Site (2525 Co. Hwy 10): In April and May of 2004 the City undertook an appraisal of this site and actively considered buying the Gas for Less site for redevelopment purposes. The City Council decided not to acquire the property and subsequently it was sold to another party that continued to operate the gas station. Now, eight months later, the gas station is back on the market. The good news is that there appears to be a developer interested in redeveloping this corner lot along County Road 10. 6. EDC BUSINESS A. Discussion of the Results of the EDC Survey regarding Economic Development Priorities for 2005 (Current and potential projects; Other Activities): Backman sent to the EDC members a tabulation of the E.D. survey results of priorities for 2005. Six out of the seven commissioners responded. Fourteen projects were tallied. The Medtronic project was ranked the #1 priority of the City of Mounds View by all of the commissioners. The acquisition and redevelopment of the Skyline Motel was the #2 priority, followed by the Pak Building Redevelopment and the former Hardee’s Restaurant (which now is going to be renovated for Caribou Coffee). With limited time in the meeting it was decided to discuss the list at the next EDC meeting. B. Other: None. 7. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Commission, Johnson adjourned the January 21st meeting of the Economic Development Commission at 9:01 a.m. EDC Minutes January 21, 2005 Page 4 Respectfully submitted, Aaron A. Backman Economic Development Coordinator \\Trout\CommDev\Economic Development\EDC\Minutes\Min05\1-21-05.doc