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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-21-2006 Minutes of the Economic Development Commission City of Mounds View Ramsey County, Minnesota Regular Meeting April 21, 2006 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 7:40 a.m. 2. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Jackie Entsminger, Tom Field, Jerry Jaker, Jason Helgemoe, Torri Johnson Members Absent: Greg Belting Staff Present: Economic Development Coordinator Aaron Backman Others Present: Community Development Director Jim Ericson 3. APPROVAL OF EDC MINUTES: Motion/Second: Field made a motion to approve the March 18, 2005 minutes. Seconded by Entsminger. Approved 5 to 0. Johnson noted correction at the adjournment of the March 17, 2006 minutes. Jaker made a motion to approve the March 17, 2006 minutes as amended. Seconded by Entsminger. Approved 5 to 0. 4. SPECIAL BUSINESS A. None. 5. EDC BUSINESS A. Discussion of the Economic Development Funding Priorities and Philosophy. Backman reviewed Jim Ericson’s April 19, 2006 report to the M.V. Planning Commission. Ericson explored five potential outcomes of its economic development policy review. First, the City could maximize the flow of increment or revenues. Continuing TIF in the present fashion generates $14.4 million over the next nine years. A variety of projects can be funded because of the flexibility with these TIF districts. Second, the City could reduce the amount of increment available for economic development purposes. Third, the percentage of the tax capacity captured in the existing districts could be reduced. Fourth, the geographic area contained in the current TIF districts could be reduced. Fifth, the City could reduce the financial burden of the TIF districts on non-TIF properties. Backman reviewed the existing obligations for the three districts. District #3 is the district that could be decertified the earliest based upon its current obligations. Ericson noted that with these options the City would be looking at a percentage or specific dollar amount target. Johnson asked if 16.3% of captured tax capacity is high or low. Ericson replied that there is no standard with the state or the Office of State Auditor. It is really up to the individual communities setting their priorities. Backman indicated that he was less concerned about the specific EDC Minutes April 21, 2006 Page 2 percentage. He is more concerned about the overall policies—for example, whether we do Election A or B regarding fiscal disparities. From a financial standpoint, it may be difficult to do both the decertification of a district and opting for Election B (fiscal disparities only from the district). With those assumptions the City might not have sufficient resources to do critical improvements, such as the Co. Rd 10 Corridor. Backman is seeking input from the EDC as to what the members feel more comfortable with—status quo, decertification, Election B, etc. Ericson indicated that the Planning Commission did not take a position regarding the finances or what should be done with the districts. The PC wanted to focus on four areas—Silverview Plaza, Moundsview Square, County Road 10, and infrastructure. According to Ericson, the greater question is where we spend the dollars. Johnson stated that spending TIF resources for infrastructure is beneficial because it benefits both businesses and residents. She is concerned about the fairness of the distribution of those funds (e.g. for feeder roads). Ericson posed the question of whether the EDC supports current levels of TIF funding or reducing TIF revenues. Field indicated that the public desires to reduce the amount of TIF. Johnson stated that she was not ready to do a motion on fiscal disparities options A or B. Jaker felt he did not have enough information about the clarity of options to make a decision that is helpful to the City. After further discussion, Johnson made a motion to direct the EDA to pursue options to reduce the amount of TIF collected while still meeting the Economic Development goals and priorities set forth by the City. Helgemoe seconded the motion. Passed 5 to 0. 6. REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS, STAFF AND EDA LIAISON A. Report of Commissioners. Field has noticed the project near Scotland Green during the past several weeks. Being a Commissioner he wants to be informed about all economic development projects in M.V. Field expressed his disappointment at how the residential project proceeded and the clearcutting that has gone on. Ericson indicated that the City’s hands are tied since the judge ruled in favor of the developer, Harstad Homes, regarding the approvals and requirements for Red Oak Estates #3. He added that the ruling does not apply to other projects in the City. On a different item, Helgemoe mentioned the upcoming Chamber Golf event on June 2nd at Majestic Oaks. It is a significant fundraiser for the TCN Chamber. Entsminger reminded members of the upcoming Town Hall meeting on Saturday, April 29 at the Mounds View Community Center. B. Report of Staff: 1. Update on Medtronic CRM Corporate Campus: Backman discussed the payments the City has received to date. On March 24, 2006, the City received about $1.4 million—Medtronic paid the City $865,000 for the park dedication fee; Opus, the design builder for the Medtronic CRM Campus, paid $549,643.67 for building permits and utility fees for the North Building and the Parking Ramp. The fees are already greater than the City originally forecasted and additional permit fees will be paid. The larger amounts are due to greater building values and to higher SAC/WAC fees as calculated by the Met Council. Backman showed construction photos and unrolled a large diagram of the County Road J project. Backman discussed different components of the road project. Helgemoe asked about red and green areas on the diagram. Ericson indicated they were raised medians (red) and landscaped medians (green). Road construction is slated to begin in mid-May, and the bridge over 35W will be demolished this fall. Two of the four metal bridges were moved by the City to the Public Works parking lot (Medtronic kept two of them). The pouring of concrete footings for the North Building began during the first week of April. Field asked about the status of the billboards. Backman replied that signs #4 and 5 were removed starting March 14th. Next year in March signs #2 and 3 will be removed. Ericson noted that the City is looking at the sign code ordinance to facilitate alternate locations for these signs, focusing on areas along I-35W, Highway 10, and Old Highway 8. EDC Minutes April 21, 2006 Page 3 2. Update on SYSCO Minnesota Parking Expansion: Backman provided a quick background regarding the parking lot expansion. On April 14th Sysco submitted construction plans and the final plat. Overall the project looks good and is moving forward. 3. Hidden Hollow South Residential Project—Dan Saplis, Coldwell Banker/Burnet: Mr. Saplis, the developer is going before the City Council on April 24, 2006 for approval of the final plat and development agreement. A model home is planned for Lot #6 and the builder will be moving to Mounds View. Plans for the model home were submitted to Community Development on April 14th and are being reviewed. 4. Status of the Premium Stop Site: The gasoline tanks were removed on or about April13th. Now the contractors are in the environmental review process. Ericson has spoken with the owner. The environmental review process has been completed. Results showed the site to be relatively clean. Reports should be ready in a couple of weeks. Field asked who is responsible for the demolition of the structures. Ericson replied that the City would do so. 5. Legislative Activity: $1.2 million appropriation for I-35W Design Concept Study and the Noise Wall Extension in Mounds View: Backman indicated that there has been a fair amount of activity on this over the past month. The City has been seeking $1.2 million--$822,000 for the design study for improvements to 35W from Lexington to 694, and $400,000 for additional resources for the noise wall extension on the south side of Trunk Highway 10. (MnDot already has programmed $300,000 in 2007 for the noise wall project.) City staff and the I-35W Corridor Coalition have been trying to get legislation heard or amended to the Omnibus Transportation bill. Thus far, it has not happened. There is good support from area legislators, the Governor’s office and Medtronic. However, it appears that the budget targets do not allow for the appropriation this year. The City will work with legislators in the upcoming legislative session to move it forward. 7. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Commission, Helgemoe adjourned the April 21st meeting of the Economic Development Commission at 8:57 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Aaron A. Backman Economic Development Coordinator \\Trout\CommDev\Economic Development\EDC\Minutes\Min06\4-21-06.doc