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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-16-2007 Minutes of the Economic Development Commission City of Mounds View Ramsey County, Minnesota Regular Meeting November 16, 2007 City of Mounds View, Council Chambers 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 1. CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Jason Helgemoe called the meeting to order at 7:35 a.m. 2. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Greg Belting, Gary Meehlhause, Jason Helgemoe, Jerry Jaker, Torri Johnson Members Absent: Tom Field, Jackie Entsminger Staff Present: Community Development Director Jim Ericson Economic Development Specialist Heidi Steinmetz 3. APPROVAL OF EDC MINUTES: Motion/Second: Commissioner Jaker moved and Commissioner Johnson seconded the approval of the October 19, 2007 EDC minutes. Motion Carried: 5 Ayes 0 Nays 4. SPECIAL BUSINESS None. 5. EDC BUSINESS Review Economic Development Component of Comprehensive Plan: Economic Development Specialist Heidi Steinmetz introduced herself to the EDC. She provided her background and stated that she is proud to be working for the City of Mounds View. She continued with an overview of the EDC’s discussion at the October 16th EDC meeting regarding the Comprehensive Plan. Since the EDC prefers to review the Economic Development component in sections, Ms. Steinmetz suggested that the EDC discuss pages 90 and 91 today. Commissioner Johnson suggested that the EDC start its review of the Economic Development component by comparing it with the EDC’s annual goals in addition to the City Council’s Economic Development goals. Staff offered to produce the side-by-side comparison of the goals for the next EDC meeting. Commissioner Belting mentioned that he would like more time to review the Economic Development portion of the plan. Commissioner Johnson suggested that the EDC set an internal goal to review/provide comments via e-mail by the next EDC meeting. Chairperson Helgemoe suggested EDC Minutes November 16, 2007 Page 2 that the December EDC meeting be cancelled to allow the EDC enough time to provide comments (also because there does not seem to be any pressing issues for the EDC to consider in December). Commissioner Meehlhause reminded the EDC that he represents the EDC on the Comprehensive Plan task force. He added that the task force has reviewed Chapter 4 and there have not been significant changes thus far. It was of EDC consensus that comments be provided to staff regarding the entire Economic Development component (pages 90-95) upon receiving the comparison from staff. Staff will then provide a summary of the comments at the next meeting. It was also noted that additional changes may arise during the EDC’s January 2008 goals discussion. 6. REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS Chairperson Helgemoe reported on a Twin Cities North Chamber event that he attended recently at the Janes Field (Anoka County) Airport regarding a new banquet/conference facility/restaurant that may be constructed there. The building will be 50,000 square feet and worth $4 million. The project’s investor group still needs to raise $900,000 in stock to fully fund the project. The project has been “in the works” for a couple of years. Commissioner Field also attended the event. Commissioner Johnson mentioned that the Schwan’s Super Rink facility at the National Sports Center in Blaine will be expanding to include a hotel/water park/restaurant. She also thanked Commissioner Jaker for his years of service on the EDC. Since it appears that the December EDC meeting will be cancelled, today is Commissioner Jaker’s final EDC meeting because his term expires in December. Commissioner Jaker stated that it has been an honor and privilege to serve on the EDC. 7. REPORTS OF STAFF A. Premium Stop Redevelopment: Economic Development Specialist Heidi Steinmetz stated that the EDA approved a resolution this past Monday regarding a six-month Preliminary Development Agreement with Master Development, which allows the developer exclusive negotiating rights to assemble a project on the former Premium Stop site. Commissioner Belting added that he is very impressed with the developer’s credentials. Chairperson Helgemoe inquired of Director Ericson whether or not the Robert’s parcel is involved in a forclosure process. Director Ericson stated “yes” and that he has placed a phone call to confirm that the redemption period has expired. Commissioner Meehlhause inquired about the large pipes that are currently located on the property. Director Ericson responded that the City is undergoing a project with Xcel Energy to replace the 4-inch gas main that runs through the City with an 8-inch line. Commissioner Johnson, employed by Xcel, added that the 4-inch line is 40 years old and that it’s simply time for an upgrade. B. Silver View Plaza: Ms. Steinmetz reported that staff met with the property manager this week and that it appears that until the City sets forth a redevelopment concept or vision for the property that the property owner, Kraus-Anderson, will be taking a “wait and see” approach regarding the future of the property. EDC Minutes November 16, 2007 Page 3 Staff asked if the EDC would like to discuss its vision for the property this morning. Chairperson Helgemoe mentioned the renovation of Mounds View Square, located across Hwy 10 from Silver View Plaza, and what a positive impact the project has had on the buildings’ leases. Commissioner Jaker asked if Original Mattress Factory has found a new location. Director Ericson responded that the company is currently negotiating a lease to locate within Northcourt Commons, located in Blaine. It is anticipated that Original Mattress Factory will vacate their current building in Mounds View by the end of the year. Commissioner Belting, current Silver View Plaza tenant, added that a “wait and see” approach to Silver View Plaza is not the right thing to do. He asked staff if Kraus-Anderson is willing to provide a facelift to the building. Ms. Steinmetz responded that staff asked the property manager that question this past week and the response was that Kraus-Anderson does not have plans to reinvest in the building at this time. She suggested that the EDC and City Council begin conceptualizing and that a mini-marketing or planning study be explored. Commissioner Johnson suggested that an office building may be more appropriate for the site due to traffic and site access issues. Chairperson Helgemoe asked if the site’s access could be changed and Director Ericson stated “no”. Ms. Steinmetz added that the property owner indicated that they have approached the County regarding a change in access and that the County is not interested. Commissioner Johnson stated that the property should “tie in” with the adjacent properties/amenities (the library, the Super America and the new walking trail). Commissioner Meehlhause said that a senior housing facility may be a better utilization of the property, especially since a housing facility would not need direct access to Hwy 10. He added that the status of Silver View Plaza reminds him of Brighton Village, the Kraus-Anderson property located in New Brighton at Silver Lake Road and 694. Director Ericson responded that staff did alert Kraus-Anderson that the City of Mounds View hopes to avoid a similar situation, however the behind the scenes process of Brighton Village was not a case of Kraus-Anderson simply postponing the site’s redevelopment, which is encouraging for the City of Mounds View. He added that Commissioner Meehlhause’s idea of senior living is a good idea and that perhaps retail is no longer viable on the site. The consensus of the Commission was that it seems as though the “ball is in the City’s court” and that Kraus-Anderson should share the cost of the study. C. Comprehensive Trailway Project: Director Ericson stated that the City Council discussed the feasibility report for trailway segments 1-5 (County Road H to Red Oak Drive) earlier this week and that the engineer’s estimate for the project was substantially more than what the City had earmarked. It is anticipated that the City Council will discuss potential funding solutions for the project again in January during a work session, perhaps looking at eliminating some of the project’s extra amenities such as ornate grasses, etc. Since most of the City’s TIF revenue has now been dedicated to the Street & Utility Improvement Program, the City Council will also be taking a closer look at prioritizing projects in conjunction with the financial management plan for the City. Director Ericson stated that this information will be shared with the EDC once available. Commissioner Belting asked if the Council will be discussing whether or not Hwy 10 is on the County’s schedule for the years 2012 and beyond, which is also when three of the City’s TIF Districts will expire, and mentioned the reconstruction of Hwy 96 in Shoreview, which was completed in conjunction with a trail system in that area. He added that it is nice that Mounds View’s Tax Increment money received through business growth was funneled back to the community through the construction of trails. He also mentioned the importance of Public Works removing trail obstructions such as the shrubs near the library (as the trail curves) because he believes a person in a wheelchair was injured last year in that area. EDC Minutes November 16, 2007 Page 4 D. The Mermaid: Director Ericson updated the Commission on the marketing sign that is located on the corner of Hwy 10 and County Road H. The Mermaid’s property owners are advertising a 1.4-acre parcel that does not currently exist. He explained that the property owners want to gauge interest in the property prior to creating a new lot and having to go through the entire site plan review process. E. Harstad Townhomes (added to the agenda): Director Ericson distributed a press release regarding the award-winning Harstad Townhomes. The townhomes won the Parade of Homes’ Reggie Award and People’s Choice Award. F. Other (added to the agenda): Commissioner Meehlhause asked Director Ericson about the corner of County Road H2 and Long Lake Road. Director Ericson stated that a swimming pool and tennis courts were supposed to be constructed there but that particular development requirement was waived in response to the current and future townhome owners’ request. Commissioner Belting mentioned that it would be nice to tour the new Medtronic facility. Director Ericson agreed and that all 4,000 employees may be moved into the new building by early December. Commissioner Johnson added that traffic does not seem to have increased on Long Lake Road as a result of the project. Commissioner Jaker added that traffic seems to be maneuvering well on County Road J as well. Commissioner Belting thanked Commissioner Jaker again for his service on the EDC. Commissioner Meehlhause asked for the Commission’s thoughts on Ferrallgas’s request to relocate to Mustang Circle in Mounds View, which is 700 feet from a residential neighborhood. The EDC is not concerned with the company itself however the proposed location is a concern. Director Ericson reminded the EDC that there will not be a December meeting. 8. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Commission, Chairperson Helgemoe adjourned the meeting 8:37 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Heidi Steinmetz Economic Development Specialist