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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-20-2009 Minutes of the Economic Development Commission City of Mounds View Ramsey County, Minnesota Regular Meeting February 20, 2009 City of Mounds View, Council Chambers 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Gary Meehlhause called the meeting to order at 7:34am. 2. ROLL CALL Members Present: Chair Gary Meehlhause, Commissioners Greg Belting, Jason Helgemoe, Dan Larson and Jennifer Wagner Members Absent: Commissioners Jackie Entsminger and Torri Johnson Staff Present: Economic Development Specialist Heidi Steinmetz 3. APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 20, 2009 AGENDA Motion/Second: Commissioner Wagner moved and Commissioner Belting seconded the approval of the February 20, 2009 EDC agenda. Motion Carried: 5 Ayes 0 Nays 4. APPROVAL OF JANUARY 16, 2009 EDC MINUTES Motion/Second: Commissioner Larson moved and Commissioner Belting seconded the approval of the amended November 21, 2008 EDC minutes. Motion Carried: 5 Ayes 0 Nays 5. SPECIAL BUSINESS Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce President Tim Roche provided a recap of the Chamber’s annual “Gala” fundraiser held on February 7, 2009. He reported that despite today’s tough economic times, 250 businesses attended the event. EDC Minutes February 20, 2009 Page 2 of 3 6. EDC BUSINESS A. Discuss Potential Business Registration Program Ms. Steinmetz reminded the EDC that they discussed this item last summer as it related to business retention and how the City should have one, master business database rather than multiple databases among different City departments. Ms. Steinmetz said that Building Official Kathi Osmonson is the lead City staff person for this project and that Ms. Osmonson presented ideas for the program to the City Council on January 5, 2009. Ms. Steinmetz’s concern with the program relates to a potential fee. Businesses should not be charged a fee to register with the City, according to Steinmetz. The Chamber’s Economic Advancement Committee discussed the program at their January meeting and Ms. Steinmetz provided the EDC with their input. One of the ideas from the Chamber Committee was to only charge a fee if the business did not provide the information. Commissioner Belting stated that there is a clear distinction between filling out a business registration form with current contract information and a fire inspection. He said that some of the other cities’ business registration programs seem to blend registrations with fire inspections. He said that the EDC should discuss whether the program should be “blended” or whether we should keep the two items separate. He asked if there is a fee for fire inspections and Ms. Steinmetz said that she does not believe there is a fee. Commissioners Helgemoe, Wagner and Larson said that we should not impose a fee for the registration program. Commissioner Larson added that we should keep registrations separate from building inspections but that the information could be combined. Chamber President Tim Roche said that the Chamber’s concern is that businesses could be charged unexpected fees due to the program because a building may pass an initial inspection but not pass the registration inspection. He also said that there needs to balance between the staff hours involved in creating the program versus the staff hours the program will save due to an efficient program. Chair Meehlhause agreed with the EDC’s comments and said he preferred Maplewood’s program but does not agree with a fee. The EDC agreed that there is a definite need for the City to have updated business contact information. Motion/Second: Commissioner Wagner moved and Commissioner Helgemoe seconded the motion recommending that the City Council consider the following: • The program should be an annual, voluntary registration (businesses should not be forced to provide the information; and, • If a business chooses not to register, after the second year of not providing the information, the business would be charged a penalty fee not to exceed $50; and, EDC Minutes February 20, 2009 Page 3 of 3 • New businesses should be asked to register as soon as they decide to move to the City (not after they have moved in). Motion Carried: 5 Ayes 0 Nays 7. REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS Chair Meehlhause expressed his support for the Irondale Girls Hockey Team. If they beat Mounds View, they will be Section Shampions and will advance to the State Tournament. 8. REPORTS OF STAFF Ms. Steinmetz provided the EDC with updates on the following projects and meetings: • The Mermaid Subdivision • New Convention & Visitors Bureau • City Council Goal Setting Retreat: Saturday, February 28, 2009 • 5th Annual Town Hall Meeting: Saturday, April 25, 2009 • Mounds View Branding Project • Select Senior Housing Project 9. UPCOMING EDC MEETINGS Ms. Steinmetz reminded the EDC of their upcoming meetings. 10. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Commission, Commissioner Belting moved and Commissioner Larson seconded the adjournment of the meeting at 8:35am. Respectfully submitted, Heidi Steinmetz Economic Development Specialist