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Home My WebLink About04-17-2009 Minutes of the Economic Development Commission City of Mounds View Ramsey County, Minnesota Regular Meeting April 17, 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 7:36am. 2. ROLL CALL Members Present: Chair Gary Meehlhause, Commissioners Greg Belting (arrived at 7:38am), Jackie Entsminger, Torri Johnson, Jason Helgemoe, Dan Larson and Jennifer Wagner Staff Present: Community Development Director Ken Roberts and Economic Development Specialist Heidi Steinmetz 3. APPROVAL OF APRIL 17, 2009 AGENDA Ms. Steinmetz requested to add Item 8F about future Robert’s Sport Bar’s parking lot activities. She also requested to add Item 7A (under “Reports of Commissioners”) so that Commissioner Wagner could provide an update about a potential Mounds View Farmer’s Market. Motion/Second: Commissioner Entsminger moved and Commissioner Larson seconded the approval of the April 17, 2009 EDC agenda. Motion Carried: 6 Ayes 0 Nays 4. APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 20, 2009 EDC MINUTES Chair Meehlhause noticed that his name should be added to the list of those present at the February 20, 2009 meeting. Motion/Second: Commissioner Johnson moved and Commissioner Wagner seconded the approval of the amended February 20, 2009 EDC minutes. Motion Carried: 7 Ayes 0 Nays EDC Minutes April 17, 2009 Page 2 of 4 5. SPECIAL BUSINESS Commissioner Johnson reminded people that the Town Hall Meeting would be held on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 9am. Commissioner Helgemoe congratulated Chamber President Tim Roche for recently celebrating his one-year anniversary at the Chamber. 6. EDC BUSINESS A. Housing Replacement Program − Discuss Possible Policy Changes Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz stated that she is suggesting a couple of changes to the EDA’s Housing Replacement Program. She is suggesting that applicants submit an application form (rather than a letter of intent) so that applications are more consistent. She is also suggesting an application fee to cover the staff time involved in processing applications. The fee would ensure a level of commitment from the applicant. Commissioner Johnson asked for background information on the use of the program. Ms. Steinmetz answered that the EDA denied an application in December 2008 because the applicant’s home was not on the EDA’s list of properties eligible for acquisition. She added that the latest application does not meet the program criteria because the applicant is not requesting to replace the home but wants the EDA to purchase the home for general redevelopment purposes. Commissioner Wagner stated that she has a concern about the non-refundable aspect of the proposed application fee. Commissioner Larson stated that it appears as though the EDA should update its list of properties eligible for acquisition. Community Development Director Ken Roberts said that the City, especially the Community Development Department, charges fees for other City services such as zoning requests and building permit requests and a Housing Replacement Program application does not seem much different. He added that $100 does not seem too out of line considering the benefit the applicant may receive from the program. Commissioner Johnson stated that she agrees with Commissioner Wagner that there should at least be a partial refund if the EDA’s denies an application for the program. She also agrees that an application form should be required for the program. Commissioner Entsminger stated that $100 is not out of line and that paying a fee shows commitment. Commissioner Helgemoe, Commissioner Belting and Chair Meehlhause agreed. Chair Meehlhause added that the $100 application fee is justified because of the benefit of this program (a deferred loan at the end of ten years). Motion/Second: Commissioner Belting moved and Commissioner Entsminger seconded a recommendation to the EDA that applicants for the Housing Replacement Program be required to submit a non-refundable application fee of $100 and a completed application form. EDC Minutes April 17, 2009 Page 3 of 4 Motion Carried: 6 Ayes 1 Nay (Johnson opposed) Commissioner Larson reminded the Commission about the results of the Risdall survey and how the residents are concerned about blighted properties within the community. The Commission discussed how the EDA’s list of properties eligible for acquisition could be a way to help eliminate blight within the community. Mrs. Steinmetz stated that the City Council’s new goal to ramp up code enforcement within the City might help the situation. Mr. Roberts added that the City’s Street & Utility Improvement Project might also spur homeowners to improve their properties. Motion/Second: Commissioner Johnson moved and Commissioner Meehlhause seconded a recommendation to the EDA that they continue to discuss updating the EDA’s list of properties eligible for acquisition. Motion Carried: 6 Ayes 1 Nay (Entsminger opposed) 7. REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS A. Potential Mounds View Farmer’s Market Commissioner Wagner reported the following information about a potential Farmer’s Market in Mounds View: • She spoke with Lesley Young, the person that runs the Farmer’s Market in Shoreview. Ms. Young said that if Mounds View established a group of committed volunteers, they could negotiate a contract with Ms. Young to manage Mounds View’s Farmer’s Market. • The planning phase for a Farmer’s Market should begin 12-18 months ahead of time. • The Mounds View Parks, Recreation & Forestry Commission has also discussed a Farmer’s Market but is assuming the EDC would take the leadership role. • Commissioner Wagner and Parks, Recreation & Forestry Commissioner Cindy Palm are interested in serving on a Farmer’s Market Committee. • A potential location for the Farmer’s Market could be the Mounds View Community Center parking lot. Commissioner Wagner told the Commission that she would like to solicit volunteers for the Committee. Community Development Director Ken Roberts provided an update that the Planning Commission recommended on April 15, 2009 that the City Council approve a Farmer’s Market at Robert’s Sports Bar, in addition to auctions and flea market sales in the Robert’s parking lot. The events would occur from 7:30am to 1:30pm on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The City Council will consider this request on April 27, 2009. Commissioner Wagner stated that a true Farmer’s Market serves fresh produce from local farmers, which is a different concept than what Robert’s Sports Bar is proposing. She EDC Minutes April 17, 2009 Page 4 of 4 would like to meet with Ms. Young from Shoreview to estimate costs of running a Farmer’s Market. After a marketing plan is established, perhaps the volunteer committee would approach the City about working together and if the City would be wiling to contribute financially. Commissioner Johnson thought it would be a good idea to solicit volunteers in the City newsletter. Chair Meehlhause asked if a formal motion by the Commission is need to place an article or ad in the newsletter. Mrs. Steinmetz responded that she did not think so. The EDC encouraged Commissioner Wagner to move forward with her research. 8. REPORTS OF STAFF Ms. Steinmetz provided the EDC with updates on the following projects and meetings: • Mounds View Branding Project • The Mermaid TIF Agreement Amendment and Subdivision • Convention & Visitors Bureau Changes • May 12, 2009 “Housing Resources for Mounds View Residents” Seminar • Recent Star Tribune article on Paster Enterprises 9. UPCOMING EDC MEETINGS The next regular EDC meeting is scheduled for Friday, May 15, 2009 at 7:30am. 10. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Commission, Commissioner Belting moved and Commissioner Larson seconded the adjournment of the meeting at 8:54am. Respectfully submitted, Heidi Steinmetz Economic Development Specialist