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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-19-2009 Minutes of the Economic Development Commission City of Mounds View Ramsey County, Minnesota Regular Meeting June 19, 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 7:42am. 2. ROLL CALL Members Present: Chair Gary Meehlhause and Commissioners Greg Belting, Jackie Entsminger & Torri Johnson Members Absent: Vice Chair Jennifer Wagner-Harkonen and Commissioners Jason Helgemoe & Dan Larson Staff Present: Community Development Director Ken Roberts 3. APPROVAL OF JUNE 19, 2009 AGENDA Motion/Second: Commissioner Johnson moved and Commissioner Belting seconded the approval of the June 19, 2009 EDC agenda. Motion Carried: 4 Ayes 0 Nays 4. APPROVAL OF MAY 15, 2009 EDC MINUTES Motion/Second: Commissioner Johnson moved and Commissioner Entsminger seconded the approval of the May 15, 2009 EDC minutes. Motion Carried: 4 Ayes 0 Nays 5. SPECIAL BUSINESS There was no special business. EDC Minutes June 19, 2009 Page 2 of 4 6. EDC BUSINESS A. Review and Discussion of City Economic Development Goals Community Development Director Ken Roberts reviewed Ms. Steinmetz’s staff report about the EDA’s Economic Development actions from the past year and a half, stating an example that the EDA has turned down all County Road 10 redevelopment proposals during that time. He added that the City would be using most of its Tax Increment Financing funds for the 9-Year Streets & Utilities Improvement Program, which will limit funds for development and redevelopment. Therefore, he said that City staff has the following questions for the EDC: • Can the City reach its goal to redevelop County Road 10 without the use of public financing? • Has code enforcement become such an important issue for the City that Economic Development efforts should focus more on improving neighborhoods? • Are the City’s current Economic Development goals still relevant? Commissioner Johnson stated that due to the economy, now is not the best time to have a deep discussion about Economic Development goals but wondered if City staff wanted to discuss a general Economic Development philosophy. Mr. Roberts said “yes” because the City wants to prepare itself for when the economy turns around. Commissioner Entsminger asked if the City Council is opposed to Tax Increment Financing (TIF). Mr. Roberts said from what he has seen (in his year with the City), the Council is very reluctant to use TIF. He added that he and Ms. Steinmetz are concerned that if the City is not willing to use TIF, then redevelopment may not happen along the County Road 10 corridor. Commissioner Entsminger said that TIF should never be completely off the table. Chair Gary Meehlhause said that without the availability of TIF, he does not think the City will be able to attract developers. He asked Mr. Roberts to clarify if the City comes out ahead if the City uses TIF. Mr. Roberts said “yes” and explained that when the terms of the TIF agreement end, the increased property value generated from a redevelopment project returns to the tax base of the three taxing jurisdictions (the City, County and School District). He summarized the purpose of TIF by saying that it helps a project get started and then provides a benefit to the area for many years after the terms end. Commissioner Entsminger said that the City may limit the terms of each TIF agreement. Chair Meehlhause said that he understands the Council is in a tough position with the overall budget but the redevelopment of County Road 10 has always been a top priority as far back as he can remember. He added that he does not want to divert from County Road 10 being a top priority. EDC Minutes June 19, 2009 Page 3 of 4 Commissioner Belting agreed and said he would like to see a timetable for the redevelopment of the road itself (the infrastructure) because County Road 10 is the gateway to the City. He concurred with Commissioner Entsminger that TIF should never be off the table and that the terms of agreements are important. He said that although the terms of Medtronic’s TIF are longer than normal, Medtronic created thousands of jobs in tough economic times. He concluded that TIF is a great tool, is useful and is needed. Commissioner Entsminger stated that she truly appreciates the Council because they are fiscally responsible but sometimes “you have to spend money to make money”. She said that if developers hear that Mounds View is against TIF, they will move on to New Brighton, Arden Hills or Blaine. Commissioner Johnson said that TIF should be one of the many tools available, that all the tools should be on the table and that the City should promote all the available tools. She added that the City is in a competitive environment and cannot act otherwise. Commissioner Belting agreed and said that it does not make sense to use only some of the available tools when other cities are using more (if not all) of the tools. The consensus of the EDC was that the redevelopment of County Road 10 should remain the priority and that redevelopment cannot happen without the use of TIF or other public financing tools. The EDC shifted its discussion towards code enforcement & housing. Commission Entsminger mentioned that she had watched two other cities’ meetings regarding code violations and Mounds View is no different. She felt that residents have blasted Jeremiah Anderson without cause. She said that he does a great job for the City of Mounds View. Commissioner Johnson agreed. The EDC agreed that if the amount of code violations continues to rise, the City would need to hire a part-time code enforcement employee to assist Jeremiah. Regarding housing, the consensus of the EDC was that the City should get involved in extreme cases, however since there are housing programs already available to Mounds View residents, the City should stay focused on the redevelopment of County Road 10. Mr. Roberts said that City staff would forward today’s discussion to the EDA. 7. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Entsminger stated that a resident spoke at a recent Council meeting about how the Police Department is not tagging cars for overnight parking. She said that she takes exception to that because she lives on a busy street and whenever there is an accident or someone speeding, the police are there within a nanosecond. She said that the police are dealing with deaths, abuse, drugs, etc. and if they happen to see an illegally parked car, then they tag the car. She concluded by suggesting if people have enough time on their hands to create a time log of illegally parked cars, then maybe they should volunteer with the Police Department. EDC Minutes June 19, 2009 Page 4 of 4 Commissioner Belting agreed and said that the Police and Fire Departments do a great job in addition to City staff. Commissioner Entsminger left the meeting at this time (8:22am). 8. REPORTS OF STAFF Mr. Roberts provided the EDC with updates on the following projects and meetings: • Mounds View Branding Project Conclusion • Select Senior Living Project Update • Potential Business Registration Program Update • Potential Mounds View Farmer’s Market - July 6th City Council Work Session • Corvette Specialties - Silver View Plaza • Governor’s Budget Cuts 9. UPCOMING EDC MEETING The next regular EDC meeting is scheduled for Friday, July 17, 2009 at 7:30am. 10. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Commission, Commissioner Johnson moved and Commissioner Belting seconded the adjournment of the meeting at 8:33am. Respectfully submitted, Heidi Steinmetz Economic Development Specialist