HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-27-2013
Minutes of the Economic Development Commission
City of Mounds View
Ramsey County, Minnesota
Regular Meeting
September 27, 2013
City of Mounds View, Council Chambers
2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Greg Belting called the meeting to order at approximately 7:35am.
2. ROLL CALL
Members Present: Chair Greg Belting and Commissioners Jim Freichels, Dan Larson,
Jim Paron and Gary Stevenson
Members Absent: Commissioner Jason Helgemoe and Vice-Chair Jennifer Wagner-
Harkonen
Staff Present: City Administrator Jim Ericson and Economic Development
Specialist Heidi Steinmetz
3. APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 27, 2013, AGENDA
Motion/Second: Commissioner Freichels moved and Commissioner Stevenson seconded
the approval of the September 27, 2013, EDC agenda.
Motion Carried: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays
4. APPROVAL OF AUGUST 16, 2013, EDC MINUTES
Motion/Second: Commissioner Stevenson moved and Commissioner Larson seconded the
approval of the August 16, 2013, EDC minutes.
Motion Carried: 4 Ayes, 1 Abstention
5. EDC BUSINESS
A. Discuss Land Development Planning Proposals for Southwest Corner of County Road 10 &
County Road H2
Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz reminded the EDC that at their last meeting,
they recommended that the EDA solicit land development planning proposals for this site
because the last study occurred in 2006. She said staff submitted an RFQ to land
development consultants and received four proposals in return. Staff provided the EDC with
the “project understanding” portion of each proposal.
Draft EDC Minutes
September 27, 2013
Page 2 of 3
Chair Belting commented that the information is interesting but evaluating the information is
not his area of expertise.
Commissioner Freichels mentioned that one proposal stood out from the others because the
consultant had suggested gathering public input prior to developing a plan, which would
seem to take considerably more time than developing a plan prior to soliciting public input.
Commissioner Freichels also stated the importance of choosing a consultant that is familiar
with the changing dynamics of the area. Commissioner Stevenson agreed.
Chair Belting mentioned his appreciation towards the EDA for accepting the EDC’s
recommendation to gather proposals.
The consensus of the EDC was that they trusted City staff to recommend the appropriate
firm to the EDA.
B. Continue Food Truck Discussion
Ms. Steinmetz reminded the EDC that Assistant City Administrator Desaree Crane attended
their last meeting to provide details on the city’s process for allowing food trucks to operate
in Mounds View.
Chair Belting stated that he’s in favor of the EDA addressing some of the questions that
Mounds View business owners have asked City staff regarding food trucks, such as whether
food truck operators have an unfair advantage over existing restaurant owners who pay
property taxes within the city. He also suggested that the EDA discuss this topic more
broadly because mobile trucks offering any type of service may eventually become popular
in the city.
Commissioner Freichels said that fixed-structure businesses have invested in the city
through property taxes, yet mobile businesses have not. He stated the importance of
protecting those investments in order to retain existing businesses and recruit new ones.
6. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS
Commissioner Larson mentioned that he has noticed movement on the more deteriorated
houses within the city; one is being rehabbed and another is being demolished.
7. REPORTS OF STAFF
City staff provided updates on the following items:
A. TCAAP Development Update
B. Mounds View Business News
C. Available Business Sites in Mounds View
D. MnDOT Project Updates
E. General Development Updates
F. Fall Clean Up Day – Saturday, September 28, 2013
Draft EDC Minutes
September 27, 2013
Page 3 of 3
8. NEXT REGULAR EDC MEETING
The next regular EDC meeting was scheduled for Friday, October 18, 2013, at 7:30am.
9. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the September 27, 2013, meeting adjourned at 8:38am.
Respectfully submitted,
Heidi Steinmetz, Economic Development Specialist