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Home My WebLink About12-20-2013 Minutes of the Economic Development Commission City of Mounds View Ramsey County, Minnesota Regular Meeting December 20, 2013 City of Mounds View, Council Chambers 2401 County Road 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Greg Belting called the meeting to order at approximately 7:30 am. 2. ROLL CALL Members Present: Chair Greg Belting and Commissioners Jim Freichels, Jason Helgemoe and Gary Stevenson Members Absent: Vice-Chair Jennifer Wagner-Harkonen and Commissioners Dan Larson and Jim Paron Staff Present: City Administrator Jim Ericson 3. APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 20, 2013, AGENDA Motion/Second: Commissioner Freichels moved and Commissioner Stevenson seconded the approval of the December 20, 2013, EDC agenda. Motion Carried: 4 Ayes, 0 Nays 4. APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 27, 2013, EDC MINUTES Motion/Second: Commissioner Stevenson moved and Commissioner Freichels seconded the approval of the September 27, 2013, EDC minutes. Motion Carried: 4 Ayes, 0 Nays 5. EDC BUSINESS Before entertaining Commission business, Chair Belting indicated that Economic Development Specialist Heidi Steinmetz had accepted a position in another community and that he and the Commission wished her well in her new position, expressing thanks for all she did while she was with Mounds View. A. Review Applications to EDC and Make Appointment Recommendation to EDA The terms for Commissioners Larson and Wagner-Harkonen expire at the end of the year. Commissioner Larson reapplied however Commissioner Wagner-Harkonen did not. After advertising for new members, staff had received one application from resident Jessica Birken. Chair Belting Expressed his appreciation to both Commissioner Larson and Jessica Birken for their desire to volunteer their time and talents to the EDC and expressed support for both individuals. UNAPPROVED Draft EDC Minutes December 20, 2013 Page 2 of 3 Motion/Second: Commissioner Helgemoe moved and Commissioner Freichels seconded the recommendation to the EDA to reappoint Commissioner Dan Larson and to appoint new member Jessica Birken to the Economic Development Commission. Motion Carried: 4 Ayes, 0 Nays The Commission asked Ms. Birken, who was in attendance, to share a little bit about herself. Jessica Birken thanked the Commissioners for their support and looked forward to working on economic development issues and serving the community. B. Review Unobligated TIF Balance Sheet, Presentation by Finance Director Mark Beer Finance Director Beer reviewed the financials associated with the three TIF Districts, indicating that TIF District #1 will be decertifying at the end of the year, TIF District #3 will decertify at the end of 2014, and then TIF District #2 will decertify at the end of 2015. Finance Director Beer reviewed how TIF has been spent in the community and described legislatively authorized eligible uses. He indicated that there is minimal unobligated TIF remaining however there are projects identified in the Five-Year Plan that are funded using TIF, such as median enhancements and gateway features, that could be reconsidered or reallocated. There are no remaining funds in the TIF District #1 account. Mr. Beer referenced TIF District #5, the Medtronic District, however the increment generated is limited to about $65,000 per year which is used for administrative activities. Mr. Beer indicated that if there are funds remaining in TIF Districts #2 or #3 that the fallback position of the City Council is to allocate the funds to the City’s street improvement program, and confirmed that the increment cannot be utilized for “signage”. The Commission thanked Mr. Beer for his report. C. Review Vacant Economic Development Specialist Position City Administrator Ericson indicated that it had been the Council’s direction to leave the Economic Development Specialist open through the rest of the year, and with the end of the year fast approaching, he asked for input from the Commission as to their expectations or desires regarding the position. He expressed support for the position and that he feels there is a need to have someone in the position moving forward. Administrator Ericson shared the job description for the position. Chair Belting and the Commission talked about the position. They suggested business recruitment and retention efforts are very important—the City needs a liaison to the business community. Commissioner Freichels indicated that the only reason he is on the Commission is through efforts of Ms. Steinmetz. Commissioner Stevenson also pointed out that marketing is also very important and we need someone to do this. The Commission wondered whether someone could effectively do everything that’s necessary working part time hours. Chair Belting expressed optimism that someone might prefer a more flexible, part time position and that this position could be exactly what they’re looking for. Draft EDC Minutes December 20, 2013 Page 3 of 3 Commissioner Helgemoe reminded everyone that it’s much easier to retain existing businesses than to recruit new ones, and that a full time position would be better able to meet the City’s needs in this regard. He supports a full time position. Chair Belting indicated that Administrator Ericson has direction to update the City Council regarding the EDC’s recommendations. 6. REPORTS OF STAFF Administrator Ericson provided an update on the Crossroad Pointe redevelopment project, indicating that the Council had selected Stantec to conduct a market and planning study and that there will be a public open house on January 6th to solicit feedback from the Community. Administrator Ericson updated the Commission on the TCAAP project, that Bolander and Sons is continuing the demolition efforts through the winter. He indicated that the clean-up efforts have been progressing as planned with one small surprise when a building was unearthed unexpectedly. All updates are available online for public review. There was some discussion about transportation impacts with County Road I and County Road H. Administrator Ericson provided the Commission with a number of project updates to include Apple Tree Dental, Coventry Senior Living, Thrifty Car Rental, Mounds View School District, Minnesota Institute of Public Health and transportation improvements proposed by MnDOT. Councilmember Meehlhause, who was in the audience, informed the Commission that he and Councilmember Gunn attended a meeting with MnDOT and advised that the reconstruction of the County Road H bridge might create another opportunity for the City to implement the renaming of County Road 10 to Northtown Boulevard, as the signs on 35W will need to be changed anyway. 7. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS Commission Freichels asked about how the recent changes in the sales tax laws will affect the City of Mounds View. Has the City deferred purchases in anticipation of not paying sales tax in 2014? Finance Director Beer reported that the anticipated savings to the City could be close to $60,000 annually. Commissioner Helgemoe reminded everyone that the next Mounds View Business Council meeting will be January 8, and Mayor Flaherty will be the guest speaker. The MV Business Council meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7:30 am at the Mounds View Community Center. 8. NEXT REGULAR EDC MEETING The next regular EDC meeting was announced as Friday, January 17, 2014, at 7:30am. 9. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the December 20, 2013, meeting adjourned at 8:33 am. Respectfully submitted, _______________________________ James Ericson City Administrator