HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-28-1998
Minutes of the Economic Development Commission
City of Mounds View
Ramsey County, Minnesota
Regular Meeting
May 28, 1998
City of Mounds View, Conference Room C
2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112
1. CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 a.m. by Chairperson, Cindy Carlson.
2. ROLL CALL:
Members present: Cindy Carlson, Ron Schmidt, Rosemary Goff, Tom Field, and Brian
Sjoberg. Members absent: Dan Nelson.
EDA Liaison present: Roger Stigney.
Staff present: City Administrator Chuck Whiting, Community Development Director
Rick Jopke, Housing Inspector Steve Dorgan, and Economic Development Coordinator
Kevin Carroll.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion/Second: Field/Goff to approve the minutes from April 23, 1998.
Motion Carried 5 Ayes 0 Nays
4. SPECIAL BUSINESS
Chairperson Carlson introduced Mr. David Piggott, Executive Director of Metro East
Development Partnership. Mr. Piggott distributed copies of his organization’s
Annual Report, outlined Metro Eastσ ongoing programs and activities, and responded
to questions from EDC members and city staff members.
5. EDC BUSINESS
A. Discussion of Home Improvement Loan Subsidy Program.
Housing Inspector Dorgan reviewed highlights of the drafts of the program outlines
for the market rate home improvement program and the MHFA home improvement
loan program. With regard to the former, it was suggested that ΑTarget Properties≅
be changed to ΑEligible Properties≅ or ΑEligible Properties/Owners≅. A question
was posed regarding how the participating lender could verify or ensure compliance
with Program Guideline #11 (loan proceeds must first be used to abate outstanding
APPROVED
orders or code violations). Communication between the lender and the city would be
needed to determine the existence of any such orders or violations. With respect to
the MHFA program, it was suggested that Program Guideline #3 be revised to
indicate that MHFA will be solely responsible for servicing the loans, and that the
paragraphs be renumbered due to the absence of a Paragraph #4, and that the word
Αdispersed≅ in Paragraph #8 be changed to Αdisbursed.≅ Questions were asked and
clarifications were provided regarding eligible improvements, particularly with
regard to waterproofing of basements, drain tiling, room additions, and repair work
related to sewer back-ups, other types of water damage, and storm damage. Under
ΑScope of Services≅, it was suggested that more specific information be provided
regarding the city’s responsibilities, i.e., monitoring the issuance of building permits
and using city staff to verify that improvements (for which loan proceeds have been
provided) are actually being made. It was also suggested that staff determine
whether the loan documentation includes provisions obligating the borrowers to use
the loan proceeds for the intended purpose(s). The consensus was that Housing
Inspector Dorgan should continue to refine the two program outlines in accordance
with the EDC=s discussion, so that final drafts could be reviewed and approved at a
future EDC meeting.
B. Discussion of the Mermaid Project (Hotel/Conference Center)
Community Development Director Jopke reviewed his 5-22-98 Memorandum to the
EDA. The primary obstacle to the hotel project continues to be the projected cost of
acquiring the land needed for the project, including relocation costs, and the related
issue of the amount of city financial assistance requested by the projects’ proponents
(which continues to be well in excess of the amount of assistance that the
anticipated tax increment could support). City staff members will continue to work
with the City’s consultants, and others, to explore options and alternatives that
might help to Αnarrow the gap.≅
C. Update on Development Proposals
Community Development Director Jopke reviewed recent developments with regard
to the proposed Walgreen’s proposal (dead, largely due to neighborhood opposition)
and the movie theater project (which appears likely to proceed as planned if
roadway access issues can be successfully resolved).
D. Consideration of EDC Vacancy
Staff will continue to receive and review applications for the opening created by
Steve Larson’s resignation. EDC members were encouraged to notify staff of
potential candidates and/or to encourage those candidates to submit applications.
E. Consideration of Business Improvement Partnership Loan Program
Discussion of this agenda item was deferred to the next meeting due to lack of time.
6. REPORTS FROM CHAIR, COMMISSIONERS, AND STAFF:
None other than as noted above.
7. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Commission, this meeting of the
Economic Development Commission adjourned at approximately 9:10 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kevin Carroll
Economic Development Coordinator