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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-18-2018Minutes of the Economic Development Commission City of Mounds View Ramsey County, Minnesota Regular Meeting May 18 , 2018 City of Mounds View, Council Chambers 2401 County Road 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Jim Freichels called the meeting to order at approximately 7:40 a.m. 2. ROLL CALL Members Present: Chair, Jim Freichels, Commissioners, Gary Stevenson, Dennis Farmer, Teresa Muckala, & Ken Breske Members Absent: Vice Chair, Dan Larson, Jason Helgemoe Staff Present: Business Development Coordinator, Brian Beeman Meeting Attendees: Gary Meehlhause, Terry Chaney & Steve Hines (CEE) 4. APPROVAL OF MAY 18 , 2018, AGENDA Motion/Second: Commissioner Breske moved and Commissioner Muckala seconded the approval of the May 18, 2018 EDC agenda. Motion Carried: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays 5. APPROVAL OF APRIL 16, 2018, EDC MINUTES Motion/Second: Commissioner Breske moved and Commissioner Stevenson seconded the approval of the April 20, 2018 EDC minutes. Motion Carried: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays 6. EDC BUSINESS Center for Energy and Environment Terry Chaney & Steve Himes from the Center for Energy and Environment provided information on the Home Energy Squad which is a program subsidized by the City whereby residents can have representatives from CEE provide an energy audit of their home to determine where inefficiencies are detected and the remedies that can be done to correct the problem areas. They also reviewed the current loan programs sponsored by the City of Mounds View. After a question and answer session with discussion had been completed Business Development Coordinator asked the EDC their thoughts on meeting the following 2018 goal: “Monitor and assist with citywide housing issues & priorities and projects and older properties as well as cooperating with multifamily property owners to assist with upgrading facilities”. The Commission concluded that this goal has been met but staff should continue to monitor and market the current programs. EDC Minutes May 18, 2018 Page 2 of 4 Update from Comprehensive Task Force Members Commissioner Dennis Farmer provided the EDC with an update on the most recent Comprehensive Task Force meeting. A survey went out to Mounds View residents and there were 575 responses. The survey will be available until June. The extension to update the Comprehensive Plan has been granted by the Met-Council until December 2019. The Task Force will meet June 26, 2018. There were no further updates. Update from Commissioner Muckala on New Business Categories to fill Vacant Space in Mounds View Commissioner Teresa Muckala provided an update on her efforts in assisting with the new 2018 EDC goal, “Monitor & Explore New Business Categories through Trade Groups like Medical Alley and Identify Available Spaces in Mounds View with the Intent to Fill Those Vacancies with New Companies”. Muckala met with Business Development Coordinator Beeman to review the Business Tool Box document, work on a standardized message to go directly to CEO’s & CFO’s of medical companies through LinkedIn, and a review of the website content. Muckala and Beeman will continue to meet with local companies to determine their interested in leasing space to start-up companies and to contact start-up companies to spark their interest in locating to Mounds View. The Commission reviewed the Business Tool Box and Commissioner Freichels had a suggestion to update the Business Council meeting dates. Muckala suggested the title change to Business Growth Tool Box. Beeman will take the document to the EDA for consideration. 7. REPORTS OF STAFF Crossroad Pointe Redevelopment Project Coordinator, Beeman provided the Commission with an update on the Crossroad Pointe redevelopment site stating that the developer will be meeting with the City Council June 4 to provide their three options for the site. Council will need to decide which of the three options they’d like to pursue. Rice Creek Commons No update was given as nothing has changed from the last meeting. North Metro Business Council The next North Metro Business Council meeting will be held at the Mermaid Event Center June 13, 2018 from 7:30-9:00 a.m. The topic will be cyber security. Infinite Campus who provides an education portal for parents to watch the progress of their kids in school will be the main speaker followed by updates from the communities. EDC Minutes May 18, 2018 Page 3 of 4 MWF Developers Beeman informed the Commission that he is cooperating with MWF Properties and Ramsey County to ensure that the land transaction takes place so that construction can begin this fall. The Triton Beeman informed the commission that The Triton project is on track and he and the developer have met with Bio Clean and Bauer Welding to determine their future expansion needs and this project continues to move along. The developer has submitted a Tax Credit application and they will not know if they have received the funding until this fall. Norhart Homes Norhart is looking to construct a 200 unit market rate luxury apartment building with several amenities that would attract millennials. The developers are working through the financing and have hit a roadblock with some homeowners who have increased their selling price. This may delay or eliminate the project, as the price points are unrealistic. The developers are looking to start in 2019 and may be forced to build in phases due to the holdouts. If the developer believes this is feasible then they will be hosting tours of their current product in Blaine. The EDC is invited if this is scheduled. Other Upcoming Events/Reports Beeman informed the Commission that City offices will be closed May 28, 2018 in observance of Memorial Day. The Public Works open house will be held June 6, 2018 from 3-6 p.m. October 13, 2018 will be Clean Up Day and there will not be a Spring Clean Up day due to the Public Works Dept. still settling in to their new facility. The Mayor and two Council Members are up for election and anyone interested in applying should contact City Hall. National Pollinator Week is June 18-24. The City has a beekeeping license of $50 per year. There will be a BR&E visit today with Parts Midwest. August 18 is Festival in the Park, National Night Out is August 7 from 4-9 p.m. Each neighborhood will be organizing their own events. Fire Dept. will be holding car seat workshops and CPR training. The Emerald Ash Borer has been found in Mounds View, there are regulations on cutting and removal of trees. Beeman attended the Enterprise Minnesota, “State of Manufacturing” event and the main takeaway is that the business owners are optimistic about the economy and they are making hires, capital equipment purchases, and expansion projects. There is a skilled workforce gap, yet many companies are focusing on robotics and artificial intelligence. Beeman is meeting with Empire House to review the skilled workforce gap issue and to set an agenda for the July Manufacturers Round Table to be held at the Mermaid with local manufacturing companies. In the meantime Beeman will be working with the Mounds View School District and local manufacturing companies to set up an internship and apprentice program. A daycare is looking at the Snap Market building but nothing is set in stone. Companies are also looking at the Snyder building as Beeman has talked the broker to update their comps and to lower the price. EDC Minutes May 18, 2018 Page 4 of 4 8. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Stevenson provided information on the Lions Club garage sale at Hillview Park from 9-5 today and everything will be half off. Breske encouraged Commissioners to educate and participate in the Memorial Day events stating that New Brighton has a parade. 9. NEXT REGULAR EDC MEETING Chair Freichels reminded the Commissioners that the next EDC meeting will be held June 15, 2018 at 7:30 a.m. if needed. 10. ADJOURN There being no further business, Chair Freichels adjourned the March 16, 2018 meeting at approximately 8:40 a.m. Respectfully submitted, _______________________________ Brian Beeman Business Development Coordinator