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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-15-2010CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA MOUNDS VIEW CITY HALL FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2010 7:30 A.M. 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL EDC Members: Chair Gary Meehlhause, Vice Chair Jennifer Wagner-Harkonen and Commissioners Greg Belting, Jackie Entsminger, Jason Helgemoe, Torri Johnson & Dan Larson City Staff: Community Development Director Ken Roberts & Economic Development Specialist Heidi Steinmetz 3. APPROVE JANUARY 15, 2010 EDC AGENDA 4. APPROVE NOVEMBER 20, 2009 EDC MINUTES 5. SPECIAL BUSINESS A. Oaths of Office - Jason Helgemoe, Torri Johnson & Gary Meehlhause B. Appoint 2010 EDC Chairperson & Vice Chairperson 6. EDC BUSINESS A. Discuss 2010 Economic Development Priorities B. Discuss Mounds View Tagline 7. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS 8. REPORTS OF STAFF A. Saturn Dealership Update 9. NEXT REGULAR EDC MEETING Friday, February 19, 2010 at 7:30am 10. ADJOURNMENT Minutes of the Economic Development Commission City of Mounds View Ramsey County, Minnesota Regular Meeting November 20, 2009 City of Mounds View, Council Chambers 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 CALL TO ORDER Chair Gary Meehlhause called the meeting to order at 7:35am. 2. ROLL CALL Members Present: Chair Gary Meehlhause, Commissioners Greg Belting, Jackie Entsminger, Jason Helgemoe & Torri Johnson Members Absent: Vice Chair Wagner-Harkonen & Commissioner Dan Larson Staff Present: Community Development Director Ken Roberts & Economic Development Specialist Heidi Steinmetz 3. APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 20,2009 AGENDA Motion/Second: Commissioner Johnson moved and Commissioner Entsminger seconded the approval of the November 20, 2009 EDC agenda. Motion Carried: 5 Ayes 0 Nays 4. APPROVAL OF AUGUST 21, 2009 EDC MINUTES Motion/Second: Commissioner Helgemoe moved and Commissioner Johnson seconded the approval of the September 18, 2009 EDC minutes. Motion Carried: 5 Ayes 0 Nays 5. SPECIAL BUSINESS There was no special business. 6. EDC BUSINESS Chair Gary Meehlhause stated that there are three open Commission seats — two business seats currently occupied by Torri Johnson and Jason Helgemoe and one resident seat currently occupied by him. He added that there were two additional applicants for the resident seat - Andrew Johnson and Holly Smith; however, Ms. Smith withdrew her application because the Planning Commission recently recommended that the City Council should appoint her to the Planning Commission. Chair Meehlhause mentioned that all EDC applications were included in the EDC's packet for review and that Andrew Johnson was not in attendance this morning to speak with the EDC. He asked if any of the other applicants in attendance wished to speak to the EDC. Hearing none, Chair Meehlhause mentioned the ballots in front of the EDC. Each Draft EDC Minutes November 20, 2009 Page 2 of 4 Commissioner voted and submitted his/her ballot to Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz. Commissioner Belting thanked the existing Commissioners for re -applying and stated that he is also impressed that over the last two years, several residents had applied who had never served on the EDC. Ms. Steinmetz tallied the five ballots and reported that the EDC would recommend on December 14, 2009 that the City Council re -appoint Torri Johnson, Jason Helgemoe and Gary Meehlhause to the EDC for terms lasting to December 31, 2012. 7. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Helgemoe announced that the Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce would hold its annual fundraising Gala on Friday, February 19, 2010 at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center. He added that during the Gala, the Chamber would honor five local businesses in five different categories. 8. REPORTS OF STAFF A. Burger Time Concept Denied by City Council on October 5, 2009 Ms. Steinmetz reminded the EDC that in September 2009, they provided two recommendations to the EDA— that the EDA further discuss the concept with Burger Time and that the EDA set an asking price for the 2390 County Road 10 property. She reported that the City Council discussed this item at their October 5, 2009 Work Session and were not interested in recruiting Burger Time to the site nor setting an asking price for the property. Commissioner Helgemoe asked about the Council's thought process in not setting an asking price for the property. Community Development Director Ken Roberts answered that the Council provided staff with mixed direction — some members wanted the asking price to at least be Ramsey County's assessed value and some members wanted the asking price to be what the EDA paid for the property, which is around $625,000. Commission Helgemoe asked if any of the appraisers that staff talked to were able to provide a land price range. Ms. Steinmetz answered that they did not because even a price range is considered a form of an appraisal. Commissioner Belting asked if a commercial real estate brokerwould be willing to provide a value without the City having to hire them as the listing agent. He mentioned that perhaps the Council needs some guidance or education on the realities of the local real estate market at this time. He concluded by saying that the Council probably did not want to order an appraisal of the property because commercial appraisals cost about $3,000 or $4,000. Commissioner Helgemoe added that the problem appraisers are running into is that they do not have comparable sales to use to establish property value. Motion/Second: Commissioner Belting moved and Commissioner Helgemoe seconded a recommended that the City Council authorize staff to request present market value estimates for 2390 County Road 10 from several commercial real estate brokers. Motion Carried: 5 Ayes 0 Nays Draft EDC Minutes November 20, 2009 Page 3 of 4 B. Logo Implementation on City Signs Ms. Steinmetz reported that the City Council recently approved for the new City logo to be implemented on two signs within Mounds View — the electronic message board sign on County Road 10 and the wall sign in the City Council Chambers. C. Saturn Dealership Update Ms. Steinmetz stated that Mounds View Saturn would continue to sell new Saturn vehicles until October 2010. After that time, the property owners hope to recruit two national brand names to the site — a service shop and a higher end used car facility. Chair Meehlhause asked if Saturn no longer plans to open a facility in Blaine. Ms. Steinmetz answered that Saturn has resold the Blaine property back to its original owner. Chair Meehlhause said this is great news, that he has purchased three vehicles there and that the sales and service staff was great. Commissioner Belting agreed. D. New Mounds View Businesses Ms. Steinmetz reported on three new Mounds View Square tenants — Right Fit Running, Ultra Tan and A-1 Foam & Upholstery. She added that it would take awhile before A-1 opens because they have not begun the build -out. Ms. Steinmetz asked Commissioner Belting to confirm when ICS Consulting would be moving into Mounds View City Center Suites. He answered that ICS purchased a suite on October 5, 2009 and that they plan to open around December 1, 2009. Commissioner Johnson mentioned that she spoke with some of the runners who participated in Irondale Hockey Association's 5K and they said that the North Metro does not have a good running shoe store, so whoever did the due diligence in locating Right Fit Running to Mounds View did a good job. Chair Meehlhause concluded by saying that Pastor Enterprises' major investment in Mounds View Square has paid dividends (from his perspective), that the occupancy rates have been good and that when space does become available, it does not remain vacant very long. He said Mounds View Square is an example of the positive things that can come from investing into a property. E. City Council to Discuss City Tagline on December 7, 2009 Ms. Steinmetz said that the City is struggling with trying to choose a new tagline for Mounds View. She reported that the EDA chose a new tagline "See for Yourself' on October 12, 2009 but when members of the public provided negative feedback on the EDA's choice, the City Council decided to discuss the issue at length at the December 7, 2009 Work Session. Commissioner Entsminger said that taglines work better when heard on commercials rather than viewed on paper. Ms. Steinmetz suggested recording a jingle for Mounds View and playing it on the City's Cable Channel. Commissioner Belting added that he is happy to see the process continue since there were better tagline choices several months ago than what the Council almost chose back in October. Ms. Steinmetz mentioned that the public could vote on the City's Website on whether they like or dislike "See for Yourself' as the City's possible new tagline. Draft EDC Minutes November 20, 2009 Page 4 of 4 Other Commissioner Belting asked staff to provide a reminder of how Mounds View is paying for the County Road 10 trails. Ms. Steinmetz answered that a Federal grant is funding most of the cost of the trail. Chair Meehlhause added that the City has talked about extending its trails for a long time and that it is nice to see the project come to fruition. Community Development Director Roberts said that the lighting for the trail should be finished within the next couple of weeks. He added that the City would like to thank Multi - Tech Systems for allowing the trail contractor to use Multi-Tech's vacant lot for a staging area during construction and that the recent tour of Multi-Tech's facility was interesting. Mr. Roberts added that the Street Project (Area A) is complete; that the City should have plans for Areas B and C done by January 1, 2010 and that the City will receive bids for those areas in February or March 2010. Commissioner Johnson said that fellow residents told her that since their street was done, they have never seen so many neighborhood kids out and about, so it is amazing what a new street can do for a community. Mr. Roberts asked Commissioner Helgemoe how the street turned out by Western Bank. Commissioner Helgemoe said it turned out very nice especially after striping was completed heading north/south at the intersection of Silver Lake Road and Red Oak Drive. Commissioner Belting stated that, as a business taxpayer, he appreciates the curbside appeal that comes from new roads and curbs. He said that it puts pride into the community and that he is glad the project was finally approved and done. Chair Meehlhause added that he knows there was a lot of discussion about asphalt versus concrete curbs and that there is no substitute for concrete. Commissioner Belting said concrete looks much better too. Commissioner Helgemoe said that good infrastructure promotes good business, which helps the tax base. Chair Meehlhause concluded that future Councils and residents need to support that investment by repairing that infrastructure. Commissioner Johnson mentioned that a football/hockey/baseball dad whose kids go to Irondale High School was recently in a serious motorcycle accident on Airport Road. She said that the public can "Google' Irondale Hockey to find out about various fundraisers. She said that the community has really come together through this ordeal, which is one of the reasons why we enjoy living here. 9. UPCOMING EDC MEETING The next regular EDC meeting is scheduled for Friday, December 18, 2009 at 7:30am. 10. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Commission, Commissioner Belting moved and Commissioner Entsminger seconded the adjournment of the meeting at 8:33am. Respectfully submitted, Heidi Steinmetz Economic Development Specialist 1 of Mounds View Staff Items: 5A & 5B Meeting Date: January 15, 2010 Type of Business: EDC Administrator Review: To: Economic Development Commission From: Heidi Steinmetz, Economic Development Specialist Item Title/Subject: Special Business Items 5A & 5B Background On December 14, 2009, the EDA reappointed Commissioners Jason Helgemoe, Torri Johnson and Gary Meehlhause to the EDC for term lasting until December 31, 2012. Discussion 5A - Oaths of Office: Jason Heloemoe, Torri Johnson & Gary Meehlhause Jason Helgemoe and Torri Johnson will take their oaths of office at the January 15, 2010 EDC meeting and Gary Meehlhause will take his oath of office at the February 19, 2010 meeting (he is unable to attend the January 15th EDC meeting). 5B - Appoint 2010 EDC Chairperson and Vice Chairperson Per Section 408.07, Subd. 1 of the City Code, the EDC must appoint a chairperson at their first regular meeting of each year. The position of chairperson is supposed to rotate among members of the EDC, with no member serving more than two consecutive terms. The chairperson term lasts for one year. The Chair in 2009 was Gary Meehlhause. The EDC must also appoint a vice chairperson for a one-year term. The Vice Chair in 2009 was Jennifer Wagner-Harkonen. Recommendation Staff recommends that 2009 Vice Chairperson Jennifer Wagner-Harkonen lead the 2010 chair and vice chair appointments. Respectfullyp submitted, Heidi Steinmetz, Economic Development Specialist 1 of Mounds View Staff Item* 6A Meeting Date: January 15, 2010 Type of Business: EDC Administrator Review: To: Economic Development Commission From: Heidi Steinmetz, Economic Development Specialist Item Title/Subject: Discuss 2010 Economic Development Priorities Background Early each year, the EDC discusses its priorities for the upcoming year. Below are the EDC's 2009 priorities adopted by the EDC on January 16, 2009: 1) Development/redevelopment along County Hwy 10 Corridor a. Premium Stop Redevelopment Area (south to County Road H) b. Saturn Dealership c. Silver View Plaza d. Trailway connections to businesses e. PAK building f. Establish partnerships among neighboring cities in order to strengthen the County Hwy 10 corridor (i.e. potential name change for County Hwy 10) g. Knollwood Place & Johnson Property h. Improve the aesthetics of properties in the County Road 10 corridor 2) Incorporate the Risdall Branding Study, including marketing and communications plans, to help guide the EDC's priorities and recommendations 3) Monitor and assist with City-wide housing issues and projects 4) Support the implementation of the Citywide Street & Utility Improvement Program 5) Skyline Motel Redevelopment January 15, 2010 EDC Meeting Item 6A-2010 Priorities Page 2 of 6 Discussion Below are status reports about the EDC's 2009 priority projects. These status reports should help the EDC prepare its 2010 priorities. 1) Developmentfredevelopment along County Hwy 10 Corridor a. Premium Stop Redevelopment Area (south to County Road H): The status of the Premium Stop Redevelopment Area did not change in 2009. The landowner of the two single-family parcels at 2300 and 2288 County Road 10 is no longer working with a real estate broker to market his properties. The EDC and City Council reviewed a concept for a Burger Time restaurant at 2390 County Road 10 in Fall 2009 but the City Council denied the concept. The Council also decided not to set an asking price for the property. Some Councilmembers wanted the asking price to at least be Ramsey County's assessed value and some members wanted the asking price to be what the EDA paid for the property, which is around $625,000. b. Saturn Dealership: In February 2009, General Motors announced the elimination of the Saturn brand. The landowners of Mounds View's Saturn resold their land in Blaine and decided to recruit new tenants to occupy their Mounds View site. The Planning Commission recently recommended that the Council approve an amendment to the Saturn site's Conditional Use Permit so that new cars do not need to be sold on the site. The Council will hold a public hearing and consider the Planning Commission's recommendation on January 25, 2010. The landowners are in discussions with a nationally branded service shop and used car facility to operate on the site. As of January 12, 2010, the site is listed for sale on the Minnesota Commercial Association of Realtors (MNCAR) Website and The Davidson Companies, Inc. Website. c. Silver View Plaza: The following businesses opened and closed in Silver View Plaza in 2009: • Opened in January - Fantastic Sams • Closed in January - Jian Kang Massage • Closed in March - A Home Enhanced: Stager's Resource Outlet • Opened in June - Corvette Specialties • Closed in December - Laundry King • Opened in December - A+ Coin Wash Property owners Kraus -Anderson had budgeted in 2009 to replace the roof and to repair the HVAC system. They replaced some of the HVAC units in 2009 but they postponed the roof replacement until 2010. January 15, 2010 EDC Meeting Item 6A — 2010 Priorities Page 3 of 6 d. Trailway connections to businesses: Construction of trail Segments 1-5 was completed in November 2009. Segments 1-5 are located along the south side of County Road 10 between Eastwood Road and Woodale Drive and are part of a comprehensive trailway plan approved by the City Council in August 2002. e. PAK building: In Spring/Summer 2009, one of the owners of the PAK building initiated court proceedings to allow for the sale of the building. The trial date is anticipated for April/May 2010. f. Establish partnerships among neighboring cities in orderto strengthen the County Hwy 10 corridor (i.e. potential name change for County Hwy 10): In early 2010, staff will review past partnership efforts with neighboring cities and Ramsey County to rename County Road 10 prior to initiating further discussions. g. Knollwood Place & Johnson Property: The status of Knollwood Place did not change in 2009. In October of 2009, the Council re -approved the Select Senior Living senior housing plat and development agreement for the Johnson Property. The location of the future Select Senior Living Project is shown below. January 15, 2010 EDC Meeting Item 6A — 2010 Priorities Page 4 of 6 h. Improve the aesthetics of properties in the County Road 10 corridor One purpose of code enforcement is to improve aesthetics. There were 22 code enforcement cases opened and closed in 2009 for properties located along the County Road 10 corridor. Examples include: • Steve's Appliances — no sign permit for inflatable Maytag Man • Simon's —three mattresses stored outside and other junk • Robert's Sports Bar — temporary flea market signs, rug sales too close to intersection • Silver Lake Commons — mess storm water retention area • Corvettle Specialties — inoperable Corvette stored on flatbed trailer, six temporary ground signs • Big Top Liquor — large green donation bin • Former Let's Get Graphic building — sprinklers causing ice buildup on road • Moe's — fence damaged and bent, litter accumulation in back parking lot • 2310 Hwy 10 (single-family home) — long grass, broken windows, unsecured property • Days Inn — stairway in back parking lot missing a riser • Mermaid — handicapped parking spaces unmarked, stored construction materials stored outside • Wynnsong — landscaping bushes and flowers dead along north and south sides of building • 2944 Hwy 10 (high density residential) — catch basin back-up • 2935 Hwy 10 (medium density residential) — vehicles parked off an improved surface, junk stored outside, 2) Incorporate the Risdall Branding Study, including marketing and communications plans, to help guide the EDC's priorities and recommendations The EDC and EDA continued its work on the Mounds View Branding Project in 2009 by receiving the results of Risdall's research and surveys of the residents and businesses, by adopting a Brand Strategy for Mounds View, by reviewing over one hundred tagline ideas and by receiving a framework from Risdall on marketing and communications for Mounds View. The EDA began implementing the logo by placing it on the electronic message board on County Road 10 and on the wall in the Council Chambers. 3) Monitor and assist with Citywide housing projects In April 2009, the EDC recommended that the EDA approve a $100 application fee for the EDA's Housing Replacement Program and that the EDA update its list of properties eligible for acquisition through the program. The EDA did not consider the EDC's recommendation in 2009. In Spring/Summer 2009, the EDA considered a request from the homeowners of 2949 Hwy 10 and 8271 Long Lake Road for the EDA to acquire the properties for redevelopment purposes. Mounds View planned a Housing Resources Seminar for May of 2009 but there was a lack of RSVPs, so the event was cancelled. January 15, 2010 EDC Meeting Item 6A — 2010 Priorities Page 5 of 6 4) Support the implementation of the Citywide Street & Utility Improvement Program Shown on the map below, Area A of the Street Improvement Program was completed in 2009. January 15, 2010 EDC Meeting Item 6A — 2010 Priorities Page 6 of 6 Shown on the map below, Areas B & C will be completed in 2010. B R I G H T 0 5) Skyline Motel Redevelopment: The status of the Skyline Motel did not change in 2009. It will be difficult to attract a developer to the site due to the size of the property and the adjacent land uses (manufactured homes and industrial park). Recommendation Staff recommends that the EDC set its 2010 priorities. After adoption, staff will forward them to the EDA prior to the City Council's February 12, 2010 goal setting retreat. Respectfully submitted, Heidi Steinmetz Economic Development Specialist NUM of Mounds View Staff To: From: Item Title/Subject: Background Item #: 6B Meeting Date: January 15, 2010 Type of Business: EDC Administrator Review: Economic Development Commission Heidi Steinmetz, Economic Development Specialist Discuss Mounds View Tagline In August 2008, the City began the Mounds View Branding Project. Choosing a new tagline for the City of Mounds View is part of that project. The EDA/City Council has discussed the idea of a new tagline for the City of Mounds View on several occasions. Below is a summary of those discussions: Date I Meeting Topic of Discussion 5/11/09 EDA • EDA reviewed City staff team & Risdall Marketing Group's list of taglines ideas • EDA chose their top six tagline ideas from the list 5/26/09 EDA • EDA decided to have a future discussion about soliciting tagline ideas from the public through a potential contest • EDA reviewed educational materials about taglines 6/1/09 Work Session Council provided feedback about soliciting taglines from the public by using various promotional tools 6/8/09 EDA EDA approved promotional tools and corresponding timelines for soliciting tagline ideas from the public 10/12/09 EDA EDA reviewed 82 tagline ideas submitted by the public and chose "See for Yourself' as the new tagline for the Cit 10/26/09 City Council • Council tabled Resolution 7517 Approving "See for Yourself' as the new tagline for the City • Council decided to poll the public on the City Website asking the public if they like the tagline "See for Yourself' • Council decided to discuss the tagline issue at a future Work Session 12/7/09 Council Work Council discussed the possibility of forming a task force to continue tagline Session discussions and asked City staff to provide a possible list of members at a future Council meeting 1/4/2010 Council Work Council decided not to form a task force and to go without a new City tagline Session indefinitely until a front-runner emerges naturally. The Council directed staff to ask the EDC if they are willing to tackle the tagline issue. Discussion As shown above, the City Council is wondering if the EDC would like to continue work in trying to create a new tagline for Mounds View. While staff will follow through with the EDC's wishes about this matter, staff suggests that the EDC focus its effort on January 15, 2010 EDC Meeting Item 6B — Tagline Page 2 of 2 assisting with a mini -campaign to market the City's existing tagline Pride, Progress and Partnerships. The main reason for this suggestion is that the City has never undertaken such a campaign. If the City markets each word of the existing tagline, we may be reminded of why Pride, Progress and Partnerships was chosen as the City's tagline 18 years ago and how it could still relevant today and into the future. During Risdall's survey work in Fall 2008, when businesses were asked if Pride, Progress and Partnerships appropriately described the City, the majority of business respondents (80.6%) indicated that it did. This strong response indicates that the tagline represented relevant business attributes that were important to the respondents. Recommendation Staff recommends that the EDC provide a recommendation to the EDA that staff begin work on a Pride, Progress and Partnerships marketing campaign to be completed by staff in-house. Respectfully submitted, Heidi Steinmetz Economic Development Specialist (v. • MOUNDS VIEW 2010 Economic Development Commission (EDC) Priorities 1. Development/redevelopment along the County Rd 10 corridor a. Potential name change for County Rd 10 b. Premium Stop Redevelopment Area c. Silver View Plaza d. Complete remaining trailway connections to businesses e. PAK building f. Knollwood Place & Johnson property g. Improve the aesthetics of properties in the County Rd 10 corridor h. Saturn dealership 2. Continue budgeting to implement the Mounds View Branding Project 3. Monitor Mounds View properties in transition 4. Skyline Motel redevelopment 5. Monitor and assist with Citywide housing issues and projects 6. Support the implementation of the Citywide Street & Utility Improvement Program