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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-09-2001PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW EDA CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting April 9, 2001 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 9:50 P.M. 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL: Sonterre, Stigney, Marty, Quick, and Thomas. NOT PRESENT: None. 3. AGENDA ADDITIONS There were no additions or corrections to the agenda. MOTION/SECOND: Marty/Stigney. To Approve the Agenda for April 9, 2001 as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 4. APPROVAL OF EDA MINUTES A. Approve Minutes of February 12, 2001. MOTION/SECOND: Marty/Thomas. To Approve the Minutes of the EDA for February 12, 2001 as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 5. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS None. 6. REPORTS None. 7. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approve Modifications to the EDC’s Bylaws. Mounds View EDA April 9, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 2 MOTION/SECOND: Marty/Stigney. To Approve the Consent Agenda as Presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 8. EDA BUSINESS A. Discuss and Consider Resolution EDA-145-01, a Resolution Authorizing the Expenditure of Funds for the Highway 10 Revitalization and Reconstruction Study. Commissioner Marty asked why grant writing was not included in the previous estimate as he felt it was presented to the City in a manner that indicated this group had extensive grant writing capability. Community Development Director Ericson indicated it was presented to the City that the firm does have grant writing experience. However, when the City sent out the RFP’s the components requested did not include any extensive grant writing as part of that proposal. He then indicated both Staff and Springsted think it would be a good idea to utilize the consultant for that. President Sonterre further clarified that the firm has the background but was not specifically asked in the RFP for the grant writing. MOTION/SECOND: Marty/Quick. To Waive the Reading and Approve Resolution EDA-145- 01, a Resolution Authorizing the Expenditure of Funds for the Highway 10 Revitalization and Reconstruction Study. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. Discussion Regarding Acquisition of Property Associated with the Mermaid Redevelopment. Economic Development Coordinator Parrish told the Authority he had a conference call with the parties involved with this matter to discus the status of the real estate in question. He indicated he had been told they are making significant progress and can finalize the transaction within three weeks. Mr. Parrish then recommended the Authority consider directing Staff to begin the proceedings for a quick take of the property if the matter has not been resolved in three weeks. Commissioner Marty stated he had reviewed the meeting on television and is in agreement with the comments made by Vice President Stigney and Commissioner Thomas as he is not a proponent of eminent domain for the private sector. He then stated he would like to see what the City can do without stepping across that line. Mounds View EDA April 9, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 3 Commissioner Thomas stated she would not preclude using eminent domain as an option should it become necessary but stated that since the process appears to be moving along she is more comfortable waiting to see if the matter is resolved in three weeks. President Sonterre stated that eminent domain is a tool that can be used if the matter is not resolved. Commissioner Thomas stated she did not want to direct Staff to proceed with eminent domain proceedings at this time due to limited Staff time. Economic Development Coordinator Parrish stated there would only be minimal Staff time involved as the attorney would be responsible to draft the appropriate documents. He then stated that Dan Hall was asked to come to the meeting to answer any questions concerning the project. Dan Hall stated he is now before his third Mayor trying to finalize this project. He stated that every time he is close to finalizing the deal the other party asks for something else. He stated this is a very small item for such a large corporation and he has no idea why they are making such a big deal out of it. He then stated he was not asking for a vote to approve eminent domain but merely for permission to look at it as an option. Commissioner Marty asked if there were monetary or time constraints involved if the Authority were to wait three weeks before deciding to act. Mr. Hall indicated his construction documents have a start date of May 2, 2001 and he may lose his contractor if he cannot start on that date. Economic Development Coordinator Parrish explained that the reason the conveyance of land is so important is it is also holding up planning approvals as you cannot file a plat if you do not have title to the property. He then stated that pushing it out three more weeks would be cutting it very close in terms of finalizing City approvals and construction dates. Commissioner Marty requested that Staff follow up on the matter and report to the Authority on April 23, 2001. Economic Development Coordinator Parrish stated they were not asking permission to draft the documents but asking if progress hasn’t been made in three weeks to begin the process. Commissioner Thomas stated the City is not condemning a house nor is the City addressing a health and safety issue as this is a private economic development issue. She then stated the Authority is being asked to pull out its “hammer” when they should use a “crescent wrench”. She further stated she is not comfortable directing Staff to look at the option if the other side has Mounds View EDA April 9, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 4 said they are working on the matter. President Sonterre asked what Mr. Parrish had hoped to receive from the EDA on this matter. Economic Development Coordinator Parrish explained he has no leverage if he says the City may consider eminent domain but if he receives direction to initiate the proceedings based on a demonstrated lack of progress his leverage is improved. President Sonterre clarified Mr. Parrish had no “hammer” and wanted to borrow the Authority’s “hammer” to sway the discussions. Vice President Stigney stated Staff should have enough information that the Authority will take action on this at the next meeting if no progress is made. He further stated he felt Mr. Parrish could use that information without saying the City had initiated proceedings. President Sonterre clarified it was the consent of the Authority not to initiate the process at this time and direct Staff to provide a status report at the April 23, 2001 meeting. Economic Development Coordinator Parrish asked for permission to place the use of eminent domain within the context of redevelopment on the agenda for the next work session. It was the Consent of the Authority to hear the options at the work session as proposed by staff. 9. ADJOURNMENT President Sonterre adjourned the meeting 10:17 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Recorded and transcribed by: Joan Lenzmeier TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.