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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-25-2008PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW EDA CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting February 25, 2008 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 6:33 P.M. 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL: President Marty, Vice President Stigney, Commissioner Hull, Commissioner Flaherty, Commissioner Mueller, and Interim Executive Director Ericson. NOT PRESENT: None. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Flaherty. To Approve the Monday, February 25, 2008 Agenda as Presented. Ayes - 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 4. PUBLIC INPUT None. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. January 28, 2008 EDA Minutes President Marty, on Page 4, Line 44, add deadline had expired. Line 151, remove 40 unit memory care/half assisted living. Commissioner Hull on page 3, Line 108 insert the word letter after financial. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Hull. To Approve the January 28, 2008 EDA Minutes as Amended. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Mounds View EDA February 25, 2008 Regular Meeting Page 2 6. CONSENT AGENDA None. 7. EDA BUSINESS A. Resolution 08-EDA-243, Election and Appointment of Officers of the Authority Interim Executive Director Ericson noted that Vice President Stigney had brought up that the bylaws were not being followed relating to the appointment of officers. Staff has reviewed the bylaws and determined that they are not consistent with Minnesota Statutes. He then said that the appointments can be made that need to occur and Staff can come back with a recommendation for necessary amendments. The Authority added Mr. Stigney as Vice President. Vice President Stigney indicated that he would like to wait on appointing the Treasurer until the duties are determined and the necessary amendments to the bylaws are made. Interim Executive Director Ericson agreed that those appointments could wait until the issues are resolved. Attorney Riggs indicated that he would review the Statute for a recommendation. He then said that he just revised another city’s enabling resolution and that is more difficult than amending bylaws. He then said that there are about six locations in the bylaws that should be amended, but it should not take long for the revisions to be made and presented to the Authority for consideration. He further said that he does not believe that appointment of officers would be affected by changes necessary to the bylaws. Vice President Stigney said that he would like to know what the Statute stated when this was established. Attorney Riggs indicated that the statute shows that the provisions were adopted in 1987 and have not been changed since then. MOTION/SECOND: Marty/Mueller. To Postpone Appointments to a Future EDA Meeting to Allow Time for Researching this Matter. Commissioner Flaherty asked what takes precedent. Attorney Riggs indicated that the State Statute is what needs to be followed. Mounds View EDA February 25, 2008 Regular Meeting Page 3 Commissioner Mueller noted the Charter, as it relates to elected officials, states that they are not to hold any other office, and she is wondering if this is a direct conflict of the Charter. Attorney Riggs indicated that the Legislature does allow Councils to serve on EDA Boards. He then said that this should be looked at, but the Legislature has the ability to say that you can do this regardless of what it states in the Charter. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. Resolution 08-EDA-244, Approve Mounds View Business Toolbox Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz reviewed Resolution 08-EDA-244 with the Authority. Staff and the EDC is comfortable with the 2% rate associated with the Business Improvement Partnership Loan Program and also agrees with the recommendation to have an annual review of that rate. Commissioner Mueller said that one reason the Tool Box was developed, was at the request of the Authority is because there are more ways to bring businesses or keep businesses in the community than by using TIF. Commissioner Mueller said that she feels it is important that this document remain internal for use of the City. She then said that as long as the 2% covers administrative costs she is fine with the rate. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Hull. To Approve Resolution 08-EDA-244, Approving the Mounds View Business Toolbox. Vice President Stigney would like to expand the definition of the purpose of this program. He then said that he would like language requiring for improvements that further the goals of the EDA. He further said that he does not think that the EDA should be doing this at all. Commissioner Mueller stated lots of large companies and big box retail businesses use tax rebate programs to get started in a new community. The EDA can set the terms of the rebate if this is the only way the development will happen, it needs to be an option. Interim Executive Director Ericson pointed out that the EDA did review and approved a tax rebate financing policy, and the EDA should make a change, if that is not something that the City wants to use, then language should be adopted to clarify. Vice President Stigney said that may be, but this approves the Business Toolbox. He then said that he would like to clarify that TIF is for the intended purposes of the EDA. He further said Mounds View EDA February 25, 2008 Regular Meeting Page 4 that he would want people to come forward with something that would have a requirement to justify why these programs should be agreed to. Interim Executive Director Ericson noted that the city approved the Business Subsidy Policy that outlines what the City is looking for and when assistance will be provided, and when it will not. He then said that the goals of the EDA could be tied in, but they are already in document format in the Business Subsidy Policy. Commissioner Flaherty noted that these are programs that are in existence, however, that does not mean that you are entitled to them or qualify for them. Vice President Stigney indicated he would like to add that TRF is not currently being recommended by the EDA in 2008. Mayor Marty noted that the 2% rate is to be approved annually, so he would suggest looking into current rates with the Finance Director. Interim Executive Director Ericson said that the 2% rate would not put the City or the EDA in any type of jeopardy or risk. He then said that he has found that this amounts to a savings of about $500 per year for the applicant. So he does not think that will be enough to really incent anyone to go through that process. Council Member Mueller said that she would like to see this approved with minor modifications. Vice President Stigney said that as far as intended purposes for these programs he thinks that should be specified. He then said that the big box stores can use their own dollars and not free taxes for up to 20 years. He further said that he would not support tax abatements. Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz indicated that she would take the toolbox back and make revisions as requested and bring it to the next meeting for consideration. She then said that since this is an internal document that is dated, it will not be misused. The Motion to approve was withdrawn. MOTION/SECOND: Marty/Stigney. To Postpone action on the toolbox to a Future Meeting. Commissioner Flaherty asked if this is a binding document. Attorney Riggs indicated that it is not, and everything would run through the EDA. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Mounds View EDA February 25, 2008 Regular Meeting Page 5 8. REPORTS A. Twin Cities North Chamber Gala: Saturday, March 1, 2008 Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz reviewed the invitation to the Twin Cities North Chamber Gala scheduled for Saturday, March 1, 2008. She then asked anyone wishing to attend to contact Staff. Vice President Stigney said that tickets for the gala are $70.00 and he thinks that EDA money could be spent more wisely B. Economic Development Commission 2008 Priorities Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz reviewed the 2008 Economic Development Commission Priorities with the Authority. President Marty asked whether Staff has looked into a Byerly’s or Lund’s for the Premium Stop location. Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz indicated that she had provided the information to the business agent for Lund’s and Byerly’s. Staff will follow up with them to provide any additional information that they may request. They do not have any plans for new locations at this time, however. President Marty asked about Knollwood Place/Johnson property and whether the permit has expired. Interim Executive Director Ericson indicated that it expires at the end of this month. Commissioner Mueller asked if any contacts have been made with the owner of the Car Wash that had the fire. Interim Executive Director Ericson indicated that the property is listed with a realtor, and they have been given the information. He also indicated that he understands that they do not plan to re-open. C. Robert’s Sports Bar Update Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz indicated that there is someone interested in the property that wishes to keep it as a bar. Staff did find out that the grant application for the redevelopment is being reviewed by a former Mounds View employee and that does help our Mounds View EDA February 25, 2008 Regular Meeting Page 6 chances as the general area is well known to this individual. 9. NEXT EDA MEETING: Monday, March 10, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. 10. ADJOURNMENT President Marty adjourned the meeting at 7:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Recorded and transcribed by: Joan Lenzmeier, Recording Clerk TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.