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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-23-2009PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW EDA CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting February 23, 2009 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 6:00 P.M. 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL: President Flaherty, Vice President Stigney, Commissioner Hull, Commissioner Mueller, Commissioner Gunn, and Executive Director Ericson. NOT PRESENT: None. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Executive Director Ericson added Reports, 8A. Update on 2009 EDC Priorities. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Mueller. To Approve the February 23, 2009 Agenda as revised. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 4. PUBLIC INPUT There was none. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. January 12, 2009, EDA Minutes. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Hull. To Approve the January 12, 2009 Minutes as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 6. CONSENT AGENDA None. The EDA agreed with the suggestion of President Flaherty to next consider Item 8A, Update on 2009 EDC Priorities. Mounds View EDA February 23, 2009 Regular Meeting Page 2 8. REPORTS A. Update on 2009 EDC Priorities Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz presented the five EDC 2009 priorities as follows: 1) Development/redevelopment along CR10 Corridor; 2) Incorporate the Risdall Branding Study and Project; 3) Monitor and Assist City-Wide Housing Issues and Projects; 4) Support the Implementation of City’s Street and Utility Improvement Project; and 5) Skyline Motel Redevelopment. Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz stated the EDC appreciates the Council will consider these priorities at its February 28, 2009, Council Retreat. 7. EDA BUSINESS A. Mounds View Branding Project – Discovery Findings Reports and Preliminary Brand Strategy. Patrick Bettenburg, Risdall Marketing Group, advised the group about the process used to gather information through interviews to create the resident survey and business operator’s survey. He reviewed the Findings Report, highlighting developer interviews, secondary research of City documentation, and forms of communication. During this research, they uncovered that the CR10 corridor had been studied on several occasions, starting in 2002. Those studies contained information on which to plan actions and gave insight on the City’s priorities to improve the overall “brand” of Mounds View. Risdall found several key insights that were generally positive. However, one real concern was the image of Mounds View as negatively connected to CR10. There was a strong showing in statistical research that residents were concerned about the low level of improvements made to CR10. That perception also affects the reputation of Mounds View by the outside world so different strategies have been included to address that perception. Commissioner Mueller asked Risdall to further develop their insight related to effective communication through Mounds View Matters, the City’s newsletter. Mr. Bettenburg noted that is addressed in Phase 4, the Visibility Phase. President Flaherty commented on the positive feedback from residents and business owners and, more importantly, that they identified areas that can be worked on such as the CR10 corridor. He stated this information would be addressed at the Council’s retreat, which is open to the public. Mr. Bettenburg advised that one topic intentionally not covered was the Medtronic transaction. This was done strategically, since the beginning of the process, based on interviews with key leaders indicating it may be a decisive issue. Risdall decided to see if that topic came up naturally through the survey process, which offered ample opportunity to write in comments. However, not much concern was expressed related to the Medtronic transaction. Mr. Bettenburg stated it should be safe to say that residents feel it is time to move on. Mounds View EDA February 23, 2009 Regular Meeting Page 3 Mr. Bettenburg presented the preliminary Brand Strategy Phase and recommendations for the Council’s internal debate when setting priorities. He noted the key elements of the brand came from the resident’s image survey based on the values they set. The brand promise reflects the City, addressing what the City’s delivers as benefit, as follows: “The City of Mounds View is a friendly and active community with a small town feel, committed to being family-friendly, safe and fun, with planned and managed growth and development, overseen by an open government that is responsive and fiscally responsible.” Mr. Bettenburg then read the recommendation of brand strategies and five objectives that were shaped by the resident’s comments. He commented on the impact of CR10 and opportunity for redevelopment that could be capitalized upon if redeveloped as a boulevard or parkway. Mr. Bettenburg offered their consultation services to assist the City set priorities, stating that based on the Council’s direction; they will redraft the final Brand Strategy. Vice President Stigney noted the indication that at the March 9, 2009 EDA meeting, the final Brand Strategy, new logo, and tag line will be presented. He asked when the EDA would see the draft City logo. Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz stated on March 9, 2009, versions of the logos will be posted and an interactive process will occur between the EDA and EDC to narrow the choices. A final logo and tag line would not be decided upon until a future meeting, possibly in April. If a logo is selected, it would be unveiled at the April 25, 2009 Town Hall meeting. President Flaherty agreed the first step should be the beautification of CR10, noting the trail system will be installed on the north side this summer. He stated he has been asked what process was used by Arden Hills with Highway 96 and New Brighton with Silver Lake Road. President Flaherty stated his support to develop CR10 into a parkway and asked staff to determine the process involved with the County or Mn/DOT. Community Development Director Roberts advised that in Arden Hills, a Ramsey County project redeveloped Highway 96 and the local communities were able to provide input into landscaping and beautification. With CR10, the road surface is in good shape and the issue is beautification. Commissioner Gunn stated a study has already been prepared for CR10. Commissioner Mueller commented on the process used by New Brighton to landscape Silver Lake Road and challenges they faced with maintaining trees planted in the center median. Mr. Bettenburg stated that a plan had previously been prepared regarding how to landscape and beautify CR10 that includes realignment of intersections to create right angles, some being very expensive. He stated those plans might have to be revised, but that information is available. With regard to timing, he advised that developers have indicated there will be no work in this area for several years due to the constriction of capital and lending. It was also indicated that there would be considerable changes coming for the CR10 and CR H intersection due to the Mounds View EDA February 23, 2009 Regular Meeting Page 4 future development of the TCAAP property. Mr. Bettenburg explained that activity will “open a window” of a year or two for Mounds View to develop a long-range plan for CR10 redevelopment. Dr. Greg Belting, 5372 Edgewood Drive, and EDC Member, thanked Risdall for the great job done on this Study. He asked if it is known when Ramsey County will make improvements to CR10, noting it is an outdated, non-curbed road design. Community Development Director Roberts stated this discussion will continue at the upcoming Council Retreat and the March 9, 2009 EDA meeting. Vice President Stigney suggested that several logos be presented at the Town Hall meeting and residents be invited to provide input. Community Development Director Roberts explained there are two ways to approach this. One is that the EDA is the elected policy makers to select the logo. The other is for citizen involvement and the Town Hall would be the perfect opportunity if there were enough citizen participation. President Flaherty stated if the EDA can narrow the choices to two or three logos, they could be presented at the Town Hall meeting to obtain citizen’s input, with the EDA making the final determination. Mr. Bettenburg emphasized that creating the logo is a creative exercise and always the product of subjective review. He stated that while he appreciates the idea of getting a lot of public input, and that can be accommodated, he would recommend the final determination be made by the EDA rather than offering a “logo contest” to residents. He noted the final three logo designs could be posted on the City’s website, if desired, with an option to submit comments. 8. REPORTS A. Update on 2009 EDC Priorities. This item was addressed earlier in the meeting. 9. NEXT EDA MEETING: Monday, March 9, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. 10. ADJOURNMENT President Flaherty adjourned the meeting at 6:52 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Recorded and transcribed by: Carla Wirth TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.