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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-11-2009PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW EDA CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting May 11, 2009 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 6:33 P.M. 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL: President Flaherty, Vice President Stigney, Commissioner Hull, Commissioner Mueller, Commissioner Gunn, Executive Director Ericson, Community Development Director Roberts, and Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz. NOT PRESENT: None. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Gunn. To Approve the May 11, 2009, Agenda as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 4. PUBLIC INPUT None. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. April 13, 2009, EDA Minutes. Vice President Stigney requested a correction to Page 4, Line 163, to indicate: “Vice President Stigney asked if The Mermaid will go bankrupt unless no TIF payment is made on the hotel parcel.” MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Mueller. To Approve the April 13, 2009, Minutes as corrected. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 6. CONSENT AGENDA None. Mounds View EDA May 11, 2009 Regular Meeting Page 2 7. EDA BUSINESS A. Review City Tagline Options Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz noted the City’s current tagline, “Pride Progress and Partnerships” has been used for the past 18 years. The resident survey indicated that most residents have mixed feelings about the current tagline and it did not mean anything to them. However, 80% of the business community felt the current tagline represented their mission in the City. Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz presented taglines developed by staff and asked the EDA to provide direction whether any describe Mounds View today and going forward, whether two taglines are needed (one for residents and another for businesses), or if a tagline is needed at all. Patrick Bettenburg, Risdall Marketing Group, explained that finding a tagline is a creative process and sometimes it is difficult to reach consensus on one that is the most reflective of who the City feels they are today and will grow into the future. He commented on several of the taglines and how they reflect on Mounds View, its residents, and business community. The EDA discussed the taglines, noting that “Two Words One Community” would identify that Mounds View is spelled with two words and “One Community” infers Mounds View is a united and close community. President Flaherty supported a tagline with few words like “It’s Where You Want To Be” or “Discover for Yourself.” Mr. Bettenburg explained that the original list of taglines was developed to incorporate learnings from the brand process, values connected in the survey by citizens, information from qualitative survey, and clever phrases to help describe Mounds View. Vice President Stigney stated the names of other cities have two words so a tagline with “Two Words” would not be unique to Mounds View. He suggested identifying five words that describe Mounds View and then pare it down into something meaningful. President Flaherty felt none of the taglines were distinctive enough. Commissioner Gunn noted the tagline would be used with the “Mounds View” logo. She felt the tagline “Close Enough Far Enough.” identified Mounds View because it tied in the business and residential communities as well as the school and Highway 10, which provided the route to be “Close Enough.” Commissioner Mueller stated she understands the vision of a tagline but prefers the suggestion by Vice President Stigney to find something unique to Mounds View. She stated she likes “Two Words One Community” but agrees with Vice President Stigney that other cities are also two Mounds View EDA May 11, 2009 Regular Meeting Page 3 words. She noted that just over 80% of the City’s businesses like the current tagline “Pride Progress and Partnerships” and she wondered if residents may favor that tagline once the street projects are completed, denoting progress is being made and pride in their community. Commissioner Mueller stated she remains open to suggestions. Executive Director Ericson stated the tagline of “Two Words One Community” may be unique to Mounds View because not many cities have gone to the length that Mounds View has experienced to assure that its name is written as two words. He noted that in the past, the City’s name had been spelled as one word. Executive Director Ericson noted Risdall’s suggestion to incorporate resident’s input from the survey by using words like “close, convenient, connected, and caring.” Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz stated an additional tagline suggested by staff was to use the name of the newsletter: “Mounds View Matters.” She suggested the EDA take this matter under advisement and discuss it again at its next meeting. Commissioner Hull stated he likes the tagline “Two Words One Community” and noted there is no confusion with other cities whether the name is written as two words. He stated he remains open to suggestions. Vice President Stigney again stated his preference to find a tagline that is unique to Mounds View and suggested the EDA consider whether the tagline is intended for current residents, to attract new residents and businesses, and/or identify the direction Mounds View is moving. President Flaherty agreed the tagline target needs to be identified. Mr. Bettenburg stated ideally the tagline is an all-encompassing emotion yet an outward expression of who Mounds View is. He stated the tagline has to have meaning to its residents yet portray who Mounds View is to those who are not familiar. Consensus was reached to create one tagline and the following were added: “Two Words One Community,” “Community Matters,” “Make it Mounds View,” and “See for Yourself.” This item was postponed to the May 26, 2009, EDA meeting and resident input was welcomed. 8. REPORTS A. Update – City Communications / Marketing Plan. Economic Development Coordinator Steinmetz advised that Mr. Bettenburg would be presenting the Marketing Plan to the EDA on May 26, 2009. Mounds View EDA May 11, 2009 Regular Meeting Page 4 B. Business Improvement Partnership Loan Program Inquiry. Economic Development Coordinator Steinmetz advised staff received an inquiry about the City’s Business Improvement Partnership Loan Program, which is designed to assist existing businesses of two years to make improvements. The inquiry is from a new business so staff advised them that they do not meet the Program requirements of two years. The new business asked if the EDA would waive that criteria since Mounds View does not currently have a dental office. The dental office has a purchase agreement in the Mounds View Center Suites for about 1,500 square feet that needs a significant investment to build out the space and buy equipment. The dental office would provide three initial full-time jobs and several more over the next three to five years. The space would be purchased for $183,000 and the buildout would cost $120,000 plus equipment purchases. Commissioner Mueller asked why the loan criteria is for a two-year business. Executive Director Ericson explained it was the original intent of the loan Program to provide incentive for existing businesses to renovate and improve it facilities. Since the City created the program 15-20 years ago and since it has experienced very little usage, the EDA could ask if the purpose of the Program should be reconsidered since Mounds View is now a fully developed city. Vice President Stigney stated the request is from a new business and if they cannot afford to buy the space, it could be leased. He felt that part of being a dentist is the buildout and purchase of equipment and the City’s Program should stay as it is designed, to improve upon existing properties. Vice President Stigney cautioned about setting a precedent and stated if the Program is not being used, maybe it should be advertised more. Commissioner Hull stated it is time to “think outside the box” and he would consider this request. Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz stated the Program provides a loan up to $25,000 and the EDA may want to be in first position on the loan, or require a security. Commissioner Gunn noted this is an improvement to an existing building/business and she thinks the City should try to attract businesses. Commissioner Gunn noted the City has been trying to get dental and medical practices in Mounds View and she would consider the request. Commissioner Mueller stated that portions of the building are vacant and a dental office would be a good fit. However, she understands Vice President Stigney’s word of caution that it could open the Program to other businesses. She stated she would like additional information about the applicant and whether lease-to-buy is an option if they do not have financing to purchase the space. Mounds View EDA May 11, 2009 Regular Meeting Page 5 President Flaherty stated a Program is in place and each request can be considered on its own merit. He suggested the current building owner request funding to install the floor so it meets the Program criteria. President Flaherty stated it may be time to relook at the Program and asked staff to see if something can be worked out with the current building owner. Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz stated Silverview Chiropractic has been in Mounds View for about 19 years. Executive Director Ericson noted if the application is from Silverview Chiropractic instead of the new dental business, the end result remains the same and he questioned whether Silverview Chiropractic would want to be obligated for another $50,000 when they want to sell the space. Vice President Stigney stated he does not support using City money to help this business and suggested staff look at job grants and other funding opportunities. Majority EDA consensus was reached that it would be willing to look at the application. C. Update – Property Owner (2949 Highway 10) Acquisition Request. Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz reviewed the request of Mark Schnor to purchase his .26-acre property at 2949 Highway 10 for redevelopment purposes. She advised that a developer is interested in constructing rental townhomes on that property and four adjacent properties. Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz asked whether the EDA would support townhomes on these five properties. Community Development Roberts stated the parcels would require rezoning if used as townhomes. If the EDA is not interested in townhomes, staff would inform the developer of that stance. The EDA discussed the potential townhome development. Vice President Stigney stated residents felt that Mounds View had enough rental property so he does not support the proposal. Commissioner Gun agreed the purpose of rezoning was to keep housing off Highway 10. President Flaherty felt the City wanted more of a B2 or B3 use along Highway 10 rather than housing. Executive Director Ericson stated the intent was not to completely redevelop to a business corridor, but that there would be some housing. The Comprehensive Plan identifies the corridor as mixed use with a housing component. He noted there may be residential opposition to a commercial development on this site and there has been a transition with a higher number of the population choosing to rent rather than buy. Vice President Stigney stated he is not strongly opposed to owner-occupied townhomes. Mounds View EDA May 11, 2009 Regular Meeting Page 6 Executive Director Ericson stated Finance Director Beer had advised that acquiring Mr. Schnor’s property as an investment would not be a good investment for a number of reasons. Consensus was reached that owner-occupied townhomes or a 55 and older co-op community would be more favorably considered than rental townhomes. D. Update – Select Senior Living Project. Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz reported that Select Senior Living, the 95-unit senior housing project approved last year, has been delayed due to financing problems. 9. NEXT EDA MEETING: Tuesday, May 26, 2009, at 6:30 p.m. 10. ADJOURNMENT President Flaherty adjourned the meeting at 7:03 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Recorded and transcribed by: Carla Wirth TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.