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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-28-2009PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW EDA CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting September 28, 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, Executive Director Ericson, Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz, and Community Development Director Ken Roberts. NOT PRESENT: None. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Mueller. To approve the September 28, 2009, Agenda as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 4. PUBLIC INPUT None. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. May 26, 2009, EDA Minutes. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Hull. To approve the May 26, 2009, Minutes as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. June 8, 2009, EDA Minutes. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Stigney. To approve the June 8, 2009, Minutes as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 6. CONSENT AGENDA None. Mounds View EDA September 28, 2009 Regular Meeting Page 2 7. EDA BUSINESS A. Authorize Fourth Dimension to Create and Install a New Wall Sign in the City Council Chambers. Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz presented two quotes to replace the wall sign in the Council Chambers. She pointed out that the Fourth Dimension quote includes a backer plate to cover damage that may be caused by removing the existing wall sign. Spectrum Sign Systems quote does not include such a backer plate Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz stated staff recommends awarding the bid to Fourth Dimension in the amount of $1,400 to be paid from the EDA’s 2009 Other Professional Services budget, leaving a balance of $63,556. Commissioner Mueller asked about the material of the current sign and the size of the new sign. Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz advised the new sign would be the same material (aluminum) and the sizes vary about 1.5 feet. She explained that each vendor would design the sign as directed by the EDA. Staff said that if the EDA uses a backer plate, the sign company should design it to look like a picture frame so that it looks professional. Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz stated staff would suggest the words “City of” be removed since the logo recently approved by the Council does not include those words. Commissioner Hull asked what types of expenses are taken from the Other Professional Services budget. Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz stated expenses would include consultant fees for EDA projects and she did not anticipate that the EDA would need more funds from this line item in 2009. Commissioner Mueller commented on the need for proper spacing to assure “Mounds View” appears as two words. Executive Director Ericson stated in 2008 this budget was used for legal fees, finance consultant fees, special project fees, environmental review fees, audit fees, the housing resource center and marketing fees. The expenditure under consideration would qualify as a marketing expenditure. Vice President Stigney asked about the projected need for this fund in 2010. Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz stated there may be some costs for an appraisal of the EDA- owned property, but that cost would not consume the entire budget for this line item. Executive Director Ericson commented on the ability for this budget to serve as a pass-through account for developer reimbursed expenditures. He noted this budget will have a balance remaining at 2009 year end that balance will carry forward to the 2010 budget. The EDA discussed sign color and whether a gold color would blend in too much with the current wall color. Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz informed the EDA of the input from the City’s cable operator who said that the gold color would stand out sufficiently on Mounds View EDA September 28, 2009 Regular Meeting Page 3 camera. Commissioner Mueller stated support for the Spectrum Sign Systems proposal for a 7.5-foot sign in a dark burnished gold color. Commissioner Gunn concurred. President Flaherty noted the Other Professional Services budget is a TIF generated fund. Executive Director Ericson indicated that is correct and use of this fund is specified. He explained that the City’s recent branding project qualifies for use of these funds as well as marketing and TIF District improvements. President Flaherty stated if these funds could be used to write down the general fund balance or to balance the levy, he would have an issue with this consideration. Executive Director Ericson said that TIF dollars can only be spent only for specific uses. President Flaherty stated his support for the Spectrum Sign Systems proposal in a gold color. Vice President Stigney pointed out that TIF funds can be used for trails and roads and since a road reconstruction project is being done, indirectly, money saved here can be used there, resulting in lower taxes to residents. Vice President Stigney asked why quotes were obtained at this time. Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz stated in May, the EDA directed staff to start implementing the City’s new logo. Staff started implementing the logo where it would not cost anything and then staff began obtaining quotes for the most visible signs in the City. She believes it would be a good thing to implement the new logo based on the Council’s decision to adopt a new logo back in April. Vice President Stigney noted the April decision by the Council was to implement the logo where there was no cost; however, this consideration would cost money to implement. President Flaherty stated his impression the Council had given direction for staff to start implementing the logo and, eventually, this matter would have to be considered. Commissioner Hull asked what happens to this $1,400 if it is not spent on the wall sign. Executive Director Ericson stated the funds would remain in this budget. President Flaherty stated his support of the branding process and marketing Mounds View but he did have an issue with spending tax dollars at this time due to the economy. He stated if this fund balance is forwarded to 2010 with no additional money budgeted for this fund, it would be more palatable to consider spending funds on the wall sign. Executive Director Ericson explained at the end of the year, a transfer will be made from TIF Districts to cover expenditures (as needed). So, deferring a purchase to 2010 would not change anything since it is a “paper” budget. Vice President Stigney stated if approved, he thinks “City of” should be included in the sign, it should be of the same color as the current sign, and three-dimensional without the backer plate. However, he finds this to be an unnecessary expense and bad timing. Mounds View EDA September 28, 2009 Regular Meeting Page 4 MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Stigney. To table consideration of a new wall sign for the City Council Chambers to April of 2010. Commissioner Mueller stated Vice President Stigney raised good points, noting the water tower needs to be refurbished so the time to start implementing the new logo is with that project. Commissioner Gunn asked if these dollars can be used to fund painting the new logo on the water tower when the entire tower is repainted. Executive Director Ericson stated it had not been planned to use any TIF dollars for that project and the cost to paint the water tower would be the same if the EDA uses the current logo or the new logo. Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz added that funding to paint the water tower is in the CIP. Vice President Stigney stated his support to fund the logo portion of the water tower project through this budget since it is a form of advertising for Mounds View. President Flaherty stated the Council Chambers sign is seen by the public during broadcasts of the Council meetings so displaying the logo in the Council Chambers should move. He stated he supports this expenditure since it in no way impacts the general fund except indirectly as mentioned by Vice President Stigney. Ayes – 2 (Mueller, Stigney) Nays – 3 (Gunn, Hull, Flaherty) Motion failed. MOTION/SECOND: Flaherty/Gunn. To authorize the use of $1,400 from the 2009 “Other Professional Services” budget for Spectrum Sign Systems to create and install a new wall sign for the City Council Chambers with the sign being of the same color as the current sign and without the backer plate. AMENDMENT MOTION/SECOND: Stigney/Mueller (for discussion purposes). To amend the motion to include the words “City of.” Executive Director Ericson noted the words “City of” were not included in the specification so it may impact the quote. Aye – 1 (Stigney) Nays – 4 Amendment motion failed. Vice President Stigney stated he would vote against the motion on the floor due to previously stated reasons. Ayes – 4 Nays – 1 (Stigney) Motion carried. B. Authorize Fourth Dimension to Update City Hall’s Electronic Billboard Mounds View EDA September 28, 2009 Regular Meeting Page 5 Panels. Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz presented staff’s recommendation to approve the Fourth Dimension quote to update the City’s electronic message sign on County Road. She also recommended the words “Community Center” not be included on the sign to avoid confusing the public since the Community Center is not located within City Hall. Commissioner Gunn stated her support for this expenditure since it is the City’s largest sign and it serves as advertisement for Mounds View and that it should reflect the City’s new image. Commissioner Mueller stated she also thinks this sign is important, noting that i many commuters see it on a daily basis. She stated she supports staff’s recommendation to remove the words “Community Center,” and the color scheme as proposed. President Flaherty suggested it would be a more prudent time to make this change when needed for upkeep of the sign’s appearance. Vice President Stigney stated he does not like the proposed stark white color and would prefer a reverse color scheme. He also felt the words “City Hall” should be included when the sign is updated but believed this is not the time to do so. Commissioner Hull stated this sign will need to be updated at some time and the same TIF dollars will be used as the City Council Chambers wall sign so he supports moving forward at this time. Vice President Stigney noted the City may want to include a tagline on this sign but a new tagline has not yet been approved. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Hull. To authorize the use of $1,800 from the 2009 “Other Professional Services” budget and direct staff to obtain design alternatives from Fourth Dimension to create, install, and repaint the City Hall electronic message sign panels with the words “City Hall” included and a reverse color scheme. AMENDMENT MOTION/SECOND: Flaherty/Stigney. To table updating the City Hall electronic message sign until it requires normal maintenance. Ayes – 2 (Stigney, Flaherty) Nays – 3 (Gunn, Hull, Mueller) Amendment motion failed. Vice President Stigney stated he will vote against the motion on the floor because he believes this is not a necessary expenditure. President Flaherty stated his concurrence. Ayes – 3 (Gunn, Hull, Mueller) Nays – 2 (Stigney, Flaherty) Motion carried. Mounds View EDA September 28, 2009 Regular Meeting Page 6 C. Authorize Traffic Graphix to Create and Install Two New Sign Panels for the Monument Signs on County Road 10. Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz presented staff’s recommendation to install two new sign panels for the County Road 10 entrance monument signs. She presented an artist’s rendition of the current temporary sign approved for the City’s 50th celebration in addition to the updated sign renditions. Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz stated the quote from Traffix Graphix is $640 per sign, or a total of $1,280. Staff is not recommending using the other vendor because the expected life of their sign is only two years. Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz recommended the signs be funded from the EDA’s printing budget. MOTION/SECOND: Stigney/Mueller. To postpone consideration to the next EDA meeting so there is adequate time for discussion. President Flaherty stated the current signs are only one year old so he does not support a change to the signs at this time. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 8. REPORTS None. 9. NEXT EDA MEETING: Monday, October 12, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. 10. ADJOURNMENT President Flaherty adjourned the meeting at 7:01 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Recorded and transcribed by: Carla Wirth TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.