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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-12-2016PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW EDA CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting September 12, 2016 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Mounds View Boulevard, Mounds View, MN 55112 6:31 P.M. 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL: President Flaherty, Vice President Gunn, Commissioner Hull, Commissioner Meehlhause, Commissioner Mueller, and Executive Director Ericson. NOT PRESENT: None. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Meehlhause. To Approve the September 12, 2016, Agenda as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 4. PUBLIC INPUT None. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. November 23, 2015, EDA Minutes. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Gunn. To Approve the November 23, 2015, Minutes as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. January 11, 2016, EDA Minutes. Commissioner Meehlhause requested a change to the minutes on Page 2, Line 16 stating his comment should read he was willing to continue to serve as the Secretary. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Hull. To Approve the January 11, 2016, Minutes as amended. Mounds View EDA September 12, 2016 Regular Meeting Page 2 Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. February 8, 2016, EDA Minutes. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Meehlhause. To Approve the February 8, 2016, Minutes as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 6. CONSENT AGENDA None. 7. EDA BUSINESS A. Resolution 16-EDA-293, Approving the Special Benefit Tax Levy for the Purpose of Defraying the Costs Incurred by the Mounds View Economic Development Authority for Fiscal Year 2017. Finance Director Beer requested the EDA consider approving a special benefit tax levy for the purpose of defraying costs incurred by the EDA for 2017. He explained the EDA’s expenses have been funded by TIF districts in the past, however with the decertification of three districts a new funding source is necessary. He stated $100,000 was being proposed to be levied for the EDA via the HRA. Brian Amundson, 3048 Woodale Drive, discussed the City of Mounds View’s ability to levy. He understood the City was having a difficult time finding funds for economic development activities. He also understood a way to get around this was to authorize a separate levy through the HRA. He then reviewed the State Statute requirements regarding HRA levies and noted the purpose of HRA levies. He did not believe an HRA levy could be proposed without a specific housing project in place. He believed the residents had spoken to this issue eight years ago, and asked the EDA to reconsider their actions and follow the proper procedures. He recommended the Council approve a maximum levy and that funds be shifted over to the EDA rather than the EDA approving a separate levy. He understood the City was trying to do economic development, but wanted the City to complete this task in a proper manner. Mr. Amundson asked if the EDA was considering to approve a separate levy on a yearly basis or if this was a one-time request. President Flaherty reported the EDA was considering a year to year levy to assist the EDA with economic development. Further discussion ensued regarding the State Statute requirements for HRA levies. Mounds View EDA September 12, 2016 Regular Meeting Page 3 Commissioner Hull questioned if the EDA could approve an HRA levy without going before the voters. Executive Director Ericson stated this would be allowed without a vote. He indicated that after much discussion between staff and the City Attorney staff was comfortable moving forward with the proposed tax levy. He explained that the City would move forward with this item following all State Statutes. Commissioner Hull asked if the City could move monies from the General Fund to the EDA. Executive Director Ericson commented this would be allowed and noted a $50,000 transfer was already occurring. He reported that the City would have to operate within the confines of the levy cap if the EDA were to proceed in this manner. President Flaherty appreciated the questions and comments brought forward by Mr. Amundson and assured the residents that the EDA would move forward in accordance with all State Statutes. He indicated the EDA had until September 15th to certify a Special Levy with the County. He supported the proposed levy moving forward with the knowledge that the matter would be further discussed. Commissioner Mueller asked if the Crossroad Pointe development would qualify for the HRA tax levy funding. Executive Director Ericson stated this may be the case but the final details would have to be worked out with the developer. Commissioner Mueller questioned how much funding could be set aside for the EDA if a 3.4% tax levy were approved. Finance Director Beer reported just under $40,000 could be earmarked for the EDA if the City were to proceed in this manner. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 16- EDA-293, Approving the Special Benefit Tax Levy for the Purpose of Defraying the Costs Incurred by the Mounds View Economic Development Authority for Fiscal Year 2017. Commissioner Meehlhause suggested City Attorney Riggs attend the Truth in Taxation meeting to address some of the questions raised by Mr. Amundson. Commissioner Mueller asked if it would make sense to have this levy be for only one year. Executive Director Ericson stated this was the request. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 8. REPORTS Executive Director Ericson reported The Beard Group was looking for additional funding opportunities for Crossroad Pointe. He anticipated The Beard Group would be coming back to the City Council before the end of the year with more specifics on their development. Mounds View EDA September 12, 2016 Regular Meeting Page 4 9. NEXT EDA MEETING: Monday, September 26, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. 10. ADJOURNMENT President Flaherty adjourned the meeting at 7:04 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Recorded and transcribed by: Heidi Guenther TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.