HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-22-1999 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION AGENDA
• April 22, 1999
7:30 A.M.
MOUNDS VIEW CITY HALL - CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
I. CALL TO ORDER 11'6A.M.
2. ROLL 4thOfl
(Present = P, Absent =�A)
ti.1 V
4 ! off Thomason (EDA Liaison)
\\11,? / - . ,i]oorgpkean(Staff)
(Staff)
//'•
�CI t/sen V Carroll (Staff)
CI' V Walther
3. APPROVE EDC MINUTES
March 23 and March 25, I • 'h
5
Action: Motion i
Second i ,-
5
Vote /— 6
4. SPECIAL BUSINESSVV
O
ki
None anticipated. n� (Av
5. EDC BUSINESS (/' ({0) --Y
V
A. Building"N" Development Assistance Agreement �:
[Update on developments_that have occurred since the last_ED. iliC I9
meeting.] Ar
7
B. Comprehensive Guide Plan -- Economic Development section
[Continuation of prior discusssions.]
6. Report of Commissioners, Staff and EDA Liaison
7. ADJOURN A.M.
411/ Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting: May 27, 1999
N:\DATA\GROUPS\ECONDEV\EDA-EDC\EDC\AG EN DA99\AGEN0422.EDC
Minutes of the Economic Development Commission
City of Mounds View
Ramsey County, Minnesota
•
Meeting
March 23, 1999
City of Mounds View, Conference Room C
2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112
1. CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 7:45 a.m. by Chairperson Cindy Carlson.
2. ROLL CALL:
Members present: Cindy Carlson, Tom Field, Sean Walther,Julie Olsen,Jerold Kahn,
Wendy Marty, EDA Liaison Lynn Thomason
Members absent: Rosemary Goff
Staff present: Economic Development Coordinator Kevin Carroll, Community Development
Director Rick Jopke
1111 3. SPECIAL BUSINESS
Commissioner Field distributed copies of an article from the February 199 issue of City Business
regarding(1) the development of Plymouth's Town Center and(2) Southwest Metro Transit's
new"upscale"bus transit hub.
4. EDC BUSINESS -- Comprehensive Guide Plan-- Economic Development Section
Economic Development Coordinator Kevin Carroll continued past discussions regarding the
preliminary draft of the Economic Development section of the Comprehensive Guide Plan
update. EDC members discussed various policy"options" that had been previously submitted
for their review, and suggested language for revised versions of the most suitable options. It was
agreed thatanother revised draftof work-in-progress would be-reviewed-at-the 3-25-99 EDC --
meeting,if time permitted, or at the next regular EDC meeting in April.
6. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Commission, this meeting of the Economic
Development Commission adjourned at approximately 9:30 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kevin Carroll
Economic Development Coordinator
111 N:\DATA\GROUPS\ECONDEV\EDA-EDC\EDC\MIN98\EDCMIN3A.WPD
Minutes of the Economic Development Commission
City of Mounds View
111 Ramsey County, Minnesota
Regular Meeting
March 25, 1999
City of Mounds View, Conference Room C
2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112
1. CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 7:40 a.m. by Chairperson Cindy Carlson.
2. ROLL CALL:
Members present: Cindy Carlson, Tom Field (arrived approx. 8 a.m.), Sean Walther,Julie
Olsen,Jerold Kahn
Members absent:Wendy Marty, Rosemary Goff, EDA Liaison Lynn Thomason
Staff present: Economic Development Coordinator Kevin Carroll, Community Development
Director Rick Jopke
. Guest present: Carol Frey, President, New Brighton-Mounds View Chamber of Commerce
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion/Second: Walther/Olsen to approve the minutes from February 25, 1999.
Motion Carried 4 Ayes 0 Nays
[Commissioner Field had not yet arrived at the time of the vote.]
4. SPECIAL BUSINESS
Kevin Carroll introduced Carol Frey, President of the New Brighton-Mounds View Chamber of
Commerce. Ms. Frey commented on her ongoing interest in being apprised of important
developments and initiatives in Mounds View and New Brighton, particularly with respect to
those related to the business community.
Kevin Carroll distributed and briefly explained information (from the 1999 Publicorp Tax
Increment Seminar) regarding the Minnesota Property Tax Abatement Program. The
Commissioners agreed to give consideration to tax abatement as a potential economic
development tool.
4111/
5. EDC BUSINESS
• A. Building"N" Development Assistance Agreement
Community Development Director Rick Jopke provided the EDC with background
information regarding the history of the Building"N" matter, including a review of the
Development Assistance Agreement that was distributed to the EDC members at the 3-
23-99 EDC meeting. Mr. Jopke also distributed and discussed a TIF worksheet that
reflected projections regarding the principal and interest portions of TIF payments that
would be made(under certain assumed facts) pursuant to the proposed Agreement.
EDC Commissioners asked questions regarding the total amount of TIF assistance, the
length of time over which TIF payments would be made, the significance of the specified
interest rate, development costs that would be either eligible or ineligible for
reimbursement, the basis for the figure that was used for land value, and various other
aspects of the proposed Agreement. At the conclusion of the discussion, it was agreed
that Mr. Jopke would prepare a summary of the Commissioner's comments,which
would be reviewed(by Chair Cindy Carlson) for accuracy and then forwarded to the
EDA for its review. [A copy of that summary has been attached hereto for reference.]
B. Comprehensive Guide Plan -- Economic Development Section
Economic Development Coordinator Kevin Carroll indicated that work was still in progress
regarding the comments and input that the EDC members had provided during the 3-23-99
EDC meeting. Another revised draft of the of the Economic Development section of the
Comprehensive Guide Plan update will be reviewed at the next EDC meeting.
i6. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Commission, this meeting of the Economic
Development Commission adjourned at approximately 8:58 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kevin Carroll
Economic Development Coordinator
N:\DATA\GROUPS\ECONDEV\EDA-EDC\EDC\MIN98\EDCMIN3B.99
2
• 1999 Mounds V
Comprehensive
Guide PlanUpdate
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
„6, v1. COMMUNITY ECONOMIC GOALS
Mounds View's future economic development will be governed and directed by a
set of basic goals, principles and assumptions. The most important of these are set
forth below.
The redevelopment or expansion of an existing business, new commercial or
industrial development, or residential housing/'fit will be considered even
if it involves the possible acquisition, demolition or relocation of an existing
business or residential home. ----f
The redevelopment or expansion of an existing business, or new commercial or
industrial development, or arnii residential housing will be considered if a
reasonable opportunity for public input has been provide., particularly by those
business owners and homeowners who could potentially be affected. Whether or
not such parties support (or, at a minimum, do not oppose) any proposed
redevelopment, expansion, new development or new project will be one of the more
•
1
important factors in determining the City's position with respect to any such
• proposal. In the final analysis, the City's goal will be to determine whether the
actual or potential benefits to the City (from any such proposal) outweigh the actual
or potential negative impacts on individuals, businesses or the community as a
whole.
Tax increment financing and other available forms of assistance will continue to be
used by the City, where and when it is appropriate to do so. City.financial
p) assistance will generally be limited to situations in which its use will enable the City
u to attract a new business, retain or expand an existing business, provide new /L
�" employment opportunities, enhance the City's tax base, or otherwise improve the 191
1
64
- appearance or vitalityof the local business economy. Tax increment financing
c) will be continue to be used in a manner consistent with the City's TIF Policy,
which may be amended from time to time to reflect changes in the local economy
and/or the public assistance philosophies of the members of the City Council and/or
the conomic Development Authority.
The City will actively market itself to selected "targets audiences" as a prime
• location for specific types of businesses and industries. In order to continuously
refine and review its objectives as economic conditions and realities change, the
City (through the EDC and/or the EDA) will annually update its list of"targeted"
businesses and industries. Although the City will respond in a timely and
businesslike manner to all requests for information about the City's suitability as a
business location, City staff members will focus their attention on those requests
that come from businesses of the type that appear on the City's "target list."
In light of the increasing "mobility" of businesses in general, the City's future
economic development efforts will_focus-on retaining existing businesses and
industries in the community, in some cases by helping to create circumstances under
which they can expand to meet their customers' needs and/or their own desire to
grow and prosper financially. Given the fact that the City is almost fully developed,
and in order to improve the City's tax base and improve the City's visual aesthetics,
the City also intends to devote significant attention to redeveloping aging, obsolete,
blighted or otherwise underdeveloped structures. Additionally, the City will
explore the opportunities that are presented by the few remaining parcels of
undeveloped property. In some cases this may involve assisting the owners of such
• parcels with the marketing of their properties to prospective developers.
2
The City recognizes that the maintenance of an adequate workforce will be one of
• the most serious challenges that will face business and industry for much of the
foreseeable future, and that the private sector and/or educational institutions will be
primarily responsible for addressing and resolving workforce issues. However, the
City is prepared to assist with such efforts by working collaboratively with others
who are concerned about such issues. The nature of the City's assistance may
include having City representatives serve on local and regional committees,
commissions and agencies devoted to this important topic.
2. FINANCIAL INCENTIVES
[Insert information regarding City's (a) Tax Increment Financing Policy
and (b) Business Improvement Partnership Loan program]
A'(6.;_S
f3. [DISINCiiSOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
A"disincentive for economic development" can be defined as a fact or a set
of circumstances :
a. that might make a developer or business owner less inclined to
establish a new business in Mounds View; or
b. that might make a developer or business owner less inclined to relocate
an existing business to Mounds View; or
c. that might make an existing Mounds Viewbusiness less inclinedto
expand its operation in Mounds View; or
d. that might make an existing Mounds View business consider moving
its operation to another community; or
e. that might adversely affect, in some other way, the ability of an existing
Mounds View business to achieve economic success.
410
3
L6A
COM pivvAt 6/17 fr Ott
The following are some of the factors or circumstances that developers and/or local
• business owners might consider disincentives for economic development in Mounds
View, and the steps that the City intends to take to proactively respond to those
actual or perceived disincentives: code/- N)
ISINCENTIVE(S) RESPONSE(S)/ACTION(S)
1. A sc. '- u - - : : - I and 1. Prepare and periodically update anPdte
suitable for new construction. inventory of undeveloped land; list
//
undeveloped parcels on City web site
with consent of owners/agents; acquire
• /14
and/or clear underdeveloped sites
suitable for new construction.
2. The small size of the few 2. Focus development efforts on
remaining parcels of undeveloped land businesses suitable for smaller lots;
that still remain. investigate possibility of combining
adjoining lots to accommodate larger
businesses.
• 3. Unrealisticrice expectations on 3. Wait for market to "catch up"with
P P
the part of those who own undeveloped currently excessive asking prices;
parcels of land (i.e., asking prices well investigate options that might reduce
in excess of actual market value). asking prices (relocation assistance,
etc.).
4. Actual or perceived 4. Survey residents to determine
neighborhood opposition to commercial preferences; arrange neighborhood
development of certain types in certain meetings and/or public hearings in
areas. connection with proposed commercial
development(s).
5. Uncertainty regarding the 5. Discuss general development
position/direction/philosophy of the policies with City Council/EDA at
City Council and/or EDA with respect work sessions on a periodic basis;
to commercial and industrial periodically review (and update or
development in general or with respect amend, as needed) TIF policy.
to City/EDA financial assistance related
1111 thereto.
• 6. Owners of"underdeveloped" 6. Arrange meetings with owners;
parcels (especially residential provide current information regarding
homeowners and owners of old or potential market value of their
obsolete commercial structures) who properties; develop or refine City
are unwilling to sell, resulting in an relocation policies; consider use of
inability to develop those properties to eminent domain in appropriate
their highest and best uses. circumstances.
7. The lack of an commonly known 7. Continue work on the
or readily ascertainable "identity" that development of a Highway 10 Design
would attract new businesses Theme; maintain higher "profile" within
the local and regional business
communities; handle "business climate"
inquiries promptly and professionally.
8. A scarcity of attractive office 8. Encourage new construction to
space. meet this need.
9. A scarcity of rental 9. Encourage new construction to
warehouse/showroom space. meet this need.
•
10. Insufficient financial resources to 10. Investigate and use less
aggressively recruit the most attractive expensive and/or more carefully
"new business" prospects and/or to "targeted"recruitment/marketing
"market"Mounds View as a business techniques: phone calls, personalized
location. letters, networking at social/business
functions, etc.
11. Insufficient financial resources 11. Aggressively pursue grants to
to fund-business-incubator programs, fund such programs;establish
"enterprise facilitation" projects or collaborations with other governmental
other initiatives designed to help new entities and non-profit organizations;
businesses get started locally. serve as a clearinghouse for information
about assistance (financial and
otherwise) that may be available from
sources other than the City
12. A competitive climate in which 12. Avoid "raiding" nearby
municipalities will sometimes try to communities for relocation prospects;
411 entice businesses to move from one work together cooperatively with them
community to another. whenever possible.
• 13. The lowest levels of 13. Participate in groups/activities
unemployment in modem times, designed to seek solutions to ongoing
resulting in concerns about the workforce issues.
community's (and the region's) ability
to provide an adequate workforce.
14. A"legislative inclination" to 14. Monitor proposed legislation;
restrict future use(s) of tax increment lobby for/against legislation where
financing. appropriate.
15. The high cost of redeveloping 15. Seek creative solutions to the
property vs. developing property. financing challenges inherent in
potential redevelopment projects.
01 455 1� �' Q �
i
The preceding disincentives are, to varying degrees, mitigated by the presence of
• financial and other incentives that encourage or allow economic development.
Successful economic development will continue to require the careful monitoring of
existing and developing disincentives so that realistic and timely efforts can be made
to emphasize Mounds View's many positive attributes in order to effectively
minimize or counteract negative perceptions or circumstances. 41
4. RESOURCES TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS car 5,.
"Resources to support economic development" can be defined as any facts,
programs or circumstances that enhance Mounds View's ability to attract new
businesses, retain and expand existing businesses, or assist in the preservation of a
vibrant, diverse local economy. Such resources currently include the following:
1. Close proximity to Interstate 35-W, allowing relatively quick and easy
access to the downtown areas of Minneapolis and St. Paul, and to other
portions of the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
2. Good internal traffic circulation via Highway 10 and County roads.
• 3. Successful, attractive business parks.
4. Visible evidence of new commercial activity (i.e., the movie theater /•45
that is under construction, the new Holiday Stationstore, etc.)
5. Ongoing plans to create unifying visual themes and coordinated i/
planning in and for the Highway 10 corridor. 1
6. Local business owners who are interested in expanding their operations
and improving the appearance of their properties. 1�
7. The potential availability of tax increment financing for appropriate {1',,
development or redevelopment projects.
8. The potential availability-of-city-assisted-funding for cosmetic and
operational improvements, through the Business Improvement
Partnership Loan program.
9. Parcels of land, especially along Highway 10, that are suitable for
development or redevelopment.
10. An active local Chamber of Commerce.
11. Strong local interest (among residents and businesses) in plans for local
economic development, especially along Highway 10.
12. A coordinated approach to local planning and development issues, as
4110 evidenced by the ongoing work of the I-35W Corridor Coalition.
4 G1A5 . tvl�
13. Historically low interest rates.
• 14. A continuing "legislative inclination"to reduce commercial and
industrial property tax rates. S �N
c
5. PRIORITIES FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DECISIONS✓ P
V
In general, the City of Mounds View's economic development priorities are as �'
follows: C
114
1. Retain existing businesses that make positive contributions to the local IA
economy. Nor
2. Provide a reasonable and prudent level of assistance (financial or
otherwise) to enable existing businesses to expand their operations
and/or facilities in Mounds View.
Attract new commercial and industrial development in order to expand
q_ythe City's tax base, thereby providing property tax relief for
iliC\75
homeowners.
Encoura e e v to ment of new office s ace warehouse s ace and
Encourage p P
retail operations that will enable Mounds View to offer services,
facilities and goods that are not presently available in the community,
or that are unavailable in sufficient quantity or quality.
5. Pursue the redevelopment of parcels and sites that are aesthetically
displeasing, contaminated, blighted, abandoned, or otherwise
underdeveloped.
6. Facilitate communications between and among the City, Ramsey
County, local businesses, the Chamber of Commerce, local educational
institutions, and any other parties or entities having a direct or indirect
interest in the continued-economic-prosperity of Mounds View.
Beyond the preceding general priorities and objectives, the City will continually
develop and review more specific priorities in order to provide guidance to City
staff, business owners, developers, and residents with respect to intended areas of
concentration (geographic and otherwise).
C:\OFFICE\WPWIN\WPDOCS\COMPPLAN.ED4
•
5
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION AGENDA
• April 22, 1999
7:30 A.M.
MOUNDS VIEW CITY HALL - CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
I. CALL TO ORDER A.M.
2. ROLL CALL (Present = P, Absent = A)
Carlson Marty
Goff Thomason (EDA Liaison)
Field Dorgan (Staff)
Kahn Jopke (Staff)
Olsen Carroll (Staff)
Walther
3. APPROVE EDC MINUTES
March 23 and March 25, 1999
• Action: Motion
Second
Vote
4. SPECIAL BUSINESS
None anticipated.
5. EDC BUSINESS
A. Building"N" Development Assistance Agreement
[Update on developments-that have-occurred-since-the-last-EDC
meeting.]
B. Comprehensive Guide Plan -- Economic Development section
[Continuation of prior discusssions.]
6. Report of Commissioners, Staff and EDA Liaison
7. ADJOURN A.M.
110 Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting: May 27, 1999
N:\DATA\G RO U PS\ECON DEV\EDA-EDC\EDC\AG EN DA99\AG EN0422.E DC
Minutes of the Economic Development Commission
City of Mounds View
• Ramsey County, Minnesota
Regular Meeting
March 23, 1999
City of Mounds View, Conference Room C
2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112
1. CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 7:45 a.m. by Chairperson Cindy Carlson.
2. ROLL CALL:
Members present: Cindy Carlson, Tom Field, Sean Walther,Julie Olsen,Jerold Kahn,
Wendy Marty, EDA Liaison Lynn Thomason
Members absent: Rosemary Goff
Staff present: Economic Development Coordinator Kevin Carroll, Community Development
Director Rick Jopke
• 3. SPECIAL BUSINESS
Commissioner Field distributed copies of an article from the February 199 issue of City Business
regarding(1) the development of Plymouth's Town Center and(2) Southwest Metro Transit's
new"upscale" bus transit hub.
4. EDC BUSINESS -- Comprehensive Guide Plan-- Economic Development Section
Economic Development Coordinator Kevin Carroll continued past discussions regarding the
preliminary draft of the Economic Development section of the Comprehensive Guide Plan
update. EDC members discussed various policy"options" that had been previously submitted
for their review, and suggested language for revised versions of the most suitable options. It was
agreed thatanotherrevised draft of-the-work-in-progress-would-be-reviewed at the 3-25-99 EDC
meeting, if time permitted, or at the next regular EDC meeting in April.
6. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Commission, this meeting of the Economic
Development Commission adjourned at approximately 9:30 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kevin Carroll
Economic Development Coordinator
N:\DATA\GROUPS\ECONDEV\EDA-EDC\EDC\MIN98\EDCMIN3A.WPD
Minutes of the Economic Development Commission
City of Mounds View
• Ramsey County, Minnesota
Regular Meeting
March 25, 1999
City of Mounds View, Conference Room C
2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112
1. CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 7:40 a.m. by Chairperson Cindy Carlson.
2. ROLL CALL:
Members present: Cindy Carlson, Tom Field(arrived approx. 8 a.m.), Sean Walther,Julie
Olsen,Jerold Kahn
Members absent:Wendy Marty, Rosemary Goff, EDA Liaison Lynn Thomason
Staff present: Economic Development Coordinator Kevin Carroll, Community Development
Director Rick Jopke
• Guest present: Carol Frey, President, New Brighton-Mounds View Chamber of Commerce
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion/Second:Walther/Olsen to approve the minutes from February 25, 1999.
Motion Carried 4 Ayes 0 Nays
[Commissioner Field had not yet arrived at the time of the vote.]
4. SPECIAL BUSINESS
Kevin Carroll introduced Carol Frey, President of the New Brighton-Mounds View Chamber of
Commerce. Ms. Frey commented on her ongoing interest in being apprised of important
developments and initiatives in Mounds View and New Brighton, particularly with respect to
those related to the business community.
Kevin Carroll distributed and briefly explained information (from the 1999 Publicorp Tax
Increment Seminar) regarding the Minnesota Property Tax Abatement Program. The
Commissioners agreed to give consideration to tax abatement as a potential economic
development tool.
•
5. EDC BUSINESS
• A. Building"N" Development Assistance Agreement
Community Development Director.Rick Jopke provided the EDC with background
information regarding the history of the Building"N"matter, including a review of the
Development Assistance Agreement that was distributed to the EDC members at the 3-
23-99 EDC meeting. Mr. Jopke also distributed and discussed a TIF worksheet that
reflected projections regarding the principal and interest portions of TIF payments that
would be made(under certain assumed facts) pursuant to the proposed Agreement.
EDC Commissioners asked questions regarding the total amount of TIF assistance, the
length of time over which TIF payments would be made, the significance of the specified
interest rate, development costs that would be either eligible or ineligible for
reimbursement, the basis for the figure that was used for land value, and various other
aspects of the proposed Agreement. At the conclusion of the discussion, it was agreed
that Mr. Jopke would prepare a summary of the Commissioner's comments,which
would be reviewed (by Chair Cindy Carlson) for accuracy and then forwarded to the
EDA for its review. [A copy of that summary has been attached hereto for reference.]
B. Comprehensive Guide Plan--Economic Development Section
Economic Development Coordinator Kevin Carroll indicated that work was still in progress
regarding the comments and input that the EDC members had provided during the 3-23-99
EDC meeting. Another revised draft of the of the Economic Development section of the
Comprehensive Guide Plan update will be reviewed at the next EDC meeting.
• 6. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Commission, this meeting of the Economic
Development Commission adjourned at approximately 8:58 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kevin Carroll
Economic Development Coordinator
• N:\DATA\GROUPS\ECONDEV\EDA-EDC\EDC\MIN98\EDCMIN3B.99
2
• 1999 Mounds View
Comprehensive
Guide Plan Update
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
1. COMMUNITY ECONOMIC GOALS
Mounds View's future economic development will be governed and directed by a
set of basic goals, principles and assumptions. The most important of these are set
forth below.
The redevelopment or expansion of an existing business, new commercial or
industrial development, or a new residential housing project will be considered even
if it involves the possible acquisition, demolition or relocation of an existing
business or residential home.
The redevelopment or expansion of an existing business, or new commercial or
industrial development, or a new residential housing project will be considered if a
reasonable opportunity for public input has been provided, particularly by those
business owners and homeowners who could potentially be affected. Whether or
not such parties support (or, at a minimum, do not oppose) any proposed
redevelopment, expansion, new development or new project will be one of the more
1
important factors in determining the City's position with respect to any such
• proposal. In the final analysis, the City's goal will be to determine whether the
actual or potential benefits to the City (from any such proposal) outweigh the actual
or potential negative impacts on individuals, businesses or the community as a
whole.
Tax increment financing and other available forms of assistance will continue to be
used by the City, where and when it is appropriate to do so. City financial
assistance will generally be limited to situations in which its use will enable the City
to attract a new business, retain or expand an existing business, provide new
employment opportunities, enhance the City's tax base, or otherwise improve the
appearance or vitality of the local business economy. Tax increment financing
will be continue to be used in a manner consistent with the City's TIF Policy,
which may be amended from time to time to reflect changes in the local economy
and/or the public assistance philosophies of the members of the City Council and/or
the Economic Development Authority.
The City will actively market itself to selected "targets audiences" as a prime
location for specific types of businesses and industries. In order to continuously
• refine and review its objectives as economic conditions and realities change, the
City (through the EDC and/or the EDA) will annually update its list of"targeted"
businesses and industries. Although the City will respond in a timely and
businesslike manner to all requests for information about the City's suitability as a
business location, City staff members will focus their attention on those requests
that come from businesses of the type that appear on the City's "target list."
In light of the increasing "mobility" of businesses in general, the City's future
economic development-efforts will-focus on retaining existing-businesses and
industries in the community, in some cases by helping to create circumstances under
which they can expand to meet their customers' needs and/or their own desire to
grow and prosper financially. Given the fact that the City is almost fully developed,
and in order to improve the City's tax base and improve the City's visual aesthetics,
the City also intends to devote significant attention to redeveloping aging, obsolete,
blighted or otherwise underdeveloped structures. Additionally, the City will
explore the opportunities that are presented by the few remaining parcels of
undeveloped property. In some cases this may involve assisting the owners of such
• parcels with the marketing of their properties to prospective developers.
2
The City recognizes that the maintenance of an adequate workforce will be one of
• the most serious challenges that will face business and industry for much of the
foreseeable future, and that the private sector and/or educational institutions will be
primarily responsible for addressing and resolving workforce issues. However, the
City is prepared to assist with such efforts by working collaboratively with others
who are concerned about such issues. The nature of the City's assistance may
include having City representatives serve on local and regional committees,
commissions and agencies devoted to this important topic.
2. FINANCIAL INCENTIVES
[Insert information regarding City's (a) Tax Increment Financing Policy
and (b) Business Improvement Partnership Loan program]
3. DISINCENTIVES FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
A"disincentive for economic development" can be defined as a fact or a set
of circumstances :
a. that might make a developer or business owner less inclined to
establish a new business in Mounds View; or
b. that might make a developer or business owner less inclined to relocate
an existing business to Mounds View; or
c. that might make an existing Mounds View business less inclined to
expand its operation in Mounds View; or
d. that might make an existing Mounds View business consider moving
its operation to another community; or
e. that might adversely affect, in some other way, the ability of an existing
Mounds View business to achieve economic success.
•
3
The following are some of the factors or circumstances that developers and/or local
• business owners might consider disincentives for economic development in Mounds
View, and the steps that the City intends to take to proactively respond to those
actual or perceived disincentives:
DISINCENTIVES) RESPONSE(S)/ACTION(S)
1. A scarcity of undeveloped land 1. Prepare and periodically update an
suitable for new construction. inventory of undeveloped land; list
undeveloped parcels on City web site
with consent of owners/agents; acquire
and/or clear underdeveloped sites
suitable for new construction.
2. The small size of the few 2. Focus development efforts on
remaining parcels of undeveloped land businesses suitable for smaller lots;
that still remain. investigate possibility of combining
adjoining lots to accommodate larger
businesses.
a 3. Unrealisticrice expectations on 3. Wait for market to "catch up"with
P P
the part of those who own undeveloped currently excessive asking prices;
parcels of land (i.e., asking prices well investigate options that might reduce
in excess of actual market value). asking prices (relocation assistance,
etc.).
4. Actual or perceived 4. Survey residents to determine
neighborhood opposition to commercial preferences; arrange neighborhood
development of certain types in certain meetings and/or public hearings in
areas. connection with proposed commercial
development(s).
5. Uncertainty regarding the 5. Discuss general development
position/direction/philosophy of the policies with City Council/EDA at
City Council and/or EDA with respect work sessions on a periodic basis;
to commercial and industrial periodically review (and update or
development in general or with respect amend, as needed) TIF policy.
to City/EDA financial assistance related
thereto.
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6. Owners of"underdeveloped" 6. Arrange meetings with owners;
• parcels (especially residential provide current information regarding
homeowners and owners of old or potential market value of their
obsolete commercial structures) who properties; develop or refine City
are unwilling to sell, resulting in an relocation policies; consider use of
inability to develop those properties to eminent domain in appropriate
their highest and best uses. circumstances.
7. The lack of an commonly known 7. Continue work on the
or readily ascertainable "identity" that development of a Highway 10 Design
would attract new businesses Theme; maintain higher "profile"within
the local and regional business
communities; handle "business climate"
inquiries promptly and professionally.
8. A scarcity of attractive office 8. Encourage new construction to
space. meet this need.
9. A scarcity of rental 9. Encourage new construction to
• warehouse/showroom space. meet this need.
10. Insufficient financial resources to 10. Investigate and use less
aggressively recruit the most attractive expensive and/or more carefully
"new business" prospects and/or to "targeted" recruitment/marketing
"market"Mounds View as a business s techniques: phone calls, personalized
location. letters, networking at social/business
functions, etc.
11. Insufficient financial resources 11. Aggressively pursue grants to
to fund business incubator programs, fund such programs;-establish
"enterprise facilitation" projects or collaborations with other governmental
other initiatives designed to help new entities and non-profit organizations;
businesses get started locally. serve as a clearinghouse for information
about assistance (financial and
otherwise) that may be available from
sources other than the City
12. A competitive climate in which 12. Avoid "raiding" nearby
municipalities will sometimes try to communities for relocation prospects;
• entice businesses to move from one work together cooperatively with them
communityto another. whenever possible.
13. The lowest levels of 13. Participate in groups/activities
unemployment in modem times, designed to seek solutions to ongoing
resulting in concerns about the workforce issues.
community's (and the region's) ability
to provide an adequate workforce.
14. A"legislative inclination" to 14. Monitor proposed legislation;
restrict future use(s) of tax increment lobby for/against legislation where
financing. appropriate.
15. The high cost of redeveloping 15. Seek creative solutions to the
property vs. developing property. financing challenges inherent in
potential redevelopment projects.
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The preceding disincentives are, to varying degrees, mitigated by the presence of
1111 financial and other incentives that encourage or allow economic development.
Successful economic development will continue to require the careful monitoring of
existing and developing disincentives so that realistic and timely efforts can be made
to emphasize Mounds View's many positive attributes in order to effectively
minimize or counteract negative perceptions or circumstances.
4. RESOURCES TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
"Resources to support economic development" can be defined as any facts,
programs or circumstances that enhance Mounds View's ability to attract new
- - - businesses, retain and expand existing businesses, or assist in the preservation of a
vibrant, diverse local economy. Such resources currently include the following:
1. Close proximity to Interstate 35-W, allowing relatively quick and easy
access to the downtown areas of Minneapolis and St. Paul, and to other
portions of the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
2. Good internal traffic circulation via Highway 10 and County roads.
• 3. Successful, attractive business parks.
4. Visible evidence of new commercial activity (i.e., the movie theater
that is under construction, the new Holiday Stationstore, etc.)
5. Ongoing plans to create unifying visual themes and coordinated
planning in and for the Highway 10 corridor.
6. Local business owners who are interested in expanding their operations
and improving the appearance of their properties.
7. The potential availability of tax increment financing for appropriate
development or redevelopment projects.
8. -The potential availability of city-assisted funding for cosmetic and
operational improvements, through the Business Improvement
Partnership Loan program.
9. Parcels of land, especially along Highway 10, that are suitable for
development or redevelopment.
10. An active local Chamber of Commerce.
11. Strong local interest (among residents and businesses) in plans for local
economic development, especially along Highway 10.
12. A coordinated approach to local planning and development issues, as
• evidenced by the ongoing work of the I-35W Corridor Coalition.
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13. Historically low interest rates.
14. A continuing"legislative inclination"to reduce commercial and
industrial property tax rates.
5. PRIORITIES FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DECISIONS
In general, the City of Mounds View's economic development priorities are as
follows:
1. Retain existing businesses that make positive contributions to the local
economy.
2. Provide a reasonable and prudent level of assistance (financial or
otherwise) to enable existing businesses to expand their operations
and/or facilities in Mounds View.
3. Attract new commercial and industrial development in order to expand
the City's tax base, thereby providing property tax relief for
homeowners.
4. Encourage the development of new office space, warehouse space and
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retail operations that will enable Mounds View to offer services,
facilities and goods that are not presently available in the community,
or that are unavailable in sufficient quantity or quality.
5. Pursue the redevelopment of parcels and sites that are aesthetically
displeasing, contaminated, blighted, abandoned, or otherwise
underdeveloped.
6. Facilitate communications between and among the City, Ramsey
County, local businesses, the Chamber of Commerce, local educational
institutions, and any other parties or entities having a direct or indirect
interest in the continued economic prosperity of Mounds View.
Beyond the preceding general priorities and objectives, the City will continually
develop and review more specific priorities in order to provide guidance to City
staff, business owners, developers, and residents with respect to intended areas of
concentration (geographic and otherwise).
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