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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-19-2019 EDCMinutes of the Economic Development Commission City of Mounds View Ramsey County, Minnesota Regular Meeting January 18, 2019 City of Mounds View, Council Chambers 2401 County Road 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Jim Freichels called the meeting to order at approximately 7:30 a.m. 2. OATH OF OFFICE Assistant City Administrator, Brian Beeman administered the oath of office to Jim Freichels, Jason Helgemoe, and Gary Stevenson. 3. ROLL CALL Members Present: Chair, Jim Freichels, Commissioners, Gary Stevenson, Dennis Farmer, Teresa Muckala, & Jason Helgemoe Members Absent: Dan Larson & Ken Breske Staff Present: Assistant City Administrator, Brian Beeman Meeting Attendees: Gary Meehlhause & Dennis Ericson APPROVAL OF JANUARY 18, 2019, AGENDA Motion/Second: Commissioner Farmer moved and Commissioner Stevenson seconded the approval of the January 18, 2019 EDC agenda. Motion Carried: 6 Ayes, 0 Nays APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 16, 2018, EDC MINUTES Motion/Second: Commissioner Stevenson moved and Commissioner Muckala seconded the approval of the November 16, 2018 EDC minutes. Motion Carried: 6 Ayes, 0 Nays EDC BUSINESS Elect Chair and Vice Chair Assistant City Administrator, Beeman reviewed the City Code relating to the appointment of the EDC Chair and Vice Chair. Commissioner Motion/Second: Commissioner Freichels moved and Commissioner Stevenson seconded the appointment of Dennis Farmer as Chair and Jason Helgemoe as Vice Chair. Motion Carried: 6 Ayes, 0 Nays Update from Comprehensive Plan Task Force Members Comprehensive Task Force Member Farmer provided the Commission an update stating that the Comprehensive Plan must be submitted by the end of 2019. The group discussed the Mounds View Boulevard corridor, the importance of business retention & expansion, blighted properties and land assembly and affordable housing & incentives. Neighborhood overlay districts were discussed along Long Lake, Silver Lake Rd, & County Rd I. Some ideas are to include commercial development for smaller businesses like coffee shops. The Task Force will be submitting the land use section to the EDC for review soon. The Comprehensive Plan extension is for 2019 in order to compete the draft and community survey. Task Force Member, Muckala had no further updates. Update on New Business Categories to fill Vacancies Commissioner Muckala provided an update stating the goal is to target high-tech and medical companies looking to locate to the Mounds View area. Muckala completed a list of these companies and Coordinator Beeman has been contacting those businesses as well as continued discussion with local businesses on their vacant space. REPORTS OF STAFF Crossroad Pointe Redevelopment Project Assistant City Administrator, Beeman provided the Commission with an update on the Crossroad Pointe development stating that the purchase & development agreement have been approved by the EDA for the sale of the property to INH Properties for the construction of 127 market rate apartment units. Closing must occur by May 1, 2019. A predevelopment meeting occurred January 3, 2019 between City staff and the INH team. Groundbreaking is expected to in the second quarter of 2019 and the construction timeline is 12-14 months. Rice Creek Commons Beeman informed the Commission that Ramsey County and the City of Arden Hills is still at a standstill until further notice. The City of Arden Hills believes Ramsey County is being too aggressive and the City doesn’t want the density the County is proposing. North Metro Business Council The next North Metro Business Council meeting will be held at the Mermaid Event Center March 13, 2019 from 7:30-9:00 a.m. Commissioner Helgemoe stated that they are still working on a speaker. MWF Developers Beeman informed the Commission that MWF Properties has nearly completed the footings and plans to start erecting the garage and other walls this week. Construction is only two days behind despite the water issues. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2019. The Triton (Skyline Motel) Beeman informed the commission that The Triton project at the Skyline Hotel site was not successful in acquiring its federal tax credits necessary to make the project a reality. Instead, the developer reached out to the City to discuss assuming the purchase agreement by the end of 2018. The EDA met in closed session to discuss the matter and pricing for a possible acquisition. On December 27, 2018 the EDA approved the assumption of the purchase agreement to purchase the Skyline Motel. As, the purchase agreement would have expired Dec 31, 2018 if not executed by that date. The City is expected to close around May 1, 2019 and will use the money received from the Crossroad Pointe sale for the purchase. Since the EDA is a public entity, special regulations must be followed regarding the relocation of the motel’s long-term tenants. Once the EDA takes possession, the Police Dept. has requested using it for training then having the Fire Dept. use it as training in a controlled burn. Staff will start target marketing to developers once the EDA has official control of the site. Other Upcoming Events/Reports Beeman informed the EDC that a second prospect has now pulled out of purchasing the Snyder Pharmacy site due to concerns of contamination from the former Philips 66 gas station. There are apparently, vapors and other unknown costs for clean-up and the prospects are not willing to take on the risk. The MPCA reports indicate that the fuel tanks were removed but contamination was found at least 17’ underground and into the ground water at the time of the soil borings and monitoring wells. The MPCA signed off on the clean-up when Snyder’s Pharmacy built their structure, however the MPCA left a clause in their report that they can test the site anytime. As, new regulations may trigger further investigation and clean up. The City’s engineering firm is researching the matter and will notify staff of the next steps. Beeman informed the Commission that he is meeting with four developers in the next three weeks to review redevelopment sites. He also provided an update on the Mermaid. There is a new owner who has acquired around 17 properties. The Mermaid is the number one priority for upgrades and they are planning a new hotel wing as well as more entertainment such as laser tag, climbing walls, and an escape room. Beeman reminded the Commission that City offices will be closed January 21, 2019 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and to notify him if any Commissioners have ideas for people interested in filling Ken Breske’s spot on the EDC who recently resigned due to moving out of the City of Mounds View. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS There were no reports from Commissioners. 9. NEXT REGULAR EDC MEETING Chair Farmer reminded the Commissioners that the next EDC meeting will be held February 15, 2019. ADJOURN There being no further business, Chair Farmer adjourned the January 18, 2019 meeting at approximately 8:55 a.m. Respectfully submitted, / _______________________________ Brian Beeman Assistant City Administrator