12-07-11 EDC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

i It EN HILLS MEMORANDUM DATE: December 7, 2011 EDC Agenda Item 4.A TO: Economic Development Commission Chair and Commissioners FROM: Jill Hutmacher, Community Development Directory SUBJECT: TCAAP and Stadium Development Update In early November, Governor Dayton announced that no new sales tax would be considered for a new stadium without a voter referendum. Legislative leaders indicated that they are disinclined to address the stadium issue in a special session. Since that time, City staff has met individually with legislators including House Speaker Kurt Zellers, Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch, Senator Barb Goodwin, Representative Kate Knuth, and Representative Morrie Lanning. Mayor Grant, Councilmember Holden, and staff have also met with Governor Dayton. Representative Knuth scheduled a Ramsey County delegation meeting which was attended by Representatives Sheldon Johnson(St. Paul), Mindy Greiling (Roseville), Carol McFarlane (White Bear Lake), Michael Nelson(Brooklyn Park), Tim Mahoney (St. Paul), Erin Murphy(St. Paul), and Nora Slawik(Maplewood), and Senators John Harrington(St. Paul), Mary Jo McGuire (St. Paul), and Barbara Goodwin(Arden Hills). Staff from the offices of Senators Richard Cohen and Sandra Pappas (both of St. Paul)also attended. Ramsey County staff participated in the delegation briefing and provided detailed information on the sale and remediation process and proposed transportation improvements. Generally, in meetings with legislators, staff and Councilmembers explain the history of the TCAAP site and previous attempts to remediate and redevelop the site,the advantages of the stadium proposal, and why a stadium is uniquely suitable for the TCAAP site. On November 28,the City Council unanimously approved a resolution in support of the Arden Hills stadium proposal(attached). On November 29, the Senate Tax and the Local Government and Elections Committees held a joint hearing on potential sites for a new stadium. Presentations were given by the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission,the Minnesota Vikings, Ramsey County, and the City of Minneapolis. Mayor Grant and Councilmember Holden had an opportunity to make a brief statement in support of the Arden Hills site. At the hearing Senator Julianne Ortman, Tax Committee Chair, asked Ramsey County how it would City of Arden Hills Economic Development Commission December 7, 2011 Page 1 of 2