06-20-07 EDC Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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EDC Minutes June 20, 2007 Page 2 of 4 Mayor Harpstead indicated his observations of the presentation was a consensus of the Council to budget some funds for the EDC in 2008. He expressed the Council was interested in gaining input from the community on how the City should move forward with economic development. He said he has not heard business incentives being discussed in the plan. The Arden Hills gateway signs are a hot button currently with the Council. He thought the presentation overall was good and thought some preconceived notions were overcome. Chair Kunkel said he is concerned the City has a Council that does not have a vision for an Arden Hills 15-20 years from now that is vibrant, alive, and exciting. He expressed the Council believes if they remain the same 20 years from now that they would be happy with that. Mayor Harpstead directed the group to reach out to the community to find out what the community's vision is for the future of Arden Hills. He also reminded the group that the current TIP district is running out of time and there might not be enough money from that district to pay for what the developer wants in the 35/694 district area. Ed expressed he thought the Council also hinted at the importance of the EDC communicating with the other committees. Rob Davidson commented the Red Fox/Grey Fox area has a high occupancy rate and is a very valuable location. He said he doesn't see that area turning over because of its current value. Mayor Harpstead indicated the railroad spurs in that area also help to make the property appealing to certain business, but not to the neighborhood because of the traffic impacts. Community Development Director Barton believed the group needed to move forward with a vision of redevelopment for specific areas within the City and develop a business subsidy policy. She believes bringing portions of the EDC plan forward to Council with a budget for those portions is better than trying to bring the entire plan and entire budget to the Council. She indicated currently we have had business retention luncheons and thinks one-on-one meetings with certain businesses would be helpful. The Mayor reminded the group of the many positive accomplishments he thought they have had so far including: money being discussed to be budgeted for 2008 for the EDC by the Council; being asked to be involved with the CIP; playing a role in the comp plan update; and the Council requesting they get involved with other City committees. He commented he thought the EDC plan needs to have a policy for how TIP money is used for business incentives. As far as the budget presented to Council by the EDC for their plan, Mayor Harpstead said the $52,000 needs to be worked into that budget. Community Development Director Barton said she will seek direction from the Council as to what properties they feel the EDC should be focusing on for redevelopment. Chair Kunkel asked that the business licensing revenues be directed to the EDC. Mayor Harpstead thought the $10,000 gateway sign budget item might be able to be worked into the CIP fund.