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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-22-11 EN HILLS CITY OF ARDEN HILLS,MINNESOTA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION JUNE 22, 20114:00 PM CITY HALL -=1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair von Holtum called the meeting to order at 4:07 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Ed von Holtum, Commissioners James Huninghake, Dan Erickson and Rob Davidson. Also Present: Council Liaison Brenda Holden, City Administrator Pat Klaers, and Community Development Director Jill Hutmacher. Absent: None. 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA It was the consensus of the EDC to accept the agenda as presented. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was the consensus of the EDC to accept the April 20, 2011 EDC minutes as presented. 3. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. State of the City Event Discussion took place regarding the State of the City event. The City Council directed staff and the EDC to schedule and plan a business-oriented State of the City event that should take place prior to the September 17, 2011 Celebrate Arden Hills event. The EDC established Wednesday, September 14, 2011, 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. as the preferred date and time. Depending on venue availability, September 13 or 15 would also be acceptable. Preferred locations are North Heights Lutheran Church and the Bethel University Continuing Education facility on Dunlap Street. If neither of these locations is available, other potential locations include Boston Scientific, Land O'Lakes, and the Marsden Room at the Ramsey County Public Works facility. The EDC • decided that a continental breakfast will be provided to attendees at no charge. EDC Minutes June 22, 2011 Page 2 of 3 EDC members commented that topics of interest to the business community include an update on the stadium proposal and TCAAP development, an update on other development within the City, information on the City's finances and the 2012 budget, and the status of the B-2 District Implementation Plan. EDC members suggested that a multi-media approach to marketing would be most effective with the business community. Marketing efforts will utilize the City newsletter, website, and bulletin. The event will be announced at a City Council meeting. An advertisement will be posted in the Shoreview-Arden Hills Bulletin. The Arden Hills — Shoreview rotary will be contacted and asked for assistance in publicizing the event. Although the State of the City event will be oriented towards the business community, residents are welcome to attend the free event. Staff will work to plan the event. An update will be provided to the EDC at the next meeting. B. Draft Tax Increment Financing(TIF)White Paper The EDC discussed the draft TIF White Paper prepared by the Financial Planning and Analysis Committee. Commissioner Erickson commented that he liked the idea of guidelines, although he did not know if a point system would be objective. He also suggested that affordable housing be removed from the list of regional goals since in order to accommodate new affordable housing • development, the City would need to rezone land that was not appropriate for housing development. Commissioner Davidson commented that the City has historically been very conservative with TIF financing. He was concerned that the point system proposed in the draft White Paper would make redevelopment more difficult. City Administrator Klaers commented that the City may want to compare the proposed TIF spending guideline with the percentage of tax capacity in TIF districts in similar communities such as fully developed suburbs with a mix of commercial and residential development. C. Gateway Signs Staff reported that the City Council had reviewed sign styles and costs and provided feedback to staff that a sign with a masonry base was preferred. The cost of a masonry base sign is estimated to be $20,000 to $25,000 per sign. Staff is working on the draft 2012 — 2016 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The draft plan, subject to revision by the City Council, includes a $65,000 budget for signs in 2012. This would include the City's share of$15,000 for a sign on the southwest quadrant of Lexington Avenue and County Road E, as well as two additional signs. EDC members commented that sign location priorities were established at a previous meeting, and suggested that staff check the minutes to determine the recommended location priorities. EDC Minutes June 22, 2011 Page 3 of 3 • 4. UPDATES A. TCAAP & Other Projects Staff reported that Ramsey County is working on site-specific special legislation regarding the proposal to develop a new Minnesota Vikings stadium on the TCAAP site. The City has provided some input on proposed language. The County hopes to have the legislation considered during a special legislative session. B. Commission Members None. C. Council Liaison An EDC meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, July 27, 2011, at 8 a.m. to discuss the State of the City event. A subsequent EDC meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, August 17, 2011, at 8 a.m. D. Staff Comments The annual committees and commissions picnic will be held on Tuesday, July 12, at Cummings Park. A sign-up list for the potluck will be distributed. 5. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m. Minutes approved by: Ed von Holtum, Chair Jill tmacher C mmunity Development Director •