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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-03-13 EN HILLS CITY OF ARDEN HILLS,MINNESOTA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION APRIL 3,2013 8:00 AM CITY HALL -- 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair Ed von Holtum called the meeting to order at 8:15 a.m. ROLL CALL _ Present: Chair Ed von Holtum, Dan Altstatt, and Dan Erickson. Also Present: Council Liaison Ed Werner and Community Development Director Jill Hutmacher. 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA It was the consensus of the Commission to accept the agenda as presented. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was the consensus of the Commission to accept the February 6, 2013, meeting minutes as presented. 3. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. Newsletters Commissioner Erickson inquired whether the City newsletter is distributed to every address including businesses. Community Director Hutmacher responded that the City newsletter is mailed to every physical address in the City. Commissioners discussed whether the EDC would have enough business-related content for a mailer separate than the City newsletter which already includes articles of interest to the business community. Community Director Hutmacher asked whether economic development newsletters should be published on as as-needed or district-specific basis as projects or issues arise. She mentioned the recent Round Lake newsletter that was distributed to alert businesses of the upcoming US EDC Minutes April 3, 2013 Page 2 of 4 10/Highway 96 project as well as other business news items. Hutmacher suggested that similar newsletters could be created to highlight upcoming projects that affect the Red Fox/Grey Fox or B-2 Districts. Chair von Holtum remarked that he liked the Round Lake newsletter as well as the district map and business list that were created. He thought that creating economic development newsletters on an as-needed or district-specific basis would be the best approach. Community Director Hutmacher inquired whether Commissioners had suggestions for business news item for the City website. Commissioners suggested that new and startup businesses be featured on the website. Commissioners agreed that Now Bikes and Fitness should be featured once they open in their new location on County Road E. B. State of the City Commissioners suggested that the EDC coordinate the State of the City event with the Joint Development Authority since the TCAAP project will be a primary topic of discussion. Chair von Holtum indicated that an event date in the first two weeks of September is preferred. Commissioners discussed potential venues for the event including North Heights Lutheran Church, where the event was held in 2011, the Marsden Room at the Ramsey County Public Works Facility, Flaherty's, the Army Reserve, and the Bethel facility on Dunlap Street. Staff will research the potential venues and bring back information for discussion at the next EDC meeting. 4. UPDATES A. TCAAP Community Development Director Hutmacher reported that the congressional oversight committee and the General Services Administration have approved the Amended Offer to Purchase. The County is preparing for closing which is expected to occur in mid-April. Community Development Director Hutmacher added that five proposals for the TCAAP master g lannin process were received on March 15. The selection committee, comprised of P City and County staff, reviewed the proposals and interviewed two consultant teams. The selection committee unanimously agreed to recommend that the City enter into a contact with one of the interviewed firms. The recommendation will be considered by the City Council on April 8. EDC Minutes April 3, 2013 Page 3 of 4 B. Round Lake/Gateway Business Visits Community Development Director Hutmacher reported staff had visited every business in the Round Lake/Gateway Business District. A district-specific newsletter was distributed that highlighted the upcoming construction project and road closure at US 10 and Highway 96. Some businesses were unaware of the road project, and businesses generally expressed appreciation that the City was being proactive with communication. Chair von Holtum indicated that he was happy that the business visits were made and thought that the business list and map were very helpful. C. Commission Members Commissioners reported that they had no problems accessing the new agenda format from the City website. Chair von Holtum indicated that he preferred the new agenda format and website access. Commissioners inquired about the County's consideration of economic gardening. Community Development Director Hutmacher responded that the City heard very recently that Ramsey County and Hennepin County were in the process of approving a joint economic gardening initiative. Additional information should be available for the May EDC meeting. Commissioners inquired about the status of the City's existing economic development revolving loan fund. Community Development Director Hutmacher responded that staff is currently researching the history and requirements of the revolving loan fund. The Economic Development Authority will discuss the loan fund at its April 29, 2013 meeting. Additional information will be available for the May EDC meeting. D. Council Liaison Councilmember Werner stated that a brewery and sample room was looking for space in Arden Hills. The City Council amended the zoning and liquor license ordinance to be consistent with a law passed by the State legislature in 2012 that allows sampling of alcoholic beverages brewed on site (the so-called"Surly Bill"). Councilmember Werner reported that the City had applied for a grant to build a trail connection from Lake Valentine to I-35W along County Road E2. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has $800,000 of grant funds for fiscal year 2014. The maximum grant EDC Minutes April 3, 2013 Page 4 of 4 amount to any City is $150,000. If the City is awarded the grant, it will need to provide matching funds of approximately$212,000. E. Staff Comments None. 5. ADJOURNMENT Chair von Holtum adjourned the meeting at 9:25 a.m. s Ed von Holtum, Chair Jill a coacher C mmunity Development Director