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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-29-13-- Dave McClung Ed Werner www.cityofardenhills.org Arden Hills is a strong community that values its unique environmental setting, strong residential neighborhoods, vital business community, well-maintained infrastructure, fiscal soundness, and our long-standing tradition as a desirable City in which to live, work, and play. CALL TO ORDER APPROVAL OF AGENDA APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2.A.Approval Of Minutes APRIL 29, 2013, REGULAR EDA Documents:13.PDF CONSENT CALENDAR NEW BUSINESS 4.A.Round Lake Road And TIF District 2 Funds Patrick Klaers, City Administrator Terry Maurer, Public Works Director Sue Iverson, Director of Finance and Administrative Services Documents:MEMO.PDF,ATTACHMENT A.PDF 4.B.2014 EDA Budgets Patrick Klaers, City Administrator Sue Iverson, Director of Finance and Administrative Services Documents:MEMO.PDF,ATTACHMENT A.PDF, ATTACHMENT B.PDF UNFINISHED BUSINESS 5.A.EDA Revolving Loan Program Matthew Bachler, Community Development Intern Patrick Klaers, City Administrator Documents:MEMO.PDF,ATTACHMENT A.PDF EDA MEMBER COMMENTS STAFF COMMENTS Approved: CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING APRIL 29, 2013 6:00 PM CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, President Grant called to order the Economic Development Authority meeting at 6:06 p.m. Present: EDA President David Grant; EDA Commissioners Brenda Holden, Fran Holmes, Dave McClung, and Ed Werner Absent: None Also present : Secretary Patrick Klaers; Treasurer Sue Iverson; Executive Director Jill Hutmacher; Community Development Intern Matthew Bachler; and Deputy Clerk Amy Dietl 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Commissioner Holmes moved and Commissioner Holden seconded a motion to approve the meeting agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously (5- 0). 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. February 25, 2013 MOTION: Commissioner Holmes moved and Commissioner Werner seconded a motion to approve the February 25, 2013 Meeting Minutes as presented. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 3. CONSENT CALENDAR None. 4. NEW BUSINESS ARDEN HILLS EDA MEETING APRIL 29, 2013 2 None. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Business Subsidy Criteria and City Public Financing Guidelines Executive Director Hutmacher apologized for the City Council memo and attachments for the meeting later in the evening having inadvertently been substituted for the EDA memo and attachments. This material would have provided the EDA with additional background information for this discussion. This EDA material was then distributed. Executive Director Hutmacher discussed the business subsidy criteria and City public financing guidelines with the Commission in detail. Based on a discussion with the County Assessor, the $125 per square foot. Commissioner McClung questioned if this starting point was too low. Secretary Klaers indicated the City could return to the $150 per square foot minimum and see how the market responds. Commissioner Holmes supported the $125 per square foot minimum. The Commission was in favor of proceeding with the $125 per square foot minimum as recommended by Stacie Kvilvang of Ehlers & Associates. Executive Director Hutmacher reviewed Section 6.2 Desired Qualifications further with the Commission. Commissioner Holden suggested further clarification be included in this section regarding the term Office Commissioner Holmes stated this section could read high-tech, med-tech, and R&D facilities/offices. This would assure the offices are professional in nature. The Commission agreed with this suggestion. Executive Director Hutmacher then reviewed the Grading and Report Card point classification and bonus point criteria. The TIF Districts and total tax capacity for the City was discussed. She noted that Mounds View was removed from the analysis of total tax capacity captured by TIF districts as an outlier. She questioned what range the Commission wanted as a limit on captured tax capacity. Secretary Klaers noted the State average was 6.4% and the Financial Planning and Analysis Committee recommended the City assume 75% of this rate. Commissioner Holden stated if the recommendation was followed, the TIF rate would be 4.8%. ARDEN HILLS EDA MEETING APRIL 29, 2013 3 President Grant stated a TIF District would be going offline in 2015 and this would provide the City with more of a cushion for future projects. Commissioner McClung indicated Presbyterian Homes made up a good portion captured tax capacity. He commented that Cottage Villas and Round Lake were the other two districts in place at this time. He expressed concern with the redevelopment taking place in Red Fox/Grey Fox and how TIF could be used to benefit this area. President Grant was comfortable with a low captured tax capacity limit. He did not see the need for TIF in the TCAAP redevelopment. Secretary Klaers explained prior to Presbyterian Homes, the City captured $590,000 in TIF which tax capacity was $773,000 which was 4.8%. President Grant proposed a 5.8% cap on captured tax capacity be used. He requested comments from the Commissioners. Commissioner McClung recommended the cap be set as accurately as possible. He understood the cap was a guideline that could be adjusted. He suggested 6.0%. Commissioner Werner was in favor of 6%. Commissioner Holden agreed with the 6% but recommended this issue be discussed by FPAC in further detail. The EDA requested the cap be set at 6% and direct staff to review this item again in six months. Commissioner Holmes suggested that the language within the criteria read that all viable requests will be reviewed by a third party financial advisor. Several other language revisions were discussed. Executive Director Hutmacher questioned if the EDA wanted the Council to approve this document this evening. The Commission recommended this item move forward to the Council. B. EDA Revolving Loan Program Update Executive Director Hutmacher stated the EDA requested the revolving loan fund be investigated to see where the funds came from. This issue was researched by Community Development Intern Matthew Bachler. Community Development Intern Bachler discussed the history of the revolving loan program noting it was established in 1997 to allow the City to participate in the Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF). The fund provides industrial and manufacturing businesses with low cost financing for job creation and retention projects. The loans are administered through local governments and the program allows local governments to retain a portion of the loan principle and accrued interest to establish a revolving loan fund. ARDEN HILLS EDA MEETING APRIL 29, 2013 4 Community Development Intern Bachler explained that in January of 1997 the Council authorized the City Administrator to execute an MIF loan agreement with Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. (CPI). A $100,000 portion of the state financing was in the form of a low-interest loan that was repaid to the City. This loan had a five-year term at 3% interest rate. The proposed use for the funds was a 47,000 square foot expansion project to enhance research and development programs at CPI. The company estimated an additional 200 high-skill jobs would be created as a direct result of the investment. Prior to dispersing the MIF grant, the State required Arden Hills to adopt guidelines for the revolving loan fund. The regulations were designed to set parameters on the use of funds to guidelines were approved by the EDA (August 25, 1997) and City Council (May 26, 1998). Community Development Intern Bachler indicated the CPI loan was fully repaid to the City as of December 31, 2003. The current balance of the revolving loan fund is $154,969 as of December 31, 2012. Staff requested the EDA review the revolving loan guidelines and provide staff with comments. The Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED) recommends that, at a minimum, the revolving loan fund guidelines be updated to reference the State Business Subsidy Law. DEED will need to review and approve any changes to the revolving Community Development Intern Bachler loan fund guidelines. noted this item would be discussed further at a future work session meeting. C. EDA General Fund Budget Discussion Secretary Klaers noted the EDA budget information was provided to the Commission for review and that discussion on EDA budget items and issues can take place at the next EDA meeting. 6. EDA COMMISSIONER COMMENTS None. 7. STAFF COMMENTS None. 8. ADJOURN MOTION: President Grant moved and Commissioner Holmes seconded a motion to adjourn the Economic Development Authority meeting. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). President Grant adjourned the Economic Development Authority meeting at 6:59 p.m. __________________________ __________________________ Patrick Klaers David Grant Secretary EDA President NEW BUSINESS - A MEMORANDUM DATE: July 29, 2013 TO:Honorable Mayor and City Council Members FROM: Patrick Klaers, City Administrator SUBJECT: Round Lake Road Background/Discussion At the June 17, 2013, Council CIP work session, the Council considered the issues related to a Round Lake Road (RLR) improvement project. Attached for your review is a th memo from Public Works Director Terry Maurer dated June 12 on the RLR project. This memo includes a very preliminary cost estimate that shows a total project of slightly more than $2.6 million (about ½ for utilities and ½ for street and land acquisition). th At the end of the discussion on June 17, the Council indicated support for doing this project in 2014 and for using available TIF 2 District funds for this project. The Council also indicated support for assessing out to benefitted property owners some of the road improvement costs. The RLR project is on the July 29, 2013, City Council agenda to hire a consultant to complete the feasibility report for this project. This report will give the EDA and City better information to work with in deciding funding options and whether or not to move forward with the project. th Since the June 17 work session, staff has been in contract with Shelly Eldridge of Ehlers and Associates and we have received information on recent TIF law changes and how the TIF 2 District funds can be use. In brief, the District has $1,027,984 that can be used for any City approved project or activity without restrictions and has $159,481 that needs to be spent consistent with the TIF 2 budget (i.e. on the RLR project). This unrestricted use of funds opportunity needs some EDA discussion as staff will be making a recommendation that these funds be transferred out of the TIF district when the EDA meets on October 28th. If some of these funds are not used on the RLR project, then MSA funds would be needed for the City expenses related to the street and land acquisition. Requested Action The EDA is requested to approve the use of TIF 2 District funds in the estimated amount of $159,481 for the RLR project as shown in the preliminary TIF 2 District budget for 2014. Attachments Attachment A: Memo dated June 12, 2013 from Terry Maurer Attachment A NEW BUSINESS - B MEMORANDUM DATE: July 29, 2013 TO:Honorable Mayor and City Council Members FROM: Patrick Klaers, City Administrator SUBJECT: EDA Budgets for 2014 Background/Discussion At the last EDA meeting on April 29, 2013, there was not time to discuss the EDA budgets. The main budget issue I wanted to review with the Council is the need to establish a stable reoccurring funding source for the EDA General Fund. For background th information, attached is the budget material that was in the April 29 packet. Also attached for your review are the preliminary 2014 EDA budgets. These budgets are: the summary page showing of all the EDA budgets, the EDA General Fund, the Revolving Loan Fund, TIF 2, TIF 3, and TIF 4. The EDA General Fund budget needs some discussion. Staff is including all economic development related expenses in this budget in order to show a true reflection of the and reserves will not be available to finances these activities without a transfer from the City General Fund budget or the establishment of an EDA tax levy for economic development activities. A separate EDA levy is not needed until at least 2015, but the discussion on this issue should begin soon. Requested Action The EDA is requested to approve the preliminary EDA budgets for 2014. (These budgets are not dependent on a tax levy for revenues. These budgets may be revised prior to final approval in November/December.) Attachments Attachment A: April 29, 2013, Packet Item Attachment B: Preliminary 2014 EDA Budget Attachment A UNFINISHED BUSINESS MEMORANDUM DATE: July 29, 2013 TO:Honorable Mayor and City Council Members FROM: Patrick Klaers, City Administrator SUBJECT: EDA Revolving Loan Fund Background/Discussion th At the end of the last EDA meeting on April 29, Community Development Intern Matthew Bachler briefly reviewed his findings and memo on the status of the EDA Revolving Loan Fund. This memo and the existing loan guidelines (from 1997) are attached for your reference. th Based on the EDA Budget and the Round Lake Road project also being on the July 29 agenda, I am not sure how much time will be available for the continued discussion on the loan program. If time allows, feedback from the EDA on the questions included at the end of Matth the loan program at an upcoming EDA meeting. Attachments Attachment A: Memo dated July 29, 2013, from Matthew Bachler Attachment A MEMORANDUM DATE: April 29, 2013 TO: EDA President and Commissioners FROM: Matthew Bachler, Community Development Intern SUBJECT: EDARevolving Loan Fund Requested Action Provide direction on the future goals of the EDA Revolving Loan Fund. Summary The EDARevolving Loan Fund (RLF) was establishedby the City in order to participate in the Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF) programmanaged by the Department of Employment and Economic Development(DEED). Grant funding received throughMIF in 1998 was used to provide Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.with a low-interest loan for an expansion project. A $100,000 portion of thisloan was repaid to the Cityand was used to capitalize the RLF.The CPI loan repayment and investment interest earnings are the only revenue sources currently represented in the RLF’s cash balance. TheexistingRLFguidelines shouldbe updated to meet State Business Subsidy Lawrequirements.Revisions to the RLF guidelines must be approved by DEED. Background The Department of Employment and Economic Developmentestablishedthe Minnesota Investment Fund to provide industrial, manufacturing, and technology-related businesses with low-cost financing to help create or retain high quality jobs. Loans are awarded to and administered by local units of governments; to qualify for financing, a business must complete a joint application with a local government. Generally, the program allowslocal governments to retain a portion of theloan repayment to create an RLF. In January 1997, the City Council authorized the City Administrator to execute an MIF loan agreement with Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. (CPI). A$100,000portion of thestate financing wasin the form of a low-interest loan that was repaid to the City. This loan hada 5-year term at a3% interestrate.The proposed use for the funds was a 47,000 square foot expansion project to enhance research and development programs at CPI. The company estimated an additional 200 high-skill jobs would be created as a direct result of the investment. ______________________________________________________________________________ City of Arden Hills Economic Development Authority Meeting April 29, 2013 12 Page of Prior to dispersing theMIF grant,the State required Arden Hills to adoptguidelines for the revolving loan fund(attached).Theregulations were designed to set parameters on the use of fundsto ensure consistency with the City’s economicdevelopment policies.The RLF guidelines wereapproved by the EDAon August 25, 1997 and by the City Council on May 26, 1998. The CPI loan principal plus accrued interest was paid off entirely as of December 31, 2003.At this point the RLF cash balance was approximately $140,000. This number represents the CPI loan principal, interest payments, and investment interest earnings. TheRLFbalance was estimated to be $154,969 as of December 31, 2012.Growth in cash reserves in the RLF between 2004 and 2012 was derived entirely from investment interest earnings. The City did administer a second MIF loan through the RLF for Guidant in 2004. However, none of the funds currently in the RLF are associated with this agreement, as the City forgave its portionof the Guidant loan. In April 2004, the City executed an agreement with DEED to provide the company with $250,000 for the purchase of machinery and equipment. The City committed to forgive its $100,000 portion of the loan if the company met certain job creation numbers. Guidant complied with these set terms and its portion of the loan was subsequently forgiven. On April 20, 2005, the City transferred the repaid loan principal and interest ($150,083.30) from the RLF to DEED. Revolving Loan Fund Guidelines Theuseof the EDA Revolving Loan Fundis regulated by the Minnesota Business Subsidy Law. Loans of less than $75,000, however,are not considered business subsidies. The EDA may want to consider revisions to the RLF guidelines that target loan funds to specific types of economic development projects. At a minimum, the RLF guidelines should be revised to state that the Business Subsidy Law applies to RLF loans. Any revisions made to the RLF guidelines will need to be reviewed by the State Department of Employment and Economic Development prior to EDA and City Council approval. As staff drafts revisions to the RLF guidelines, guidance on the following questions is requested: What are some types of business development projects the City would like to finance using RLF loans? What steps could be taken to educate the local business community about the availability of RLF loans and other public financing tools? Do the existing RLF guidelines adequately address the City’s goals and objectives regarding the use of RLF loans? Recommended Action Direct staff to draft revisions to the Revolving Loan Fund Guidelines in accordance with EDA discussion on the goals of the RLF. Attachments City of Arden Hills, EDA Revolving Loan FundGuidelines ______________________________________________________________________________ City of Arden Hills Economic Development Authority Meeting April 29, 2013 22 Page of