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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-05-14 EDC Minutes,T- EN HILLS CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MARCH 5, 2014 8:00 AM CITY HALL --1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair Ed von Holtum called the meeting to order at 8:03 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Ed von Holtum and Commissioners Dan Erickson, Dan Alstatt, Steve Heikkila, and David Radziej Also Present: Council Liaison Ed Werner, Community Development Director Jill Hutmacher, and Associate Planner Matthew Bachler. 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 December 4, 2013, meeting minutes as presented. 3. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. Introductions Community Development Director Hutmacher commented that with the recent appointment of David Radziej to the EDC, it would be helpful for the commissioners to introduce themselves. Commissioners introduced themselves and provided general background information. B. City Video Tour Community Development Director Hutmacher reported that at the Economic Development Authority (EDA) Joint Meeting with the EDC on January 27, 2014, the EDA and EDC discussed EDC Minutes March 5, 2014 Page 2 of 6 developing a City video tour and agreed that this item should be a priority on the EDC's 2014 Work Plan. Community Development Director Hutmacher reported that staff had met with CTV about creating a video using the CTV staff hours allotted to the City. She explained that the video would be approximately three minutes in length and focus on economic development. Commissioner Radziej commented that given the short length of the video, perhaps two videos should be made: one focusing on residential properties and the other on commercial properties. He suggested staff contact a commercial real estate agent to learn more about how commercial properties in Arden Hills are marketed to businesses. Commssioner Alstatt questioned how the TCAAP redevelopment would fit into the video. Community Development Director Hutmacher commented that TCAAP would not be the primary focus of the video, although it could be featured in the economic development segment of the video. With the pending development of TCAAP, the City Council wanted to ensure that the rest of the City's business districts weren't forgotten. The Council specifically asked that the video tour focus on the City's existing development. She added that Ramsey County is actively working on promoting the TCAAP site. Commssioner Heikkila suggested that the video include visuals that identify the location of the business districts in Arden Hills and that footage of each district be included. Commssioner Erickson commented that the diversity of businesses in the City should be highlighted. He suggested that corporate, independent retail, manufacturing, and warehousing businesses be represented in the video. Chair von Holtum commented that the quality of the local workforce should be emphasized. Commssioner Erickson suggested that the video focus on two or three particular companies and include interviews with business owners. Community Development Director Hutmacher noted that staff was intending to use testimonials from business owners in the video. She added that staff would generate a list of potential businesses for these testimonials and review the list with the EDC at the April meeting. Community Development Director Hutmacher reviewed the general outline of the video. An introduction would be provided by the Mayor and a voiceover would be used for narration. Staff will present a detailed outline of the video at the April EDC meeting for further discussion. Commssioner Erickson suggested that community amenities such as parks, schools, and housing should be mentioned in the video, but that this section should be kept relatively brief. Council Liaison Werner questioned how often the video would need to be updated. EDC Minutes March 5, 2014 Page 3 of 6 Community Development Director Hutmacher responded that the intent was for the video to remain relevant for at least several years. C. Arden Hills Notes Distribution Community Development Director Hutmacher explained that the Arden Hills Notes newsletter is currently sent as bulk mail to all addresses in the City, but since it is not addressed to specific individuals, it may not be getting to local business owners. She asked the commissioners to provide feedback on two options for addressing this issue: doing a direct mailing of the newsletter or sending the newsletters electronically via email to business owners. She explained that direct mailings would be an additional cost to the City and require Council approval. Commissioner Erickson was in favor of sending the newsletter electronically. He suggested that a sign up link be added to the business section of the City's website. Commissioner Radziej recommended continuing the bulk mailings and also sending the newsletter electronically to the City's business contact list. Commssioner Heikkila volunteered to collect additional contact information from businesses in the Gateway District if needed. Community Development Director Hutmacher commented that the City has compiled a list of business contacts covering all business districts except Red Fox/Grey Fox, which staff will work to address this year. She added that an email list would need to be updated at least every two years to ensure that contacts stayed current. Chair von Holtum recommended that direct mailings still be done when businesses within a particular district needed to be notified of planned public improvement projects. Community Development Director Hutmacher requested that the commissioners provide feedback at the next meeting on ways the City could regularly update the email contact list. D. Business Retention and Expansion Associate Planner Bachler provided an overview of the goals of Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) programs and the framework of these initiatives. He explained that completing research on the feasibility of a BRE program was part of the EDC's 2014 Work Plan. In the upcoming months, staff will be contacting other cities that have implemented BRE programs and, having further discussion with the EDC on the costs and benefits of this type of program. Commissioner Radziej questioned if there had been discussion on developing a business attraction plan as well, especially considering the redevelopment of the TCAAP site. EDC Minutes March 5, 2014 Page 4 of 6 Associate Planner Bachler responded that these efforts could occur in tandem. He explained that completing a BRE program would allow the City to continue to respond to the needs of existing businesses while still working on attracting new commercial uses to TCAAP. Commssioner Alstatt asked for further explanation on the economic need for a BRE program. Community Development Director Hutmacher explained that significantly fewer financial and staffing resources are needed when cities focus on the strength of their existing businesses as opposed to trying to entice a new business to move to their community. She added that BRE is also about developing strong relationships between the City and local businesses. Commssioner Heikkila noted the similarities between a City focusing on retaining existing businesses and the importance of maintaining strong customer relations in the business world. Chair von Holtum added that one of the main benefits of a BRE program is that it educates the City on what the business community needs. He commented that he would like to see data of the efficacy and costs of these programs and would like additional information on the time frame. Associate Planner Bachler explained that staff would be collecting this sort of information over the next few months and that there would be regular discussions with the EDC on how to best design a BRE program for Arden Hills. E. Open Meeting Law Community Development Director Hutmacher provided an overview of the Minnesota open meeting law and its applicability to meetings and communication among EDC commissioners. She explained the commissioners should avoid any discussion as a quorum or more either in informal settings or over email. Commssioner Heikkila questioned what the potential consequences are if commissioners violate the open meeting law. Community Development Director Hutmacher explained that a violation of the open meeting law, depending on the situation, could result in legal action against the City. 4. UPDATES A. TCAAP Update Community Development Director Hutmacher provided an overview of the "STEAM Learning Center at TCAAP," which is designed to support the Mounds View School District science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) curriculum. In February, staff from the City, County, Rice Creek Watershed District, and St. Paul Chamber of Commerce worked EDC Minutes March 5, 2014 Page 5 of 6 with 7ch Grade students at Chippewa Middle School to provide a hands-on learning experience related to the TCAAP redevelopment. Community Development Director Hutmacher explained that staff was proceeding with a surface water management study that will consider issues related to drainage and stormwater infrastructure on TCAAP. The City is working with the Rice Creek Watershed District on how to proceed with the study in a manner that will simplify the future permitting process. None. B. Commission Members C. Council Liaison Council Liaison Werner discussed the photograph window decals that will be added to the north fagade of the Walgreens Pharmacy on Lexington Avenue. Council Liaison Werner provided an overview of the two public hearings on franchise fees held in February. He noted that the City Council would not be moving forward with a franchise fee at this time. Commissioner Erickson asked about the status of Allina's proposal to operate an ambulance substation at 1209 County Road E. Council Liaison Werner explained that the City Council had voted to deny the proposal (3-2, Werner and McClung dissenting) at their meeting on February 24, 2014. Community Development Director Hutmacher reported that Allina was continuing to work with staff on identifying an appropriate location in Arden Hills for their facility. She explained the reason for denial was because the proposed use was not consistent with the Guiding Plan for the B-2 District. Commissioner Erickson noted that it was important for the City to accommodate emergency response providers. EDC Minutes March 5, 2014 Page 6 of 6 None. 10 Staff Comments ADJOURNMENT Chair von Holtum adjourned the meeting at Ed von Holtum, Chair 30 a.m. Jill tmacher Co unity Development Director