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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-06-14 EDC Minutes w_EN HILLS CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION AUGUST 6, 2014 8:00 AM CITY HALL -- 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair Ed von Holtum called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Ed von Holtum and Commissioners Dan Altstatt 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 June 4, 2014, meeting minutes as presented. 3. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. Business Retention and Expansion Associate Planner Bachler provided a summary of the Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) programs offered though the University of Minnesota Extension. He explained that the BRE Strategies Package was the most comprehensive and in-depth program and included extensive consulting services, a complete research package, and quarterly meetings in the first year of implementation. In contrast, the BRE Tools program offers a scaled-down version of the Strategies Package, allowing communities to choose from the specific services offered by the Extension to create a customized program. Associate Planner Bachler explained that based on prior discussions with the EDC, staff had begun consulting with staff at the University of Minnesota Extension to develop a program through BRE Tools that would be results-oriented and require fewer meetings. He discussed the EDC Minutes August 6, 2014 Page 2 of 4 recommended outline for the program, explaining that Extension staff would provide approximately six training sessions to help the City plan their BRE program, organize the task force team, and train volunteers to conduct business visits. A complete research package would also be included, consisting of a customized survey, data tabulation and analysis, a research report, and an implementation planning retreat. The total cost of the program would be approximately$8,800. Associate Planner Bachler commented that staff would like to make a preliminary presentation to the Economic Development Authority on October 27 on the research completed thus far on BRE programs and the discussions between staff and the EDC. Commissioner Altstatt questioned what the City Council's current feelings were on implementing a BRE program. Council Liaison Werner stated the City Council would need to consider the cost of the program and the amount of staff time that would be required. Community Development Director Hutmacher commented that the purpose of the presentation to the EDA in October would be to provide general background information on BRE programs and why communities implement this type of economic development initiative. She added that a final decision on whether to launch a BRE program would likely not be made • until 2015. Commissioner Radziej commented that 2015 would be a good time to implement a BRE program as the City would be busy with the TCAAP redevelopment project and this type of program would ensure that existing businesses are being engaged and their concerns addressed. Commissioner Altstatt recommended that staff contact Jonathan Weinhagen at the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce to request additional information on the BRE program implemented by the City of Shoreview. B. 2014 State of the City Community Development Director Hutmacher provided an update on the 2014 State of the City event and explained that two separate events would be held this year in order to better accommodate businesses' and residents' schedules. The first event will be held on September 18, at 7:30 am at Flaherty's Arden Bowl and the second event will take place on September 23, at 6:30 pm at City Hall. She reviewed the advertising and promotion methods staff would be using and outlined possible topics that would be covered in the presentation. Council Liaison Werner requested information on how the podium area would be set up for the presentation. • Community Development Director Hutmacher explained that there were several issues that came up at last year's State of City event related to the audio-visual equipment and how the EDC Minutes August 6, 2014 Page 3 of 4 • room was set up. She noted that staff was aware of these problems and that they would be addressed. Community Development Director Hutmacher requested that the Commissioners hand deliver postcards for the event to businesses in the community. Staff will be providing the Commissioners with maps and a list of companies in each business district. Each Commissioner will be assigned a specific area of the City to visit. Community Development Director Hutmacher requested feedback on the recommended topics and the event format. She explained that the City Council would be asked to provide direction on the presentation topics at the end of August. Commissioners agreed that the recommended topics and event format were appropriate. C. City Video Tour Associate Planner Bachler provided an update on the City Video Tour currently being produced by CTV. He reviewed the areas and sites in the City where CTV has filmed so far. Associate Planner Bachler commented that CTV expects to complete the majority of their • filming within the next few weeks and staff will be reviewing the footage in late August. In the upcoming months, staff will set up interviews with two or three different types of businesses to include as testimonials in the video. The Mayor's introduction and wrap-up will also be filmed on-site at the triangle parcel park on County Road D and Lake Johanna Boulevard. 4. UPDATES A. TCAAP Update Community Development Director Hutmacher provided an update on recent City Council action related to the TCAAP redevelopment project, stating that the master plan land use map was approved on June 30 and that the Alternative Urban Areawide Review and Mitigation Plan was approved on July 28. She discussed the regulations and policies component of the master planning process and provided an overview of upcoming meetings with the City Council. Commissioner Radziej requested additional information on the open space area located in the central portion of the site. Community Development Director Hutmacher explained that this was where the regional stormwater treatment feature would be located. Chari von Holtum questioned whether warehousing uses would be permitted in the Flex Business district. EDC Minutes August 6, 2014 Page 4 of 4 Community Development Director Hutmacher noted that warehousing would likely only be permitted as an accessory use and not as a principal use in this district. Commissioners discussed the number of residential units and expected levels of density on the TCAAP site. Commissioner Altstatt questioned if there were any concerns about residential uses on the site given the former use of the property for ammunitions manufacturing. Community Development Director Hutmacher noted that the entire property would be cleaned to residential standards and that the MPCA and EPA are monitoring the remediation work currently being done on the site. None. B. Commission Members C. Council Liaison Council Liaison Werner discussed possible road improvements projects that may be completed in 2015 in the Valentine Hills neighborhood and along Grant Road and Noble Road. He also provided an update on bridge construction projects that will be completed in 2015. Council Liaison Werner provided an update on the City's transition to single- stream recycling. He explained that the City would be issuing an RFP for a new recycling contract beginning in March 2015 that would likely transition the collection service from bins to carts. D. Staff Comments None. ADJOURNMENT Chair von1Holtum adjourned the meeting at 9:15 a.m. S- Ed von - loltum, Chair Jill H ;' acher Community Development Director