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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-23-08 EDC Meeting Minutes - Unsigned r^ i , EN HILLS • CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION JANUARY 23, 2008; 7:30 AM CITY HALL -- 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair Kunkel called the meeting to order at 7:33 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Bruce Kunkel; Asst. City Administrator Noah Simon; Mayor Stan Harpstead; Ed Von Holtum; Jim Paulet; City Planner James Lehnhoff; Ed Werner; Nancy Kneeland; Rob Davidson. Absent: Ray McGraw; Chris Ashbach. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES—OCTOBER 17,2007 The minutes from the October 17, 2007, meeting were approved as printed. IV. DISCUSSION Mayor Harpstead noted that the Council rotates Council liaison designation in committees and it has now designated Councilmember Brenda Holden to the EDC Council Liaison for 2008. Councilmember Holden was unable to attend today's meeting so Mayor Harpstead attended in her place. Interim City Administrator Jim Willis was introduced — though he was not in attendance at the meeting. The permanent City Administrator search is in the process. Assistant City Administrator Noah Simon introduced himself and gave a brief history of his experience and background. It was noted that the Community Development Director opening will not be filled until the new permanent City Administrator is on board. It was also noted that a new position in the City known as a Deputy City Clerk will be hired in 2008 as well to help with administrative tasks. Nancy indicated she thought her and Ray's term were to expire as of December 31, 2007. Chair Kunkel remarked he had a hard time finding the documentation as to the term limits for the EDC. Asst. City Administrator Simon indicated the term limits were set at the January 14, 2008 council meeting and it was decided all committee members would start fresh with a new term in 2008 and term limits would kept better track of in the future. Mayor Harpstead noted he hoped committee members on all committees would graciously accept starting the new term rotation and continuing on their committees. He noted the City needs to better manage rotation on committees and commissions and that a policy on term rotation was developed this year to better handle term limits. This policy also stated the EDC and Communications Committee could contain business owners as committee members and not just residents of the City. EDC Minutes January 23, 2008 Page 2 of 5 Chair Kunkel indicated the current EDC meeting schedule conflicts with his schedule and inquired if the EDC would be flexible to changing the schedule. Discussion ensued as to what times and days worked best for each member. Asst. City Administrator Simon suggested putting together a calendar of possible meeting dates for the group to vote on and make a decision. In the mean time, the group was asked to remain a little flexible on meeting dates and times until a permanent schedule can be decided upon. Chair Kunkel asked the group if they could discuss the EDC's vision for itself and asked what the group wants to be involved in going forward. Nancy noted she thought the B2 moratorium should include the EDC helping find solutions to the problem. Ed Van Holtum noted the EDC represents the citizens of Arden Hills and last year the members polled residents for their feedback so he thought that feedback should be included as well as concentrating on smaller things and setting priorities on the projects. Asst. City Administrator Simon noted a part of today's meeting is to develop a work plan within the next 30 days for the group and develop action steps. Projects may arise throughout the year as well that the group can be flexible and fluid on. • Chair Kunkel said from his perspective he said he believed the group took a shotgun approach and was looking too broadly. Ed Werner noted the businesses within the City Limits hold a lot of employment opportunities. He expressed he believes we should let the developers focus on TCAAP. Jim noted the group should be business- and resident-friendly at the same time. He also noted he thought the group's focus was to be on the business community and he thought the group got drawn to other projects last year. He said he would prefer to stick to development and redevelopment outside of TCAAP. Ed Van Holtum suggested the City make a list of the properties that are development opportunities. It was noted the Holiday Inn property may be looking at a short-term use, but nothing has been officially proposed for short-term or permanent use to the City. Jim referred to the recent letter from Ray McGraw and noted the letter spoke on more involvement in TCAAP. Asst. City Administrator Simon indicated he thought Ray McGraw's letter should be addressed at a meeting when Ray is in attendance so he can be involved in the discussion. Asst. City Administrator Simon noted he wants to engage the existing business community through various levels of interactions to find out what it is they need. He noted the other EDC Minutes January 23, 2008 Page 3 of 5 component would be for the City to develop some kind of"marketing tools" for itself. He also thought becoming a part of organizations to find out what our City will bear as far as businesses. Mayor Harpstead noted the Council received a report from an outside consultant regarding the TCAAP housing market outlook. He noted, according to the report, there is double the demand for housing for the capacity of that land. He also noted he thought the City does not have any professional documents ("marketing materials") to distribute that relays our community to others. We now have demographic information that we can use to develop marketing materials. He reviewed some highlights from that housing report which shows our city is a great asset and also that we have a hole in housing needs. Mayor Harpstead also noted in regard to the Comprehensive Plan update — the Economic Plan portion ended up being tactical rather than strategic. Asst. City Administrator Simon indicated staff will be working on rewriting the Economic Plan portion of the Comprehensive Plan to be more strategic. He noted a better understanding of our market place will help our business community. Ed Van Holtum said the group should just work without the recession talk hindering our thinking. • Asst. City Administrator Simon noted he thought parcels for development within the City should be identified. He also noted that he saw that a project for Gateway Signs for the City had previously been worked on by the group and wondered if the group has an interest in making that a priority. Rob indicated he thought the City should "set the table" for businesses to take advantage of opportunities. He thinks the most readily available parcel is the former City Hall property. He also noted the Chesapeake site is a site that should be available. Mayor Harpstead asked if"setting the table" meant to develop a list of available developmental properties with their zoning designations so we can tell interested developers exactly what is available within the City. Rob noted understanding the zoning of a particular property would be helpful; as well as providing economic tools necessary to redevelop property. Mayor Harpstead thought we did that for the Chesapeake property and wondered if we can do that again for future opportunities. City Planner Lehnhoff indicated adding a little predictability to the zoning process would be helpful. For example, everything in B-3 and B-4 is so stringent that they have to have Council review for even some as little as adding a door. Mayor Harpstead noted that a lot of non-controversial planning cases are now on the Consent Calendar. He also thought that we, as a City, need to do one thing and succeed at it. He does not • believe the old City hall property would have a city-wide agreement on success as much as the B-2 zone would. EDC Minutes January 23, 2008 Page 4of5 Jim noted Chesapeake is a TIF district and noted the group talked about improving the attractiveness of the entrance to that area and wondered if some TIF money could be used for this. Mayor Harpstead noted there is a chance Chesapeake may ask for more than a roadway in this area. Rob said old City hall and B-2 would be two projects that would be great to accomplish. City Planner Lehnhoff thought B-2 would be more exciting to residents because it is so visible and is thought of as main street for Arden Hills by the residents. But he thought realistically the old City hall property would be the first to actually"break ground"with new development. Chair Kunkel said it makes sense to commit to these projects and also plan a business lunch/breakfast at least once this year. Mayor Harpstead again noted the City needs to have marking/communication tools to market when we have an open facility or property. Jim asked what the group wanted to do with the Mooney Report and asked if the group wanted to use that report as a guide. Chair Kunkel asked if Noah thought there was enough information • presented today that he could develop some "marching orders" for the group for 2008. Asst. City Administrator Simon indicated he would develop a draft work plan for the group. City Administrator Simon noted he understands there is some interest in Stacie Kvilvang coming to the February EDC meeting to do a 10-12 minute on The group indicated they were interested in this. City Planner Lehnhoff distributed information on the pending projects such as the former City hall property. He indicated development could occur on this property in pieces. Chair Kunkel asked if any developers were showing interest in this property. City Planner Lehnhoff said he's had several phone calls on the property. City Planner Lehnhoff reviewed the Comprehensive Plan status to date and noted the Economic Plan portion will be brought to the EDC for review after it is rewritten. He also reviewed the moratorium in the B-2 area and the B-2 small area plan. He indicated a consultant will do a study of the B-2 zone and that the Council is looking for additional funding to perform the results of the RFP. Community meetings will be scheduled which will make the process longer. City Planner Lehnhoff noted he welcomes feedback on any pending projects. Chair Kunkel asked the group if they want to pursue the Gateway sign project. Mayor Harpstead suggested that City staff handle this project and let the EDC be an interested observer and wait for a proposal to come to them for review from City staff. i EDC Minutes January 23, 2008 Page 5 of 5 • V. ADJOURNMENT The meeting as adjourned at 9:02 a.m. Minutes approved by: Bruce Kunkel, Chair Noah Simon, Asst. City Administrator NEXT MEETING The next regular meeting of the EDC will be announced. •