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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-26-08 ED Meeting Minutes - Unsigned e2 EN HALLS . CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MARCH 26,2008; 7:30 AM CITY HALL -- 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair Kunkel called the meeting to order at 7:36 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Kunkel Kunkel; Asst. City Administrator Noah Simon; Ed Von Holtum; Jim Paulet; City Planner James Lehnhoff; Rob Davidson; Councilmember Brenda Holden . Absent: Chris Ashbach, Ed Werner, Dale Beane, Nancy Kneeland. APPROVAL OF MINUTES—FEBRUARY 26, 2008 The minutes from the February 26, 2008, meeting were approved as printed. OLD BUSINESS Follow-up/Status of Old City Hall and B2 RFP: • Councilmember Holden recapped the Old City Hall Open House that was held Tuesday, March 25, 2008. She indicated about 40 people were in attendance. There were six "stations" set up to provide input on the future of the property. The data collected will be presented at a Council meeting next month. The RFP process will begin in June. Chair Kunkel asked if there was substantial agreement on any of the issues. Councilmember Holden noted one of the main issues of agreement was consensus was received to have no access to Hamline Avenue and have as much open space as possible on the property. Ed asked how will the property be sold if there access to Hamline Avenue is not allowed. City Planner Lehnhoff noted the Hamline Avenue access is definitely going to be a key part of the process. He noted there has to be enough flexibility in the RFP to allow for other uses. Senior housing has been brought forward at one time because traffic impact would be negligible; however, the access point to the facility would be very critical. Rob asked if the City has identified any goals for that land. City Planner Lehnhoff noted goals had been set at previous meetings. City Planner Lehnhoff made sure to point out that the "voting" that occurred at the open house last night was to gain ideas only and not meant to be a final answer to anything. Chair Kunkel inquired if there has been any official interest expressed in the property. City Planner Lehnhoff noted over the last 2-3 months there have been inquiries on the property with a variety of ideas for use. City Planner Lehnhoff indicated the City received 4 proposals for the RFP for the B-2 study. He has reviewed them and is prepared to make a recommendation to City Council at the March 31, 2008 meeting. The estimated cost ($61,000) is more than the City had originally budgeted ($35,000) for this process; however, it will be able to be covered in the budget because of some extra money in other areas. He also noted the thing that is important to remember is for EDC Minutes March 26, 2008 Page 2 of 5 • everyone to manage their expectations and realize this will not resolve every issue in the B-2 district. A steering committee will be formed in regard to this topic. The whole process will start in April and hopefully completed by the end of September. James noted once the process starts, he will ask the group for assistance in getting the word out about any public meetings. Welcome/Congratulatory Packet Information: Asst. City Administrator Simon noted from his inquiries of surrounding communities, he found other communities do not have a welcome or congratulatory packet either. He said he did talk to both chambers of commerce (St. Paul and Minneapolis) and they sent him an example of a general packet that they send out. Asst. City Administrator Simon said the City would develop a welcome letter, some brochures, etc. He reminded the group that Nancy had expressed the idea of the sending some type of packet to award individuals within the community. He also indicated if he learns of other good ideas, he will incorporate them into the packet. Chair Kunkel asked if Asst. City Administrator Simon is considering a "cascading sheets" type of information. Noah confirmed that one side of the packet folder will be Arden Hills information on cascading sheets. The other half of the brochure would be some type of brochures and handouts. Asst. City Administrator Simon stated he will need another couple weeks to get the packet developed. Rob asked how Noah will know who to send the welcome packets to. Asst. City Administrator • Simon indicated he will be asking the EDC as well as City staff to alert him. Councilmember asked about the congratulatory certificate and what it would be like. Noah indicated the first step would be to send the welcome packet so that in the event some day a congratulatory certificate is sent, the individual will know who is sending the information. Business Incentive Policy Information Requested by the EDC: Noah indicated that Stacie Kvilvang was unable to attend today's meeting. He indicated he has been calling surrounding cities to find examples of their policies. He said he will send out any other community information to the EDC for review. Asst. City Administrator Simon indicated the EDC could set the job growth and wage rate number today; or the group can review the last draft of the policy and discuss it at the next meeting. Councilmember Holden asked that the City of New Brighton's business incentive policy be checked included in the information sent to the group. Asst. City Administrator Simon said he would email any other city business incentive plans he receives and suggested this item be brought back to the next EDC meeting with a final review of the policy. NEW BUSINESS Meet with EDC Applicant Daniel Reiff: Asst. City Administrator Simon informed the group that the applicant is very eager to be part of • the EDC. He also indicated there could be the potential for 2 more vacancies on the EDC due to Chris Ashbach and Dale Bean's absences. According to the bylaws, members missing 3 EDC Minutes March 26, 2008 Page 3 of 5 meetings, or 1/3 of the meetings, is grounds for dismissal. Rob said he would call Dale Bean to inquire as to his interest in continuing with the group. Jim said he would contact Chris about his status as well. Asst. City Administrator Simon indicated the bylaws also state the EDC should be made up of at least three (3) Arden Hills residents and one (1) individual engaged in the real estate profession. It was noted the group currently satisfies this representation. Brenda related that Anchor Bank has expressed interest in serving on the EDC. Asst. City Administrator Simon asked Councilmember Holden to inform Anchor Bank to submit an application. Jim expressed he thought a retail representative would be great to have on the EDC. Rob noted that maybe the group should open up the avenue for others in addition to the individual being interviewed today. Noah said he could draft up a letter to Chris and Dale and noted they would be advertising for their vacancies. Rob said he would be happy to check with Frattalone's to inquire on their interest. Councilmember Holden indicated small medical businesses might be another good candidate for the EDC. Asst. City Administrator Simon noted he will follow-up by advertising for the vacancies and hope to have them filled in the next 1-2 months. The group then preceded to interview potential EDC member Daniel Reiff, Arden Hills Resident. Mr. Reiff indicated he is currently employed as a commercial business litigation attorney. He has lived in Arden Hills for a year and a half and he came here because he feels it is geographically convenient to both St. Paul and Minneapolis. He thinks it's a nice community with fairly good property values. He also expressed he thinks Arden Hills has a number of strong businesses in the community with a solid economy separate from being a bedroom community. He noted he likes all the green space he can see. Mr. Reiff also indicated he believes the TCAAP property will be physically appealing once it is cleaned up. The applicant then gave a review of commercial law business and gave an example of a case he is currently working going to court over today. From an economic development perspective, he disagreed with traffic issue concerns that were raised from the recent Walgeens perspective development. Mr. Reiff also noted he believes a lot of groups tend to be comprised of individuals of a more mature stature and would like to bring a younger voice to a group. Asst. City Administrator Simon noted the Planning Commission vacancy was related to Mr. Reiff but he specifically expressed interest in the EDC committee. The interview was completed and the applicant left the meeting. Councilmember Holden then expressed it would be nice to have a younger member in the EDC mix. Ed expressed he thought the applicant was not real familiar with the City but thought he seemed very bright. Rob suggested he be put in the mix of other alternatives and who will be the best choice. Asst. City Administrator Simon said he agrees with some of the comments and suggested the group give some weight to the fact that the applicant took initiative and came forward after seeing the posting for the vacancy. Ed noted he thought there is a certain benefit to having a member who is a lawyer who has studied contract law. Chair Kunkel noted losing Chris who is a younger member is disappointing. Jim said he likes the idea of putting him in the mix with any others that apply and see what happens. Chair Kunkel confirmed that the group wants to add him to the EDC Minutes March 26, 2008 Page 4of5 mix of the three vacancies. He said if we were dealing with just one vacancy, then he would like to see him on the group. Other Business: Asst. City Administrator Simon reported he was hoping to have met with the Derek Hames on the Gateway Sign topic but this has not occurred yet. He hopes to do so by the next EDC meeting. Asst. City Administrator Simon passed out a brochure he received from the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce for the groups review. Councilmember Holden suggested looking for Gateway Sign information in previous Council packets, as well as talking to David Sand (former chair of the Planning Commission). Jim noted in his review of the most recent draft of the comprehensive plan, there is very little in the economic development section — only a goal statement. He thought all the other areas covered extensively but not this area. Councilmember Holden noted she believes City Planner Lehnhoff is waiting for input from the group on this topic and he will then include that • information. Asst. City Administrator Simon asked the EDC members to email any comments to City Planner Lehnhoff or himself to be included. Jim asked that the Mooney Plan be included. Jim suggested this topic be on the next EDC agenda for discussion. Chair Kunkel indicated he likes like system of sending out emails to find the best appropriate meeting dates fore everyone and would like to continue in this fashion. UPDATE ON COUNCIL Councilmember Holden summarized recent City Council actions: the City received the Safe Routes to School grant and will be developing a sidewalk at Valentine Hills School; the sign ordinance revision has been approved and will be note in the City newsletter— a mass mailing of this revised ordinance will be sent out to businesses as well; City Administrator candidates are currently be interviewed; The PDA was amended to be extended by one year; The Super 8 Motel's request to cease the motel/hotel tax has been approved; Earnest money was returned on the old City Hall property; Visioning is still occurring on the 10/96 intersection; The Traverse Business Center preliminary plan has been approved by Planning Commission;Northwestern has come forward with parking lot plans; The Holiday Inn reuse project will be on the March 31 City Council agenda for approval. Jim asked Rob about the long-range plan for the Holiday Inn site. Rob noted he has a limited contract with the City and it requires a 3 year termination requirement on the temporary use. He indicated it is his long range goal to tear down the building and redevelop the property. EDC Minutes March 26, 2008 Page 5 of 5 i ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:08 a.m. Minutes approved by: Chair Bruce Kunkel, Chair Noah A. Simon, Asst. City Administrator NEXT MEETING The next regular meeting of the EDC will be determined at a later date.