HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-03-14 JDA
AGENDA
Monday, February 3, 2014
5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Arden Hills City Hall—Council Chambers
1. Roll Call
2. Approval of Agenda
3. Approval of Minutes, January 6, 2014
4. Public Inquiries/Informational
The intent of the Public Inquiries/Informational part of the agenda is to provide
interested parties with an opportunity to speak to the JDA about an issue or concern
about a past or future agenda item. The current agenda for tonight's meeting is
structured to ensure that the JDA accomplishes their business within that agenda. If
there is a public hearing scheduled as an agenda item, the public will be invited to speak
to that agenda item. In addressing the JDA, please state your name and address for the
record, and a brief summary of the specific matter being addressed. To allow adequate
time for each person wishing to address the JDA, individuals should limit their comments
to three (3) minutes. Written documents may be distributed to the JDA prior to the
meeting, or as bench copies, to allow a more timely presentation.
5. Consent Agenda
a. Cancellation of March 3, 2014 Meeting
6. Old Business
a. Energy Plan Recommendation
7. Public Hearing
a. None
8. New Business
a. Election of Chair/Vice Chair for 2014
b. 2014 Budget Recommendation
Joint Development Authority
TCAAP Redevelopment Project
9. Development Director’s Report
10. Administrative Director’s Report
a. December/January Project Report
11. Commissioner Updates
12. Adjournment
Joint Development Authority
Monday, January 6, 2014
Arden Hills City Council Chambers
Minutes
5:30 pm
Present:
Joint Development Authority: Chair David Sand, Commissioner Blake Huffman,
Commissioner Brenda Holden, Commissioner David Grant, Commissioner Rafael Ortega
Also present: Patrick Klaers, Jill Hutmacher, (Arden Hills); Heather Worthington, (Ramsey
County)
Roll call taken.
Approval of agenda.
Motion by Commissioner Grant seconded by Commissioner Huffman. Motion carried.
Approval of December 2, 2013 minutes.
Motion by Commissioner Ortega seconded by Commissioner Holden. Motion carried.
Public Inquiries/Informational
Lyle Salmela, 1480 Arden Vista Court, Arden Hills, provided written copy of his comments which
he had also emailed to Commissioners. He feels this is the best start to the three master plans
with which he has been involved. Mr. Salmela inquired about building footprints and the
number of stories proposed for different areas. He felt that the areas proposed for open space,
parks, and wetlands were good, but voiced concerns regarding surface water infiltration and
the need for basement sealing. He supports Mayor Grant’s and Councilmember McClung's
concerns about the roundabout at County Road H and has suggestions for how the roundabout
could be used as an attractive entry feature. He would like to see more discussion of transit
and the potential for a transit hub.
Gregg Larson, 3377 Snelling Avenue North, offered three suggestions for review of the TCAAP
Master Plan and focusing on the big picture: 1) Is there sufficient road connectivity to ensure
marketability and a viable and vibrant outcome? 2) Does the concept allocate uses that are
compatible with the surrounding sites, particularly for the residential on the south side? 3)
Does this site plan generate excitement? He thinks so, and as someone who has been involved
since the beginning, he feels that this is consistent with what they have heard from residents
since the Vento plan.
Consent Agenda
None
Old Business
None
Public Hearing
None
New Business
Energy Recommendations
Kate Knuth and Mark Seeley presented information on the need for a comprehensive, long‐
term energy strategy for the TCAAP site.
Mark Seeley presented information about climate change. He believes the trends are real and
will become more amplified as we move into the future, so it is important that we consider
their implications as we move forward with development.
Dr. Seeley suggested that wind velocity may have changed over the years which may make
wind turbine technology more feasible. New instruments can collect finer wind measurements
than was possible in the past.
Dr. Seeley noted that there are the dominant climate trend changes throughout North America,
Europe and Asia. Climatologists are documenting similar changes around the world.
Kate Knuth presented information on the need for a comprehensive, long‐term energy strategy
for the TCAAP site. She discussed energy resilience, drought recovery, and durable
infrastructure with regard to climate impacts. She noted four major trends in the changing
energy system: 1) increasing efficiency; 2) thinking about renewables; 3) thinking about how
energy is financed; and 4) energy being generated in a more distributive fashion.
Ms. Knuth noted that solar energy competes on cost with new natural gas generation now.
Renewable growth is forecasted at 70% renewables by 2030.
Ms. Knuth stated that in the future, energy will be generated closer to where it will be used to
maximize efficiency, facilitate smart land use, harness local energy opportunities, build resilient
infrastructure, and plan with a long‐term horizon.
Ms. Knuth suggestion action steps including 1) creating a TCAAP energy and resilience
framework to complement the master planning process; and 2) appointing a TCAAP energy and
resilience working group.
Commissioner Huffman thanked the presenters and stated that he loved the framework
provided. He felt an energy plan would be a good idea.
Commissioner Grant noted that an energy plan is not only the right thing to do, it can also be a
selling point for the site.
Commissioner Ortega asked for staff’s recommendation on how to move this issue forward.
Commissioner Grant asked about organizational issues related to the Master Plan and how the
energy plan would fit with that.
Commissioner Ortega stated he believes we don't need to make a decision now; we can ask
staff to bring more information and give us ideas how to proceed.
Ms. Knuth mentioned that having an advisory group working on these issues makes sense in the
context of the next steps for the energy framework.
Commissioner Ortega is sensitive to the issue the Mayor raised; as the JDA has moved forward,
we have tried to work to a common goal. He wants to make sure the County and City
representatives agree on the process.
Chair Sand expressed his concern that JDA would direct staff to do something without being
clear about its intentions.
Commissioner Holden said this should go to the City first since it may change how the City
thinks about the Master Plan.
Review of Draft TCAAP Master Plan
Development Director Hutmacher reviewed information presented to the City Council on
December 26, 2013. She reviewed the amount of parks, trails, and open space in the draft
master plan and how that compared to the rest of the City as a percentage of total land and
open space acres per person basis. Information on the projected number of jobs, residential
densities, connections to County Road I, flex business areas, and mixed use development was
also provided.
Commissioner Huffman was excited to see the creativity and liked the balance between housing
and business. He referenced the ICIC Study which showed that commercial property provided
positive net revenue to municipalities. He stated that the use of environmental water features
were exciting and saw some comparisons to Denver to redevelopment projects that the JDA
visited in Denver. Huffman was excited about the economic development and the housing.
Commissioner Ortega said that it was just a year ago that the County Board voted to purchase
the property; they were pleasantly surprised, and more than happy with what was presented in
the Master Plan. Ortega requested a list of all the issues raised by the City Council.
Development Director Hutmacher deferred the question to Commissioner Grant, Commissioner
Holden or City Administrator Klaers as she was unable to attend the December 26, 2013, City
Council work session.
Commissioner Grant noted that the City Council wants the public to weigh in at the January 22,
2014 TCAAP Open House.
Commissioner Holden clarified that there were actually undefined issues that the Council
wanted to monitor and clarify.
City Administrator Klaers noted that the City Council’s questions were open‐ended, and that
there were areas that needed further discussion. In terms of the roundabout, location,
alternatives to a roundabout, size/operation of the roundabout were raised. The City Council
did not voice strong opposition, but wanted to hear what the public had to say about it.
Chair Sand noted a project in Normal, IL by Hoerr‐Schudt involving a roundabout incorporating
a water filtration feature in the middle of the roundabout. It's called "Uptown Normal, IL".
Commissioner Holden stated that she was the only Councilmember in favor of the roundabout,
and she had a concern about traffic levels, public education about how to use them.
Commissioner Grant commented that with only two major access points, and two connections
to County Road I, both major access points become critical to the development. He needs to be
sold on a roundabout being able to handle traffic and be accepted by those who would want to
live there. The marketability of the project is a concern for him. If the roundabout is not
appropriate, does not carry the necessary load, or causes increased accidents, it will limit the
access to the property. He felt that this is something we need to continue to study.
Chair Sand commented that he has not heard any comments at meetings he's attended that
address the impact of residential sector on the school system. He asked how the planners are
handling this and whether kids are inhibited from getting to the Turtle Lake School without a
County Road I connection? He wants to make sure it gets addressed in the plan.
Commissioner Grant said that on a periodic basis, the regional administrators, school board and
mayors get together and share information. He has shared the TCAAP plan process with the
School Board, and will be giving the School Board an update. The initial comment from the
Board was that TCAAP was a net positive for the District. He believed there is capacity in the
District to accommodate new students due to some recent downsizing of their facilities.
Chair Sand commented that connectivity within the site is well defined, but additional work
could be done on connectivity to the rest of the City. He was also concerned about the size of
the central community park facility and the footprint of the band shelter/amphitheater.
Commissioner Holden expressed concern about the wetland feature and that it will look like a
drainage ditch instead of a water feature. She expressed concerns about maintenance.
City Administrator Klaers said that the intention is that the wetland feature is a positive
amenity. The consultants will need to show how it will work.
Commissioner Grant noted that no water crossed Highway 10. The Town and Hill
neighborhoods can drain to this area, and there is about a 20 foot elevation difference;
essentially all of this drains northerly into Rice Creek. This is why the water feature is there,
and it's naturally designed to drain into this area. He would envision that there is a spillover
right before Rice Creek, to accommodate water at certain elevations. He felt it needs to be a
water feature and not a swamp.
Development Director’s Report
Development Director Hutmacher stated that the next TCAAP Open House would be held on
Wednesday, January 22, 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Ramsey County Public Works Facility.
Administrative Director’s Report
Administrative Director Worthington presented the December activity report.
Commissioner Updates
None
Future Meeting Schedule
The next meeting will be Monday, February 3, 2014, at Arden Hills City Hall.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.
Approved _____________________________________ _______________________
David B. Sand, Chair Date
Joint Development Authority
TCAAP Redevelopment Project
DATE: February 3, 2014
TO: Joint Development Authority Board of Commissioners
FROM: Heather Worthington, Administrative Director
SUBJECT: Cancellation of March 2014 JDA Meeting
Budgeted Amount: Actual Amount: Funding Source:
n/a n/a n/a
Requested Action
Cancel the JDA meeting scheduled for March 3, 2014.
Summary
Due to the absence of the two Ramsey County Commissioners and the Administrative Director, staff recommends that
the March 3, 2014, JDA meeting be cancelled. The next JDA meeting will be held on April 7, 2014 at 5:30 pm.
AGENDA ITEM 5A
MEMORANDUM
Joint Development Authority
TCAAP Redevelopment Project
DATE: February 3, 2014
TO: Joint Development Authority Board of Commissioners
FROM: Heather Worthington, Administrative Director
SUBJECT: Energy Plan Recommendation
Budgeted Amount: Actual Amount: Funding Source:
n/a n/a n/a
Requested Action
Direct JDA staff to draft a Scope of Work and Request for Proposals (RFP) for an Energy Plan to be funded by Ramsey
County.
Summary
The JDA heard from Mark Seeley and Kate Knuth in January regarding information related to energy usage,
climate and energy resilience. Based on the discussion at that meeting, and subsequent discussions at the
staff, City Council, and Commissioner levels, staff is proposing that the JDA, through Ramsey County, issue an
RFP for an Energy Study that will enable the JDA and Ramsey County to consider how energy availability,
resiliency, and alternatives can be used to attract development.
This study is intended to address technical issues related to energy supply and distribution with emphasis on
how these issues relate to land sales and development. The scope of work should include, among other
things, the following:
Technical analysis of specific energy needs and tolerances for high tech manufacturing and other
businesses
Analysis of the feasibility of geothermal or other district energy
Analysis of the potential for reusable energy sources
Financial impact analysis of the above
The energy study will create a strategy for energy resilience over the next 20 to 30 years and is not intended to
address all energy‐ and sustainability‐related issues for the site. Certain site‐specific design features (such as
AGENDA ITEM 6A
MEMORANDUM
Joint Development Authority
TCAAP Redevelopment Project
guidelines for installation of green roofs and solar panels, sustainable landscaping, infrastructure for electric
vehicles, etc) may be considered in the regulations and policies component of the Master Plan.
Staff requests that the JDA direct staff to draft a Scope of Work and Request for Proposals (RFP) for an Energy Plan to be
funded by Ramsey County.
Joint Development Authority
TCAAP Redevelopment Project
DATE: February 3, 2014
TO: Joint Development Authority Board of Commissioners
FROM: Heather Worthington, Administrative Director
SUBJECT: Election of JDA Chair and Vice Chair
Budgeted Amount: Actual Amount: Funding Source:
n/a n/a n/a
Requested Action
Elect a JDA Chair and Vice Chair to serve in 2014.
Summary
Section 2.2 of the approved JDA Bylaws states the following regarding election of JDA officers:
Section 2.2. Officers. The officers of the Authority shall be a Chair and a Vice Chair, each of whom shall have the
usual duties and powers of such offices, the duties and powers given to them by the Board from time to time,
and those duties and powers prescribed by Minnesota law or these bylaws. The Chair and Vice Chair shall be
elected annually by the Board. The Chair shall be the non‐elected official member appointed by the City; the
Vice Chair shall be appointed by the Ramsey County Board from its members on the JDA Board.
The JDA Attorney recommends that the JDA Board elect the Chair and Vice Chair for 2014.
Attachment
Memo from Mike Norton, JDA Attorney, dated January 29, 2014
AGENDA ITEM 8A
MEMORANDUM
1
438909v1 MTN TW185-1
Kennedy Michael T. Norton
470 U.S. Bank Plaza
200 South Sixth Street
Minneapolis MN 55402
&
Graven (612) 337-9242 telephone
(612) 337-9310 fax
email: mnorton@kennedy-graven.com
C H A R T E R E D
MEMORANDUM
TO: Joint Development Authority Board
FROM: Michael T. Norton, Attorney
DATE: January 29, 2014
RE: Appointment of Joint Development Authority Chair and Vice-Chair
______________________________________________________________________________
Article II, Section 2.2 of the By-Laws provide in part that the “Chair and Vice-Chair shall
be elected annually by the Board.” It appears that we are coming up on the one year anniversary
(February) of the Joint Development Authority. I note that the By-Laws did not actually get
approved until May, but it makes sense to me that the Board should consider keeping to a
calendar year for operational purposes to the extent reasonably possible. As a result, I am
recommending that the Board consider the election of a Chair and a Vice-Chair at its next
meeting.
Joint Development Authority
TCAAP Redevelopment Project
DATE: February 3, 2014
TO: Joint Development Authority Board of Commissioners
FROM: Heather Worthington, Administrative Director
SUBJECT: 2014 Budget Recommendation
Budgeted Amount: Actual Amount: Funding Source:
n/a n/a n/a
Requested Action
Approve the 2014 JDA Budget.
Summary
An amended 2014‐15 Budget is attached. A full 2013 report will be presented at the April JDA meeting.
Attachment
Amended 2014‐2015 JDA Budget
AGENDA ITEM 8B
MEMORANDUM
Proposed JDA Budget 2013-2015
2013 2014 2015
Public Finance Consultant 30,000 60,000 60,000
Legal 34,500 38,500 38,500
Economic Development Services 75,000 75,000
Communications 50,000 50,000 50,000
Insurance 3,675 3,675 3,675
Meeting Expense 1,200 1,200 1,200
Conferences and Training 7,000 7,000 7,000
Contingency 3,000 3,000 3,000
Total 129,375 238,375 238,375
Joint Development Authority
TCAAP Redevelopment Project
DATE: February 3, 2014
TO: Joint Development Authority Board of Commissioners
FROM: Jill Hutmacher, JDA Development Director
SUBJECT: Development Director’s Report
Budgeted Amount: Actual Amount: Funding Source:
n/a n/a n/a
Requested Action
None.
Master Plan
The second TCAAP Open House was held on Wednesday, January 22, 2014. Despite the frigid weather,
approximately one hundred people attended. Of these, approximately one third were from Arden Hills.
Informational boards as well as an interactive roundabout exhibit were displayed. Consultants
facilitated small group discussions to gather input on specific issues identified by the City Council.
The consultants are compiling comments from the City Council, Planning Commission, and the JDA as
well as the feedback from the open house. The boards that were displayed at the Open House are
posted on the City’s website.
At a special work session meeting on January 27, 2014, the Arden Hills City Council directed staff to work
with Ramsey County to draft a Scope of Work and Request for Proposals for a surface water
management study. This study will examine drainage, grading, and the functioning of the central water
feature. Although the study is expected to take six months, critical information regarding the central
water feature will be available prior to the approval of the Master Plan. The design and construction of
the regional storm water retention pond system is defined as a Shared Public Improvement in the Joint
Powers Agreement. The City will lead the study in order to expedite contracting.
AGENDA ITEM 9
MEMORANDUM
Joint Development Authority
TCAAP Redevelopment Project
DATE: February 3, 2014
TO: Joint Development Authority Board of Commissioners
FROM: Heather Worthington, JDA Administrative Director
SUBJECT: Administrative Director’s Report
Budgeted Amount: Actual Amount: Funding Source:
n/a n/a n/a
A brief update will be provided at the meeting.
AGENDA ITEM 10
MEMORANDUM