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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-05-14 JDA AGENDA Monday, May 5, 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, April 7, 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 6. Old Business a. Update on Infrastructure Study b. Legislative Update 7. Public Hearing a. None 8. New Business a. None 9. Development Director’s Report Joint Development Authority TCAAP Redevelopment Project a. Update on Master Plan/AUAR Process 10. Administrative Director’s Report 11. Commissioner Updates 12. Adjournment Joint Development Authority Monday, April 7, 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 Raf ael Ortega Also present: Jill Hutmacher, (Arden Hills); Heather Worthington, (Ramsey County) Roll call taken. Approval of agenda. The agenda was approved as presented by a consensus of the Commission. Approval of February 3, 2014 minutes. The minutes were approved as presented by a consensus of the Commission. Public Inquiries/Informational David Cmiel, 1861 West Highway 96, expressed concern regarding the lighting along Highway 96. He encouraged the JDA to consider how this corridor would look as traffic approached the TCAAP development. He hoped the JDA would want an upscale look and feel to Highway 96. Chair Sand thanked Mr. Cmiel for his comments. Consent Agenda None Old Business None Public Hearing None New Business Infrastructure Request for Proposals Heather Worthington stated the City and Ramsey County were working together to complete a Request for Proposal (RFP) for an infrastructure study that will consider roadways, utilities, surface water management, platting and gradin g. Ramsey County will be the lead agency for the contract which will include analysis and preliminary design for the Spine Road and other infrastructure. City utilities will be included in the study, and the City will be asked to enter into a cost-sharing agreement for its portion of the contract. Staff expects that the RFP will be released in early April, and a consultant will be selected by mid -May. Commissioner Grant asked if the City were to replace the lights along Highway 96, if this expense would be reimbursed at a future date by the JDA or County. Ms. Worthington stated this would have to be discussed with MnDOT. She reported the County would be consulting with the City of Arden Hills during this project. She commented that the infrastructure study would not be complete by the time the I-35W/Highway 96 interchange is designed, but as part of that work, the County will do a detailed analysis of lighting and other amenities at the street level. Metropolitan Council Grant Opportunities Development Director Hutmacher explained the 1995 Livable Communities Act (LCA) provides funding for local communities to invest in economic revitalization, affordable housing initiatives, and development or redevelopment that connects differen t land uses and transportation. The funding is administered by the Metropolitan Council and is available to cities that have negotiated long-term affordable and lifecycle housing goals through a Housing Action Plan (HAP). She stated under the LCA, the Met Council makes grant and loan awards from three accounts:  Tax Base Revitalization Account (TBRA) – Cleans up brownfields for redevelopment, job creation and affordable housing.  Livable Communities Demonstration Account (LCDA) – Supports development and redevelopment that links housing, jobs and services while demonstrating efficient and cost-effective use of land and infrastructure.  Local Housing Incentives Account (LHIA) – Produces and preserves affordable housing choices for households with low to moderate incomes. Ms. Worthington explained the Met Council awards TBRA grants in the spring and fall. It is expected that $2.5 million will be available in each of the spring and fall of 2014 funding cycles. The average TBRA award is approximately $200,000, and 25% of available funds are reserved for projects outside of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Eligible expenses include soil remediation, soil vapor remediation, and ground and surface water cleanup. Ms. Worthington commented these TBRA dollars could be utilized to further improve sub-grade conditions at County Road H where there is currently a large infiltration gallery that may become problematic for installation of related roadway improvements. Because the grant dollars must result in development within three years of th e award, this application has been pushed out until near the end of the remediation project timeline. She anticipated the County would apply for these dollars in November to allow for adequate time for redevelopment to occur within the three-year window. Commissioner Grant questioned if the County had reviewed the City’s Housing Action Plan. Commissioner Huffman did not believe the County had reviewed this information. Development Director Hutmacher explained the Housing Action Plan was the City’s Hous ing Chapter within the Comprehensive Plan. She noted there were additional goals related to affordable and life-cycle housing. These were adopted by Resolution by the Council in 2010 and covered the years 2011-2020. She estimated the City had a goal range of 188-270 units of affordable housing and a higher number of life-cycle units. Commissioner Grant inquired if the County was considering applying for any other type of Metropolitan Council funding. Ms. Worthington stated the TBRA was the most appli cable for the TCAAP site. She believed the LCDA funding was also a viable option for TCAAP, but the County has not yet discussed this option. She noted the application deadline for the LCDA grants was May 1st. Commissioner Huffman asked if the City was required to take any other action prior to receiving a Met Council grant. Development Director Hutmacher did not believe the City had to secure 200 units of affordable housing prior to receiving Livable Communities Act funding. She saw the HAP as a policy for the City to have in place that would guide future housing decisions. Commissioner Huffman questioned if the 200 units of affordable housing was within a single development or for the entire City. Commissioner Holden reported this was the requirement for the entire City. She noted the City’s count may have to be adjusted due to a recent development in the City. Development Director Hutmacher stated this was the case, as four affordable housing units were being constructed at Arden Village apartments. She commented that the City would also have to investigate if any of the E Street flat units were considered affordable. Mayor Grant stated it was important to understand the goals and objectives of the City within the HAP. Ms. Worthington understood stating the numbers from the Met Council were goals and not requirements as a participant in the Livable Communities Program. Chair Sand asked if Met Council’s TBRA and LCDA programs required affordable and life -cycle housing. Development Director Hutmacher reported the programs have requirements, and to be eligible to apply for the grant funds, the City must have an HAP. She noted Arden Hills does have an HAP in place. She further reviewed how the grants were scored by the Met Council with the JDA. Commissioner Holden stated that TIF is often used as a funding source for affordable housing . She did not anticipate that TIF would be offered by the City for TCAAP. She believed the grants from the Met Council would greatly benefit the City and the County with the redevelopment of the TCAAP site. Chair Sand agreed the County should apply for the TBRA grant. He understood that this grant would be applied for in November. He asked if the County would be applying for the LCDA grant this year. Ms. Worthington reported the County or City would be applying for the LCDA grant by May 1st of this year. This way, if the grant were not approved in 2014, the County or City could reapply in May of 2015. Commissioner Grant stated TCAAP would have an additional 1,500 housing units based upon the Master Plan. He questioned what this would mean to the Met Council, along with their goals and expectations. Commissioner Holden asked how the grants would be shared between the City and County. Development Director Hutmacher commented within the grant application , the City and County would have to specify how the funds would be spent. The funds would then have to be expended accordingly. She anticipated staff would be further reviewing how the funds could be used over the next three years. She noted the City could reapply for the these grants in the future. Commissioner Huffman supported the grants being applied for. Chair Sand reported the City’s HAP was available on the City website for further review by any of the JDA members. Mayor Grant questioned which entity would be applying for the LCDA and TBRA grants. Ms. Worthington explained the County would be applying for the TBRA grant due to the fact this related more to cleanup efforts. The City would then be applying for the LCDA grant as it related to planning and development. Development Director’s Report Development Director Hutmacher reviewed the City Council’s work session meeting schedule and proposed discussion topics. She invited Commissioners to attend these meetings. Administrative Director’s Report Administrative Director Worthington presented the February/March activity report. She explained a great deal of material has been removed from the site and Building #502 would be demolished in April. She discussed the numerous items that have been found and photographed on the TCAAP site. She encouraged the JDA members to check out the County’s Flicker feed. Potential Development Opportunities Administrative Director Worthington provided a verbal report to the Authority regarding potential development opportunities for the TCAAP site. She commented that interest in the site was growing as demolition continues. There was a great deal of interest in the commercial and residential real estate market. The County has a serious proposal for a portion of the thumb, which would bring a small corporate campus to the site. The proposed development would be a $38 million investment in the TCAAP site and would create 500 jobs. Chair Sand questioned the size of the proposed development in the thumb. Ms. Worthington reported the proposal would use approximately 25 acres of the 43 acres within the thumb. Commissioner Updates Commissioner Holden stated she attended a meeting in St. Paul recentl y and after speaking with attendees regarding TCAAP, she believed that there would be consumer demand for private open space. Commissioner Grant questioned when the telephone poles would be removed from the site. Ms. Worthington reported the soil around each of the poles had to be tested. This made the removal of the poles much more complicated than just pulling them out. Future Meeting Schedule The next meeting will be Monday, May 5, 2014, at Arden Hills City Hall. Meeting adjourned at 6:18 pm. Approved _____________________________________ _______________________ David B. Sand, Chair Date Joint Development Authority TCAAP Redevelopment Project DATE: May 5, 2014 TO: Joint Development Authority Board of Commissioners FROM: Heather Worthington, JDA Administrative Director SUBJECT: Infrastructure Study Update Budgeted Amount: Actual Amount: Funding Source: n/a n/a n/a Ramsey County, in cooperation with the City of Arden Hills, has solicited proposals from engineering consultants for development and design of TCAAP Site Infrastructure. The scope of services includes analysis, development, and preliminary and final design of on-site public infrastructure to support the redevelopment including major roadways, regional stormwater management facilities, sanitary sewer, and watermain. The consultant will also assist the County and City in developing a site grading plan, mitigating impacts to existing wetlands, and site platting. Proposals are due May 1 and work is expected to begin by the end of the month. Getting the consultant started as soon as possible will enable coordination between the design of on-site infrastructure with adjacent interchange improvements in order to prepare the site for development in 2016. Both the County and City will participate in the cost of the consultant work as outlined in a cost sharing agreement drafted by JDA Attorney, Mike Norton. Beth Engum from Ramsey County Public Works will be at the JDA meeting to discuss the consultant work and answer any questions. AGENDA ITEM 6A MEMORANDUM Joint Development Authority TCAAP Redevelopment Project DATE: May 5, 2014 TO: Joint Development Authority Board of Commissioners FROM: Heather Worthington, JDA Administrative Director SUBJECT: Legislative Update Budgeted Amount: Actual Amount: Funding Source: n/a n/a n/a A brief verbal update will be provided. AGENDA ITEM 6B MEMORANDUM Joint Development Authority TCAAP Redevelopment Project DATE: May 5, 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 City Council has been meeting to discuss topics related to the approval of the TCAAP master plan land use map. On April 21, 2014, the City Council discussed recommendations from the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee (PTRC) for amenities needed within each park area. The PTRC recommendations, which were accepted by the City Council, can be summarized as follows:  Park areas in neighborhoods should include play structures, a gazebo, and off-street parking (located either in lots or in bump-outs along the public street);  Parks should be located nearer to center or at the entrance to residential neighborhoods so that park traffic is not routed through the neighborhood;  An adult athletic facility (softball and hockey) should be located adjacent to a County road. This facility should be lighted and ideally will have shared parking with adjacent businesses. The City Council also discussed goals for the surface water amenity on April 21. Council comments included:  Pond areas should be well-maintained and should have water present at all times;  Ponds may be connected by natural areas or a “brook” environment;  Trails and benches should be included so that the surface water management can also be a site amenity. The City Council is scheduled to discuss residential densities and the flex space land use on May 19, 2014. In preparation for this meeting, the City Council was provided with suggestions for a self-guided AGENDA ITEM 9 MEMORANDUM Joint Development Authority TCAAP Redevelopment Project mobile tour highlighting various types of residential and commercial development. This information was provided to the Joint Development Authority as well. An additional article from the Urban Land Institute titled, “Mixed-Income Housing – Myth and Fact”, was provided by JDA Chair David Sand. Hard copies of articles will be distributed at the meeting. AUAR The City Council reviewed the draft Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) on April 14, 2014. The draft AUAR and Mitigation Plan was published in the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) Monitor on April 28, 2014. The document was also sent to adjacent cities, the Mounds View School District, Rice Creek Watershed District, the Minnesota National Guard, and other stakeholders and interested parties. Public comments on the draft AUAR and Mitigation Plan will be accepted until May 28, 2014. The City Council is tentatively scheduled to approve the final document on July 28, 2014. LCDA Application The City submitted a Project Concept Plan, which is essentially a pre-application to the Livable Communities Demonstration Account (LCDA), on Thursday, May 1, 2014. The application includes a request for $1,605,000 in Livable Community Act (LCA) funds as follows: Use Description Request Sidewalks and Trails Sidewalks and trails from the North Gateway entrance through the Town Center $105,000 Lighting Pedestrian-scale decorative lighting at the North Gateway entrance and south through the Town Center $400,000 Landscaping Landscaping at the North Gateway entrance and along the spine road through the Town Center $250,000 Site Preparation and Grading Grading work associated with the remeandering of Rice Creek at the North Gateway entrance to restore natural creek alignment and floodplain and to accommodate amenities and local roadway connections $650,000 Architecture and Engineering Architecture and engineering for the design of improvements listed above $200,000 By June 2, 2014, the Metropolitan Council will notify the City if it will be invited to submit a full application. The deadline for the full application is June 30, 2014. Upcoming Meetings TCAAP-related topics will be discussed at the following regular and special City Council meetings and work sessions. JDA Commissioners may choose to attend meetings to hear presentations and City Council discussion. May 12, 2014, Special Work Session at 5:30 pm, Community Room  Infrastructure Study Update and City Cost Participation Agreement  City TCAAP Finances Discussion Joint Development Authority TCAAP Redevelopment Project May 19, 2014, Regular Work Session at 5:00 pm; Council Chambers  Ramsey County Financial Model  Residential Development and Densities  Flex Space Land Use Discussion May 27, 2014 (Tuesday), Special Work Session at 5:30 pm, Community Room  I-35W/Highway 96 Interchange Discussion June 9, 2014, Special Work Session at 5:30 pm, Community Room  Discussion topics to be determined (infrastructure, regulations and policies, etc.) June 16, 2014, Regular Work Session at 5:00 pm, Council Chambers  Review Revised Master Plan  Review Aesthetics for I-35W Bridges June 30, 2014, Special Work Session at 5:30 pm, Community Room  Review Final AUAR and Mitigation Plan June 30, 2014, Regular Meeting at 7:00 pm, Council Chambers  Approve Master Plan  Municipal Consent for I-35W/Highway 96 July 14, 2014, Regular Work Session at 5:00 pm, Council Chambers  Discussion topics to be determined (infrastructure, regulations and policies, etc.) July 21, 2014, Special Work Session at 5:30 pm, Community Room  Discussion topics to be determined (infrastructure, regulations and policies, etc.) July 28, 2014, Regular Meeting at 7:00 pm, Council Chambers  Approve Final AUAR and Mitigation Plan It is anticipated that additional regular and special work session meetings will be scheduled to discuss regulations and policies, the infrastructure study, and other TCAAP issues. Future meeting topics will be defined as those dates draw nearer. Joint Development Authority TCAAP Redevelopment Project DATE: May 5, 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 verbal report will be provided. AGENDA ITEM 10 MEMORANDUM