Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-03-13Joint Development Authority Monday June 3, 2013 Arden Hills City Council Chambers 5:30 pm Present: Joint Development Authority: Chair David Sand, Commissioner David Grant, Commissioner Blake Huffman, Commissioner Raphael Ortega, Commissioner Brenda Holden Also present: Pat Klaers, Jill Hutmacher, (Arden Hills); Heather Worthington, (Ramsey County); Mike Norton, (Kennedy & Graven Roll call taken. Approval of agenda. Motion by Commissioner Ortega seconded by Commissioner Holden. Motion carried. Approval of 5/6/13 minutes. Motion by Commissioner Ortega seconded by Commissioner Grant. Motion carried. Consent Agenda Motion by Commissioner Ortega seconded by Commissioner Huffman. Motion carried. Public Hearing None New Business Presentation from Kate Knuth and Julie Ring of University of Minnesota Humphrey Policy Fellows. Power point presentation of future prospects for the TCAAP site. Legislative Update Ramsey County requested $35 million in Transportation for Economic Development (TED) funds from MNDOT.- The Governor included $10 million per year of TED funds in his budget, but MNDOT testified before the Transportation Committees in the House and Senate that our project was not a good fit for their criteria to acquire these funds. Governor Dayton then requested $30 million in "Roads of Regional Significance" bond funds and specifically noted that TCAAP and Rochester road projects should be given priority for this fund. A bonding bill that had funding for local roads and bridges should be given priority for this fund. A bonding bill that had funding for local roads and bridges could not garner the required 80 votes in the House to pass. The Omnibus Transportation Finance bill did have $300 million in highway bonding for a new MNDOT category called "Corridors of Opportunity." This legislation passed and was signed into law by the Governor. Although TCAAP is not specifically called out in this 1 legislation, it meets the criteria and would be a good candidate for funding. County staff will meet with MNDOT in early June and will get a clearer picture of the possibilities'for funding TCAAP road improvements at that time. Development Director's Report Kimley-Horn has prepared a draft Public Involvement Plan (PIP) for the TCAAP Master Planning process. The PIP was reviewed by the Arden Hills City Council on May 28, 2013. Council members would like to ensure that residents are engaged early in the process and allowed opportunities to voice their opinions about the project. The first of two public open houses is scheduled for September 2013. The JDA members discussed hosting an open house earlier so public opinion could be heard at the beginning of this process but decided there isn't enough time to solicit broad attendance and the summer months make it difficult with vacations during August. At the second open house, draft Master Planning scenarios will be presented to the public for input prior to the plan being finalized and approved. Motion by Commissioner Huffman to recommend approval of the Public Involvement Plan, seconded by Commissioner Holden, unanimous approval. Administrative Director's Report There will be a "building breaking" on June 7th. Speakers will include County Board Chair Rafael Ortega, Arden Hills Mayor David Grant, and Congresswoman Betty McCollum. The Irondale Marching Bank will perform, and honored guests will include fifth graders from Valentine Hills, Turtle Lake, Sunnyside, Pinewood, Island Lake and Bel Air Elementary Schools. These students represent the future of TCAAP and the economic opportunities it will represent for Ramsey County and the East Metro. The event will culminate with the destruction of the administration building. Bolander's crews began demolition activities in late April. The old power plant and most of Building 101 have been dismantled. On May 7th, over 200 residents of Arden Hills, Shoreview, New Brighton and Mounds View attended an open house to learn about the pollution and remediation project. This event was a very positive experience. Future Meeting Schedule Next meeting will be Monday, August 5, 2013 at Arden Hills City Hall. Meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Pamela Thompson, Secretary to JDA Approved .9-- S- David B. Sand, Chair Date 2