HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-04-17 JDA Agenda PacketAGENDA
Monday, December 4, 2017
5:30 p.m.
Arden Hills City Hall—Council Chambers
1. Roll Call
2. Approval of Agenda
3. Approval of Minutes
a. 10/18/2017 JDA Meeting
4. Public Inquiries/Informational
a. 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. Master Developer Agreement Update
7. Public Hearing
a. None
8. New Business
9. Communications – See attached.
10. Development Director Update – Verbal.
11. Administrative Director’s Report – Verbal.
12. Commissioner Updates
13. Adjournment
Joint Development Authority
TCAAP Redevelopment Project
Joint Development Authority
Monday, October 18, 2017
Arden Hills City Council Chambers
Minutes
5:30 pm
Present:
Joint Development Authority: Chair Jonathan Wicklund, Commissioner Blake Huffman,
Commissioner Dave McClung, Commissioner David Grant, Commissioner Rafael Ortega
Also present: Bill Joynes, (Arden Hills); Josh Olson, (Ramsey County), Jenny Boulton (Kennedy
and Graven)
Roll call taken.
Approval of Agenda
Motion by Commissioner Huffman seconded by Commissioner McClung to approve the agenda
as presented. Motion carried.
Approval of September 20, 2017 Minutes
Motion by Commissioner Grant seconded by Commissioner Ortega to approve the minutes as
presented. Motion carried.
Public Inquiries/Informational
Dave Schmeil, 1861 West Highway 96, expressed concern with the lighting at the intersection of
County Road 96 and Highway 10. He explained he brought this concern to the JDA previously.
Chair Wicklund thanked Mr. Schmeil for bringing this concern to the JDA again and reported the
JDA had not received a response from the County on this matter.
Beth Engum, Ramsey County, reported this lighting was reviewed by the County and noted the
underpass lighting had been altered.
Mr. Schmeil requested Ramsey County address the old lighting at the intersection as it was
flowing into the adjacent neighborhood. He encouraged the County to consider upgrading the
lighting at this intersection to directional LED lighting.
Consent Agenda
None
Old Business
Master Developer Agreement Update
Director Olson provided the JDA with an update on the Master Development Agreement. He
explained October 15th was the good faith milestone date within the MDA and noted
negotiations continue with the developer. He reported the County continues to finalize the
deed and financial performa. He indicated the preliminary MDA would expire on March 8,
2018.
Amazon HQ2 Submission
Director Olson reviewed the submission that was completed by Ramsey County to Amazon for
their HQ2. He reported the State and Greater MSP was preparing additional proposal
information for the final deadline. It was his hope the region would make it to the next round
for further consideration. He expected Amazon would develop a short list of regions in order
to continue with the decision making process.
Chair Wicklund thanked Ramsey County, Arden Hills and Alatus for all of their hard work on this
proposal.
Optimization Study
Director Olson provided the JDA with an overview on the Optimization Study being completed
by the Army. He commented on the groundwater remediation system that was currently in
place.
Public Hearing
None
New Business
Green Infrastructure Study Opportunity with Rice Creek Watershed District
Beth Engum, Ramsey County, commented on a Green Infrastructure Study opportunity that
became available with the Rice Creek Watershed District. She stated a joint partnership was
being pursued in order to consider innovative storm water treatment on the site. She reported
grant monies were available to assist with this initiative.
Chair Wicklund asked how long it would take to complete this study. Ms. Engum anticipated
the study would be completed by March 2018, which would allow the County and JDA enough
time to request grant funding.
Commissioner Huffman questioned if the County and the watershed district had been speaking
with Alatus regarding this initiative. Ms. Engum stated Bob Lux had been brought in on this and
was aware of the partnership.
Development Director’s Report
There was nothing to report.
Administrative Director’s Report
Ms. Engum provided the JDA with an update on the transportation improvements occurring
around Rice Creek Commons.
Commissioner McClung questioned if the County had considered a new name for TCAAP/Rice
Creek Commons. Ms. Engum stated this was a great question. She understood the name for
Old Highway 8 would be changed to CSAH 13. She anticipated this roadway could be further
renamed once a project name had been finalized.
Commissioner Updates
Commissioner McClung thanked County, City and Alatus staff for all of their work on the
Amazon proposal.
Future Meeting Schedule
The next meeting will be Monday, November 6, 2017, at Arden Hills City Hall.
Meeting adjourned at 5:58 pm.
Approved _____________________________________ _______________________
Jonathan Wicklund, Chair Date
Page 1 of 1
Joint Development Authority
TCAAP Redevelopment Project
DATE: November 30, 2017
TO: Joint Development Authority Board of Commissioners
FROM: Administrators Olson and Joynes
SUBJECT: Master Development Agreement Update
Negotiations and other activities associated with the purchase agreement and a Master Development
Agreement (MDA) with Alatus Arden Hills LLC are ongoing.
The Preliminary Development Agreement (PDA) is a document that serves to outline the responsibilities
of the Joint Development Authority (JDA) and Alatus Arden Hills LLC during negotiations for a Master
Development Agreement. Ramsey County nears final closing on the remaining 30 acres of the TCAAP site
from the USA. Both JDA and Alatus Arden Hills LLC continue to pursue a better understanding of any
optimization study impacts and learn more about Amazon decision-making timelines and development
preferences.
The JDA approved a PDA with Alatus Arden Hills LLC on June 6, 2016. The PDA was amended on
December 21, 2016 and May 12, 2017. The current PDA is set to expire March 8, 2018.
Because significant factors affecting the timing and negotiation of the MDA are unknown and outside of
their control, Alatus Arden Hills LLC and JDA staff are jointly recommending the wavier of each party’s
right to terminate the PDA prior to March 8, 2018 on 30 days’ written notice pursuant to Section 4 of the
PDA. If the significant factors are still unsolved as of March 8, 2018, the JDA and Alatus Arden Hills LLC
may in their respective discretion at that time elect to extend the PDA.
JDA Action Requested:
Agree to waive its right to terminate the PDA prior to March 8, 2018 subject to, and effective upon, Alatus
Arden Hills LLC confirming in writing that it also waives its right to terminate the PDA prior to March 8,
2018.
AGENDA ITEM 6a
MEMORANDUM
Page 1 of 1
Joint Development Authority
TCAAP Redevelopment Project
DATE: November 30, 2017
TO: Joint Development Authority Board of Commissioners
FROM: Sara Thatcher, Goff Public
SUBJECT: Rice Creek Commons Communications
Communications teams for Ramsey County, the City of Arden Hills, and Alatus continue to coordinate
media requests. We have coordinated interviews with several community reporters who are interested
in a general update on the development and the Optimization Study, as well as an interview with the
Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal about the complexities of governments issuing RFPs for
developments.
The following articles were published:
• Army study stalls Rice Creek Commons construction, but other work continues – Lillie News;
November 28, 2017 (NOTE: We requested corrections to the article, which will be published in
the next print edition.)
• RFP: Really Faulty Process. Why cities and counties struggle to develop their properties –
Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal; November 30, 2017
City and County staff are working together to plan a celebration of the completion of County Roads H
and I. More details will be shared in the near future.
Over the past several months, we have also received dozens of inquiries about residential housing and
commercial properties through the website and are working with Alatus to maintain a list of people who
have expressed interest in purchasing property at Rice Creek Commons. We will communicate with
these people once we have firmer information about the development timeline. We have also received
requests from community organizations which are interested in hosting presentations about Rice Creek
Commons. Arden Hills staff will give these presentations.
AGENDA ITEM 9
MEMORANDUM