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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-23-20-EDA� EN HILLS Approved: October 25, 2021 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING NOVEMBER 23, 2020 5:30 PM — CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Acting ChairBDA Commissioner Holden called to order the Economic Development Authority meeting at 5:33 p.m. Note: On March 20, 2020, the Mayor signed a determination allowing Councilmembers to participate in City Council meetings via telephone pursuant to State Statute 13D.021 Present: EDA Chair David Grant (joined at 5:43 pm); EDA Commissioners Brenda Holden, Fran Holmes, Steve Scott, and Dave McClung Absent: None Also present: EDA Secretary Dave Perrault; Public Works Director/City Engineer Todd Blomstrom; Community Development Manager/City Planner Mike Mrosla and City Clerk Julie Hanson l. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: EDA Commissioner McClun� moved and EDA Commissioner Holmes seconded a motion to approve the EDA meeting agenda as presented. A roll call vote was taken. The motion carried unanimouslv (4-0). 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. October 22, 2018 EDA MOTION: EDA Commissioner Holmes moved and EDA Commissioner Holden seconded a motion to anprove the October 22, 2018, Economic Development Authoritv Meetin� Minutes as presented. A roll call vote was taken. The motion carried (4-0). 3. NEW BUSINESS A. 2021 EDC Work Plan ARDEN HILLS EDA MEETING — November 23, 2020 2 Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla stated that historically the EDA reviews and approves the Economic Development Commission (EDC) work plan. He said that earlier in the year, the City Council reviewed and approved the EDC's 2020 work plan, which was included in the packet as Attachment A. Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla indicated that the work plan was not implemented in 2020 due to COVID-19. He stated that staff planned to hold the next EDC meeting in December and would discuss the work plan with its members at that time, with a formal work plan to be presented at the first meeting in February 2021. Mayor Pro Tem/EDA Commissioner Holden asked if any of the Commissioners had questions regarding the proposed work plan. EDA Commissioner Scott asked about Tier 1 and the Ramsey County Means Business webpage, and if there is a slide deck or a URL. Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla stated there was not a slide deck but rather a URL. He noted that Ramsey County launched the program page in early 2020 and that each city has its own webpage. He explained that the pages are generic but there is the opportunity for cities to update to its current standards for marketing materials. He indicated that the EDC could review the page and suggest updates. He noted that this was a good resource for businesses wishing to relocate to Ramsey County and specifically Arden Hills. EDA Commissioner Scott asked if this page could be found on the main Ramsey County website. Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla provided the website location as Ramseycountymeansbusiness.com. He said that users can find the various city's profiles under the Communities tab. EDA Commissioner McClung stated that the EDC reviewed information on the website earlier in the year and that nothing had changed since. He noted that COVID-19 has kept the group from doing much in 2020, but they would get up and running early in 2021. EDA Commissioner Holmes agreed the work plan looked good. She noted the EDC could begin working on the City's page on the Ramsey County site, especially while meeting remotely, and that the other items could wait. EDA Commissioner Holden asked what the City would be doing to retain the businesses that are located in Arden Hills already. She acknowledged that money was available through the CARES Act, but wondered what else the City could be doing to help. She said there was a recent article from the Twin Cities North Chamber that had some nice ideas for helping businesses. Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla said that Number 3 in Tier 2 of the work plan could be bumped up to Number 2 under Tier 1 so that a survey to assess how businesses were doing could be conducted sooner rather than later. He noted no businesses had ARDEN HII,LS EDA MEETING — November 23, 2020 3 reached out to him for further assistance but that he would check with the Twin Cities North Chamber as well. EDA Commissioner Holden stated she would like to place an item on a future agenda to discuss business license fees and potentially returning some liquor fees. She asked if staff could bring suggestions to a future meeting. Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla stated staff would provide information at a future meeting and noted the current shutdown was set to last four weeks. EDA Commissioner Scott commented that the City did do a partial refund of liquor license fees in the spring. City Administrator Perrault stated staff checked with the City Attorney regarding the ability for businesses to sell liquor with to-go orders. He noted this provision had been in effect since last spring, that it continued to be in effect, and that it was statewide. EDA Chair Grant joined the meeting at 5:43. EDA MEMBER COMMENTS EDA Commissioner Holmes stated that the City has information about Ramsey County grants and assistance for local businesses on its website. She said she had asked the City Administrator to look into what Ramsey County has available to assist residents directly as she would like to include this information on the City's website as well. City Administrator Perrault indicated that he had contacted cities with the Ramsey County Sheriff's contract and that no cities were making money available to residents specifically. He said that some cities were providing assistance by way of mortgage assistance and that the Ramsey County website did include information for County residents to apply for assistance for rent/mortgage, utilities, or automotive repairs. He said beyond that, residents are directed by Ramsey County to existing programs such as WIC or SNAP. City Administrator Perrault stated staff could review Ramsey County's website over the course of the next few weeks and update the City's website accordingly. EDA Commissioner Holden suggested staff call the Ramsey County Commissioner for a list of the programs available to residents and businesses in Arden Hills. EDA Commissioner Scott asked if the City's website could simply redirect residents to the Ramsey County website. EDA Chair Grant stated that the City could do this, depending on how organized Ramsey County's website is. He noted that otherwise we would need to be sure of the exact pages and links. He echoed Commissioner Holden's suggestion to contact the County Commissioner for more information. ARDEN HILLS EDA MEETING — November 23, 2020 4 EDA Commissioner Holmes stated that she would like information detailed on the City's website as a courtesy to the residents, noting it may too complicated otherwise. A discussion ensued regarding how best to provide information to residents regarding potential assistance during COVID-19. A discussion ensued regarding providing information to the residents of the manufactured home park. Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla stated that staff could drop off Ramsey County brochures at the manufactured home park's office or with the manager located there. Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla also stated that he had all information needed to move forward with the EDC work plan. 5. ADJOURN MOTION: EDA Commissioner Scott moved and EDA Commissioner Holden seconded a motion to adiourn the Economic Development Authority meeting. A roll call vote was taken. The motion carried (4-0). EDA Commissioner Holden adjourned the Economic Development Authority meeting at 5:57 p.m. � � ��`lt�"� � Julie Hanson City Clerk � I�� /_/�ii l ✓ /✓ / �. � EDA President