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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-05-20 EDC Minutes CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION FEBRUARY 5, 2020 8:00 AM CITY HALL -- 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Present: Chair Dan Erickson, Commissioners Rob Williams, David Radziej and Sheila Bennett Kilander, Council Liaison Dave McClung Absent: Commissioner Brendan O’Meara (excused) Also Present: Community Development Manager/City Planner Mike Mrosla, Deputy Clerk Jolene Trauba 2. APPOINTMENTS A. Economic Development Commission Reappointments/Oath of Office Commissioners Williams, Radziej and Bennett Kilander took the Oath of Office. 3. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA 4. MINUTES A. May 1, 2019 B. August 7, 2019 The minutes were unanimously approved. 5. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. EDC 2020-001 – Bi-Monthly Meetings and Meeting Date and Time Amendment Council Liaison McClung said the City Council would like to see a robust EDC to get feedback from and have the EDC bring things to the Council’s attention. Business outreach has been received positively by the Council. He liked the idea of the EDC meeting with businesses. He wondered what the committee felt it could do to assist the Council and what direction and feedback they would they like from the Council. He’d like to have a work session with the Council to discuss. EDC Minutes February 5, 2020 Page 2 of 3 Discussion ensued regarding BRE programs. It was agreed that business meetings are valuable but a more formal process would be necessary. Chair Erickson noted that there is an annual workplan but they haven’t made progress toward the goals. He wondered if changing the meeting frequency supported moving toward the goals. He supported meeting every other month and the earlier meeting time but felt during the off months they could be making business visits. Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla said he would like to see the goals revisited and the BRE program, and do a business community strength and weakness study. Chair Erickson asked if Council could provide some input and they could discuss goals at the next meeting. Commissioner Bennet Kilander asked if they would be inviting businesses to the State of the City. Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla said there would be opportunities to invite businesses. Council Liaison McClung liked the idea of getting input from the City Council. He would like to see a program started again and add more visits as it the program progresses. Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla said he would like to set the meetings up and one of the Commissioners would go with him. The Commissioner would bridge the gap between the City and the business. Council Liaison McClung noted there are vacancies on the committee and would like to grow the group, but wants to be sure there is a driving reason to do so. After discussion it was moved, seconded and approved to begin meeting at 7:30 a.m., and bi- monthly on the fourth Wednesday of the month with the exception of April, 2020. Meetings for 2020 would be April 1 at 7:30, followed by June, August, October and December. B. Small Business Week Initiative Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla stated that during the Holiday season in 2018, City staff and Councilmembers visited approximately 30 businesses and dropped off candy to show appreciation to them for being in the community. He wondered if the EDC would be interesting in participating in a similar event during Small Business Week. Chair Erickson felt independent, locally owned, single location businesses would be the ones to recognize during the event. Discussion ensued regarding the recent Business Council Meeting hosted by the Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce. EDC Minutes February 5, 2020 Page 3 of 3 Chair Erickson suggested choosing five young businesses, do the drop off and put a small article about them in the City newsletter. Staff will bring a plan to the April meeting. 6. UPDATES A. Commission Members Commissioner Radziej asked what was the driving force behind the City tax increase. Council Liaison McClung expalined that was was a combination of roads, fund balances, public safety and upcoming needs of the City. The current increase was to mitigate large spikes in the future. B. Council Liaison Council Liaison McClung noted the fire department did a needs assessment and they are in need of a new, larger location. They are considering a location in Arden Hills. C. Staff Comments Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla said the State of the City would be at Land O’Lakes. Planning continues for the event. Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla noted that staff met with a developer regarding Gateway Boulevard parcel at 694 and 35W. They are potentially proposing an office/warehouse. Summit Development will start constructing 120 units of senior living in June on Parkshore Drive. They will also be creating a new City park as part of the development. Valentine Hills Elementary School will be adding am 9,000 square foot classroom addition and a 1,000 square foot cafeteria addition. A speed change will be approved soon for Moundsview High School area and a roadway study will be completed soon that is geared at making pedestrian traffic safer. Boston Scientific is requesting a minor site plan addition, Brausen Automotive is requesting a materials change for their new facility. The Perkins site changed brokers but there is no movement yet. 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:00 a.m.