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Home My WebLink About02-1-12 EDC Minutes • -- EN HILLS CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION FEBRUARY 1,2012 8:00 AM CITY HALL -- 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair Ed von Holtum called the meeting to order at 8:08 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Ed von Holtum, Commissioner Jim Huninghake. Also Present: Council Liaison Ed Werner; Financial Planning and Analysis Committee member Jim Ostlund; Community Development Director Jill Hutmacher; and Deputy Clerk Rebecca Brazys. • Absent: Dan Erickson, Rob Davidson Community Development Director Hutmacher introduced Jim Ostlund, a current member of the Financial Planning and Analysis Committee, who is interested in learning more about the Economic Development Commission and possibly becoming a member. Community Development Director Hutmacher introduced the recently appointed Council Liaison, Ed Werner. 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA It was the consensus of the Commission to approve the agenda. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was the consensus of the Commission to accept the minutes of the December 7, 2011, meeting as presented. Chair von Holtum asked to discuss the TCAAP and Stadium item first. 4. UPDATES A. TCAAP and Stadium Development EDC Minutes February 1, 2012 Page 2 of 5 Community Development Director Hutmacher reported that the Governor had set a deadline of 5:00 p.m. Thursday, January 12, for final stadium proposals. Several proposals were submitted including for sites in Arden Hills, Minneapolis, and Shakopee. The Governor recently announced that the only feasible site for this legislative session is the Metrodome. There is mixed reaction among legislators to the Governor's announcement. On January 29, seven of the thirteen Minneapolis Councilmembers expressed opposition to Mayor Rybak's funding plan for a new stadium in Minneapolis as they cannot support a plan to contribute more than $300 million to a stadium without a referendum. Ramsey County continues to work to bring the stadium to Arden Hills. 3. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. 2012 EDC Work Plan Community Development Director Hutmacher reviewed the 2012 EDC Work Plan as outlined below: Economic Development Commission 2012 Work Plan 1111 2012 EDC Goals Work Tasks Schedule TCAAP Development • Communicate TCAAP development Yearlong issues with the business community New Member Recruitment • Newsletter article Yearlong • Bulletin notices • Business visits City Website Redesign • Research city websites and options January—March Project promoting economic development on the website • Outline economic development pages April—June Gateway Signs • Review staff reports and February—April recommendations to the City Council B-2 Implementation Plan • Review and comment on draft plan February—June • Communicate with B-2 businesses Tax Increment Financing • Review draft White Paper March—December Policy • Work with FPAC to analyze TIF captured tax capacity benchmark • Work with EDA and City Council to define development goals • Consider role of TIF in implementation of City development goals • Business Outreach • Plan and promote State of the City event June—September EDC Minutes February 1, 2012 Page 3 of 5 • Use City newsletter to highlight local February—December businesses • Update and distribute business July— September information packet • Consider other business outreach activities Business Improvement, • Identify businesses considering October —December Expansion and Retention expansion or at risk of leaving the City • Identify businesses in need of exterior improvements • Investigate options for revolving loan program The consensus of the Commission was to accept the work plan as presented. C. New Member Recruitments Community Development Director Hutmacher reported that she had contacted Bethel University regarding joining the EDC. Commissioner von Holtum stated that he had spoken to several residents. He also stated that he likes the idea of placing EDC articles in the City newsletter and sees three benefits from such articles: business outreach, member recruitment, and highlighting Arden Hills businesses. Community Development Director Hutmacher suggested articles focusing on Aerotek, Exos, or Hood Packaging. Other possible articles could discuss the City's efforts to work with local business, reinforce that Arden Hills is business friendly, talk about how important businesses are to the community and that businesses contribute significantly to Arden Hills. Commissioner Huninghake suggested that some of the larger businesses in Arden Hills, such as Land O'Lakes and Boston Scientific, be contacted to see if they have any interest in serving on the EDC. He offered to contact Boston Scientific and Commissioner von Holtum will contact Land O'Lakes. B. City Website Redesign Project Community Development Director Hutmacher distributed a copy of a recent Start Tribune article regarding the importance of City websites. She reported that the website ad hoc committee has interviewed the final two candidates for the website design vendor and anticipates presenting a recommendation and contract for City Council consideration in February. The website redesign process should take approximately six months. She asked for a commitment from the Commissioners to work on the economic development pages for the new website, • specifically with regards to what information or links should be provided to support and promote the City's business community. EDC Minutes February 1, 2012 Page 4 of 5 • The Commission consensus was to actively participate in the creation of the EDC pages on the new website. 4. UPDATES B. Gateway Signs Update Community Development Director Hutmacher stated that the Council had determined that the priority gateway sign locations for 2012 will be the triangle parcel at the intersection of Lake Johanna Road and County Road D, and at Arden Plaza at the intersection of Lexington and County Road E. Both signs will have brick masonry bases to complement development occurring at Presbyterian Homes and Arden Plaza. She added that staff will work with the City Council to define landscaping and amenity improvements on the triangle parcel. The ownership of this parcel is set to be transferred from Presbyterian Homes to the City by June 30, 2012. At the Arden Plaza location, Walgreen's has agreed to pay for the base and the City will pay for the face of the sign. C. B-2 Implementation Plan • Community Development Director Hutmacher reported that the City Council had directed staff to contract with Bolton & Menk for Phase I of the B-2 Implementation Plan. During Phase I, the City will analyze options, obtain input from business owners, and define specific objectives and a preliminary construction budget. As part of Phase I, the City Council will appoint an Advisory Committee which will include representatives of the Council, business owners within the B-2 District, and staff. She explained that improvements identified in Phase I will be designed in Phase II. Community Development Director Hutmacher further explained that in order to minimize business disruptions, the B-2 District Implementation Plan is scheduled to be completed so that improvements to County Road E can take place concurrently with the reconstruction of the bridge over Highway 51. D. Commission Members Commissioner von Holtum requested the schedule of article deadlines for the City newsletter. E. Council Liaison Councilmember Werner reviewed the list of Council Liaison appointments made by the Mayor at the Council's January 30, 2012, meeting. He also reported that the Council had adopted a resolution of support for the City of Arden Hills to become a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon 111 Community. EDC Minutes February 1, 2012 Page 5 of 5 • F. Staff Comments Community Development Director Hutmacher explained that the City is looking for a community volunteer to represent the City on the Northwest Youth and Family Services. 5. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Huninghake moved to adjourn. Chair von Holtum adjourned the meeting at 9:15 a.m. dj19 Ed von Holtum, Chair Jill tmacher Co unity Development Director • •