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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-24-24 EDC Minutes CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION APRIL 24, 2024 7:30 A.M. – ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Present: Chair Frank Cupery, Commissioners Jud Murchie, Julie Gronquist, Bobby Bonine, Ted Brausen and Youth Commissioner Katherine Schneider and Council Liaison Emily Rousseau Absent: Commissioners Sreya Subramanian and Rob Williams Also Present: Community Development Director Jessica Jagoe and Senior Planner Elena Fransen 1. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA A motion was made by Commissioner Brausen and seconded by Commissioner Schneider to approve the agenda. The agenda was approved unanimously. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. March 27, 2024 A motion was made by Commissioner Murchie and seconded by Commissioner Gronquist to approve the March 27, 2024 minutes. The minutes were approved unanimously. 3. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. Presentation – Ling Becker, Ramsey County Workforce Solutions Senior Planner Fransen introduced Ling Becker, Director at Ramsey County Workforce Solutions. Ms. Becker explained her background in the field of economic development. She said many economic developers are focused on creating jobs and economic growth but noted there is a tie to workforce development, which is to get people into jobs primarily in their own community. Ms. Becker indicated the state is divided into 16 development areas that are funded by the Federal government and the State, noting there are Regions as well. She briefly discussed that individuals that receive assistance from the County are required to have a job counselor to help move them toward work and this is under the workforce development purview as well. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION –APRIL 24, 2024 2 Ms. Becker provided a brief overview of Ramsey County’s Economic Competitiveness and Inclusion Plan. The County’s economic development strategy prioritizes inclusion in future investments and other actions related to housing, job creation, workforce development and place- based investments, while responding to the COVID-19 crisis. Ms. Becker stated avenues for Economic Development are factors such as Creating Jobs, Building infrastructure, Creating Economic Growth, and High End Talent Recruitment. Whereas, she noted that Workforce Development seeks to get people into jobs, help people keep jobs, develop skills, increase earnings, and offering training and recruitment at all levels. Ms. Becker highlighted Ramsey County statistical data on work force demographics and categories for the largest occupations in the area and labor needs. She recapped and shared information on the programs offered through Ramsey County Workforce Solutions. Senior Planner Fransen indicated the Commission received a copy of the presentation and asked if there were any questions for Ms. Becker. Commissioner Gronquist stated she did not know a lot about the County’s Workforce Solutions, noting it was more involved than she realized. She thanked Ms. Becker for the insightful presentation. Commissioner Bonine stated it was good to see the data regarding degree requirements and briefly discussed how the topics presented by Ms. Becker related to his place of employment. Ms. Becker urged the Commissioners to reach out with any additional questions. Council Liaison Rousseau thanked Ms. Becker for attending several community events and her efforts in helping the public to learn more. She noted Ms. Becker’s reference to previously working at the cities of Shoreview and Vadnais Heights and said various residents have contacted her about the differences that exist across Lexington Avenue such as streetlights, sidewalks, and a $4 million dollar playground. She asked what things Ms. Becker saw early on in the process from an economic development standpoint in those cities. Ms. Becker recommended a City have its own business association and briefly discussed the role that group had within the cities she worked at as well as the connection to the local Chamber. Council Liaison Rousseau indicated the Arden Hills City Council does not have a local business owner on the Council. She noted this Commission recently was restarted and members had reached out to the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce to solicit for positions within the Economic Development Commission and the Planning Commission and received no response from the Chamber. Council Liaison Rousseau also stated that the EDA recently met, which is the City Council, and that there are no members of the community on the EDA. She said the EDA really has not done anything in 5 years other than have discussion about, for example, gateway signs. She indicated that certain initiatives would be brought to the EDC in consideration of recommendations of how to spend the money allocated for economic development. Discussion further ensued regarding the local business community. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION –APRIL 24, 2024 3 The EDC thanked Ms. Becker for her time. Senior Planner Fransen stated that Commissioner Murchie left the meeting at 8:30, noted there was still a quorum. B. Economic Development Commission Work Plan Senior Planner Fransen provided a recap from the last meeting, noting the work plan, mission statement, and list of strategies were discussed. She indicated edits were suggested at that time and asked for further feedback. Commissioner Gronquist stated she agreed with the statement as written though she suggested that the phrase “through tailored resources and events” be removed as the group was still establishing the EDC work plan. Discussion ensued and minor amendments were recommended. A motion was made by Commissioner Bonine and seconded by Commissioner Brausen to approve the mission statement with amendments. This was approved unanimously. Senior Planner Fransen indicated a ranking sheet had been provided to the EDC members and asked the members to complete the form, ranking their priorities. A discussion ensued regarding avenues for outreach and support related to the various topics outlined in the work plan. C. Sign Ordinance Revisions – Update Senior Planner Fransen asked for volunteers to provide a presentation of the draft sign ordinance suggested revisions at the Wednesday, June 5 Planning Commission meeting. She explained the composition and function of the Planning Commission and outlined what the process of presenting to the Commission could entail. Commissioners Gronquist and Brausen volunteered to present to the Planning Commission. Community Development Director Jagoe further explained the expectation of the EDC related to their attendance at the June Planning Commission meeting, stating the members would basically be present to answer questions. She noted the bulk of the work would be the responsibility of City staff and she urged all members of the EDC to attend if they are available. She further explained potential next steps following the Planning Commission meeting. Chair Cupery indicated interest in attending the Planning Commission meeting. 4. COMMENTS AND REPORTS A. Report from the City Council ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION –APRIL 24, 2024 4 Council Liaison Rousseau stated that this was a newer commission in some aspects and noted there is a picnic in the summer for which all committee and commission members are invited. She asked staff what the date would be for this summer’s picnic. Community Development Director Jagoe replied that the picnic is generally in July/August. Council Liaison Rousseau indicated the City Council held a meeting on April 20 regarding options for funding three large projects - the Fire Station, the Old Highway 10 trail (north of Lake Valentine Road) and the Lake Johanna Boulevard trail. She noted some options to fund these projects included bonding, franchise fees and a tax levy. She briefly outlined these projects, outreach efforts, and next steps related to budgeting for 2025. A discussion ensued regarding franchise fees, property taxes, and the City’s budget. Council Liaison Rousseau stated the City Council had discussed committee and commission youth members and that Councilmember Holden wanted to ensure taxpayers are being represented. She noted she had explained the application process and the goal of staggering members’ terms. Her personal preference was to bring on more individuals from the high school but stated this was difficult due to the youth term being a shorter term of one year. She indicated an amendment would be made to City Code related to youth membership. Commissioner Bonine asked if a youth is defined by being 18 years old. Senior Planner Fransen said a youth member is defined by the application process, noting there were separate applications for a regular committee or commission member versus the youth member’s application which has its own specific requirements. A short discussion ensued regarding youth membership. B. Economic Development Commission Comments None. ADJOURNMENT A motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Brausen and seconded by Commissioner Gronquist. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:04 a.m.