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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-05-24 JDAJoint Development Authority Monday, August 5, 2024 Arden Hills City Council Chambers Minutes 5:30 pm Roll Call Joint Development Authority: Acting Chair Nicole Frethem, Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt, Commissioner Tom Fabel, Commissioner Tena Monson Chair Jon Wicklund was absent. Also present: Jessica Jagoe (Arden Hills); Ella Mitchell (Ramsey County), Rachel Tierney (Kennedy & Graven) Roll call taken. Approval of Agenda Motion by Commissioner Fabel seconded by Commissioner Reinhardt to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried. Approval of Minutes Motion by Commissioner Frethem seconded by Commissioner Reinhardt to approve the April 1, 2024 JDA meeting minutes as presented. Motion carried. Motion by Commissioner Monson seconded by Commissioner Fabel to approve the July 23, 2024 JDA Special Worksession meeting minutes as presented. Motion carried. Public Input None. Consent Agenda None. Old Business None. New Business a. Update on Communications Ms. Mitchell stated in May, Goff Public worked with Ramsey County to prepare a reactive media statement on the conclusion of the 2024 legislative session and lack of infrastructure bonding bill. Given other developments in the final days of session, Rice Creek Commons was not widely mentioned in related media coverage. Finance & Commerce published an article on June 20 with updates on the infrastructure RFP process, energy and sustainability conversations, and Outlot A titled Ramsey County plans for Rice Creek Commons infrastructure work. Goff Public worked with Ramsey County to prepare a statement on the infrastructure RFP timeline, which was attributed to Larina Vosika DeWalt of Ramsey County. Ms. Mitchell explained Goff Public also worked with Ramsey County to prepare and distribute a summer Rice Creek Commons newsletter. The newsletter was sent to 4,639 subscribers on Monday, July 15. Topics included green energy goals, Outlot A, Kimley-Horn’s selection as lead infrastructure engineering partner, main parcel development, and the Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) update process. Based on click data, the most popular topic was Outlot A followed by the green energy goals and Ramsey County’s Climate Equity Action Plan. The newsletter had a 4% click rate (about twice the industry average) and a 34% open rate (in line with the industry average). Since the last communications update, there was one inquiry through the Rice Creek Commons microsite contact portal, which County staff responded to. b. Recommendation from Energy Advisory Committee on Sustainability Certification Commissioner Monson stated the Energy Advisory Committee has worked with consultants Ever-Green Energy and LHB to make a recommendation to the JDA on how to implement the Rice Creek Commons Energy Vision. She commented further on the process for developing this recommendation for pursuing sustainability certification for the site. Ms. Mitchell reviewed the timeline and previous meetings from the Energy Advisory Committee. He explained the goal for Rice Creek Commons was to be walkable and sustainable within itself, achieves ambitious goals without pricing itself out of the market, is a model for communities across the United States, inspires others, demonstrates trying to go as far as possible and is financially viable for both the City and County. Rick Carter, LHB, provided the JDA with a presentation that addressed the Energy Advisory Committee’s energy vision, pathways in support of the energy vision, considerations that would have to be made, along with highlighting recommendations and next steps. He explained the Energy Advisory Committee recommended the JDA pursue LEED for Communities certification for Rice Creek Commons, noting this would be a great marketing tool for this development. He commented on the timelines and fees that would be involved in getting LEED pre-certification. He describes how the Sustainable Design Guidelines would complement LEED for Communities. Commissioner Monson discussed how the Heights development would be a good resource for the JDA. Ms. Mitchell further reviewed the considerations the JDA should keep in mind when determining a recommendation, which included accountability and verification, ambition, flexibility, promotional benefits, staff time and cost. Commissioner Fabel asked what LEED stood for. Mr. Carter reported this stood for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Commissioner Reinhardt commented on how this development would be around for generations and stated the City and County could not put a dollar amount on how important it was to be LEED certified. She indicated there was a value to that and this certification would push the JDA to be accountable. She requested further information on how the development scored. Ms. Mitchell reviewed the preliminary LEED for Communities Scorecard with the JDA. She explained the scorecard would be refined throughout the pre-certification process. Commissioner Monson stated she believed what the JDA was trying to do with this development was very unique. She was of the opinion the LEED for Communities certification was necessary and would give the development great visibility. She discussed how the guidance categories would push the development and would provide accountability. Acting Chair Frethem asked if the developer has been involved in this process or energy discussions. She inquired if there would be an impact on the development costs. Mr. Carter stated he has had conversations with Alatus about the use of design guidelines and certifications for individual buildings as well as community wide. He explained there was a lot of variability with the LEED for Communities. He did not see this as a big hurdle for the developer. Commissioner Fabel questioned how the developer has reacted to the meetings where LEED for Communities has been discussed. Mr. Carter reported the developer did not seem concerned. He was of the opinion the certification would be a positive for the overall development. Ms. Mitchell explained she met with both Alatus and Ryan Companies to discuss LEED for Communities. She indicated this would be a new experience for both developers. Commissioner Reinhardt noted with Ryan Companies, one of the criteria within the RDI addressed energy, which was a recommendation from the Energy Advisory Committee. Commissioner Monson understood the developers biggest concern within the development was the single family homes. Commissioner Fabel questioned who would be the third party verifier for the scorecard. Mr. Carter reported the US Green Building Council and GBCI created LEED and LEED for Communities. He explained these organizations created the guidelines. Acting Chair Frethem thanked Mr. Carter for his presentation and all of the detailed information on LEED for Communities. She stated she was excited about this possibility for the development, along with the goals that had been laid out. She explained she appreciated the transparency and objectivity within the design goals because these could be communicated clearly to others. She looked forward to reviewing the third party measures that would be in place to quantify the goals for this development. Mr. Carter commented on how the LEED for Communities goals have benefited the Heights development in St. Paul, Minnesota. Motion by Commissioner Monson seconded by Commissioner Reinhardt to direct staff to pursue LEED for Communities certification, with a goal of achieving Gold or Platinum, in addition to sustainable design guidelines for the Rice Creek Commons. Motion carried. Commissioner Reinhardt thanked Commissioner Monson for all of her efforts on the Energy Advisory Committee. Ms. Mitchell reviewed the next steps for this project and reported additional information would be brought back to the JDA in the future. c. Review JDA 6-Month Expense Report Ms. Mitchell reviewed the JDA 6-month expense report in detail with the Commissioners. She explained finances were on track and within budget at this time. Commissioner Monson supported the JDA having a government relations lobbyist to assist with pursuing State bonding stating this would be would be essential going forward. Acting Chair Frethem agreed this this recommendation and she was interested in seeing how this would impact the JDA budget. d. Update on Development Agreement Discussions Ms. Mitchell provided an update on the Development Agreement discussions. She explained Ehlers received a proposal from Alatus for both the City and the County last Wednesday. She reported the City and County had a meeting with Alatus last Thursday and initial questions are addressed. She stated more analysis has to happen but the initial reactions were that the City and County were happy to have seen a proposal and this was something Ehlers believed could be workable. She indicated this would be the beginning of discussions and stated a financial, legal and engineering review of the plans has begun in order to better understand how the horizontal development work. Commissioner Reinhardt stated she appreciated the fact that Alatus had brought a proposal forward and that this project was moving forward and not stagnant. She looked forward to receiving a recommendation from staff after their review of the proposal. Commissioner Monson asked if the JDA would be further discussion the proposal in September. Ms. Mitchell explained the County and City has just received the information late last week and had to better understand the engineering scope of work and how it interfaces with the finances and legal portions of the project. Commissioner Monson indicated it was her hope the City and County would be able to get things moved along in a manner where State bonding could be considered in 2025. Commissioner Reinhardt stated all parties were anxious to get this development completed. She commented on how complex this development was given the fact there were four parties involved, those being the City, County, State and Alatus. Commissioner Monson suggested the JDA discuss when community engagement would be held at their next meeting. e. Review Road Map Ms. Mitchell reviewed the road map in detail with the JDA. Administrative Director’s Report Ms. Mitchell stated she had nothing additional to report. Development Director’s Report Director Jagoe explained Kimley Horn brought forward the draft AUAR document to the City Council at their July worksession meeting. She reported the Kimley Horn received two comments on this document one from MNDOT and the other from the Met Council. She indicated the final AUAR would be presented to the City Council for adoption on August 12. Commissioner Updates Commissioner Fabel commented on the departure of long-time City Administrator David Perrault and stated Jessica Jagoe would be serving as the Interim City Administrator. He thanked City Administrator Perrault for his tremendous service to the City of Arden Hills and wished him all the best in the future. Commissioner Reinhardt thanked City Administrator Perrault for his dedicated service to the City and for working diligently to move this project forward. Commissioner Reinhardt announced the County had hired Ling Becker to serve as the new Ramsey County Manager. Commissioner Reinhardt stated Chair Martinson stepped down last Thursday and has become the next Executive Director for the Recycling and Energy Center for Ramsey and Washington Counties. She explained on Friday she became Chair and Commission Ortega became Vice Chair. The JDA requested an update on the Outlot A project. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 6:44 pm. Approved _____________________________________ Nicole Frethem, Acting Chair _11/6/24_______________ Date