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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-05-25 JDA_amendedJoint Development Authority Monday, May 5, 2025 Arden Hills City Council Chambers Minutes 5:30 pm Roll Call Joint Development Authority: Commissioner Tara Jebens-Singh, Commissioner Kurt Weber, Commissioner Mary Jo McGuire, Commissioner Tena Monson Chair Jon Wicklund, was absent. Also present: Jessica Jagoe (Arden Hills); Ella Mitchell (Ramsey County) Roll call taken. Approval of Agenda Motion by Commissioner McGuire seconded by Commissioner Weber to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried. Approval of Minutes Motion by Commissioner Monson seconded by Commissioner McGuire to approve the April 7, 2025 JDA meeting minutes as presented. Motion carried. Public Input None. Consent Agenda None. Old Business None. Public Hearings None. New Business a. Review Communications Report Director Mitchell reviewed the Communication Report with the JDA. She explained Goff Public worked with Ramsey County, the City of Arden Hills, JDA and Ryan Companies on a media relations strategy to support and celebrate the April 30 groundbreaking of Outlot A phase one. The strategy included: Issuing a media advisory on April 28 to provide notice of the event. Targeted pitching to reporters with previous and/or current interest in Rice Creek Commons. Issuing a post -event press release with photos on April 30. Director Mitchell reported total media exposure: 37 placements. As of Friday, May 2, there have been 37 total earned media placements specific to the groundbreaking event. All four Twin Cities regional TV affiliates attended the event (WCCO, KARE, KSTP and KMSP) along with Nine North TV. Star Tribune reporter Matt McKinney also attended the groundbreaking and is currently conducting follow-up interviews; the timeline for a resulting article is still pending. Coverage in the Shoreview Press is also pending. Commissioner Jebens-Singh, Councilmember Monson and project staff did interviews with the Star Tribune, Finance & Commerce and Fox 9's online streaming show outside of the groundbreaking event. Commissioner Jebens-Singh asked that the media events and the links for the videos be posted on the Rice Creek Commons website. Commissioner Monson requested staff speak further to the groundbreaking event that was held for Outlot A. Director Mitchell stated last Wednesday, April 30, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for Phase 1 of Outlot A. She explained this event was cohosted by the County, City of Arden Hills and Ryan Companies. She indicated this event was not open to the public because it was an active construction site. She reported the event was attended by City and County staff along with elected officials and representatives from Micro Control Company. Commissioner Weber thanked Commissioner Monson and Commissioner Jebens-Singh for their comments at this event. He appreciated the positive outlook staff had for this development. b. Approve 2025 Budget Amendment Director Mitchell stated an amended JDA budget is presented for approval. This amendment includes additional scope for green energy and sustainability work and also reflects a grant awarded to the project. The JDA developed a 2025 JDA budget in accordance with the procedures outlined in the JPA. The budget for the Green Energy Consultant was $92,750 for support on the pre -certification process for LEED for Communities. The JDA approved this as part of the 2025 JDA budget at the November 2024 meeting. Director Mitchell reported at this same November meeting, the JDA requested further analysis on the Sustainability Design Guidelines and in particular the waiver process. JDA staff worked with consultant LHB to develop a scope of work that included refinement of the Sustainability Design Guidelines, support on implementation of these guidelines with developers, and community engagement. This new scope of work was $118,000 over two years. As fiscal agent of the JDA, Ramsey County holds the contracts for green energy and sustainability work on behalf of the JDA, so JDA staff worked with Ramsey County procurement to execute an agreement with LHB for this scope of work. Director Mitchell explained in 2024, the Minnesota Legislature established the Geothermal Planning Grant Program to provide financial assistance to examine the technical and economic feasibility of installing geothermal energy systems. Ramsey County applied to the Minnesota Department of Commerce for this grant on behalf of Rice Creek Commons and in April 2025 was awarded $72,479 in grant funds. JDA staff are working on a scope of work for the use of these funds. Commissioner Jebens-Singh asked if the budget reflects an accurate amount of coaching/ assistance or would additional funding be required. Director Mitchell stated the hope would be that Ryan Companies understands the guidelines going forward and will not this level of coaching for the next phase of this project. In addition, if they are not asking for waivers, less work is involved. Commissioner Jebens-Singh recommended the dollars invested in this process be utilized going forward. Commissioner McGuire stated she supported the JDA continuing work with this consultant going forward. Commissioner Weber requested staff provide the JDA with a lessons learned summary from Ryan Companies. Motion by Commissioner Weber seconded by Commissioner McGuire to approve 2025 Budget Amendment. Motion carried. c. Review Road Map Director Mitchell reviewed the 2025 Road Map with the JDA. Commissioner Weber asked if the Wednesday, May 7, JDA Advisory Committee meeting would be held. Director Mitchell stated she was waiting to hear back from the developer on this. Administrative Director's Report Director Mitchell stated the Energy Advisory Committee met on Thursday, April 17 where the new members were onboarded. She indicated the Energy Advisory Committee would meet next on Friday, May 16, Development Director's Report Director Jagoe provided the JDA with an update from the JDA Advisory Committee. She noted this group met on Wednesday, April 9 where the phasing plan for mass grading was discussed along with the timing of the spine road construction. She indicated the JDA Advisory Committee was scheduled to meet again on Wednesday, April 23 where phasing, housing and amendments to the TRC would be discussed, however there was a scheduling conflict with JDA members. She indicated this could have still been held between the Alatus team and staff members. She commented Alatus provided some information on but not to the level of detail needed to address the questions that were raised during the April 9 JDA Advisory Committee meeting. For this reason, the meeting scheduled for April 23 was postponed to Wednesday, May 7 and was subject to cancellation pending receipt of the information requested from Alatus. Commissioner Monson stated it was disappointing Alatus had not provided staff with the requested information on April 23. It was her hope Alatus could provide this information in order for the May 7 meeting to go forward. Director Mitchell stated the prevailing wage information was one of the topics Alatus has not addressed, along with the sustainability requirements. Commissioner Weber questioned when the prevailing wage topic has brought to Alatus. Director Mitchell explained this was in the Term Sheet that was agreed to in December of 2023. Commissioner Monson commented on how Alatus was stating they could not meet the sustainability guidelines, but indicated this could not be done wholesale, but rather Alatus would have to prove why the guidelines could not be met. It was her hope that Alatus could come to the meet on Wednesday with the requested information. Commissioner Updates Commissioner McGuire indicated she was receiving positive comments regarding the groundbreaking that occurred on Outlot A and they were excited to see the remainder of the project moving forward. Commissioner Weber thanked Mayor David Grant for.his comments at the recent groundbreaking ceremony. Commissioner Jebens-Singh explained she appreciated the partnership the County has with the City of Arden Hills and Ryan Companies. In addition, she appreciated the thoughtful forward progress that was being made on the Rice Creek Commons development. Commissioner Monson stated she appreciated the great energy that was created from the groundbreaking ceremony. She indicated she had a great conversation with representatives from Micro Control and she believed they would be a great neighbor to the community. Adiournment Meeting adjourned at 5:57 pm. Approvedâś“ Tara Jebens-Singh, Vice Chair ate