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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-04-25 JDAJoint Development Authority Monday, August 4, 2025 Arden Hills City Council Chambers Work Session 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 (excused) was absent Also present: Jessica Jagoe (Arden Hills); Ella Mitchell (Ramsey County); and Rachel Tierney, Kennedy & Graven Roll call taken. Public Input Lynn Diaz, 1143 Ingerson Road, commented on the language that requires all buildings to have solar panels and asked if this applied to all single-family homes. She indicated she was concerned with the fact the government tax credits would go to the development and not the individual installing the solar panels. She recommended that some sort of backup energy source be considered in the event the solar panels failed. Lyle Salmela, 1480 Arden Vista Court, commented on the LEED certification that has been developed. He explained he would like to speak with Rick regarding the recommendations for this project, noting he had suggestions that could get this project over 90 points. New Business a. Review Website Statistics Director Mitchell stated at the July meeting, the JDA requested statistics on the Rice Creek Commons webpage, RiceCreekCommons.com. The following information is provided for the period August 1, 2024, through July 31, 2025. It was noted the site has had 5,505 active users, 21,630 views, 3.93 views per active user with an average time per user being 1 minute and 50 seconds. She provided further information regarding the most viewed pages on the website. Commissioner Weber asked if the number of visits have increased in the last several months. Director Mitchell explained she could speak with her staff and would report back to the JDA with this information. Commissioner Monson indicated she would like to see a full document library on the Rice Creek Commons website. In addition, she wanted to see the JDA answering questions in a more timely manner for residents versus putting information on the website. Director Mitchell stated questions are responded to within the FAQ portion of the website, unless staff provides an answer at a JDA meeting. Commissioner Weber supported giving residents an answer to their questions, with the understanding not all questions can be answered on the spot. b. Review Sustainability Updates Director Mitchell stated the Energy Advisory Committee (EAC) met on July 23 to discuss sustainability and clean energy work updates. An overview of the items discussed was as follows: • LEED for Communities: precertification process • Sustainability Design Guidelines o Proposed revisions o Documentation package • Federal legislation impacts • Xcel pilot project coordination • Geothermal planning grant Rick Carter, LHB, commented on the LEED for Communities process that was being pursued. He noted he was at the point where he would be submitting for precertification. He stated he was at 83 points at this time. He indicated he was most proud of the fact the entire project was all electric and carbon neutral. He reported there was only one other platinum level community in the United States, which was in Florida. Commissioner McGuire thanked Mr. Carter for sharing all of his expertise with the JDA. She stated she appreciated all of his explanations and learning that this type of community was doable. Commissioner Weber explained he also appreciated the sustainability guidelines and learning that the proposed goals were achievable. Director Mitchell reported once the County applies for precertification, the certifying body would review the work and re-evaluation may be required. Commissioner Monson asked if staff had an update from Met Council. Director Mitchell stated she did not have any updates, but noted it was her understanding the Met Council had put a line on their map. Commissioner Weber recommended the Met Council be invited to a future worksession meeting to discuss the future line. Commissioner McGuire supported this recommendation. Further discussion ensued regarding the changes that were made to the electric vehicle terminology. Mr. Carter explained developers would be required to maximize rooftops on residential buildings. He reported federal regulations could change this story in the future and noted tax credits would flow to the project developer. He stated backup energy would be provided by the electrical grid. He indicated onsite battery storage may also be an option in the future. Commissioner McGuire asked if it would be too onerous to require properties to have a backup energy source. Mr. Carter stated he was uncertain if this could be regulated by the JDA or City. Commissioner Monson discussed how all of the power lines would be buried underground which meant it would be less likely there would be power outages. Vice Chair Jebens-Singh reported during the conversations with Ryan Companies, it did not appear there was anything onerous within the proposed sustainability guidelines. Commissioner Weber explained this appears to be the case, noting there were only minor code items that were brought up by Ryan Companies. Mr. Carter commented the only feedback he received was regarding the methodology for confirming the 50% better than code. He then discussed the changes that were made at a federal level that could impact the development of Rice Creek Commons. Vice Chair Jebens-Singh stated she appreciated the fact the door remained open for the proposed sustainability efforts for this project. She recommended the JDA remain conscience of the costs and funding mechanisms going forward. Commissioner Monson reported residential solar took the biggest hit from the federal government. Mr. Carter reported this was the case. Commissioner Monson discussed the potential challenges going forward for batteries given how 90% of battery anodes were made in China. She anticipated a developer would benefit economically from pursuing residential solar versus a district geothermal system. Commissioner Weber stated this would depend on what rebates are being offered from Xcel Energy. He reported in order to meet the LEED certification the JDA may have to consider a district system. Mr. Carter commented the best thing for the development would be to meet the guidelines and he was hoping to see a developer pursuing ground sourced energy through all electric and heat pumps in the buildings. Director Mitchell indicated she was still meeting regularly with Xcel Energy regarding the thermal energy pilot program to better understand their goals. Commissioner Monson asked if staff was coordinating with the Army on this. Director Mitchell stated she has not begun working with the Army on this process noting geothermal was allowed in the deed. Commissioner Weber inquired if staff had spoken with the Army about using the current water system. Director Mitchell stated she had not broached this subject with the Army, but needs to be advanced at some point. c. Discuss Development Solicitation Questions Director Mitchell commented on the process that was followed in the past within the development solicitation process. She reviewed the role and value of having a developer in place. She requested direction from the JDA regarding questions that should be considered within the future development solicitation process. Commissioner McGuire asked if there were examples where the County has been the lead developer in a project of this size. Director Mitchell stated there were no examples, given the size of this property. Commissioner Monson discussed the project that was completed by the St. Paul Port Authority and the commitments they had within The Heights development. She stated it would be important to hear from the County Board as to the appropriate risk profile they were considering for the land sale. Vice Chair Jebens-Singh reported this project had multiple paths forward and the County would have to consider if the project included the mass grading and if it was tied to the land sale. She indicated the JDA would also have to consider if a lead developer should be in place or should there be multiple developers in place. She questioned what needed to be done to get the ball rolling for the next steps for this project. Commissioner Monson stated from the City’s perspective, it was the County’s role to sell the land, but there would be financial implications on the City, depending on how the land was sold. She asked that staff participate in this process in order to better understand the revenue impacts for the City. Vice Chair Jebens-Singh explained she appreciated the fact the JDA was taking a pause in order to better consider how to move this project forward. Commissioner McGuire indicated she agreed with all of the comments that have been made and stated she supported staff investigating this matter further. Commissioner Monson inquired if the JDA should have a procurement policy in place. Director Mitchell stated in the past Ramsey County’s policy has been used as a model in the past, but noted Commissioner Monson was correct, that the JDA did not have a procurement policy in place. She noted she could look into this further with legal counsel. Rachel Tierney, Kennedy & Graven, explained the deferment to Ramsey County was because the County was the fiscal agent and their staff was performing the work. She indicated she could look further into the policies that should be in place for the JDA as this could inform decision making in the future. Vice Chair Jebens-Singh supported this being further investigated by staff and legal counsel. Director Mitchell discussed the changes that have occurred to the housing and office market since 2016. Vice Chair Jebens-Singh recommended staff provide the JDA with further information on the pros and cons of having a lead developer for this project. Commissioner Weber supported staff investigating this topic further. Commissioner Monson agreed and discussed how developers were pulling in multiple developers to complete larger projects. She recommended the RFI go to the Timberwolves organization for consideration. She inquired if the zoning should be looked at in a higher manner versus being so prescriptive. Commissioner Weber asked if the mass grading should be completed prior to pursuing an RFI. Commissioner Monson indicated she was proposing the JDA seek feedback from developers on what their vision for the site would be. Commissioner Weber commented he would be open to this. Director Jagoe discussed how the RFI might help better inform the recommendations for residential and commercial uses. Commissioner McGuire explained she agreed with Commissioner Monson and stated she was curious to see what developers might want to do. Vice Chair Jebens-Singh indicated she did not want the JDA to lead the conversations or expectations but rather hoped the RFI would bring about the highest and best use for this property, while still meeting the JDA’s goals. She hoped the RFI would help developers consider both the challenges and opportunities within the project. Commissioner Monson asked if staff should be directed to reach out to the Timberwolves. Commissioners Weber and McGuire were open to this. Vice Chair Jebens-Singh stated she was uncertain how a Timberwolves stadium would fit into the housing goals proposed for this development. Commissioner Monson indicated this was an opportunity that was not available in 2016 or 2023 and should be kept on the table for further consideration. d. Discuss Community Event Considerations Director Mitchell stated the JDA requested information for a discussion about a potential fall community event. She asked that the JDA consider the goals of a community event and what a successful community event would look like. Commissioner Weber recommended information be presented on the clean energy/ sustainability guidelines and the progress that was being made on the first development within Rice Creek Commons. He also suggested the need for more affordable housing be addressed. Commissioner McGuire suggested a status update be provided on the RFI process. She proposed the County host an online event/zoom meeting because this would be a cost effective way to address the public. Commissioner Monson stated she would like to see an open house event that addressed clean energy and sustainability. She noted a virtual series/webinar could be held in the future in order to educate the public on this project. She recommended the virtual videos be robust in order to properly educate the public. Vice Chair Jebens-Singh supported providing residents with detailed information in more than one manner. Director Mitchell indicated she could brainstorm how to hold an open house and virtual event. e. Review Road Map Director Mitchell reviewed the Road Map with the JDA. Administrative Director’s Report Director Mitchell provided the JDA with an update on the Micro Control Company development. Development Director’s Report Director Jagoe stated the JDA would be meeting next on Tuesday, September 9. Commissioner Updates None. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 7:32 pm. Approved _____________________________________ Tara Jebens-Singh, Vice Chair _____________________ Date 10/30/2025