Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-27-25 EDA Approved: July 27, 2026 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING OCTOBER 27, 2025 5:30 PM CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, EDA President Grant called to order the Economic Development Authority meeting at 5:30 p.m. Present: EDA President David Grant; EDA Commissioners Brenda Holden, Emily Rousseau, Tena Monson and Kurt Weber Absent: None Also present: EDA Secretary Jessica Jagoe, Public Works Director/City Engineer David Swearingen, Community Development Director Jake Reilly, and Assistant to the City Administrator/City Clerk Julie Hanson 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: EDA Commissioner Holden moved and EDA Commissioner Weber seconded a motion to approve the EDA meeting agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. April 22, 2024 EDA MOTION: EDA Commissioner Holden moved and EDA Commissioner Monson seconded a motion to approve the April 22, 2024 Economic Development Authority Meeting Minutes as presented. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 3. NEW BUSINESS A. Gateway Discussion EDA Secretary Jagoe explained that this topic was previously discussed by the EDA in 2024 and that there was a recommendation that the Economic Development Commission (EDC) provide feedback on this topic. She noted the EDC discussed gateway signs at one of their meetings in 2024 and that a recommendation was made to bump the topic to a future work plan discussion. Doing so would allow ARDEN HILLS EDA MEETING – October 27, 2025 2 the EDC to conduct business engagement and look for ways to increase communications and marketing. EDA Secretary Jagoe recommended the EDA discuss whether or not to continue to have gateway signs in the CIP for 2026 or if this item should be bumped in order to allow the EDC to incorporate this topic into their work plan. She also commented that the preliminary 2026 budget included $100,000 being levied for EDA funds. EDA Commissioner Holden asked if the EDC discussed gateway signs this year at all. EDA Secretary Jagoe replied no because they had conducted a business survey and held a community event and that their work plan discussion would occur next. She noted Community Development Director Reilly and Senior Planner Fransen would work with the EDC on this topic at their December meeting. EDA Commissioner Monson stated she was fine waiting but noted that $100,00 wasn’t sufficient for gateway signs. She asked how much money was in this fund now. Finance Director Yang stated the 2025 fund balance was $839,000. EDA Commissioner Monson asked if the funds were allocated toward anything other than gateway signs. Finance Director Yang stated $100,000 a year was allocated for operating expenses. EDA Commissioner Monson indicated she would like a better understanding of how this fund operates. EDA President Grant asked for clarification from EDA Commissioner Monson as to whether or not she was suggesting removing the $100,000 from the levy. EDA Commissioner Monson replied that she would like to have discussion about that during the budget discussion as a whole. EDA Commissioner Rousseau noted that Council had strategic planning consensus regarding promoting Arden Hills and that she thinks of gateway signs a little differently. She questioned what the use of this fund is and could it be used for affordable housing incentives, for example. EDA Secretary Jagoe commented that staff could put together information related to development tools for use of EDA dollars. She stated that following the EDC’s review of a business subsidy policy, the EDC could then provide a recommendation to the EDA/Council. EDA Commissioner Weber asked for confirmation if 3 signs had been planned and budgeted for. EDA Secretary Jagoe replied yes, a main sign at Highway 96 and Lexington Avenue and then 2 smaller corridor signs elsewhere. ARDEN HILLS EDA MEETING – October 27, 2025 3 EDA Commissioner Weber asked if this was included in the $310,000 projected over the next few years. EDA Secretary Jagoe stated this was correct but noted that was based on 2018 pricing, not current pricing. She also noted that some locations may require easement allocation which was not included in the previous projections, so more analysis was required. EDA Commissioner Weber stated that we can afford the signs with the current fund balance and that he is comfortable leaving this in the levy. He did not want to kick the signs down the road if the funds were available now. He would like to stick with the strategic plan and requested new estimates, noting again he would like to stay on this path. EDA President Grant asked Finance Director Yang to confirm that the funds are not restricted in any way. EDA Commissioner Holden stated she has always supported the gateway signs. She noted the last EDC wanted the signs and had identified different areas but the new EDC had indicated that the gateway signs weren’t as important at this point in time. She stated the signs were important to her because zip codes have changed and some businesses have 55126 which causes confusion if they are in Shoreview instead of Arden Hills. She noted many people don’t understand the boundaries of Arden Hills and locations needed further discussion. She also stated that if a sign were to be placed at Highway 96 and Lexington Avenue this would require additional discussion due to the size of the Shoreview sign across the road. She stated she is looking forward to the EDC having a plan. EDA President Grant commented that the signs can be more expensive then realized and the EDA may need to come up with a new sign design. MOTION: EDA Commissioner Monson moved and EDA Commissioner Weber seconded a motion to request the EDC create a plan which included utilization of funds for the gateway signs, obtaining quotes, location or placement of the signs and when sign placement could occur. EDA Commissioner Holden agreed this was a great idea. She requested that before the EDC spend time working on this topic, that the EDA receive confirmation of how the money can be spent. EDA Secretary Jagoe stated staff would follow up with the EDC as well as the EDA regarding this. Discussion ensued about direction and expectations for the EDC’s future discussion on gateway signs. EDA Commissioner Weber inquired who staffs the EDC. EDA Secretary Jagoe replied that Senior Planner Fransen was the Staff Liaison and that Community Development Director Reilly also attends the EDC meetings. A short discussion ensued about how to acquire current pricing for gateway signs and that process. The Motion carried 5-0. ARDEN HILLS EDA MEETING – October 27, 2025 4 4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 5. EDA MEMBER COMMENTS None. 6. ADJOURN MOTION: EDA President Grant moved and EDA Commissioner Rousseau seconded a motion to adjourn the Economic Development Authority meeting. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). EDA President Grant adjourned the Economic Development Authority meeting at 5:44 p.m. __________________________ __________________________ Julie Hanson David Grant City Clerk EDA President