11-13-2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES New Brighton Economic Development Commission Regular Meeting — October 2, 2007 7:00 a.m. Members/Liaisons Present: Bob Benke, Dennis Flahave, Annie Hoffman, Cynthia Lesher, Mark Nelson, Bruce Nustad, Jim Sculthorp, Gary Stang, and Jim Witkowski. Members/Liaisons Absent: Gene Delaune, Linda Harmon, John Kaufhold, and Steve Larson. Staff Present: Dean Lotter, Grant Fernelius, David Black, and Jennifer Lavandowska. Call to Order Mark Nelson called the meeting to order at 7:00 a.m. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the September 4, 2007 meeting were presented for approval. All approved. Northwest Quadrant Report West Side Black reported that the City and Ashland Oil would soon begin to install test wells in Long Lake Regional Park, as agreed to six weeks ago. The access agreement would go before the Council at its next meeting and the following "Tuesday before the County Board. Black stressed that all existing data suggests that the contamination is coming from TCAAP, however MPCA is requiring the testing to be done to verify the data. The bids for the placing the wells would be opened on October 3id; it is anticipated the bid results would be significantly below the projected cost of $2.5 million. Black announced that David Bernard Builders has currently sold eighteen units and it appears that they would not begin development until next spring. Sculthorp asked if the City would be just selling just the southern half of the condo lot or if the entire lot would be sold. Black replied that the entire lot would be sold to them, with the northern building most likely not to begin construction for several years. Black reported that the Parks and Recreation Department has hired Bonestroo to develop a detailed park plan for the west side and a conceptual plan for the east side. It is anticipated the plan will be finished in a few months. East Side Black said that the Council and the Planning Commission would each be holding special meetings regarding a change in the Transoma plan. Staff was originally told by the developer that there would be no less than seventy-five percent office space; however, when the plans were submitted there was only sixty-four percent office and an increase in lab and production space. After meeting with Transoma, staff is comfortable with the high quality of construction and how the lab space would be used. Sculthorp asked if staff knows how much lab space would be in the second building. Black replied that originally Transoma asked for complete flexibility; however staff negotiated the same limitations on the second as on the main building. Witkowski asked if Transoma would be using the railroad land. Black replied that Page 1 of 3