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MINUTES <br />New Brighton Economic Development Commission <br />• Regular Meeting — March 4, 2008 <br />7:00 a.m. <br />Members/Liaisons Present: Bob Benke, Dennis Flahave, Linda Harmon, John Kaufhold, Steve Larson, Cynthia Lesher, <br />Jim Sculthorp, and Gary Stang. <br />Members/Liaisons Absent: Gene Delaune, Mark Nelson, and David Phillips. <br />Staff Present: Dean Lotter, Grant Fernelius, David Black, and Jennifer Lavandowska. <br />Call to Order <br />John Kaufhold called the meeting to order at 7:05 a.m. <br />Approval of Minutes <br />The minutes of the February 5, 2008 meeting were presented for approval. All approved. <br />Northwest Quadrant Report <br />Financial Information <br />Black reported that Krass Monroe is working on several different scenarios to present to the Council which would contain <br />best -case and worst-case assumptions. The Council would then direct staff on how to proceed with the development. <br />Staff is currently working with the state legislature to obtain greater flexibility to pool funds from other TIF districts, and <br />*so allow the two TIF districts in the Northwest Quadrant to be extended to gather the full tax increment. <br />West Side <br />Black reported that the process of discovery is still proceeding regarding the suit with Rottlund Homes and staff would be <br />deposed the following week. Femelius added that mediation has been set for the third week in April. A settlement is still <br />anticipated before reaching trial. <br />Black announced that Council has approved a request for proposals and a letter would be going out soon. The deadline <br />for the proposal will be May 12`h and the Council would be asked to decide by the end of May. Benke asked whether the <br />EDC would be involved in reviewing the proposals. Black replied it is anticipated that the Council would do the review <br />themselves. Kauthold asked whether townhomes are still being considered. Femelius replied that at this time none of the <br />developers who have come forward have included townhomes or condos, but they would be considered if proposed. <br />Kaufhold asked whether staff still had the list of residents who were interested in the development and if the list could be <br />used to show that there is still interest in the site. Femelius replied that the City does still have the list and when a <br />developer is selected those residents would be contacted. <br />Sculthorp asked whether the pipes had been removed by Ashland from the old refinery site. Black replied that they have <br />not been removed yet, however the PCA has been leaning heavily on Ashland, the Responsible Party, the address the <br />situation. Lotter added that Ashland recently contacted the City to discuss a settlement, and that staff is working to <br />estimate the total cost of cleanup. Kaufhold asked whether the City would be held liable for any further contamination <br />issues. Lotter replied that while Ashland would be removed as the Responsible Party, the City would first check on <br />contamination remaining in the regional park, since that site has not been delisted. Fernelius added that the railroad is <br />another Responsible Party on the site but its responsibility is unclear at this point. <br />st Side <br />lack reported that the Response Action Plan was submitted to the PCA a few weeks ago. The City is asking for a <br />passive gas collection system, however the PCA has indicated that they prefer an active collection system for the site. <br />Page 1 of 2 <br />