CCP 04-14-2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Council is interested in cleaning up both sides of the development to higher standards and has hired a lobbying firm, Lockridge Grindal Nauen, to support our efforts toward obtaining federal stimulus funds. Any funding that is received might be used to further clean up the dump, level out Block B, and/or remove contamination on the northern ten acres on the west side. Larson announced that he would be leaving in two weeks to meet with Senator Klobuchar and Rep. McCollum to present the communicate the City's needs. Larson added that if the City receives enough funding all of the dump material would be removed, which would cost roughly $20 million, and the gas collection system would not be needed. Harmon inquired if there are any other development sites within the City that may qualify for the stimulus funding. Black replied that there are not, since the sites that are being considered are currently "shovel -ready." Larson added that the benefit our development has is that that entire site is ready to go and has already received EPA and MPCA approvals, whereas most other sites would have to through a 6- 12 -month process to gain approvals. The cleanup of the Butcher Spur will require 4,000 feet of rail to be removed first. Once the rails have been removed, the City has roughly $62,000 of Metropolitan Council funds left to address the west side. The post office building will be used for fire training the coming week and should be demolished by the end of March. The Council is expected to receive a counterproposal from AT&T regarding the relocation of the cell tower on the former Darling parcel. Business Questionnaire Black reported that he and several commissioners have interviewed four businesses within the City, and thanked the commissioners for their involvement. The interviews have gone well and there are currently invitation letters out to additional businesses. Harmon asked which business representatives we have been meeting with. Black replied that for the most part they have been meeting with the presidents or top officers of the companies. Announcements Black announced the Chamber would be hosting a Business Expo on March 26. They have currently sold forty out of one hundred stalls and anticipating the expo to be well attended. Flahave suggested that staff did a superb presentation at the recent neighborhood meetings. He requested a copy of the TIF spreadsheet that was used during the meetings. Larson added that the Town Hall Meeting would be held on May 2"d. Larson announced that the post office would be holding a ribbon cutting ceremony on March 27`h at the new retail facility. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:49 a.m. 0