CCP 06-28-2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The View Apartment Project Stuart Companies and the City continue to move ahead on the View apartment project. The developer is required to close by June 15th. At this point, the architect has submitted the most of the plans for a permit. The building official is reviewing those plans. Assuming that the code issues can be addressed, the City would issue the permits immediately after the closing. We have inquired with the developer about a ground breaking ceremony, but do not have a date established. Commissioner Beach asked if there was a deadline for the groundbreaking. Mr. Fernelius responded June 30, 2011. NW Refinery Update The MPCA and Ashland have reached an agreement on de-listing the former Northwest Refinery site. The parties signed an agreement) last month that calls for Ashland for the company to do clean-up on the site. The Northwest Refinery operated form the 1940's to the early 1960's. The assets of the company were eventually purchased by Ashland Oil, which then became the responsible party under environmental (Minnesota Superfund) regulations. Ashland conducted some clean-up in the park area in the 1990's, but never did any work on the former Midwest Asphalt site. Now that the compliance agreement has been signed, the MPCA will begin the process of de-listing the City owned land from the Minnesota Superfund program. The compliance agreement requires Ashland to do the following: • Remediate the site to a vacant industrial standard. It should be noted this is not the same as a residential standard (which is much more stringent), nor is Ashland required to address any geotechnical issues. • Within 90 days the company must submit a plan to remove any refinery equipment (i.e. tanks, piping, containment areas, etc.) and any contaminated oil. • Within 90 days the company must submit a well survey plan; and a sampling and analysis plan for monitoring ground water and adjacent wetland areas. The MPCA has 30 days from receipt of the information to review and approve the plans or request additional information. In the meantime, the City and Ashland must work out the details of site access. The parties have a meeting tentatively scheduled for May 23rd to discuss this issue. Commissioner Smith asked if the County would be interested. Director Fernelius stated they have talked with the County in the past, and they were not interested. Director Fernelius speculated the area will be cleaned up, but probably not developed. Financial Update on New Brighton Exchange Staff has received a request for background information on the New Brighton Exchange In April 2010 staff sat down with the EDC and our public finance advisor (Ehlers Associates) to review City's Tax Increment Financing program and related modeling for the Exchange. We are in the process of updating that information to reflect new information from the 2010 audit and 2011 property tax information. In terms of the Exchange financial modeling, we would like to review our development assumptions with Ryan and Welsh and get their feedback. VII. Other Topics Ramsey County/Minnesota Vikings Stadium Proposal Ramsey County and the Minnesota Vikings announced they had reached agreement on the framework for a new stadium on the former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP). A copy of the Principles of Agreement between the parties is was shared. The situation is still very fluid and subject to change. Commissioner Zisla questioned if there are specific road infrastructure plans. Director Fernelius responded he has not seen offsite improvements at either Hwy 96 and Hwy 10 or I35W and I694. the commissioning discussed the pros and cons regarding the stadium.