EDC 03-19-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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NOTES TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION AGENDA March 19,2013 III. Report from Council Liaison On March 26, 2013 the City Council will consider the new advisory commission liaison assignments for the next year. Currently, Councilmember Mary Burg is the liaison to the EDC. Councilmember Paul Jacobsen is listed as the new liaison for next year. Staff wants to thank Councilmember Burg for her support to the EDC and welcomes Councilmember Jacobsen to the group. The changes will become effective starting from April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014. IV. New Brighton Exchange Staff has been in consultation with legal counsel on the ability of the Economic Development Commission (EDC) to close a portion of the March 19, 2013 meeting to the public to discuss the pending development/land sale negotiations with both APi Group,Inc. and Pulte Homes. The EDC has not typically closed its meetings and this is a fairly significant step. However, the EDC has raised questions in recent months about the status of negotiations and specific deal points. In an effort to get feedback from the group and provide advise to staff and Council on negotiations strategy, the EDC has the option of closing a portion of the meeting. It is important to understand that the basis for closing a meeting in this case (i.e. negotiation strategy and counter proposals) is not to withhold information from the public; but instead to maintain the integrity of negotiations and not place the City at a disadvantage. The discussion and advice from the EDC will be made public upon consecration of a deal with either party. The plan for Tuesday is to notice the meeting properly, which gives the EDC the option for closure. Staff will provide a general update on what can be shared publicly and give the EDC an opportunity to ask questions or go into closed session for more details, especially if there are questions about strategy or counter offers. Staff may present written materials at the meeting and if so, will ask for the documents in return at the conclusion of the closed session. Scott Landsman,Hoff Barry & Kozar,P.A. (the City's redevelopment counsel) will be present to advise the EDC on the process and types of issues that can be discussed in closed session. There are very specific statutory requirements that need to be met, including opening and closing statements; acknowledgment of who is present; and using keeping an audio recording of the closed session. A copy of the state statute is attached for reference purposes. A. Update on APi discussions (Possible Closed Discussion) The City presented its proposed term sheet to APi Group, Inc. in early February. At this point, the City is waiting for a response. This document outlines the proposed land price,timing and other details of a potential deal for a two-phase office expansion on Block G,which is located north of the company's current headquarters. A face-to-face meeting with the company is