2020.09.02 EDC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ms. Collins commented on how the County created a business recovery plan for the damage that occurred after the death of George Floyd. She stated an action plan has been created by the Business Recovery Team that had three stages. These stages included Assess and Listen, Rebuild, Revision and Reimagine, and Community Healing and System Overhaul. The County’s Economic Competitiveness and Inclusion Plan was reviewed. She encouraged residents in New Brighton to reach out to the County if they were interested in serving on a working group. She invited the public to consider sharing input at the Ramsey County’s HRA Board Meeting which would be held on Tuesday, July 7th. Discussion included:  The Commission thanked Ms. Collins and Mr. Olson for their thorough presentation on behalf of Ramsey County.  Staff discussed how a link had been created on the City’s website for COVID-19 resources.  The efforts of the local Chamber of Commerce’s was discussed with the Commission.  The Commission requested the County keep the City apprised as to how many businesses were requesting assistance. B. Adopt Final 2020/2021 Work Plan Gozola reported on a yearly basis, staff strives to prepare a generalized work plan for each commission at the beginning of the service year (April through the following March). COVID- 19 has interrupted meetings since March, so this is only getting to the commission now. Staff reviewed the draft work plan with the Commission and requested comments or questions. Chair Pledger requested the Commission receive a copy of the draft Parks Comprehensive Plan as soon as it was available. Motion by Commissioner Benke, seconded by Commissioner Carter to adopt the final 2020/2021 EDC work plan. A roll call vote was taken. Approved 7-0 C. General Local Updates Gozola reported last year, the City unsuccessfully pursued a $400K grant for the clean-up and rehabilitation of the former MICOM building at 475 Old Highway 8. Unfortunately, the project did not qualify for funding consideration at that time because the impact on local tax base was deemed insufficient. Turns out the County’s assessed value of the property at that time was roughly ten times larger than the property’s actual value in the real world due specifically to the contamination this grant would seek to clean up. Following receipt of the bad news, staff contacted the County and requested an on-site meeting to revisit the assessed value of the property. Needless to say, it did not take long for the assessor to dramatically lower the property’s value to be commensurate with its recent purchase price which in turn placed us in a great position for a grant during this year’s funding cycle. On June 11th, we learned that Met Council staff had deemed our project as being funding eligible based on its merits, and