Minutes

New Brighton Economic Development Commission

Regular Meeting - January 12, 1999

7:30 a.m.

Roll Call

Present:	Rakesh Agarwala, Linda Harmon, Carol Frey, Ann Hoffman, Ken Johnson, Maxine Pierson, Dean Tollefson

Absent:	Bob Benke, Eugene Delaune II, John Kaufhold

Also Present:	Jill Bishop, Economic Development Specialist

Kevin Locke, Community Development Director

Matthew Fulton, New Brighton City Manager

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the December 8, 1998, Economic Development Commission meeting were approved as written.

1999 Commission Appointments

Fulton explained some proposed changes for the composition of the EDC. The Commission has been well received; the City receives many applications to the EDC every year. To include more community members, the Council has asked that this issue be addressed. After a general discussion, the Commission made the following suggestions:

Consistent with the other municipal commissions, the EDC would have nine voting members on the Commission including one City Council member.

The City Council would continue to appoint new Council representation annually. The alternate Councilmember, although encouraged to attend, would not have voting rights on the Economic Development Commission. The alternate would serve as an ex-officio member unless attending as a replacement for the primary Council member.

The City Council would appoint an additional community representative for a three-year term to sit on the Economic Development Commission.

Motion by Tollefson, seconded by Pierson, to support the addition of another community member on the EDC. The motion passed unanimously.

1998 Year End Report

Chair Johnson will present the EDC's annual report at the February 23 City Council Meeting. The Commission discussed Success measure details for 1998.

NW Quad Redevelopment

Bishop passed out a tentative implementation plan for the Northwest Quadrant. After researching how other communities handle projects of this size, complexity and scope, it was recommended that a master developer be sought to coordinate the redevelopment of that site. Staff will meet with prospective developers to check for interest levels and capabilities.

The M-X District zoning was created and the NW Quad has been rezoned to reflect that designation. The AAA Cooper transportation site will also be rezoned, but not until March 1 so that they have time to make the upgrades shown on the map provided to the Commissioners. The DeCoster site on the north side of the Old Hwy 8 and Hwy 96 intersection has requested the City to consider the possibility of gasoline sales at that site.

BCP III Update

The E-Z Mini Storage holding pond project bid was let last week. An easement agreement has been executed with PrintCraft, Inc. Negotiations continue with Hypro and E-Z Mini. A meeting has been scheduled with the Ordway/Pratt attorney to discuss covenants of the property previously designated as a Superfund site.

Other Business

Silver Crest/ Snyder Drug project

The retail portion of the project is nearly completed with one remaining space to be filled. The EDC discussed the parking lot and some members stated they had observed chaotic parking and driving. It was decided that most of the problems resulted from the retail reconstruction, the demolition of the old retail section, and was complicated by the accumulating snows. The owner will be contacted and solutions found.

Tank & Tummy Closing

The Tank and Tummy gas and convenience store has been sold and is now closed. The new owner has submitted plans to demolish the old building and rebuild on that site. The project is expected to begin this spring.

Frey announced that the Business of the Year Luncheon will be held on June 4 at the new Mounds View Community Center and the Fall Gala event will be held on September 23 at the University Club.

Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 a.m.