Minutes

New Brighton Economic Development Commission

Regular Meeting -April 13, 1999

7:30 a.m.

Roll Call

Present:	Rakesh Agarwala, Bob Benke, Carol Frey, John Kaufhold, Dean Tollefson, Mark Nelson

Absent:	Eugene Delaune II, Linda Harmon, Ann Hoffman, Ken Johnson, Maxine Pierson

Also Present:	Jill Bishop, Economic Development Specialist

Kevin Locke, Community Development Director

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:37 a.m.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the February 9 and March 9, 1999, meetings were approved as written.

NW Quadrant Redevelopment Update

A general discussion was held on the merits of the alternatives for the redevelopment of the area. The consensus of the group was that the Master Developer alternative would provide for a marketable project while still allowing the City to control of the project through the Redevelopment Agreement and our input and acceptance of the Master Developer's Master Plan for the area regarding the proposed uses, assistance and aesthetics. This alternative would still involve some level of staff resources. The EDC suggested that they would like to hear from the Planning Commission on this issue. The Planning Commission will discuss the subject at their April meeting.

The EDC discussed a proposal for Beisswenger's How to Store. The owner would like the ability to add 12,000 square feet of new building area and 4,000 square feet of storage. The concept review of the site plan will be on the April Planning Commission Agenda. EDC Commissioners expressed concern about outside storage, access issues and parking, both at the store and at the building to the south.

BCP III

Bishop reported that the City submitted a grant application for $500,000 to DTED to assist in acquiring properties in the northern area of BCP III. The City Council will consider a purchase agreement for the first residential site this evening.

A preconstruction meeting will be held Tuesday morning for the holding pond project on the E-Z Mini Storage property. Construction will begin Wednesday starting on the southern end of the Hypro property with the installation of a 52-inch pipe. Construction is expected to be completed this summer.

Other Business

Lunds

Mayor Benke and staff met with representatives of the Lunds Corporation to see if the City could do anything to retain Lunds in New Brighton. Lunds indicated that it was a business decision as a result of an in-depth study of the site, its potential and location of its other stores. Mayor Benke will meet next week with Kraus Anderson representatives to encourage the replacement of Lunds with another suitable anchor as soon as possible. Frey stated that the smaller retailers in the development have expressed their concern to the Chamber as well.

Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 a.m.