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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999/05/17 - ADMIN - Minutes - Economic Development Authority - RegularAU/;;CITYOF ST. LOUIS PARK OFFICIAL MINUTES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA May17,1999 1. Call to order President Young called the meeting to order at 7: 1 7 p. m. 2. Roll Call 1 ) The following Comm issioners were present at roll call: Jim Brimeyer, Ron Latz, Chris Nelson, Susan Sanger, Jeff Jacobs, and President Robert Young. Also present were Deputy City Manager (Mr . Pires); Economic Development Coordinator (Mr . An derson); and Director of Comm unity Development (Mr. Harmening). 3. Approval of Minutes of May 3, 1999 The minutes were approved as presented. 4. Approval of agenda a. Approval of agenda of May 17, 1999 It was moved to by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commi ssioner Jacobs, to approve the agenda. 5. Reports a. Vendor Claims It was moved by Commissioner Sanger, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs, to accept the report for filing. ' 6. Old Business - None 7. New Business 7a. 1993 Redevelopment Agreement between St. Louis Park EDA and PNMC Holdings; Amendment to Redevelopment Agreement relating to MPCA approved Remedial Design and Response Action Plan (RAP) Dave An derson outlined the proposal before Council. Commi ssioner Brimeyer stated that his perception was that this action requires less TIF out of the HSTI Development Fund so that the City's commi tment ends sooner, the payback is sooner and the problem is solved sooner. Mr. An derson stated that Commi ssioner Brimeyer's statements were accurate. EDA Mi nutes -2- M ay 17, 1999 Commissioner Nelson said that the City is not trying to abdicate responsibility for environm ental cleanup, but rather a response to new procedures and guidelines coming from the MP CA which will have to approve the agreement. Commissioner Sanger said that since this is a newer technology, if it becomes apparent that this approach is not working, will the City still be able to go back to the methods previously used. Mr . An derson said that the previous method could be reinstated. Commissioner Latz asked if this is an actual cleanup or a more sophisticated monitoring system. Mr. An derson replied that it is a monitoring system which will result in less cost. Commi ssioner Latz asked if the existing program is also a monitoring program. Mr. An derson stated that both approaches are monitoring programs. Commi ssioner Latz wanted to dispel any mi sconceptions that the City is actually engaged in site cleanup, and emphasized that the monitoring system is in place to ensure that the problem is not getting any worse or spreading. Commissioner Nelson believed that the water is currently being pumped into the sanitary sewer system for treatment at the Pig's Eye W astewater Facility. He thought the proposal was to stop the pumping and simply use monitoring wells to make sure the plume is not spreading. John Dustman of Summ it Enviro Solutions had been working with the City and involved in the analysis of this method. He said that the pumping wells have never been turned on in an active groundwater withdrawal. They were turned on during testing but had not been used since due to structural issues that arose during the system's installation. The MP CA has now recognized that natural attenuation works very well to decrease the amount of organics in groundwater. It was moved by Commi ssioner Nelson, seconded by Commi ssioner Latz, to adopt the resolution approving an amendment to the Redevelopment Agreement with PNM C Holdings relating to MP CA approved Remedial Design and Response Action Plan (RAP ). The motion passed 6-0. 7b. Purchase of Single Family Home at 3724 Natchez Avenue South (Mikloczak Property). Comm issioner Nelson moved to authorize the President and Executive Director to enter into a stipulation of settlement agreement for the property at 3 72 4 Natchez Ave s and to execute all necessary documents to complete the acquisition. The motion was seconded by Comm issioner Jacobs. Commissioner Sanger made comments concerning the gap between assessed value and purchase price of this and other properties. She questioned the practices of the City's assessment methods and how those methods affect taxation policy. Mr . An derson stated that four properties remained to be acquired in the Park Commons area. He pointed out several factors which contributed to the discrepancy Commissioner Sanger raised including inflated market prices and statutory requirements regarding relocation benefits. It was agreed that staff would respond at the next study session to discuss the appraised purchase price with the assessor. Additional discussion focused on additional cost for moving expense and the City's position as an additional mortgage holder. The motion passed 6-0. E D A Mi n u t e s -3- May 17, 1999 8. Communications and bills - None 9, Adjournment By unanimous motion, the meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m. l )