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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996/05/20 - ADMIN - Minutes - Economic Development Authority - Regular) I MINUTES ECONOMIC DEVE LOPMENT AUTHORITY ST. LOUIS PARK , MINNESOTA May 20, 1996 SCANNED 1. Call to order Vice-president Jacobs called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. 2. Roll call The following Commissioners were present at roll call: Jeff Appelquist, Sue Sanger, Ron Latz, Gail Dorfinan and Jeff Jacobs. Commissioners Robert Young and Jim Brimeyer arrived shortly thereafter. Also present were the Executive Director (Mr . Meyer); EDA attorney (Mr . Steilen); Director of Community Development (Mr . Harmening); Deputy City Manager (Ms. Kutzler); and Economic Development Director (Mr . Anderson). 3. Approval of minutes 1 There being no corrections/amendments to the May 6, 1996 minutes, they were approved as ) presented. 3 There being no corrections/amendments to the Executive Session minutes of May 6, 1996, they were approved as presented. 4. Approval of agenda I <O It was moved by Commissioner Sanger, seconded by Commissioner Young, to approve the agenda. The motion passed 7-0. 5. Reports a. Resolution administering/constructing improvements to Excelsior Blvd. Resolution EDA 96-04 Mr . Meyer explained this was the procedure the EDA follows: When undertaking a project, the EDA normally expects the City to handle the project for it and the EDA would have to give approval to move ahead. It was moved by Commissioner Dorfman, seconded by Commissioner Young, to adopt Resolution EDA 96-04 entitled "Resolution authorizing the design and construction of City of St. 1 Louis Park Improvement Project 96-22 and the transfer of TIF funds to defray the costs of the project." The motion passed 7-0. b. Discussion of Assisted Living Project Mr. Meyer said there was a substantial change in the Parkshore Assisted Living project. Tom Harmening addressed this item. He stated in December 1995, the Authority adopted a resolution which provided preliminary approval to the business points associated with the EDA providing financial assistance for the project, in this case up to $800,000 in Tax Increment Funds as well as revenue bonds to finance the project. One of the points stressed in that resolution was that a number of site plan issues needed to be resolved. One area on which there has been a difference of opinion relates to a connection between Park Center Blvd. and Wolfe Park through the assisted living site. The developer has presented an application for a PUD of a revised project and due to financing and market conditions, is anxious to move quickly forward. Staff has some concerns about this new approach because this first phase is just that -- the first phase of a two-phase project; in addition the developer is interested in redeveloping the Norwest Building site just north of the proposed project. It is staff's feeling that were the City to continue working on this project, consideration be given to all phases to make sure they work well together. Also in light of the Livable Communities initiatives which have grown in this area, the developer should be expected to work with the City in terms of meeting the design considerations. Also, since the City is being asked to provide tax increment assistance, it is more than reasonable for the EDA to ask that the developer fill certain needs the City has. He was looking for direction from the Authority relative to staff proceeding with its work with the developer. He suggested that if the Authority did want staff to continue, a motion to that effect would be appropriate, i.e., continue working with the developer subject to the five points as outlined in his memo. Mike Gould, Parkshore Place developer, gave a brief historical perspective. One of the principles of the continuing care campus they were developing was the integration of the buildings, that they are connected. They looked at how they could maintain the park trail system given the unique nature of connecting the buildings. The trail system, because of a storm drain, can be moved to the north with the future opportunity of connecting where the office building is now. He believed the new schematics illustrate the ability to create a strong visual and pedestrian access into the park. They were very interested in working with the Livable Communities believing it an excellent fit with what they were trying to develop. Commissioner Brimeyer asked what the TIF would be used for. Mr. Harmening replied it would be used, at least in the previous project, for land write-down purposes and some infrastructure types of improvements - parking lot construction, demolition of parking lot, etc. on the present bank property. How the TIF would be used on this new proposal was not yet clear. 2 SCANNEL ) I Commi ssioner Sanger asked what was proposed for the site currently occupied by the bank after it is tom down, and what would the timeframe be. Mr . Gould said where the drive-up facility is would be a greenspace with access to the park; on the bank property would be proposed another tower for independent living, adult day care, child day care and a senior center. That phase would probably occur in 2000. Commi ssioner Sanger asked if Phase I is contingent on purchase of the site currently owned by W ayside House. Mr . Gould said no. The plan is to relocate Wayside within this development or onto a side within the Livable Comm unity site: An y costs for this would be borne by the developer. Commi ssioner Dorfm an felt this proposal fit into the Livable Comm unities concept. She said she was concerned that, in light of the planni ng for Town Center, the EDA/City not start compromi sing at the outset. She felt there was a need for strictness in term s of abiding by-the principles of Livable Comm unities. She remained in support of this project, the phase concept but remained supportive of the conditions in the staff's report. Commi ssioner Sanger said she also was supportive, but troubled by what are the criteria within which TIF funds will be granted. She reitereated the need for the EDA/City to come to some clear ] agreement as to policies re what kinds of projects will and will not be considered for TIF in order ) to avoid the potential for inconsistent results in the comm unity. J Commi ssioner Dorfm an said everyt ime they have sat down to draw up criteria, they have had trouble doing that. Decisions seem to be made on a piecemeal basis Vice-president Jacobs agreed noting this has been on the agenda for at least five years. He, too, supported the project and TIF financing for it. He felt the EDA needed to come up wi th some consistent basis for when TIF financing is to be used. He believed the City has sometimes come up with a policy which may be above and beyond stautory limi tations that seems to fit the City part icularly. It was moved by Commi ssioner Dorfm an, seconded by Commi ssioner Young to direct staff to continue to negotiate the term s wi th G & P Properties and direct staff to follow the guidelines as recomm ended in its report. The motion passed 7-0. I ? 6. 7, 8. Ol d business - None New business - None Communications and bills 3 a. Vendor claims It was moved by Comm issioner Dorfm an, seconded by Commi ssioner Young, to approve and authorize payment of the vendor claims. The motion passed 7-0. 9. Adjournment It was moved by Commi ssioner Dorfm an, seconded by Commi ssioner Appelquist to adjourn at 7:30 p.m. The motion passed 7-0. r i 4