02-14-2005 EDA MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Economic Development AuthonryMinutes Page 2 February 14, 2005 5. Strategic Industrial Marketing Update Assistant Director of Economic Development Heidi Steinmetz reviewed the Strategic Industrial Marketing Activities Report, highlighting the following items: -The 2005 Community Profile is now available and can be downloaded from the City's website. -Staff attended the January 19, 2005 Sherburne County Economic Development Alliance (SCEDA) Strategic Planning Session. SCEDA anticipates a summary of the strategic planning efforts will be available this Spring. -EDA members are asked to advise staff which companies they are interested in visiting, as listed on the 2005 Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) visit list provided in their packet. Ms. Steinmetz noted that a BRE visit with Metal Craft Machine & Engineering is scheduled for Febmary 28~h. Chair Gongoll asked if Sherburne County has hired an Economic Development Director yet. Ms. Steinmetz stated no. President Gongoll asked how often the BRE visits are scheduled. Ms. Steinmetz stated that visits are scheduled with a different company approximately every 1 -2 months. 6. Industrial Land Development Update Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich reviewed the recent activities related to planning for improvements and development of the City-owned Cargill land and the EDA-owned Brown land. She explained that Request for Proposals (RFP's) were prepared and mailed to 20 developers and brokers and that the deadline for proposal submission is March ls~. Ms. Mehelich noted that Ehlers and staff will review the proposals received and report the results to the EDA at its March 14~h regular meeting. Ms. Mehelich noted that City Engineer, Terry Maurer, has recommended that the existing pond on the Brown property be expanded to handle the drainage for the entire business park, thereby allowing Lot 9 to be used for development, rather than for ponding. Ms. Mehelich discussed the July 2000 Northstar Comdor Development Association study to evaluate the long range transit-oriented development potential surround the proposed depot station site. She also discussed the City's land use map which was adopted as par[ of the Comprehensive Plan, noting that high-density residential and light industrial uses surrounding the depot site are indicated. Ms. Mehelich explained that she spoke with Rusty Fifield of Hoisington Koegler, consultant for the Comprehensive Plan Update, and he stated that a new mixed-use land use designation was discussed for the area from the Brown property up to the Home Depot location, but ultimately was not supported. Chair Gongoll asked if the EDA would be reviewing the RFP's. Ms. Mehelich stated that the EDA will review them at their March meeting, and make a recommendation to the City Council, if necessary to authorize a feasibility study and star[ the public improvement process. City Engineer Terry Maurer stated that the dirt placed on the site was from the Twin Lakes Road project and that a grading plan still needs to be done.