04-10-1995 EDA MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Economic Development Authority Minutes April 10, 1995 Page 3 Commissioner Holmgren indicated he was opposed to selling the lot the School District because of the following reasons: 1 . He feels the School District is being short sighted in their decision to purchase the land as the site will not allow expansion of the building. 2. Outside storage will be necessary. 3. The property should remain on the tax rolls. 4. The School District could buy more land for the value outside of the Sewer and Water District. Commissioner Scheel indicated her opposition to the EDA selling the property to the School District as she does not feel the property should be taken off the tax roles, and further, because the City has other investments in the property, including sewer and water. She stated that to build a Public Works Facility that does not require the amenities of water and sewer on a taxable piece of property is a mistake. Council Member Farber indicated he did not feel the property was a very desirable piece of property. COMMISSIONER DUITSMAN MOVED TO SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING TO DISCUSS THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS BY WHICH, LOT 8, BLOCK 1, WOULD BE CONVEYED FOR MAY 8, 1995. COMMISSIONER BENDER SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5-1-1. Commissioner Holmgren opposed. President Gongoll abstained. Council Member Holmgren indicated he was opposed, as he does not feel the City should spend the money on holding a public hearing until they are certain that the referendum for the School District has passed because the Public Works Building is included in the referendum. 9. Discuss Industrial Park Activities In Ramsey Minnesota Executive Director Bill Rubin referred EDA Commissioners to an article in UPA's Capsule News, which describes Anoka Electric Cooperative's (AEC's) Corporate Office/Warehouse project in Ramsey, Minnesota. The article alluded to a development agreement with Ramsey to establish an Industrial Park with the balance of AEC's property. Given AEC's partnership with Ramsey, it appears that Elk River now has additional competition for Industrial prospects. It is difficult to reconcile AEC's partnership with Ramsey in light of AEC's decision not to pursue REA funds for cities within its service territory in early 1994. Pat Dwyer recalled that Representatives of the Business Park Task Force requested AEC's assistance in obtaining REA funds to help underwrite the infrastructure costs of the Business Park. Timing of the request for REA funds was a critical issue and AEC chose to open this grant/loan program to all cities in the service territory. This was done so as not to create unfair competition among cities in the AEC territory. Commissioner Dwyer found it difficult to reconcile AEC's pOlicy on REA funds with its decision to work with one City, Ramsey, in developing an Industrial Park. Discussion on this matter followed.