Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-04-09 HEDC Packet AGENDA CITY OF MAPLEWOOD HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Wednesday, April 9, 2014 7:00 P.M. Council Chambers -Maplewood City Hall 1830 County Road B East 1.Call to Order 2.Roll Call 3.Approval of Agenda 4.Approval of Minutes: a.February 12, 2014 5. New Business: a.Minnesota Waste Wise b.Gladstone Phase 2 Improvements, Project 14-01 c.Formation of Subcommittee to DraftRLF Guidelines d.Broker Selection Committee 6.Unfinished Business: 7.Visitor Presentations: 8.Commission Presentations: 9.Staff Presentations: a.Ramsey County Demographic Presentations b.Development Summary (No Report) 10.Adjourn MINUTES OF THE HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION 1830 COUNTY ROAD B EAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA 7:00 P.M., WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2014 1.CALL TO ORDER A meeting of the Commissionwas held in the City Hall Council Chambers and was called to order at 7:00p.m.byChairperson Wessel. 2.ROLL CALL Commissioners Gary Kloncz, CommissionerPresent Mark Jenkins, CommissionerPresent Absent Jennifer Lewis, Commissioner Joy Tkachuck, Vice ChairPresent Beth Ulrich, CommissionerPresent Dennis Unger, CommissionerPresent Warren Wessel, ChairpersonPresent Staff Melinda Coleman, Assistant City Manager, Community Development Director 3.APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Jenkins added 8.a. Gateway Corridor Open Houses. Commissioner Jenkinsmoved to approve the agenda asamended. Seconded by CommissionerUlrich.Ayes –All The motion passed. 4.APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Ulrichmoved to approve the minutesfor January 8, 2014. Seconded by CommissionerJenkins.Ayes –Chairperson Wessel, Commissioner’s Jenkins, Tkachuck, Ulrich & Unger Abstention –Commissioner Kloncz The motion passed. 5.NEW BUSINESS a.Update on Maplewood Bowl Redevelopment and Gladstone Neighborhood i.Assistant CityManager, Melinda Coleman gave the updateon the Maplewood Bowl Redevelopment and Gladstone Neighborhood and answered questions of the commission. February 12, 2014 1 Housing and Economic Development CommissionMeetingMinutes Ms. Coleman stated there will be a presentation done by Sherman & Associates at the February 18, 2014, Planning Commission meeting and at the City Council Meeting on February 24, 2014. ii.Public Works Director, Michael Thompson gave a presentation and answered questions of the commission. No action was required. b.Review of Real Estate Broker Request for Proposal i.Assistant City Manager, Melinda Coleman gave the report on the Real Estate Broker Request for the fire station properties in Maplewood and answered questions of the commission.Chairperson Wessel offered to assist city staff regarding with this process. Noaction was required. c.2013 HEDC Annual Report i.Assistant City Manager, Melinda Coleman discussed the 2013 HEDC Annual Report and answered questions of the commission. Chairperson Wessel will represent the HEDC at the City Council meeting on February 24, 2014. 6.UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 7.VISITOR PRESENTATIONS a.City Councilmemberand liaison, Marv Koppen, addressed the HEDC commission. 8.COMMISSIONPRESENTATIONS Gateway Corridor ProjectOpen Houses – a.Commissioner Jenkins updated the commission andpublic on two upcoming open houses for the Gateway Corridor Project. The first opoen house is Monday, March 24, 2014, from 4:30 –6:30 p.m. at the Guardian Angel Church in Oakdale. The second open house is Tuesday, March 25, 2014, from 4:30 –6:30 p.m. at the Conway Recreation Center.You can visit the website at Thegatewaycorridor.com. 9.STAFF PRESENTATIONS a.Update on Larkin Dance Studio i.Assistant City Manager, Melinda Coleman gave the update on Larkin Dance Studio. Larkin Dance has moved into their new facility at1400 Highway 36 East. Hobby Lobby is going to be a new addition to the space that was occupied by Larkin Dance in Plaza 3000 at 3000 White Bear Avenue. Commissioners are asked to email Mike Martin or Melinda Coleman with ideas for the Revolving Loan Project. 10.ADJOURNMENT Chairperson Wesseladjourned the meeting at 7:56p.m. February 12, 2014 2 Housing and Economic Development CommissionMeetingMinutes MEMORANDUM TO: Charles Ahl,City Manager FROM: Michael Martin, AICP,Planner DATE: April 2, 2014 SUBJECT: Minnesota Waste Wise Introduction The Minnesota Waste Wise Foundation is a 501(c)3 affiliate of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce that provides sustainability consulting to Minnesota businesses and organizations. Through a contract with the Ramsey/Washington County Resource Recovery project, the foundation provides no-cost assistance targeted at helping businesses in the two counties save money by reducing waste and implementing recycling and composting programs. In 2013, this work helped businesses in the two counties reduce, re-use, or recycle 1.6 million pounds of waste, saving them $55,000 annually. Discussion Mike Weitekamp from MinnesotaWaste Wise will address the housing and economic development commission at its meeting on April 9. Recommendation No action required. Attachment 1. Flyer Increase recycling, Explore options for composting & organics, save money and Waste Wise can provide free assistance to In partnership with Ramsey and Washington Counties, the Waste Wise program provides free professional consultation on waste reduction and recycling to area businesses. These no-cost services  including site visits, in-depth technical assistance, waste bill analysis, and more  help your business reduce waste and save money. Waste Wise can help with: Technical Assistance & Information Program Setup/Improvement Waste Bill & Site Visit Evaluations Cost/Savings Analysis For more information or to request assistance, contact Mike Weitekamp at 651.292.4677 or mweitekamp@ mnchamber.com. You may also visit Waste Wise online at www.mnwastewise.org. MINNESOTA Waste Wise is an environmental sustainability consulting program Chamber of Commerce which works in close partnership with the Mi WASTE WISE FOUNDATION 400 North Robert Street Suite 1500, Saint Paul, MN 55101 Have questions about recycling? Looking to save money by reducing waste? Tried recycling but it didnt work out? Interested in recycling your food waste? Recycling should save you money, not cost you money! At Waste Wise, think of us as your own recycling consultants, brought to you through a partnership between Ramsey and Washington Counties and the Minnesota Waste Wise Foundation. We provide free site visits, technical assistance, and support throughout the entire process of improving your recycling options  from analyzing your current waste stream to putting you in touch with service providers and helping implement new programs to save money and waste less. Organics recycling / composting In addition to assisting with general recycling and waste reduction, weve worked with businesses across many sectors (restaurants, grocery stores, hotels, institutions, and more) to implement organics recycling / composting programs. Well help you navigate the A. Johnson & Sons Florist in Saint Paul implemented an rapidly-evolving options in your area. Every organics recycling program and increased their standard recycling options with help from Waste Wise. Says owner Tom the most economical way to recycle food Johnson, “We are actually seeing a savings in our billing as trash is taxed 70% and compost is not taxed. Thank you for your help in coming up with these ideas. Everyone here is your current garbage bill whenever possible. excited for this change.” Get started! For more information or to schedule a free visit, contact Mike Weitekamp at 651.292.4677 or mweitekamp@mnchamber.com. You may also visit Was www.mnwastewise.org. Ramsey and Washington Counties offer the BizRecycling website with information, success stories, and other tools at www.LessTrash.com. MEMORANDUM TO: Charles Ahl, City Manager FROM: Michael Martin, AICP, Planner Melinda Coleman, Assistant City Manager DATE: April 2, 2014 SUBJECT: Gladstone Phase 2 Improvements, Project 14-01 Introduction The Metropolitan Council has awarded Maplewood a 2013 Livable Communities Demonstration Account (LCDA) grant in the amount of $1,900,000 for improvements associated with the Villages at Frost and English development. The Villages at Frost and English is the redevelopment of the Maplewood Bowl site including residential and commercial mixed use development. The LCDA grant funds are targeted for infrastructure improvements along Frost Avenue between Phalen Place and English Street, and along English Street from the Gateway Trail to Ripley Avenue (see attached Project Location Map). The proposed infrastructure improvements include street reconstruction along with sidewalk/trail, storm drainage, street lighting, overhead utility burial, and landscape/streetscape improvements. The landscape/streetscape and place making elements will be consistent with those previously installed along Frost Avenue west of Phalen Place.The proposed infrastructure improvementsare illustrated on the attached Project Layout exhibit. Staff is also proposing to include improvements to Flicek Park and the Gladstone Savanna as a part of the project. The Flicek Park improvements include parking lot, trail, and grading improvements. The Gladstone Savanna improvements include landscaping and hardscape for the cornerentrance and three other entrances. The project is proposed for construction in late 2104 to 2015. Discussion Staff will provide a brief presentation of the proposed Gladstone Phase 2 improvementsand solicit input from the Housing and Economic Development Commission.Thefollowing serve as the foundation for the proposed project design: Precedent improvements previously installed along Frost Avenuewest of Phalen Place The Gladstone Neighborhood Master Plan The Gladstone Savanna Master Plan The Gladstone Neighborhood Master Plan lists the following nine guiding principles: 1.Design the future of Gladstone as a “village.” 2.Transform regional trails into celebrated village corridors. 3.Make Gladstone a compelling “quality of life” choice. 4.Weave natural systems and ecological function into the built and recreational fabric. 5.Allow Gladstone’s future to whisper the story of its past. 6.Make “walkability” THE standard. 7.Think of Gladstone as a neighborhood for all stages of life. 8.Make the Gladstone master plan amodel for others to follow. 9.Make multi-modal links between Gladstone and areas beyond. The Gladstone Savanna Master Plan integrates the site’s natural and historic resources and provides for recreation. Rather than having lots of interpretive signage on the site, the master plan calls for a more subtle approach to interpretation of site history and natural resources. It relies on design elements and features that hint at the site’s history, while making more in-depth interpretation available via electronic media. This approach received full support from the commissions and City Council. The plans presented at the April commission meeting include concepts for the street, boulevard plantings, and sidewalk/trails. Work is just beginning on concepts forthe savanna entries and integration of history into the project, so these elements will not be available for review in April. A design team is developing concepts for innovative ways to interpret and celebrate history at the savanna and in the neighborhood. These concepts will be presented to the Housing and Economic Development Commission at a future meeting. Recommendation No action required. Attachments 1.Project Location Map 2.Project Layout Exhibit PROJECT LOCATION GLADSTONE PHASE 2 IMPROVEMENTS CITY PROJECT 14-01 PROJECT LOCATION MAP Attachment 2 MEMORANDUM TO: Charles Ahl, City Manager FROM: Michael Martin, AICP, Planner Melinda Coleman, Assistant City Manager DATE: April 2, 2014 SUBJECT: Formation of Subcommittee to Draft RLF Guidelines Introduction Overthe past few meetings, the housing and economic development commission (HEDC) has been discussing the creation of revolving loan fund (RLF) guidelines to help guide the city in future applications of requests for city assistance. This discussion comes after the city recently considered its first application for city assistance and other conversations the former business and economic development commission had about forming such guidelines. Discussion The HEDC has spent several meetings discussing the formation of RLF guidelines, but have yet to make progress of specific recommendations. To help move the process along, staff is recommending forming a temporary working group that would meet separately of the HEDC to come up with specific draft guidelines. This working group would not make any decisions but would only come up with recommendations for the full HEDC to consider. The working group shall not consist of more than three members of the HEDC and will establish a meeting time once the group is formed. Recommendation Appoint three members of the HEDC to form a temporary working group which will produce recommendations for draft RLF guidelines. MEMORANDUM TO: Charles Ahl, City Manager FROM: Michael Martin, AICP, Planner Melinda Coleman, Assistant City Manager DATE: April 2, 2014 SUBJECT: Broker Selection Committee Introduction At the February 2014 housing and economic development commission (HEDC) meeting, the commission reviewed and recommended approval of a request for proposal (RFP) which allows the city to seek and hire a broker to assist with land transactions. The RFP was approved by the city’s economic development authority/city council and sent out to several brokers in the region. Discussion To assist with the review of the submitted proposals, staff is recommending two members of the HEDCsit on the selection committee. Meeting times for the selection committee will be decided once all the members have been established. Recommendation Appoint twomembers of the HEDC to serve on the broker selection committee. MEMORANDUM TO: Charles Ahl, City Manager FROM: Michael Martin, AICP, Planner Melinda Coleman, Assistant City Manager DATE: April 2, 2014 SUBJECT: Ramsey County Demographic Presentations Introduction At a recent city council workshop, Heather Worthington, Ramsey County’s deputy county manager, and Jonathan Weinhagen, Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce’s regional director, gave presentations that outlined extensive demographics and forecasts that will guide and shape Maplewood’s future economic development growth. Discussion Staff was planning on bringingthese presentations to the March housing and economic development commission (HEDC)meeting, which was cancelled due to a lack of quorum. The April HEDC meetinghas a full agenda so time will not allow for staff to replay these presentations. Staff is looking for direction from the HEDC on whether it would prefer to dedicate time at its next scheduled meeting to replay these presentations or have members individually watch the presentations via the city’s website. Recommendation Direct staff on the HEDC’s preference for reviewing the demographics presentations.