11-10-1997 EDA MIN
.
MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1997
Members Present:
President Dwyer, Commissioners Farber, Thompson, Duitsman,
Bender and Holmgren
Members Absent:
Commissioner Gongoll
staff Present:
Paul Steinman. Executive Director; Pat Klaers. City
Administrator; Lori Johnson. Assistant City Administrator
1. Call Meetina To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof. the meeting of the Elk River Economic
Development Authority was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by President Dwyer.
2. Consider Aaenda
It was the consensus of the Authority to move agenda item #9 to follow item #5.
COMMISSIONER BENDER MOVED TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 10. 1997,
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AGENDA AS AMENDED. COMMISSIONER
THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
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3.
Consider Consent Aaenda
COMMISSIONER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS
FOLLOWS:
3.1. OCTOBER 14.1997. EDAMINUTES - APPROVED
3.2. OCTOBER 20. 1997. SPECIAL EDA MINUTES - APPROVED
3.3. OCTOBER 9 AND OCTOBER 30. 1997. EDA FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES -
ACCEPTED
3.4. CHECK REGISTER - APPROVED
COMMISSIONER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
4. Consider Resolution Authorizina the Issuance of the EDA's City Hall and Law
Enforcement Facility Revenue Refundina Bond. Series 1997 and Execution and
Delivery of a Supplement to the Lease/Purchase Aareement and a Supplement
to the Trust Indenture in Connection Therewith
Assistant City Administrator Lori Johnson provided an overview of the intent to
refund the EDA's City Hall and Law Enforcement Facility bonds due to lower
interest rates being available. The refunding of this bond will reduce the basic
rent payments and result in a savings to the City. It was noted that the City
Council will also have to approve this action at the November 17. 1997. City
Council meeting.
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City Financial Consultant Mr. Paul Donna of Springsted. Inc. distributed the results
of the sale of the refunding bonds. Paul stated that the low bidder was Piper
Economic Development Authority Meeting
November 10. 1997
Page 2
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Jaffrey, Inc. with a true interest rate of 5.0395%. This will result in a savings of
$147.480 in the years 2001 - 2011 over the original bonds.
COMMISSIONER DUITSMAN MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 97- 3, A RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF THE EDA'S CITY HALL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
FACILITY REVENUE REFUNDING BOND, SERIES 1997 AND EXECUTION AND DELIVERY
OF A SUPPLEMENT TO THE LEASE/PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND A SUPPLEMENT TO
THE TRUST INDENTURE IN CONNECTION THEREWITH. COMMISSIONER BENDER
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
5. Consider the Kamis Micro Loan Application
Executive Director Paul Steinman provided an overview of the loan application
for the proposed Italian restaurant named Pattiniccio's. Paul noted that a
similar request for a $50,000 revolving loan was rejected by the EDA in October
and that this current request. after additional bank financing of the project, is
now at the $35,000 level. Additionally Paul noted that. as with the first
application, the Finance Committee again recommended denial of this request
based on the changing priorities of the EDA for which type of businesses should
receive city Micro Loans.
Mr. and Mrs. Kamis provided comments on their request and goals for their
restaurant. The restaurant is to be located at the south end of the Sax grocery
store.
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Commissioner Bender, who is also a member of the Finance Committee,
provided and overview as to why the Finance Committee again recommended
denial of the request and stressed that the criteria for issuing loans is being
updated.
A number of Authority members indicated support of changing the loan
priorities, but also indicated that until the changes are formally approved, this
application should be considered based on the existing policy. A number of
Commissioners indicated their support of the loan request.
COMMISSIONER FARBER MOVED TO APPROVE THE $35,000 KARNIS MICRO LOAN
APPLICATION WITH AN INTEREST RATE OF 8.5% FOR 10 YEARS WITH A BALLOON IN 4
YEARS. COMMISSIONER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED 3-2-1. Commissioners Bender and Duitsman opposed. Commissioner
Dwyer abstained.
9.
Tax Increment Financina Concept Discussion for the Earl Hohlen Proiect
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Executive Director Paul Steinman introduced this agenda item indicating that
nothing is to be committed to or finalized tonight and that the purpose of this
agenda item is to have a discussion on whether or not tax increment financing
would be considered for the commercial and industrial project that is proposed
for the Earl Hohlen property. It is the goal of the developers to have this area
declared a redevelopment district to offset some of the extraordinary costs
associated with the development of this area.
Tony Gleekel, an attomey representing the developer, provided the EDA with
some history of the proposed project, including a June discussion with the EDA
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November 10.1997
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wherein the EDA indicated its support for use of TIF if an industrial component is
included within the project. Mr. Gleekel indicated that the developers are
negotiating to purchase additional property (the Vandenberg property) in order
to have some land available for industrial development. The financial feasibility
study for the project indicates that city assistance is necessary in order for the
project to be accomplished. Mr. Gleekel noted that he was the attorney that
has been dealing with the land use and mobile home closing issues on behalf of
the developer.
Pat Pelstring, Pelstring Capital Corporation, indicated that he has recently been
hired by the developers to assist in the TIF application for the project. Mr.
Pelstring noted some of the difficult issues associated with this project, including
the buy-out cost of the mobile homes, the large amount of soil corrections that
are needed on the site, and the utilities that run throughout the site. Mr. Pelstring
noted that it is his belief that the project can qualify as a redevelopment district
and, when fully developed, the project can generate approximately $4 million
of increments. Mr. Pelstring indicated that the developers are not looking for an
advantage, but only assistance to bring the site up to a competitive level. It
was noted that the developers are not in a great hurry at this time, but are only
looking for general support for the concept of using TIF and that details of the
proposal will be submitted later.
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A number of Authority members indicated their general support for the proposal
if it contains industrial property and that it could not support using TIF specifically
for the commercial segment of the project. The Authority also indicated its
support for TIF if this Economic Development tool could assist the City in
covering some of its costs for extending utilities to the site. The Authority was firm
in its position that it cannot use TIF to provide the developers with a competitive
advantage over other commercial projects.
6.
Tax Increment District No.5 Plan Modification
Executive Director Paul Steinman provided an overview of the proposed
modification to TIF District No.5. Paul recommended that the EDA approve the
plan modification in order to allow the expenditure up to $225,000 for the
purchase of property and/or to complete public improvements within
Development District No.1.
COMMISSIONER DUITSMAN MOVED TO APPROVE THE TAX INCREMENT DISTRICT
NO.5 PLAN MODIFICATION TO ALLOW THE EXPENDITURE OF UP TO $225,000 FOR
THE PURCHASE OF PROPERTY AND/OR TO COMPLETE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS
WITHIN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT NO.1. COMMISSIONER BENDER SECONDED THE
MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
7.
Tax Increment District No. 17 Concept Approval for the David Decker Proiect
.
Executive Director Paul Steinman provided an overview of the TIF request. The
applicant is requesting $160,000 to assist in the development of a 25,000 square
foot multi-tenant industrial facility. The project is proposed to be outside of the
city sewer and water district in the southeast part of the community near
Highway 10. A second phase of the project could bring the total building size
up to 70,000 square feet. Total cost of Phase I of the project is estimated to be
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November 10. 1997
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$1.2 million and there will be a creation of 20 to 25 jobs through businesses
moving into this facility.
Gary Santwire. representing the developer, indicated that the biggest
extraordinary cost associated with this project related to private storm water
control. septic system. and street expenses.
Paul Steinman indicated that the penalty to the city for creating this T1F district is
estimated to be $20.000 and that this penalty can be funded by the EDA
through use of the city's development fund. This $20.000 would be a
contribution to the project.
COMMISSIONER FARBER MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONCEPT FOR TAX INCREMENT
DISTRICT NO. 17 FOR THE DECKER INDUSTRIAL FACILITY AS DISCUSSED.
COMMISSIONER BENDER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
8. Tax Increment Concept Discussion - Morrell Proiect
Executive Director Paul Steinman provided an overview of the T1F request. Paul
noted that the Morrell Companies are proposing to construct a 45,000 square
foot trucking/distribution/office facility and that they are requesting up to
$300,000 in tax increment assistance. Paul noted that the proposed project was
approved in June 1997. However, in October 1997, at the request of the Morrell
Companies. a number of the development requirements were reduced by the
City Council in order to make the project less expensive.
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Terry Morrell indicated that the project will cost the Morrell Companies
approximately $2.1 million in construction cost excluding land, and that the
$300.000 in assistance is necessary for unusual development costs including soil
corrections and mitigation of the wetlands. The company does not want to
reduce the quality of the project so. in order to save money. the project was
downsized. Even with the downsizing of the project, assistance is still needed.
Commissioner Holmgren indicated his support for T1F assistance provided that
Morrell Companies completely vacate its existing site at the comer of School
and Jackson. and that the project is developed so that a Phase II can be
constructed to add in the project reductions that were necessary due to
financial constraints.
In response to a question regarding the financial penalty for this T1F proposal,
Paul Steinman indicated that the city's contribution would be its financial
participation in the signal at Highway 10 and 171 sf Avenue.
Commissioners Dwyer and Bender agreed with the concept of assistance
provided that the business is relocated off of the corner of School Street and
Jackson.
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Terry Morrell indicated that the company's plans for the corner of School and
Jackson is to clean up the site. demolish the building, and sell the approximately
3.2 acres. No city financial assistance is planned to be requested for this effort.
However, the company hopes to add one additional mini storage building to
the area before the site is subdivided and sold.
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Economic Development Authority Meeting
November 10. 1997
Page 5
Discussion took place regarding the development standards for the proposed
project. It was noted that when the city provides financial assistance. typically
higher development standards for a project are required. Terry Morrell
indicated that cost is the number one issue and that if the standards go up. they
will most likely have higher costs and no project can then take place. A number
of Commissioners agreed that the standards approved by the City Council in
October are acceptable even with TIF assistance.
It was the general consensus of the EDA to support tax increment financing for
the project.
10. Prospect Report/Activity Update
No information on this item was provided. Paul stated that information on
prospects and activities from September/October/November would be
available at the next EDA meeting.
11.1. Marketina Video
The EDA decided to review the video at the next meeting.
11.2. MAS Technoloav Update
Paul Steinman indicated that MAS Technology has decided against an Elk River
incubator location.
12.
Adjournment
There being no further business. COMMISSIONER HOLMGREN MOVED TO
ADJOURN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MEETING. COMMISSIONER FARBER
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
The meeting of the Elk Riv~r Economic Development was adjourned at 7:58 p.m.
Respectfully submitted.
~~4!::S~
City Administrator