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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/12/2007 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY City of Apple Valley Dakota County, Minnesota • September 12, 2007 Minutes of the special meeting of the Economic Development Authority of Apple Valley, Dakota County, Minnesota, held September 12, 2007, at 6:30 o'clock p.m., at the Apple Valley Municipal Center. PRESENT: President Severson; Commissioners Erickson, Goodwin, Grendahl, and Hamann - Roland. ABSENT: Commissioner Bergman. Staff members present were: Executive Director Lawell, Secretary Gackstetter, City Attorney Dougherty, Finance Director Ballenger, Assistant City Administrator Grawe, Public Works Director Heuer, Parks and Recreation Director Johnson, Police Chief Johnson, Community Development Director Nordquist, Police Captain Rechtzigel, Human Resources Manager Strauss, and Fire Chief Wassmund. President Severson called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. APPROVAL OF AGENDA • MOTION: of Erickson, seconded by Grendahl, approving the agenda for today's meeting as presented. Ayes - 5, Nays - 0. MINUTES MOTION: of Hamann- Roland, seconded by Goodwin, approving the minutes of the special meeting of October 12, 2006, as written. Ayes - 5, Nays - 0. APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS MOTION: of Hamann- Roland, seconded by Grendahl, adopting Resolution No. EDA -07 -1 appointing 2007 officers of the Economic Development Authority as: President - Severson, Vice - President - Goodwin, Secretary - Gackstetter, Treasurer - Erickson, and Assistant Treasurer - Gackstetter. Ayes - 5, Nays - 0. SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES WIND TURBINE /COMMUNICATIONS TOWER Mr. Lawell reviewed details on the original construction and bonding of the School of Environmental Studies (SES) and the proposed construction of the windmill and communications tower. Due to the Economic Development Authority's (EDA) involvement in the SES project, legal counsel suggested the EDA acknowledge the additional construction • proposed on the site related.to the windmill and communications tower and confirm that such construction will have no adverse impact on the bonds previously issued. Briggs and Morgan, the EDA's Bond Counsel, provided a letter stating the proposed construction relating to the ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY City of Apple Valley Dakota County, Minnesota September 12, 2007 • Page 2 windmill and communications tower will not adversely impact the tax - exempt status of interest on the bonds. The zoo, the school district, and Dakota Electric have entered into a Construction Agreement, a Tower Lease Agreement, and a Utility Easement. The EDA is not party to the agreements, but is being asked to consent to the agreements. MOTION: of Hamann- Roland, seconded by Grendahl, adopting Resolution No. EDA - 07 - • consenting to the Construction Agreement, Easement Agreement, and Tower Lease Agreement related to the School for Environmental Studies windmill and communications tower. Ayes - 5 - Nays - 0. APPLE VALLEY TRANSIT STATION Commissioner Grendahl distributed a copy of an article about transit from the Sun Newspaper. It • quotes the Mayor and a Councilmember from the City of Lakeville. Councilmember Grendahl commented about the article and suggested setting a date to further discuss permit parking at the Apple Valley Transit Station. Mr. Lawell said the Economic Development Authority (EDA) is the landowner of the Apple Valley Transit Station. If the EDA wants to, it can proceed with permit parking. He added that the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority is currently working with Watson's on the potential acquisition of their site. Commissioner Hamann -Roland said she had scheduled a meeting with Peter Bell and the Governor to discuss Transit Taxing District boundaries and additional funding for extra bus routes. However, the meeting was canceled due to the bridge collapse. Commissioner Grendahl stated it does not matter what happens with Watson's, Lakeville and Farmington still need to join the transit taxing district. Commissioner Erickson said everyone would like a multi -level parking deck, but there is a cost factor involved. Commissioner Goodwin questioned the comment in the newspaper article in which the Lakeville Councilmember states the City of Lakeville paid for a freeway interchange. He asked how they figure that. - Mr. Lawell explained that Lakeville paid for the project through bonds, which were later reimbursed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Commissioner Goodwin responded that up fronting a project through bonding, which was fully expected to be reimbursed and was reimbursed, can hardly be called a project paid for by the City of Lakeville. He asked how much the City of Apple Valley pays into the Transit Taxing District. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY City of Apple Valley Dakota County, Minnesota September 12, 2007 Page 3 Mr. Ballenger said the Metropolitan Council's debt portion of the levy last year was between $500,000 and $600,000. He estimates it will be a similar amount the next few years. Mr. Lawell added that the City no longer levies for the Transit Taxing District, since it is now done by the Metropolitan Council. Commissioner Grendahl said she thought Apple Valley households paid approximately $40 a year in taxes for the Transit Taxing District. Commissioner Goodwin said people south of 160th Street receive the same benefit as the people north of 160th Street without paying into the Transit Taxing District. The legislators could fix this if they wanted to. He further said if the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority takes Watson's, Apple Valley looses that tax base. Commissioner Hamann -Roland suggested rescheduling the meeting with Peter Bell and the Governor before the next Economic Development Authority meeting. Commissioner Grendahl said she would prefer setting an Economic Development Authority meeting on October 25 just to keep things moving. If necessary, the meeting can be canceled. Mr. Lawell said it may be necessary to schedule an informal meeting of the City Council on October 25, 2007, as well, in order to discuss the Cedar Avenue Corridor improvements. MOTION: of Grendahl, seconded by Goodwin, to adjourn. Ayes - 5, Nays - 0. The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 o'clock p.m. •