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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 21, 2025 ANDOVER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING– JANUARY 21, 2025 - MINUTES The Meeting of the Andover Economic Development Authority was called to order by President Jamie Barthel, January 21, 2025, 6:02 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners Present: Rick Engelhardt (arrived at 6:30 p.m.), Scott Schue, Jonathan Shafto and Kari Kafer Commissioners Absent: Greg Mueller Also present: EDA Executive Director, Sarah Cotton Community Development Director, Joe Janish Director of Public Works/City Engineer, Dave Berkowitz Associate Planner, Aiden Breen APPROVAL OF MINUTES December 17, 2024, Regular Meeting: Correct as written. Motion by Kafer, Seconded by Schue, to approve the minutes as written. Motion carried 2 ayes and 2 present (Schue and Shafto). ORGANIZATIONAL ITEMS President Barthel recommended appointing the following officers for 2025: President – Jamie Barthel Vice-President – Rick Engelhardt Secretary – Jonathan Shafto Treasurer – Kari Kafer Assistant Treasurer – Greg Mueller Commissioner – Scott Schue Commissioner – will remain vacant until a Councilmember is appointed. Staff Executive Director – Sarah Cotton Recording Secretary – Michelle Hartner Staff Support – Joe Janish Andover Economic Development Authority Meeting Minutes – January 21, 2025 Page 2 Motion by Kafer, Seconded by Schue, to appoint EDA Officers and Staff for 2025: President – Jamie Barthel, Vice President – Rick Engelhardt, Secretary – Jonathan Shafto, Treasurer – Kari Kafer, Assistant Treasurer – Greg Mueller, Commissioner - Scott Schue, Commissioner – vacant until a Councilmember is appointed, Executive Director – Sarah Cotton, Recording Secretary – Michelle Hartner, Staff Support – Joe Janish. Motion carried unanimously. LAHA CITY WATER CONNECTION GRANT PROGRAM Associate Planner Breen reviewed the Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA) program, indicating at a previous meeting the EDA agreed to utilize the funds to connect homes to city water. He indicated the scope of the funds is rather limited and must be spent within three years of receiving or the funds are returned to the State. Mr. Breen stated the amount of funds the City received for 2024 was $98,152.49. The 2024 funds would allow three qualifying properties to hook up to city water. Mr. Breen stated staff contacted Center for Energy and the Environment (CEE) to administer this program as a third party. LAHA funds cannot be used for administration fees. The EDA budget would be responsible for the annual administration fee to CEE. Motion by Kafer, Seconded by Shafto to move forward with the LAHA City Water Connection Grant Program, and for the EDA to administer administration fees to CEE. Motion carried unanimously. PLACER.AI DISCUSSION Mr. Janish explained Placer.ai is a location intelligence and foot data software. The information is gathered through cell phones. Mr. Janish stated the data could be used for economic development and other items such as park and open space usage. Staff is looking for direction from the EDA if they would be interested in a presentation from Placer.ai. Commissioner Kafer indicated she is not in favor of the City tracking people. Commissioner Shafto asked what information the software gathers and what information is visible to the City. He agrees with Commissioner Kafer. Commissioner Shafto added he can see the data’s benefit but is not in favor of the City gathering the information through tracking. Commissioner Schue stated he is concerned about the perception of how the residents would feel being tracked by the City. President Barthel indicated he is also not in favor. The consensus of the EDA, they are not interested in a presentation from Placer.ai. COMMERCIAL PROJECT ACTIVITY Andover Economic Development Authority Meeting Minutes – January 21, 2025 Page 3 Mr. Janish updated on the following: Clocktower Commons, 15190 Bluebird Street – Building permits for Chipotle and Starbucks have been issued. Construction of the Chipotle has moved to some interior work while framing of the Starbucks has just begun. A building permit has been issued for a bakery that would occupy the former White Rabbit Kitchen location. Interest in Hughes Industrial Park – Staff continues to have discussions with business owners in the area of expansion, however they tend not to carry through on the expansion due to costs. ABC Mini-Storage/T-Squared (self-storage), 13624 Hanson Boulevard – The site has received their Certificate of Occupancy, the project is now complete. Restaurants/Fast Food – Currently staff is aware of companies continuing to look for land to locate to in Andover. TCF Site – The Commercial Site Plan for Chase Bank has been approved and the building plans have been submitted. th Andover Crossings, 7 Avenue and Bunker Lake Boulevard – Circle K/Holiday continues to work through the Commercial Site Plan. A Conditional Use Plan was approved by Council. Holasek Property (near City Hall) – The applicant has provided their next submittal to the City for review. They are planning on obtaining their building permit in April 2025. The first phase will be 177 units for seniors. Finnes Estates – The Park and Recreation Commission reviewed a sketch plan for a 32-lot single family subdivision located SW of the intersection of Crosstown Boulevard and Prairie Road. Lakeview at Sloth Farm, 13624 Gladiola Street – City Council will review a sketch plan for a 7- lot subdivision located at the former Sloth Nursery site. At the next Council Workshop the Council will look at a revised sketch, that has been dropped to 5 lots. Housing – 8 new home permits have been issued. Anoka County 911 and Radio Building - The County received the switch gear they had been waiting on, now Connexus Energy needs to make the final connection. Grace Lutheran Church, 13655 Round Lake Boulevard – They are working on the exterior parts of the remodel. The screening of the HVAC units has not been completed. Bunker Hills Park – Anoka County Parks is replacing two pavilions, street projects and will be adding parking. Walmart – Walmart is looking at an addition to their building to facilitate their online order Andover Economic Development Authority Meeting Minutes – January 21, 2025 Page 4 pickups. Staff has completed the Commercial Site Plan review and building plans have been submitted. Transform Church – The final lift of the parking lot will be completed this spring. Overall Marketing – City staff continues to work with parties interested in investing in Andover and marketing all commercial sites. Staff continues to work with Anoka County Regional Economic Development (ACRED) on marketing of the community and Anoka County. Jay Street – Staff have received interest in the development of the vacant property south of Jay Street. Mr. Janish indicated Cory Kampschroer represents Due North Carwash, he is looking at the property south of DSTI for putting an automatic carwash. Mr. Janish reminded the EDA zoning of General Business does not allow for an automatic carwash, in order for this project to move forward there would need to be an amendment to the City Code. Mr. Janish introduced Mr. Kampschroer for a brief presentation. Mayor Barthel thanked Mr. Kampschroer for the presentation. REDEVELOPMENT UPDATES Mr. Janish reviewed the redevelopment area. Mr. Janish stated per direction from the EDA, staff has notified the tenants their leases will end in June and they will need to vacate the property. He indicated the Fire Department plans to use the vacate buildings for training, once training is complete the City will get bids to take the buildings down by the end of 2025. President Barthel indicated at a future meeting he would like to have a discussion on the zoning and density for the area. OTHER BUSINESS There was none. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Schue, Seconded by Kafer to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 6:46 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Michelle Hartner, Recording Secretary