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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 20, 2009 C I T Y O F © NDOVE 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 (763) 755 -5100 FAX (763) 755 -8923 • WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING October 20, 2009 5:30 p.m. (Andover Station Pergola & Conference Room A — City Hall) 1. 5:30 p.m. - Tour Andover Station and Andover Station North 2. Call to Order at City Hall — Approximately 6:00 p.m. © 3. Approval of Minutes (October 6, 2009) 4. Discuss Andover Station (i.e. Marketing/Maintenance) — Continued 5. Discuss 2010 Business Development Day — Continued 6. Other Business 7. Adjourn C II T Y �0 F © ND O V is 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W.. ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 • (763) 755 -5100 FAX (763) 755 -8923 • WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US ANDOVER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITYMEETING OCTOBER 20, 2009 - MINUTES A Meeting of the Andover Economic Development Authority was called to order by President Mike Gamache, October 20, 2009, 6:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Present: Commissioners Sheri Bukkila, Don Jacobson, Mike Knight, Julie Trude Absent: Commissioners Robot Nowak and Joyce Twistol Also present: Executive Director, Jim Dickinson Community Development Director, Will Neumeister Others APPROVAL OFMINUTES ® October 6, 2009 Regular Meeting: Correct as written. Motion by Trude, Seconded by Jacobson, approval of the minutes as written. Motion carried 5 ayes, 2 absent (Nowak, Twistol). DISCUSS ANDOVER STATION- CONTINUED Mr. Neumeister reviewed the history of Andover Station and how it can be improved. Commissioner Knight asked if Target ever got to the point of using the full parking lot. Mr. Neumeister indicated they likely have not. Mr. Neumeister noted the Andover Station Association has indicated they would be willing to mow-a- little - more--around the- pond- if-needed— T-he -EDA may-need to- have- someone- remove -the -- - undesirable trees by hand and eradicate the noxious weeds where needed. Commissioner Trude thought if they had more short grass it might attract the geese but getting rid of the weeds would be nice. Commissioner Trude thought they should have a picnic area to entice a lunch crowd in the area. © Commissioner Knight thought if they added a few band shells they could get some musicians to play and also draw people in at night. Recommendation: Outlot E – earmark money for this area to add some of the amenities they © Andover Economic Development Authority Meeting Minutes — October 20, 2009 Page 2 previously discussed, such as a small pavilion, seating area, flag display, etc. Commissioner Jacobson did not think this would work and he thought people needed a reason to want to come to the area. He stated this was a busy area with busy streets on all sides and he did not think it was wise to use the $25,000 to bring in a few people to have lunch. He stated they could bring in entertainment, put up tents and get some arts people to come in and start something to draw the people in. Mr. Dickinson noted the $25,000 has to be used for improvements. Commissioner Jacobson thought they needed a bigger venue to bring in families. Bring in entertainment on a monthly basis to see how this works rather than put up a pergola and see if people will come to the area. Commissioner Knight stated inflatable slides and play structures are a big kid attraction. Mr. Neumeister stated they do need events and activities to bring people into the area. He thought a mini golf with paddle boats would have worked well. Commissioner Trude wondered if they ® could talk to Target regarding this to see what they could do to work with them. Commissioner Jacobson thought they needed to bring in families with plays, entertainment and other attractions. Commissioner Bukkila stated she would never walk to this site with a stroller and have a picnic because it is not the type of place for this. She would rather go to a park. Mr. Dickinson stated communities that do well at bringing in people are the vacation destination cities, such as Brainerd and Alexandria. They have activities in the park on a schedule, which is highly successful, generally put on by an Arts Council. Commissioner Trude wondered if it would be worth it for Target to have the City advocate for more activities in area. She thought they needed to see more City pride in a place where the City owns property and she did not think they finished their vision for this parcel of land. Commissioner Jacobson thought the paddle boats were a great idea and would be an activity to draw people in. Commissioner Trude stated she would be willing to allow Target and Festival to have more signage so people know where to turn, such as Station Parkway and Martin Street. Commissioner Jacobson's idea was to have a floating restaurant on the pond. Commissioner Knight thought the first schematic showed coffee shops and restaurants along the outer edge. Mr. Neumeister stated the City should not plan all of this for the businesses but thought if there is a main idea the Commissioners desire for the area they should have the businesses work towards © Andover Economic Development Authority Meeting Minutes — October 20, 2009 Page 3 that. Commissioner Jacobson thought they needed to talk to Target first to find out what they would allow the City to do on their parking area whether it be to sell some back to the City or to allow the City to use it. He stated he did not have a problem maintaining the ponds but they need to find out what the costs will be. President Gamache thought they could do a small farmers market or an old time car show. Commissioner Jacobson thought they could do a local rib fest event. Commissioner Trude thought they needed to carry the theme over to Andover Station North with banners on the light poles and try to clean up the pond area there. She thought they might have to help Bruggeman maintain the area in order to sell the townhomes to get their money back on the note. Commissioner Jacobson thought this was a little bit of a different animal and they should focus more on Andover Station. Mr. Dickinson stated he received a voice mail from Commissioner Twistol earlier today and she thought they should install flag poles that would be lit at night in Andover Station. Mr. Dickinson reviewed the points discussed and some of the items that should be taken care of. • Removing the trees around the pond, additional maintenance, and check the cost of rain garden shrubs. • Take care of fixing the lighting of the fountain on the pond. • Furnish the outlot with something within the budget — flags with lights, pavilion and a table that might be appropriate. • Parking lot sharing — talk to Target and Festival and Associations. • Cost estimates for banners at Andover Station North. • Check with TCF if the parcel would be open for activities until it is sold. • Check with Kevin Ward on paddle boats and mini golf around the pond area. Commissioner Trude wondered if they could use the rain gardens around the Bruggeman homes since they work well with storm water drainage. President Gamache stated they needed to have a set budget indicating what they will need to have each year for maintenance. DISCUSS 2010 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DAY- CONTINUED President Gamache stated they have talked to Majestic Oaks and the Refuge and in talking to the Refuge they are offering a good deal for this event. He stated an interesting thing he has come across in talking to people is that they have played Majestic Oaks, Greenhaven, and Bunker but have not played the Refuge so he thought this would be a good place to have the event. The Commission agreed to go with the Refuge. ® Andover Economic Development Authority Meeting Minutes — October 20, 2009 Page 4 OTHER BUSINESS None. Motion by Jacobson, Seconded by Bukkila, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Susan Osbeck, Recording Secretary