11/24/09 Special Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Commissioner Jeffrey stated that Recommendation #6 reads: The HRA should continuously evaluate exit strategy based upon current user prospects (e.g. V A Clinic, Allina, and targeted Buxton Study businesses). Kris Williams stated that the Steering Committee will do what we can to shepherd this project - we will put this project in a position to be the best it can be. Chairperson Dehen felt that the Steering Committee has valuable input and they are a good , sounding board. Brad Lano commented that this is a daunting task, but we will take it one piece at a time. There was discussion about the V A Clinic and what the City was willing to give to get the clinic. Motion by Commissioner Elvig and seconded by Commissioner Wise to accept the revised RTC Steering Committee recommendations. Motion carried. V oting Yes: Chairperson Dehen, Commissioners Elvig, Wise, Jeffrey, Look, McGlone and Ramsey. Voting No: None. Case #8: Discuss the Creation of a Development Corporation Planning Manager Miller stated that since July, City staff, the Steering Committee, and the City Council have discussed the possibility of forming a development corporation as a means to progress the development of Town Center. Staff has begun to assemble background information on what procedures would need to be done to move that process forward. The Steering Committee passed a recommendation for Council to consider forming a development corporation for the administration of the Ramsey Town Center. The HRA made that same motion. Staffhas since contacted the League of Minnesota Cities to request information regarding other communities in Minnesota, which may have development corporations and how they may be set up. City Attorney Goodrich has prepared a memo summarizing the process by which we could create the corporate entity and some of the issues, which may be involved. Ms. Miller talked about the EDA and development corporations. There is no City role in their development Corporation. The LMC has stated that in order to preserve privacy issues, the City should not have any role in creating development corporations. City Attorney Goodrich stated it is easy to form a development corporation but our concern is that if the development corporation mirrors the City Council essentially just to have privacy, that will run amuck with the open meeting laws. He did not think Council would want to give the EDC the right to sell the land, etc. Most EDC's are formed to lend money. We could hire a development corporation and give them parameters. He also read a list of certain things that can remain private. Within that framework, we could redact of lot of stuff. We have had a lot of closed meetings to develop agreements, and establish prices so while it may not be an ideal thing, we could patchwork together some pretty good privacy data. Housing and Redevelopment Authority / October 6, 2009 Page 5 of 14