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I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />substantial problem with labor force in the Ramsey industrial area and a commuter rail would <br />help bring in a labor force from St. Cloud. Without an approved Comprehensive Plan both <br />potential benefits are in jeopardy. Mr. Elvig applauded the individuals on supporting the <br />industrial park, however, the residents of Ramsey have a vehicle that is funding the development. <br />Industrial park is an excellent plan for a long term base because the City would not begin to show <br />profit until 2012. In a mixed use development the City could show profit in the next three years. <br />Industrial parks only comes close to matching those revenues out past the year 2030. The City of <br />Ramsey has an exciting opportunity to learn for free with Cal Thorp. The City needs a plan, <br />target and goal. He requested that the Council accept the gant and move forward with the <br />planning process and provide the kids with a decent education. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec stated that the City has been building a strong industrial park, but 70 percent of <br />tax base comes from residents. Most of the businesses have come into the City under TIF so the <br />City only collects tax on the land. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hendriksen stated that currently, 12 percent of the tax base is from <br />commercial/industrial property and 86 percent is residential. He wants to maximize the <br />commercial and industrial property in Ramsey so that those numbers will change. <br /> <br />Mr. Elvig replied that the City has the opportunity with a mixed-use development to see <br />immediate benefit to the City rather then waiting 20 years with industrial development. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hendriksen stated that he does not want to dilute the commercial and industrial <br />area with residential property. He is in support of a commuter rail, bridge, and commercial and <br />industrial development, but is opposed to diluting the area with residential. <br /> <br />Ms. Elvig replied that Councilmember Hendriksen should understand the study first and then <br />make his decision. Currently the City is paying for the industrial property and he is not opposed <br />to continuing to grow the industrial park long term, but short term the City needs to fund it. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hendriksen stated that if they dilute the commercial and industrial property with <br />residential then the City will be subsidizing the residential forever. <br /> <br />Mr. Elvig stated that once the study is completed it would have limited residential on the site. <br />All he is asking is to let the study move forward so that everyone can become more educated. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hendriksen replied that there is not such thing as a "free lunch". He explained <br />that the City has to designate the area as a mixed use before they will be given the gant. I-Ie <br />offered to designate the site a study area so that it would not commit the City to anything, but the <br />Met Council refused. <br /> <br />Mr. Bertzyk stated that there are numerous help wanted signs as well as many for sale signs <br />within the industrial area. Currently the City cannot sell buildings for half of what the City's tax <br />dollars paid for them. The mixed use development would bring in twice as much tax revenue. <br /> <br />City Council/April 24, 2001 <br />Page 11 of 27 <br /> <br />-21- <br /> <br /> <br />