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Motion by Member LeTourneau, seconded by Member Williams, to approve the minutes dated March 7, 2013. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Vice Chairperson Skaff, Members LeTourneau, Williams, Brunt, and Hardin. Voting No: None. Absent: Chairperson Steffen and Member Riley. 4. EDA BUSINESS 4.01: EDA Orientation Vice Chairperson Skaff welcomed newly appointed EDA Members Phillip Brunt and Glen Hardin. Management Analyst Brama introduced the EDA Members and City staff and stated that an Economic Development Authority is a legal entity that is granted authority from the State. He explained the goal of an EDA is to promote economic development growth and EDAs are granted specific powers, e.g., purchase and sale of property, providing grants and loan guarantees, or selling bonds. He stated that from the City's perspective, the Ramsey EDA is a seven - member board appointed by the Mayor to serve six -year terms and the EDA serves as a recommendation board to the City Council as the first point of contact for economic development projects. He stated the EDA also facilitates a $425,000 Revolving Loan Fund and utilizes an annually approved budget to facilitate and carry out a work list approved by the City Council. He indicated that in 2013, the EDA had a $104,000 budget and from an asset perspective the EDA has an interest in the property known as the Nordvick property. He stated it is the EDA's responsibility to facilitate and administer the City's Business Retention and Expansion program and is responsible for the annual Business Expo, the annual Business Appreciation Golf Tournament, and the annual networking event held in November. He stated the EDA also responds to business prospects as well as businesses interested in expansion or relocating. He then presented the EDA Handbook and EDA Bylaws. Chairperson Steffen arrived at 7:43 a.m. and chaired the remainder of the meeting. 4.02: FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES: Review Status of 167th Avenue Retail Node Development Services Manager Gladhill provided a brief history regarding this retail node and stated the property continues to experience a high vacancy rate. He advised two potential users approached the City in January about an indoor shooting range and a recycling warehouse. He explained that the recycling warehouse is not a retail based operation and its primary use would be warehouse distribution with a small degree of retail. He stated the City Council upheld the recommendations of the Planning Commission and EDA as being supportive of the indoor shooting range but had concerns about the warehouse use and whether it was compatible with the surrounding area; however, the indoor shooting range has since indicated it will not be moving forward at this time. He stated the City has considered a number of options for this site and is interested in taking a broader approach and has considered facilitating redevelopment of the site as residential as well as potential interim uses that would allow warehousing as an interim use. He indicated the former SuperValu site has experienced significant damage and vandalism to the building so the cost to get a retail user in there would be difficult. He stated another barrier is the Economic Development Authority /April 11, 2013 Page 2 of 6