Agenda - Economic Development Authority - 01/12/2005

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ability to fund monument signs from their exiSting budgets. Amenities such as parks, and possibly trails, have been prohibited with legislation over the years for TIF spending. Funding for picnic areas, trails and parks would have to come from alternative sources. 'He advisedthere are gray areas in determining what TIF eligible expenses are and in these cases legal counsel will be consulted for clarification. A sidewalk would probably be an acceptable use of TIF, whereas a trail may not. Member Gromberg had suggested a Cooperative Daycare as a concept. Staff is looking for direction of anything the Board would thinks would be a good finishing touch to the business parks, or if the monument signs Should be revisited. Member Sullivan business utilizing Elvig inquired about the purpose of the signs. Economic Development/TIF Specialist replied initially the signs were designed to put a City of Ramsey/EDA stamp on the parks, which run along CR 116 and have high visibility. The discussion then went to the signs as an identifier for the City. The cost ranges from $8,000 to $12,000 per sign. Member Strommen noted the discussion was that if the EDA is going to spend this amount of money oi~ a finishing part of the business parks, they may want to think about other types of finishes or amenities that could be included in the parks. Member Elvig commented it would be great to do something in the area of the CR 116 project when it is cleaned up. He noted at the Anoka Industrial Park everyone talked about the walking path for a period of time, but the workers do not really use it during the day. It is used a lot by the residents more in the evening because of the accesgibility to the parks. If there is a way to connect the trails like that in Ramsey's business parks that may be beneficial, but he does not envision that them would be a lot of activity by the industrial people. He suggested the Park Department look into a trail being constructed in this location. Member Strommen commented she does not envision a trail system being built with EDA funds alone. The question 'before the Board at this time is whether to proceed with the signs and get their name out there or create finishing touches for the business parks. Member Elvig stated the EDA's role is to create opportunities for development in the City, and part of that is marketing. He explained in the Anoka industrial park the businesses complain that there is not a sign, and he thinks the signs might have more benefit than one might know. Member Kiefer arrived at 7:28 a.m. Member LeTourneau suggested the amenities portion of the industrial parks could be part of the development of the parks. The signage could be designed, and in the future it could be part of the requirement of the industrial parks, in addition to streetlights, fountains and other amenities. Tl~e cost of these amenities would be included in the expense of the development. Member Elvig stated Anoka is looking to create an Anoka/EDA banner system that hangs off the streetlights and connects into the downtoTM area. The tenants shot that down and said they would like to have the industrial park names 6n the signs. He inquired what the status is of street lighting and sidewalks in the industrial parks. Economic Development/TIF Specialist Sullivan Economic Development Authority/December 8, 2004 Page4 of 10 P4