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ability to fund monument signs from their e.xisting budgets. Amenities such as parks, and <br />possibly trails, have been prohibited with legislation over the years for TIF spending. Funding <br />for picnic areas, trails and parks would have to come from alternative sources. He advised there <br />are gray areas in determining what TIF eligible expenses are and in these cases legal counsel will <br />be consulted for clarification. A sidewalk would probably be an acceptable use of TIF, whereas <br />a trail may not. Member Gromberg had suggested a Cooperative Daycare as a concept. Staff is <br />looking for direction of anything the Board would thinks would be a good finishing touch to the <br />business parks, or if the monument signs should be revisited. <br /> <br />Member <br />Sullivan <br />business <br />utilizing <br /> <br />Elvig inquired about the purpose of the signs. Economic Development/TIF Specialist <br />replied initially the signs were designed to put a City of Ramsey/EDA stamp on the <br />parks, which run along CR 116 and have high visibility. The discussion then went to <br />the signs as an identifier for the City. The cost ranges from $8,000 to $12,000 per sign. <br /> <br />Member Strommen noted the discussion wa.q that if the EDA is going to spend this amount of <br />inoney on a finishing part of the business parks, they may want to think about other types of <br />finishes or amenities that could be included in the parks. <br /> <br />Member Elvig commented it would be great:to do something in the area of the CR 116 project <br />when it is cleaned up. He noted at the Anoka Industrial Park everyone talked about the walking <br />path for a period of time, but the workers doinot really use it during the day. It is used a lot by <br />the residents more in the evening because ofthe accessibility to the parks, lfthere is a way to <br />connect the trails like that in Ramsey's business parks that may be beneficial, but he does not <br />envision that there would be a lot ofacfivityby the industrial people. He suggested the Park <br />Department look into a trail being constructed in this location. <br /> <br />Member Strommen commented she does not envision a trail system being built with EDA funds <br />alone. The question before the Board at thisitime is whether to proceed with the signs and get <br />their name out there or create finishing touches for the business parks. <br /> <br />Member Elvig stated the EDA's role is to create opportunities for development in the City, and <br />part of that is marketing. He explained in the Anoka industrial park the businesses complain that <br />there is not a sign, and he thinks the signs might have more benefit than one might know. <br /> <br />Member Kiefer arrived at 7:28 a.m. <br /> <br />Member LeTourneau suggested the :amenities portion of the industrial parks could be part of the <br />development of the parks. The signage could be designed, and in the future it could be part of <br />the requirement of the industrial parks, in addition to streetlights, fountains and other amenities. <br />The cost of these amenities would be included in the expense of the development. <br /> <br />Member Elvig stated Anoka is looking to create an Anoka/EDA banner system that hangs off the <br />streetlights and connects into the downtown area. The tenants shot that down and said they <br />would like to have the industrial park names on the signs. He inquired what the status is of street <br />lighting and sidewalks in the industrial parks. Economic Development/TIF Specialist Sullivan <br /> <br />Economic Developmen~t Authority/December 8, 2004 <br /> Page 4 of 10 <br /> <br /> <br />