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Mr. Hardin participated in the past two meetings with BMA Associates and stated that the sellers <br />seem willing to negotiate though they still want their price for the land. <br /> <br />Mr. Norman stated that a full appraisal of the property is in process, but the cursory appraisal <br />was about $12,000 per acre. <br /> <br />Mr. Hardin stated that there was some incorrect information mistakenly given at the last meeting <br />to the landowners regarding the future land use on the property. They were told it was to be <br />totally industrial, but the proposed Comprehensive Plan draft indicates the land ought to be <br />designated as mixed use. Mr. Hardin suggested that the correct information be forwarded to <br />BMA Associates as soon as possible. <br /> <br />Councilmember had some concerns regarding the idea of a joint venture with the landowners. <br />She made the distinction that AEC/Connexus was a known entity that had been in the area for <br />many years, and would likely be a part of the AEC Industrial Park for many years to come. <br /> <br />Mr. Mulrooney agreed that Councilmember Steffen had made a good point. Connexus was paid <br />for the property if it was sold, and they additionally benefited by increasing the number of <br />businesses using their services. <br /> <br />Case #4 <br /> <br />City of Ramsey Economic Development Program Confidential Progress <br />Report <br /> <br />Portions of this discussion were closed to the public; see confidential memo from Advance <br />Resources for Development, Inc. regarding 1998 Year End Progress Report. <br /> <br />Mr. Mulrooney summarized the progress in business attraction, retention and expansion related <br />to Business Park 95 and AEC Industrial Park, and he reviewed the 1998 reporting requirements <br />to the State of Minnesota. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec told members of the EDA that local businesses report that employees are difficult <br />to find. Even employers paying wages of $12-$13 per hour are having difficulty because it is not <br />enough to afford the housing that exists in Ramsey today or the cost of transportation to come <br />from other cities. <br /> <br />Mr. Hardin initiated a discussion of the types of businesses the City is attracting. Perhaps <br />distribution centers, warehouses and manufacturing do not create the most or best paying jobs. <br /> <br />Council member Haas Steffen indicated that Councilmembers Hendrickson and Anderson have <br />both indicated they would like more high-paying jobs. <br /> <br />Mr. Norman explained that City Staff had a discussion last week regarding sites in Ramsey's <br />industrial areas that are in need of redevelopment. In some of these cases neighboring land uses <br />are prohibitive to quality manufacturing and office related businesses due to the vibrations and <br />noise created by rail traffic and the undesirable views or image of some business operations in <br />these areas. In these cases, businesses that benefit from rail access and are less fickle than other <br />users may offer expanded tax base, buffering of unsightly businesses, and improved image from <br />what currently exists. <br /> <br />Economic Development Authority/February 9, 1999 <br /> Page 3 of 5 <br /> <br /> <br />