Ready to go. >> Ready to go. >> All right. Welcome everyone. I'll call to order the uh January 20th, 2026 Economic Development Authority meeting. >> Make a motion adopt the agenda. I would
like to add one thing if we could before I thought it might I'd like to add maybe after the SIMS update maybe between 6 and 7 just I' I'd like to propose a a quick discussion about 2026 EDA goals if we
don't mind. All right, >> that's a good idea. >> Okay, >> sure. >> All right. Uh >> I'll make a motion to adopt that with the changes. >> All right. Do I have a second? >> Second. Great. All in favor? >> I >> opposed.
All right, we have an agenda. Um, item number three, our recognition of Brian Bazansen. >> Let me just get to it here. >> You, >> that's me. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yes.
>> Madam Chair and commissioners, I'm going to read this off here for the benefit of those uh watching at home. Uh the current term for Brian Bzansen's position as a member of the East Bethl Economic Development Authority will conclude on January 31st, 2026. Mr. Bzansen has served on the EDA for over
14 years, being first appointed by city council um on August 17, 2011. Prior to his appointment to the EDA, Mr. Bzansen served on the city council from 1995 through 2002. During his tenure on the EDA, Mr. Bzansen was part of the
development of the business retention and expansion program which focused on and resulted in access to resources and assistance to local businesses. He was an advocate of economic development projects such as the broadband internet uh gap analysis report which assisted
existing businesses, the 80 voltage market study and in the search for and recruitment of new commercial and industrial enterprises in the city. Mr. Mr. Bzansen has served with dedication in his positions and the city of East
Bethl expresses its gratitude for his leadership and service for his work for uh to further the city's economic development programs and projects. We wish Mr. Bzansen the best in his future endeavors and we want to thank him for his contributions to the city and on
behalf of a very grateful city, Mr. Bzansen, thank you for your service. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you, Brian. um present you with a flag by all the members. >> Thank you.
>> Can I make a few comments? >> You of course we >> you know I stopped running for city council. I It wasn't that I had gotten beat. I was tired. And um
the city administrator when I came back on Jack Davis recruited me with the comment. He said, "You know, you know where all the bodies are buried in East Bethl." And I said, "Yeah, I do. And I probably
know who's where the shovels are, too. I think that the only person who probably in this room that knows as much about all that old stuff is uh Mr. Anderson. And uh it was a honor to be asked. It
was an honor to serve. We certainly had some outstanding individuals on it. Mr. Butler, I don't I know I'll I'll miss some people. >> Um
Oh, geez, the Iron Range dementia's kicking in. Doug Welter. >> Oh, Doug was >> I mean, what what Doug did with the business retention and expansion program >> and Julie, you have been the most
qualified person I could ever imagine to be serving on an EDA with your professional background as two people who are both in the construction industry. you bridge like I mean I I
know nuts and bolts, concrete, rebar, dirt work. You really know the whole development process and I think that was a uh that's a very key thing to have on the EDA. >> Thank you. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you.
>> And uh appreciate the plaque. Can we add in our own statements? I just want to express what an honor and a pleasure it has been getting to know you and serving with you all these years. you've been just an integral part of the
whole um EDA just with your background knowledge and just the I mean it's it's the value that this this commission brings right with just the various backgrounds of different um citizens to
help guide council and make the decisions in a in a direction to create economic development in our city. And I think I think it's been wonderful for you to serve and and your input was invaluable.
>> And um to be honest, I don't spend nearly enough time in the city anymore to be involved. I mean, as some of you know, I spend a lot of time up at Lake Max. So hopefully
the fish will be biting again this fall. >> Yeah. And you'll catch them. Well, thank you very much. >> Thank you for your kind words. >> I would just echo Julie's comments that uh you've been a long-standing member here and a vocal member
and you've brought a lot to this group just with your background. >> Thank you. >> It's been a pleasure having you here. just without that just as all wrong person
you are open to discussion and adding your viewpoints and doing it in a professional manner and in today's political climates it can be that can be a difficult thing so I've appreciated serving with you all this time
>> thank you >> Brian I appreciate your service I appreciate the stories that you have told those stories have taught me a lot and about the history of East Bethl that I didn't know and what to do and maybe what not to do in
the future. Thank you. >> Sometimes carpenter, you know, I mean that's what I am. I'm a carpenter by by trade and sometimes carpenters can contribute to things. >> Absolutely. >> Besides pounding nails.
>> Absolutely. or as it is these days, air guns. >> Yes. >> So, I too would like to congratulate you. I mean, back uh years ago when I was the fire chief and you first came on the
council, we butttheaded some a little bit at the beginning, but over the years, we've grown to have a nice relationship and uh I do appreciate all your service, sir. Arty, I would say the same thing that yeah, we buted heads at
first on some budget issues and things like that, but uh we did we ironed them out. >> Yeah, we both had the same thing. We're both more concerned about the city of East Bethle. And I guess my final words
would be that I uh the the biggest lesson I learned in working for the citizens of East Bethl as both a council member and on the EDA
is the truism that potholes don't have politics. >> Good analogy. >> Yeah, very much so. Well, thank you again. All right. Um All right. With that, we'll move on to
item number four, the election and appointment of officers. >> Um Madam Chair, if you want to just uh if someone wants to offer the resolution and recognition and then vote on that, that'd be great. >> We're going to make it this official. >> Gonna make this official. >> Yes.
Make a motion to approve resolution number 2026-01. Resolution recognizing Brian Benadzen for his service to the city of Ispel. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I opposed.
>> All right. Resolution 2026-01 is passed. Thank you again, Brian. All right. Now we are ready to move on to agenda item number four, selection of the 2026 EDA officers.
Um yeah, Madam Chair and commissioners, we've got um the organizational portion of the meeting before us now and we have uh five votes that need to happen uh with regards to selecting a president, vice president, treasurer, assistant treasurer, and secretary. And um you'll
notice on there some of the per the bylaws that um myself, Mike Traorski, and Carrie Frost are kind of identified as the um treasurer, assistant treasurer and secretary. And then um and then of the group then you can pick uh a
president and a vice president and um and then that'll carry forward for 2026. >> I'd like to nominate Julie again for president. >> I would second that. She's doing such an amazing job. >> Thank you. I'd be happy to do it.
I'm just getting down to the page. Um, can you scroll down a little bit, Matt? Just a bit. Thank you. Okay. So, vice president, vice chair, vice president. Um,
I think so. Help me with the structure. So, now we've got >> So, we can just vote on the president now. Um, have a there's a motion in a second. >> Okay. >> Vote on that and then you can open the floor for nominations for vice
president. >> Um, and proceed through that. >> Okay. We don't need the full slate. Okay, >> sounds good. >> So, we have a motion and a second. Okay. All in favor of Julie Lux as president for 202.
>> And opposed? >> All right, that motion carries. So, any thoughts on vice president or any um >> any nominations? >> Any nominations or offers or expressions of interest?
I'll do it. >> I >> I'll nominate myself. >> That's That's I'm glad. I I just wanted to make sure somebody was seemed >> interested and willing nominate somebody else. >> Yeah. >> I I nominate Suzanne Urkl for vice vice chair, vice president.
>> I'll second. >> All right. All in favor? >> I >> I >> opposed. All right. >> And then our slate is set for treasure, treasure, >> assistant. We still need >> Do we need to vote on that? >> Yep. >> Okay.
>> I'll make a motion to approve as treasurer Matt Look, Assistant Treasurer Mike Dorski and Secretary Carrie Frost. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I opposed. All right, we have a slate.
>> Okay. All right. Uh, next we need to long ago we need to approve our July 2021 EDA minutes. >> I'll make a motion to approve the July
21st EDA minutes. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I opposed. All right, that motion carries. Um,
next up, the 1347 Sims Road update. >> Madam Chair and Commissioners, I just wanted to give a quick quick update on 1347 SIMS. We've been talking about a little bit. I think the original discussion originated here in the EDA as far as looking at that property and
possibly putting together a purchase agreement, which um the council ultimately approved, moving ahead with that purchase agreement. And um there were conditions that were placed on that to make sure that the price was correct and and that an appraisal would be done
that there wasn't any environmental contamination on there that a phase one would be done. Both of those have been done and included in your packet. Um that's a lion share of the packet that that was included there is all the documents that go with this. Um and
title commitment is in there and the purchase agreement as well. So all those things have been met. The closing is scheduled for the 27th and um and provided everything um goes through on that. will make you aware of the fact
that um prior to the closing here uh somebody uh did break into that property and they um relieved it of its copper um and um and so the the seller is essentially going to file a claim uh for
that loss. We're going to close before that goes through, of course. So then uh the checks that they'll receive for that uh there'll be an agreement where they sign that over to the city. The city then and this committee uh gets to decide the disposition of that property.
As you know the um the septic system is not operational now it's missing copper. Uh and um and so there's options on the table. The options would consist of, you know, um potentially renting this property out, but you would have to
invest the money in, you know, an operational septic and and plumbing PEX replacement uh of that of that copper that was removed. Uh the other alternative is to um do a training fire
training op on the property and um there it would be a no burn training. So the concern is if there if there was to if you were to burn the property, there would be smoke that would potentially cause accidents on Highway
65. So they want to avoid that. U but there is other training that can be done and the sheriff's office then kind of spoke up and said, "Well, we'd like to maybe bring the SWAT team in and and do some training, too." So, um that's an option certainly to allow our first
responders and uh and um public safety to to sharpen their skills. And then ultimately, if um if if decided this uh property can be demolished, it can be made pad ready. Uh we can put a
sign up that says city-owned. If interested, contact the city. um economic development in progress type of type of sign. And then that would um that would alert those that are potentially interested in in bringing
economic development to the city to approach the city and and work out an agreement on on purchasing that property moving forward. So everything looks to be good aside from the little snafu on the on the copper, but um it's an
unfortunate thing. Yeah. So, we'll stand for questions if there are any on that. >> I have a quick question. Um, yeah, I just asked >> uh Mr. Loo to be at the ready with the
GIS map. So, given that we're grandfathered in, we've got a driveway, uh, albeit is pretty close to the state highway. I was wondering about that little tenth of an acre that would give
us access to um 213th >> to the frontage road >> to the frontage road seems like. >> Oops. >> Oh, just X out in the top left corner. That'll get you back to the map.
>> Yeah. So, that little guy right there >> right here >> um is kind of a leftover piece. I did a little research. Um, the bank used to have all of these pieces and back in 2018, I think they the bank just deeded
the property to somebody called named Boulder Contracting. I don't know if you know them or >> for like $3,500. So, I don't know what they're going to do with it or if they even remember that they have it, but it seems to make sense that we should maybe
pick that up because I can see potential changes to State Highway 65 and that access could get cut off. I mean, there'd be a right in and right out, but it would be a lot more marketable, I would think, with the access to the service road.
>> Yeah. I'm not u I believe that that that is an easement if the city really wants to look at that. I think that was deed as easement. >> It's owned by a different >> Yeah, I know it is.
>> I kind of looked at I dug into some of the title stuff. I didn't >> There was an easement at one point, a temporary easement. >> Yeah. >> But I think it's it's expired. >> Okay. So, >> I know at one time there was a easement there.
>> Yeah. And then I don't know if our thought is an assemblage with the site next door because that was just purchased last year by a private individual. I have no idea what they're going to do with it. >> Yeah. 40,000.
>> Right. Right. So, um I don't know. I just think it would behoove us to pick up that access just to make it more marketable in the long long run. >> So, Madam Chair and commissioners, what
I will say is when we were doing our due diligence on this property, contacting the state to see if there's going to be any changes or contacting the county to see if there'd be any changes or any restrictions to this property. They had they had brought this up too and said, "Well, what about this little piece up
here?" You know, >> and um kind of showing their cards a little bit in in that >> Yeah. Um if this parcel included that piece, they would cut off access here all day long, you know. Um and
so that that's I I guess that's that's the question, right? Uh if you're a prospective commercial person looking to buy this property, >> um you know, yes, you might consider this entrance good to come in, but you may not want this entrance cut off. you
know, if they were to hard channel this with a with a median. Um, but perhaps it would be right with the right, you know, user. I'm not sure. Um, as it relates to kind of this whole quadrant here and
going south, >> this parcel, I think, is is should be of interest. That parcel should be of interest. These two parcels should potentially be of interest, right, >> to this whole corridor. That if in the event we are successful with
>> um with bringing city sewer and water to this area, all these parcels right here are going to go north in value. >> This of course being the one of the highest visible and that one too, you
know, on the corners always a hot topic, hot piece of property. I I'd say at the very least uh research that property owner that little corner possibly make contact just to verify so that uh
for any potential future stuff if okay we don't aren't going forward with it right now but we want to later or some interested party wants to that we at least have that uh information ready.
Okay. Any accesses off off SIMS, I would think those would be controlled by the county, not the highway. >> No, not not the state. >> Not the state. No, that would be the county. >> Right. >> Okay. >> And as I look at it as a consumer
and I look at all the little stupid right in, right outs that you have, I'm thinking of like the bills over on and whatnot. That's just stupid traffic flow. To me, what that little that little triangle and back is
perfect for is an exit because people get antsy when they you know, it's when they're leaving that they don't want to get get backed up. And am I making sense to you? You see where I'm coming from? >> Agreed. >> To me, that's a perfect place for an exit. Mhm.
>> And if it be just a right in only sins and exit >> through 235th. >> Exactly. >> Like a fast food place. That's a drive-thru or a coffee place that goes in there. >> And with us being Yeah. that like I I
did a quick measurement. It looks like we're >> similar >> less than 200 feet from the intersection. So the countyy's going to have heartburn on >> Yeah. >> on that. We might >> depending on the user, >> right? >> Depending on the user, >> right?
>> But turning off the county's going to find a lot less contentious than coming back in off a, you know, essentially a backage road, >> right? >> All in favor of it. >> If it was a right in only, you're saying? >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. they cannot deny access to the property and and the way it's currently set up there is no other access. So they I mean they have to allow that a full access. Um but if we were to acquire that I'm sure their tune would change pretty
quick. >> But we were initially looking at this is city owned land here. initially putting in the water tower here and treatment, water treatment, but then that would require having to bring it underneath the highway to get over to
Sims, which would be costly. Um, so we're kind of talking about fire stations and things of this nature, you know, on on the on the west side of 65. Would something like that work in this
quadrant? Potentially. >> Potentially. But anyways, first step in the progress of of acquiring this property and >> and um it'll be interesting to see
>> interested parties when they call as to what they potentially might envision in this corner. The the benefit of controlling this is the way it's currently zoned. You don't necessarily control who can come in, >> right? You know, if it's zoned for a car
lot or car lot's an option, you may very well get a car lot on that corner, that may not be the image that you want for East Bethl along the corridor. So, by t by ownership of this property, you now control doesn't matter what it's zoned. You control either the opportunity to
reszone it or you control who you're going to sell it to. >> Agreed. >> Which kind of helps with that with that image. and to the north. It's they they've done some nice development. These are nice nice parcels in here. So, >> yes. Yeah, it would be great to see the
rest of everything get filled in and >> hopefully a future water and sewer project can help that too. >> Good. >> Any other observations or questions on that?
Okay. Is there so no council no action? >> Yep. No council action necessary at this point. This is just information. >> Okay, >> sounds good. Well, good luck with the closing. >> Thank you. >> Um and then my inserted item number
seven. Just uh wanted to have a quick discussion about 2026 EDA goals. >> Okay. >> Um you know, we've In the past couple years, we've been
more in more of a reactive mode, I think, to to things that come not, you know, not not completely, but just, you know, we've tended more that way. And I just would love input from everyone on the commission on on what what are our
goals for 2026. Do we want to be acquiring more property like this? Do we want to have pad ready sites out there so we're ready when companies are interested in moving to our community? Um,
I would just love to hear from anyone who has some input. Well, I would personally think if if it were at all possible to purchase those properties up there, the back ones maybe for the fire and um the west side for
the water uh system. And but I also think our goal should be to do something in support of our current businesses so that >> if we do that, they're going to brag to other businesses. what a great city this
is if we just keep letting them go and raising their taxes. And I mean that's not necessarily raising their taxes as much as the state, but you know, um >> I think they they'll stay here, but they're not
going to advertise and market for us. And I think we don't get a lot of viewers out there watching us right now, but if you get businesses talking to other businesses about come to East Bethl, it's a great
city, blah blah blah, I think that is an imperative thing to do and it will help our city grow where we want it to grow and it'll make them happy. And how do we accomplish that? What are
our action items? Do we have action items? >> Well, look at what some of the other EDAs have done. Um, I looked at Ramsy's and they've got a stack about this big. I actually ended up accidentally printed the whole thing
out. But all these different things they're doing for for businesses from and Forest Lake too, their EDA gets involved with their chamber and they do business expose and um stuff like that without doing spending all this time
doing surveys and then at the business expose you've got all the businesses in one spot. You could talk to them. What do they need? What do they want? That kind of thing. So I mean we could do it in the summer and the ice or the Yeah, the spring in the ice arena where it's
not too hot, not too not cold, not being used. I mean, we could do it um at the schools in the summertime. We could do it at a lot of places. St. Francis has had business expos at their at the high school. So why not
with the makeup of most of our businesses do um yeah I can see some would be interested in an expo but some of our um manufacturing businesses and things that aren't direct consumer
>> business >> Yeah. >> they they're going to meet other business owners and we have to limit the businesses that show up to East Bethl. We can invite Forest Lake and St. Francis and Icanti and Oak Road. >> Yeah.
>> You know, and so they can get to know each other. >> Yeah. Or maybe it's just a East Bezel business appreciation event. >> Something like that too. >> Absolutely. >> It's just something. It's just an idea that circle in my head. You know, I
don't have a plan. I don't have >> anything but an idea. >> I know we got a followup this spring on what we passed last January. That video fly over we never got done. >> Right. Right. >> So,
we passed that last January and it just kind of got lost. So, we need to when things green up get that done. >> It would be great to get that. I'd love to get that done >> and probably some sort of connection
the city itself will be revamping our website this year, aren't we? that we can have some EDA uh input in that as to what kind of content should we have on there like a fly over
or any promotional videos that we can make up or or something that's dedicated towards EDA any stuff >> on our newly redesigned city website.
>> Yeah. And our website could do a business of the week and maybe even get businesses to sponsor to help bring in funds, you know. >> Yeah. It's long been a goal of mine to have I'm on a lot of different city
websites and most often you'll find a link for here's a list of our available sites. I know right now we link to you know um AC red has has available
sites which they link to minar um but there's other resources out there too and I just think just keeping up on that and um helping the brokers out there and making sure that our city land owners have the
option to uh list their sites for availability and I'm more than happy to help with that because I've got lots of opinions on that. >> Carrie is handling that. >> You what? >> Carrie is handling that revamp. >> Yeah, I I would love to meet with her
and provide any help or input. I look at uh I look at what it's like now to drive through Ramsey and I'm driving through Ramsey more now because I'm coming down from Lax and
going family matters. I look at what that highway is now in comparison to what it was before. I mean, that was an absolute gong show.
That's quite a feat of engineering of all that stuff that they've done here. And I look at Highway 65 and how that has changed in the 48 years that I have lived in this town.
And I think that's what one of the things we need to be thinking about. And I was thinking, I know I thought about it when I was on the council, is is that at some point in time, Highway 65 is going to get upgraded. I know they've got that whole
whatever number dot dot dot program. That's the biggest asset we have in this community is the fact that >> Yeah. >> We're on that highway. And the other thing is is that we have cheap sandy
land. Yeah. >> And sand is what you want to when you're a commercial contractor. That's what you want is you want a sandy site. >> Oh yeah. >> I think that another thing that is real
important is you have to have a a steady hand on a tiller about how you're going about things. If you get a bad reputation, you can't overcome that. And I'm not so sure we don't have a bad
reputation these days out in the building community or the the business community. Drama in city hall doesn't help anybody. I can say that cuz I'm leaving. It doesn't help anybody.
All right. >> So, >> I think we should look into purchasing the properties that attached to this one because I think that us as a city, we can possibly open some type of
business that can benefit us and start bringing revenue into our city. So I think it's a opportunity there that and it's a great place, great location. I'm not sure yet what kind of a business, but we should check into that
as well and start bringing money into our city instead of letting it all go out. A lot of other cities have their own businesses, too, and they've been pretty successful in a lot of things. I see why there's no reason that we could do the
same. >> Or we could use this site acquis acquisition as an economic development tool. I mean, we may not get our money back, but we're getting back much more in terms of tax base, etc. >> Exactly.
>> Yeah, >> I agree. >> So, maybe a strategy. I mean, we talked about it a little bit earlier this year about just taking a look at our city- owned sites, excuse me, which I'd love to think about
that, too. Strategies for that. Oh, yeah. Good list so far. To be continued. >> Sure. >> Thank you. I'm glad glad we could get that in there. All right.
Anything else? Otherwise, we're ready to move on to uh our Capstone presentation. Madam Chair and Commissioners, I've invited Capstone in this evening to kind of give us a little bit of a background on on the project as it currently sits
and kind of some of the trends they're seeing and a momentum that they have and then kind of talk about potentially future uh areas that they're looking to expand to and um kind of start this conversation. But, uh, also kind of just, you know, I I think they they do a
lot of, um, market studies on how the market's going to be, what they're anticipating the market be, that sort of thing. I think that'll be very, uh, veryformational for us in terms of understanding housing trends and um, and what the spring is going to look like. My my guess is it's going to be a good
spring, but I'm not in the housing business, so I I just kind of uh have a limited understanding of some of the indicators that are out there. But um I think the lowering of the interest rates help a little bit and um and hopefully that helps uh this project as it's
building out as well. But we have Tom with us here this evening and um Tom has come with all sorts of very valuable economic development information for us. So good evening. Thank you, Matt. Um,
Madame Chair, members of the EDA and and the council as well. Um, congratulations for you for your service >> and, uh, Julie for you being reelected. So, that's a good thing. And Susan to be VP. That's a good thing. Um it's always
important to have citizens that do care about their communities and and um that just makes us when we come into city halls to to want to be here and so forth. And you had mentioned about what attracts sometimes businesses
rooftops truly attract businesses. And that's something to think about. some city websites, if you take a look at some of their websites, they'll have residential areas besides maybe lots they have available, but they'll shoot
over residential areas and they'll, you know, show what's going on, the growth that's occurring in the cities. And then also, um, for example, if if a if I want to move into this city, where's my next housing? Where's the convenience area?
Where's the stores? Where's the gas? And I think it it really helps someone taking a look at that. And fly overs are the best. >> If you ever look at our website, all our neighborhoods have them and everybody does it today. So that's just my opinion, my thought for some ideas for
you guys. But uh I wanted to uh >> Do you do your own flyovers or do you contract out to cities that might be interested? >> No, we do our we have our own. Um Matt asked me to come in and talk a little bit about where we're at with uh our
development Viking Meadows. And boy, we're entering our third year. When you come in the first day of of city hall, work with staff for a couple years and so forth. So it's already been three years. We're going on three years and and sometimes it takes a while to do that. But what I want to talk about is
our concept plan um that shows the existing plats and the product types that we've been offering. And then of course the future uh 30 acre expansion area and I'll get in more detail about that in a little bit. And obviously that expansion area aligns uh
with the long-term planning and orderly growth that we envisioned this three years ago. Now phase one and two prog uh pro progress I wanted to mention to you. So you can see in this location where the first edition is over here and
located here and so far right now we're we have about 30 homes in different stages from foundation to completion and so forth. And just to let you know and we're excited about uh spring because we're going to have our model home in
the parade of homes. So the pray to homes obviously there's still books people still use the traditional books and people go online or use their phones. So that's really a lot of the younger generation love to use their phones but myself I still like using the
book and so that's that's a thing. Um so uh we have five new home single family starts as you know we started developing this area our Liberty product and then we've moved into this area for our single family and that's occurring right
now as as you can see when you go out to the site. Uh infrastructure we were blessed this year for infrastructure. We got all the landscaping done. I don't know if you've been through the neighborhood when it was this fall but we finished all the landscaping along this whole
You can see the wall and you can see all the landscape coming into the site. We did complete all the sod and everything for the model home. And then as you come through the site, we completed all the sidewalks, completed all the trails for
the first phase and also the boardwalk. I don't know if anybody's been on the boardwalk, but you should walk that boardwalk. It's really nice. So, we did all that as part of um our qu you know working together with the city with our park dedication. Um in regards to the
trail connection, I just want to mention real real quick uh last week uh I was here for the parks commission meeting and Mr. Miller was here as well representing a city council. Um it was a very very good meeting. Uh we're excited
that um the park, the city park here, the infrastructure should be completed by fall. And um as as a member of our our team, people that move into your community
want to see those neighborhood parks. So, we've been working with the city and we have and we're going to be filing the second plat uh here in February. We got more park dedication dollars coming in, but as part of that second phase park dedication dollars, we're also willing
to front future dollars to get the shelter built this fall. So, I hope I didn't take any of your steam away, but I didn't know if you were talking about it tonight. >> No one talk about that. >> I I didn't realize that. But anyways, I just wanted to mention that. So, it's
it's really good and this fall we're going to see that by the end of the year. And I I do I do like the idea to keep the cost down because city staff they you have public work people that are willing to construct it with guidance from the people they buy the equipment from. So that's a good thing.
It saves a lot of money. Really does. Um the parade of homes is March 13th to April 12th. So just keep that in mind and um I'll just go from there. So as you remember this whole site excluding
the expansion area was 115 acres 115 acres over 50 acres is open space. So I thought this exhibit would be pretty good visual see where all the ponds are all the wetlands are where all the trails and everything is so that way you
can see. And in the first phase we have 47 lots. The second phase we're going to have 61. So this will be built this year and the second phase here. So that will be the Liberty product. Those are the 55 and
then those are the 70 up location. So last year was 47 now with another 61. What we have remaining left is 134 lots right here. And that future addition up there. So that's the last
remaining 55 foot lots. This is the transition of 70 foot lots and then all the way to the 80 foot box here. So we think we'll be it'll take us probably two years to get through this. As long as the market is
really good, we feel real comfortable. We're getting a lot of interest. And I think now when spring rolls around and people sees this, it's really going to pop. So we two years here. Well, like I said before, this is our third year coming in, right? So, we have to start
planning for the future. So, now what we're what we're looking at doing here this 30 acre expansion area we have under contract. We've always had under contract and we have it under contract.
And so it's our goal um this year actually to have everything approved in terms of the plumbary plat and the Met Council through this site. So what happens here? This is in an area where it's considered
ruled in your city. Met council has this designated as R1 180 foot lots. We did come in originally with 65 foot wide lots but at that time it was not really agreeable amongst many members. So, as a
transition, we still want to keep the 80 foot lots because that's what the that's what the Met Council would say in terms of R1. And you can see that this whole area is probably about 14 acres of wetland and it's going to be about 20 uh
20 acres. It's around 30 acres uh total area. So you can see that in terms of its efficiency, how it's going to be designed around the wetlands. It's really really going to be a good layout. I believe there's a connection point right here for this property and it
looks like the city may have something here in the future, but that could get extended if need to, but right now we're not proposing that. I wasn't here in the original. We had another project manager that started with this project and there was discussion about providing a buffer
around the north and east side. We still would do that you know 10 15t buffer keep those trees in that location. So um that kind of gives you an idea that what we'd like to do in terms of orderly
transition in terms of utilities uh water and sewer and so forth. But again, we have this under contract. This is something that we want to start planning for. So, our goal really tonight, our main focus tonight is to kind of get some feedback from you guys because it
will take some time to get through this process and to get Met Council to approve it, too. Um, we don't think that will be an issue, but we believe we can do it. We've had creative relationships with these property owners here and
these owners here. Um I know in the past there was some discussion with a couple of these property owners, but I believe it's um it's much more supported now than it was before in terms of what's looking at here because we planted the
seed and everything. So here, like I said, it would probably be our third year to get here. So, it'll take some time, but if I can get approvals, work this process with the city, and get everybody else involved,
it'll be be a nice addition to the city. So, you're looking at 242 lots here that would accommodate another additional 46 plus or minus. I did not lay that out, but I will eventually lay that out.
Uh, in regards to Matt had asked about the market, we've been doing a lot of different financing with people that want to buy our homes. So, what happens is we end up buying points. We end up buying it down.
And you're probably familiar with this if you're in the real estate world. So, people are getting um five and a half to 5.9 mortgages with us. Uh, and and it's that's that is the sweet spot. That is the sweet spot. And so we're hoping that
really the second quarter and what the data we see, it's going to really pick up. It's going to pick up because there's there's a huge shortage of homes that are attainable homes. We build from the high 3s to mid5s. That's the meat, believe it or not, for new construction.
Now, some of these other lots that are bigger lots, of course, they're, you know, if someone wants to build something a little higher value, they can do that. That's that's on issue. We have the product for that. But, um, we think this going to be a great great site. It's got good visibility and, um,
I'm hoping that that you agree on that as well. Um, our main focus has always been to provide quality housing options and choices and also through the cities to, you know, to create that trail and open
space connectivity. Continue with that because there is a lot of wetlands in this area. open space and so we've designed to try to have that thought for development. So that's kind of an overview. I wanted
to keep it high level and I'm hoping that you know that that helps a little bit. Madam Chair and um commissioners, I know when when Capstone was kind of when I was coming in, that's kind of when Capstone was starting and I know there
was a lot of we don't really know who these people are and are they kind of going to be a fly by night organization that comes in and just builds houses and leaves and that sort of thing. And I know there was some apprehension at that time. Uh and what I will say is that
over these three years, I think we've gotten to know them. Uh I know that our staff is it we consider it an absolute pleasure working with them uh because it's they come in, they know exactly what what needs to be done. There's no
questions. There's no uh misunderstandings or anything like that. They've done this isn't their first rodeo essentially. Uh they know how to they they they approach it with a very professional uh approach to getting these things done. and um from you know
even even uh a Nick you know goes out and does the uh inspections and that sort of thing they they fly right through because they they've it's just not an issue. It's never been an issue with these folks. So it's been a pleasure to work with them. But I wanted to kind of bring this up this evening in
terms of kind of visualizing that pipeline uh that it takes years to kind of get these things through, right? And so, um, as you have kind of the front of the pipeline, you have the the back of the pipeline and what, you know, you have to kind of keep projects kind of
coming in the front end so that in years they'll they'll be coming out the the the back end of the pipeline in in completed projects. And I know we've got this 30 acres that's kind of um uh been discussed by prior councils and is certainly um an option. To the south of
that we have Osborne property which is kind of a little bit on the bubble a little bit in terms of uh what what they may do or or may not do or what some of the needs are there. But this is kind of seems to be the area in which that development is occurring naturally or
organically you might say. And um and so uh wanted to bring this forward and kind of kind of just as was indicated kind of get you guys' input on on um kind of first of all what you're seeing so far and then um and then whether or not
you're supportive from an economic development standpoint of of kind of starting this discussion on this 30 acres. Any questions, comments? >> Well, I'm going to make a a comment. Um,
I was totally against this whole thing when it first started and um but now I'm kind of warming up to it. I do still think some of the houses are too close together, but it is what it is. Um, but
in the future I just I think I'd like to see more variety in housing appearances. It just seems like there's so many that look exactly the same as I drive by. And I that's I guess that's the only thing
that I'm not liking about it right now is they well that house is the same as that house is the same as that house. I mean variety is I don't know. I I'd just like to see more variety and houses. I drive through Blaine and I see all these new developments and they all look
exactly alike and I'm like, where's the variety? Where's the individuality of each home? And I think that's what's missing in a lot of new developments. And that's my opinion. >> If I may, um, in regards to variety, we
have our own rules in house and a lot of cities have this too where you can't build the same house next door or across the street or kitty corner. We have four elevation styles for every different product that we have. So, our liberties now are it's a brand new product that's
been very successful in many communities we've built in over the years. It's at the one level. We started doing the one level. We've only got that one other community right now and then the twotory. So, hopefully that's a variety. We do change our elevations and we do
that with the single family too. But I can understand for those that um maybe don't have the variety and they're more cookie cutter, but uh we believe we do have some variety. So, I just wanted to mention that to you. >> Okay. Well, and I know you have a lot
more to do. So, and I've just driven by there a couple of times. with the product on the 80 foot lots, the 46 on the 30 acres you're talking about. Give us an idea of what those houses might be valued at or type of
product that would go in there on a larger lot. Well, I would say I'm not promising any, but I would say probably on those lots anywhere from >> obviously market dependent
>> market dependent, but if it's anything similar to another neighborhood that I have, it's probably going to be between 550 maybe to seven on some of those areas. Could be more. Um, but I I could see that occur there for a
little higher value right there. So accesswise with this addition and with 189th being a a dirt road right now and I apologize I haven't been involved in in a lot of the other discussions as far as
um access and how how that would work. I'm just thinking for fire protection and and just circulation that you're tying into 189th. Is that correct on the back? >> Possibly. That's a concept. This was not,
>> you know, this is a concept here. I do know we did provide two access points there. This access point will be built. >> Okay. >> But for the future, um I can't answer that. it's available, but I don't know
if that's required. I can't answer that >> because I believe if I recall, you might have the right way here, but you don't have a full service. Isn't that the road that has a gate on it when it comes up into your development? There's supposed to be.
>> There is. Yeah, there's a green area right here. trail connection. So I don't this I don't believe that we'll be looking to >> Yeah, it was an emergency access if I remember right. Yeah. >> Okay. >> That gate came in the back way to the
golf course. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So it doesn't to mean at this point we're just providing that. >> Okay. I just wasn't sure for fire response times or how
you know, with no other egress back there, how that how that would work. But >> when you bought the golf course, why didn't you buy the uh par three part of it, the 60 acres there just south? >> You know, I was not part of that, Mr.
Anderson. I'm just curious. >> I don't know. There might have been. >> There's still 60 acres there. That's under Viking View LLC. >> Sure. Yeah. I I don't know. That was the old par three n par three course. >> This is quite a purchase already.
>> Oh, I agree. >> Just to let you know. >> Yeah. Buy more. >> Yeah. Yeah. Right. We have bought all that, but >> this will be hopefully in 2027. >> Okay. >> To purchase. >> When do you expect your first sale to occur?
>> We've we have half a dozen sales. >> Oh, do you? Okay. >> Well, we want more, obviously. >> Oh, obviously. Yeah. >> Yeah. So now we built a few in today's I don't know I don't know if you remember back in the day where builders would build one house here and one house there
but people would come in and want to do that. Not today. 90 90% of the homes that we build are spec homes because people do not want to build ground up anymore. They just want to come in. they see something that's at this stage if it's if it's a framing stage or a
sheetrock stage and that's what they they'll go from there and then they'll pick their stuff that they want >> their items. Yeah. A lot of times that's how it is. They want to move in. They do not want to wait another six months. We that's that's the market for us today.
>> Will there be any additional trails or park space added on once you add that extra 30 acres on? We'll have we have this HOA neighborhood park here that's open space and you guys the city requested this area as part of the park
dedication and all the trails but no additional park that I aware of. >> What about trails? >> Trails. Yeah, there'll be once we start developing this, but we definitely would like to begin the process if you guys uh would let us
to begin that process. Again, the goal would be to try to have it done by year end, if not sooner, to just to get it approved and then uh make sure that three years down the road that we can still use that same plan and um
be a plary plat and then we come in for future phases as time went on, but that's down the road. >> And you did say there was going to be a buffer put on there. Yeah, we're looking at doing a buffer right here. discussions in the past 10 15t
back. Most of those if you know you can see the area a lot of them are already full of trees and open space but we would create >> we're excited if we can continue on. So >> that's great. So is this informational
for us? >> Just informational. Yep. >> Okay. Well, thanks Tom for coming in. >> Thank you. Anytime. >> The update. >> Yeah. Anytime. >> We're going to be a partner and we enjoy the partnership. So, thank you. >> Thanks. >> Okay.
>> All right. We got item number eight, city council report. Madame Chair and commissioners, uh just wanted to kind of brief you a little bit here on uh um we had a turnover in our city planning department of course and
um and so right now we're under contract with uh with um uh Landform as we were before uh doing a work. Um Kendra comes into the office when she needs to otherwise she works remote. Uh we have interviewed one
potential individual uh and uh we're looking at possibly extending an offer and um and going that route. Just to let you know, initially uh when Grace was hired, we were just hiring a new planner kind of out of
school and we and uh we thought we would we would kind of let them kind of earn their stripes here at a you know at East Bethl. And and what we kind of found from that model is once they do earn their stripes, they become marketable. And uh as it's a tough market out there
right now, um they you know, in her case, you know, she lived in Minneapolis and had a long drive up here and and found a job in Minneapolis. So, it's kind of hard to fault, you know, not driving an hour every day um one way.
But um uh but at any rate then that we decided we'd move kind of into uh more of a senior planner model, somebody that um that would have a lot more experience and that might have that desire to move
into the uh community community development director spot. And uh so we kind of put that out there and we had one we kind of actually the timing wasn't greatest. we put it out over the holidays and I don't think anyone really
is anxious to move their jobs, you know, over the holidays. Uh but at any race, we did get one response and followed up with that individual. We've interviewed that individual and um comes with a lot of experience and uh and I think we'll
probably if if everything works out, we'll probably be a pretty good addition to the city. Um, so not giving too many specifics at this point until we know for sure if there'll be an acceptance of the offer, but uh, but it's looking pretty good so far. So,
um, aside from that, we're just we're excited about 2026. Uh we've done a lot of what I'll call uh deferred maintenance on our facilities and uh kind of been upgrading flooring and upgrading HVAC systems and you know
different things that are that are um failing and we're trying to get caught up on those things. Um and uh we're as was mentioned Highway 65 uh 2027 by the way they're breaking ground on on 65 and so very similar to what's happened in
Ramsey. you'll see development pressure starting to come as a result of that. Um there's very savvy site selectors that are out there that say h easier traffic. Yeah, I can I can afford to to build something. Um so I I think we'll
continue to see a lot more pressure in that regard. Having a senior planner in in you know in the city uh will be critical for those type of demands. Uh so hopefully those puzzle pieces are coming together nicely for for um for
that additional pressure that we'll see. Um but at any rate, we're um we're excited. We think that there'll be a lot of a lot of we're getting a lot of phone calls right now to begin with on development, but um uh we think that that things are happening. Now, I know
that scares some people. I I don't want necessarily all this development coming. And what I would say to that is that um East Bethl is unique in that it has a highway 65 corridor and and then you have rural outside of
that and people can have their rural and have their development because the development is kind of confined for the most part to the corridor. And the corridor is where you have your services and you have your um you know your your fast food restaurants and your gas and
every other service that you're looking for. And I think and I think as as more and more come those dominoes, people start to get competitively minded and and want to, you know, want to be um positioned as well to take advantage of a of a of a market that doesn't
necessarily have all those options yet. Um so it'll be interesting to see that. I know we've got one fast food restaurant that's already um very serious about locating and um and so I think more and more of those requests will be coming. But at any rate um
unless I'm missing anything, I think that's pretty good council report. Can I ask you a question? I know there was a meeting about um some road work that's going to be happening on Lexington up to
189th. Do you know what is going on with that? Because I've wasn't able to go to the meeting. I saw it the post after or the advertisement after the fact. So, do you know what is happening with Lexington, what they're planning on doing?
>> Yeah, I attended that and uh it was more just to get more input from the residents. Uh their plan proposal is for uh 2027. They're going to come from Broadway to the T there at Kon Lake Beach
and then in 2028, if everything goes right, they'll go from that tea to the county park where they finished last year. >> But what are they going to do? >> They're it's going to be widened and they're trying to put a trail on one side.
It'll be a brand new road completed. >> Yeah. Yeah, it'll be turn lanes and everything. And the the biggest issue there, at one time they were going to do Broadway all the way over to the county park, but there's so much mucking they got to do along that one strip there by
the side fields and everything that they're going to have to close that road down for a week or two. So, it's going to be a nightmare for detours. >> Thank you. >> Mcking is the official term. >> Muck. >> Mcking out. Yeah, it's pretty
interesting. >> Um, just a quick note too, uh, I am attending the the Edom conference, the Economic Development Association of Minnesota, um, Thursday and Friday. So, I'll bring back any insights. There's a
lot of panels that other communities are uh, giving and I'll take notes and bring back any insights. >> Fantastic. Yeah, >> it's down in Bloomington. Is that right? >> Uh, nope. Just in St. Louis Park at the Double Tree, right? Right on 394.
>> Okay. >> Anything else? >> There's nothing else. Move to adjourn. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Actually, I have something else. >> All right. Let's get that in. >> Sorry. Um, one of the last council meetings, um, a pretty, um, some people
came up a little bit upset about 77% of the city's, um, budget coming from our taxpayers. One of them mentioned, uh, opening up a cannabis store. uh haven't really thought about it, went through it and I'd like to hand out two
separate items tonight for the EDA which goes through the funding of such by business and the ownership of cities who do this. Now, there are a few out there um for a future discussion down the road. I spent some time on it. uh went
through startup costs, went through even key locations in the city like the corner we just bought and what kind of revenue it generates for the city. And um I'm not making any assumptions either way, but I'd like you to have the information and let you look at it for
yourself and go through it. And if we have a future discussion, at least we know what we're talking about, what it would cost, where the money would come from, and how much it would generate, and how much we would save on our uh basically our budget every year. And then the low side is coming in between
three and five, which is huge. Would flatten us out a great deal. Uh looking into it further, there are cities like Elk River is doing it. Uh Anoka's putting one up. So, it is not something that's unheard of by any means, but it's
something that this city is going to be facing and it's going to be an opportunity. Some say maybe not, but one of the residents came up and said and was very, you know, adamant about we need to look outside the box. So, we did. So, I took that information. I'm
going to hand it out to you guys tonight and we'll take it from there at a future meeting if I could. Other than that, I was going to talk about how great our parks are going to be over in the capstone development with them funding it ahead of time, and that's key. You look at that area, and
there really isn't a lot for kids to do. That area is going to have some of the nicest parks in this city when they're done. And council is going to see the new approval for what we just approved for uh equipment last last week. And we're getting some really nice stuff.
And it's it's it's cost effective. and thank you for being and working with Nate and our our city on that because it's going to save money down the road and it's going to give people a chance to see what our parks look like before even buying a house over there. So, thank you for that. What I have
>> Thank you. All right, so we have a motion and a second and we're ready to adjourn. I will adjourn the meeting. Thanks everybody. Do we have to vote? >> We I think we did, didn't we? >> No. No.
>> Okay, let's vote. I have a motion and a second. All in favor? I >> opposed. >> We are now closed. Thank you, Brian.