Let's call the EDA March 10th meeting order. Stand for the pledge of >> allegiance. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States to the stand. >> Thank you very much. Roll call, please.
>> President Monkey, >> here. >> Vice President Matthews >> here. >> Treasurer Bramshire >> here. >> Member Reynoso. >> Here, >> member Gogra is absent today, Council Representative McKenzie
>> here. and staff and exopicio members present today are executive director Frannle, community development director Roberts, EDA secretary Churnney, and public works director Richie. >> Thank you very much.
Can I have a motion to adopt the agenda, please? >> So move Dave. >> Second. >> Second, Joe. All those in favor say I. I. >> I. >> Thank you very much. Thank you. Um before we get started and jump into the minutes, I'd just like to
uh introduce Caesar Renoso and have him introduce himself and just tell a little bit about yourself. I think most people know you, but uh it's your first official meeting. So, welcome. >> Perfect. Thank you very much. I think I know >> most of you guys here. Uh my name is Cesar. Uh been working moved to North
St. Paul, working with North St. Paul for the past 10 years. I'm a small business owner, have a small cleaning business, uh work with local businesses and try to grow that side of our our business and I'm happy to be here.
>> Welcome. Thank you for Thank you for joining us. >> Thank you. >> Good morning, afternoon. How are you? >> Hello. >> You want me to can go next? >> Are we just introducing now? >> He's brand new. He's brand new. >> My name is Peter Ceser. >> Yeah.
>> Welcome. All right. What's >> all right? Next up is uh approval of December 9th meeting minutes. Uh I guess kind of a Did we already adopt the minutes from the last? >> I get a motion to adopt the minutes from the December 9th meeting. Please move.
>> So move Dave second. Anybody second Joe? All those in favor say I. I. Thank you. >> Now just meeting open to the public. Is this where our friends come into this part or is it something else?
>> Uh, that'll be Well, we could do that now. Um, I think I have >> You can have wherever you want it. I just There's nobody else besides our guest speaker here. So, >> yeah, let's do that. I think now's a good time for that. >> All right. Have Jim Lavell here. >> Thank you. Welcome, Jim. Appreciate it.
It's been a while since we've seen you. >> We enjoyed working with you on the Article 7 building. So, >> I enjoyed working with you and your staff, too. Yeah. Can you give us a little appreciate you give it a little update on what's going on in the world and >> Oh, sure. >> Um, well, I guess what I was asked to
come here for is just kind of share what I'm working on and what's working, what's not working. Is that what >> Yeah, we're just trying to see, you know, as far as you're out there, you're seeing what's going on as far as businesses, you know, commercial, how it's going, if there's been any big major changes since the, you know,
interest rates been going up and down. if how you're how it's looking out there for for us because it's part of the EDA. We're trying to you know make sure we're on top of what's happening so we can get some opportunities. We have a couple lots here that uh you know see where we could go with them and just kind of get
a feel what's happening out there. >> Sure. Why don't I tell you what I'm working on now because I think that applies. So there's some good things and smooth waters and sunny sunny skies, right? And then there's some choppy waters and some other stuff over there. >> Sure.
>> Um so and the staff knows this. We're um working with Collier's Mortgage. We're going to refi our article building. >> One of the reasons to do that is to extend the loan term out. We got financed in originally by Sunrise Bank at 6.3% and it's a five-year term and
it's got another 5-year extension on it, but we're going into a HUD program now that's going to allow us a 35-year AM and our interest rate will decrease. We actually just got our commitment last week which allows us to lock the interest rate. Mhm. >> We haven't yet because the 10ear is
bouncing because of things that are happening around the world. But the 10ear today at uh 4.12 which would give us an interest rate of about 5.3%. >> Wow, that's huge. >> So we save a full point on it. Those HUD
loans are a little expensive to originate. Um but long term there's a lot of benefit to do them. So >> Sure. >> So that's a what I call is a positive thing. we'll probably close on that loan um in the next pay say 60 to 90 days.
So, it's a positive thing. We're not going to take any cash out or anything. We're just going to roll it and anyway, so it's good really good for the project. Um, another good thing I'm working on now right now is uh I'm building the Culver's in Farable.
>> So, we have a relationship with uh Dana Wesley who's a franchisee. she'll own the business and will own the building. Um, we got our financing through that on December last year through Bellbank. They financed that at 5
uh 9% on a 5-year deal. Um, so that's another positive thing we have. Uh, it's a pretty sweet deal for everybody. Um, the way it's set up is the the cost of the project will be about four million bucks and she'll pay us about or 10% on
that. She'll pay us 400 grand in annual rent. So, it's a pretty sweet deal for us. But on the flip side of it, we've given to her is she could buy it from us at any time at a favorable cap rate to her. She can buy it at eight and a half cap where if we put it on the market, we
could probably get in between six and seven somewhere. So that's literally hundreds of thousands of dollars that she'd save. So something like that is a simple, you know, standalone little deal. Um, and it works. Um, some things that are bad right now
out there that I've seen, uh, I toured a building, is it four months ago? It would be lo, it's located on the, uh, northwest corner of 169 and 394. It's the interchange complex.
Bunch of white tall buildings. >> The building was at a auction. Uh it was about 14 stories, 13 14 stories. It was bought in 2018 for close to $40 million.
That building had Wells Fargo in it, uh university in it. Anyway, they're substantial vacancy now. Wings Financial foreclosed on it. Put it up for auction. It sold at 2.8 million bucks. >> Can't get a house in Plymouth for that,
are they? >> Right. I was looking at to convert it to apartments, but there were some structural things at the building that we thought were just too problematic to take on the risk. Uh about two weeks ago, uh downtown Minneapolis, the lumber
exchange building was put up for auction and it was sold for a buck. core downtown Minneapolis historic building that had tenants in it. One buck. Uh, city center downtown
Minneapolis was bought in 2017 or 18 by affiliate of Samsung for $387 million, something like that. Target had a million square feet in it. The pandemic,
they left, they never came back. Um, and then they paid they just paid $110 million to get out of their lease. The uh, and so they're not coming back. That money was put against the mortgage that
was like a hundred$100 million. That building is it's probably going to be sold for 30 or $40 million. Hundreds of millions of dollars gone. So big those really rough waters, right? >> Big
>> and there and that's repeated itself that story has repeated itself downtown Minneapolis and downtown St. Paul several times since the p pandemic has occurred. I mean literally assets that were bought for hundreds of million dollars were selling for you know single millions.
Um so that's really really rough water. >> I did hear too downtown there was two or three in St. Paul that were sold to nonprofits which you're not going to get that tax base then too. So you're going from you know those buildings where you had something coming in to you know the
rest of the taxpayers are going to have to pick that up then too >> right. I mean I've been really lucky in my career but I'll tell you a story about a build building that I did in downtown St. Paul right next to Union Depot. It's called the Dunigan. >> We did a sevenstory 91 unit apartment
building. It cost us just uh just under n or just under 20 million bucks. We built it started in 2019. Went through the pandemic and we watched downtown just change. Why we're building this building. Um
the building got done. This beautiful building. It got leased up. Then rent control happened and everyone freaked out. My role in that was developer and I had an ownership stake in it. But uh a buddy of
mine, Nick Walton, he uh signed on the debt and he was the asset manager. Anyway, so that building operated the way it did that we watched the neighborhood change. It did get filled up. Rent control happened. It was financed at uh 3.3%.
The debt had to get redone after five years at almost double six. So the we put the building up for sale. He put the building up for sale. It traded at $14 million. We lost 6 million
bucks in 5 years. An apartment building that I did. That's the only one I've ever lost in my career. >> Um we have some other buildings like the Aendale on in St. Paul. We financed I built that building after
done. Uh we financed that building at 2.82%. And now this July we'll have to refinance it come some somewhere between five and a half and six. So what happens is I mean you know you have to get a debt coverage ratio for what your net
operating income is and then there has to be so much cushion right so what happens is it's going to be a cash event either put cash in because you have got to solve for that math problem. Um so there's some good and some bad.
There's always good and bad. >> Um, >> you were interested in that Margaret Commons over there for a while across and we still have that available. What's your thoughts on, you know, with that type of situation where we have a piece of land? How aggressive should we be? Do we wait a while for things to to iron
out? I mean, you know, that type of thing. What is your thoughts on that? >> On Margaret Street, what we what we >> Yeah, I know. Yeah. have looked at it and we put >> we put a plan together that was a four-story building and 65 or 66 dwelling units with some on-grade parking,
>> some undergrad parking. >> We let me back up. Um, after we finished article or when we financed article, that building cost 25 million bucks and we had put we had to get up come up with $8 million in equity. So, my main partner Boser and I looked at it. It's
like, how do we how do we do more with less, right? How how can we take $8 million and do 10 buildings or six buildings, right? So, we hired three guys, Pete, Cody, and Andy, and they played uh their career has been in the
affordable housing space where you finance buildings with bonds and low-income housing tax credits. And you do you're still doing nice housing, right? It's just a different way. I've always played in bank financed and and those type of things. So we hired these
three guys and when we started talking about Margaret Street, Pete came from Dominium who's Dominium's got like 30,000 lower or you know workforce housing buildings. So Pete and I looked at different financing mechanisms that the
state of Minnesota offers and tax credit offers and on that building that size and what it would cost in today's dollar. There's very limited resources that we could go to to finance that project like that. There would also be
uh probably a tiff requirement. So it's it's a function it's a function right now of interest rates construction costs still interest rates construction costs and to make deals work now it see there's deals that are getting
done in the Twin Cities but when you see them they're 300 unit 200 you know larger deals that cities are helping bridge the gap and then there may be some other gap financing um so so the solution ution today. There
are new residential, you know, that size parcel doesn't allow for like when you're when you're underwriting a project. Um, if you get to 200 or 300 dwelling units, your your payroll cost per dwelling
unit, you know, you can underwrite that they're going to be more efficient on the building. on some on a smaller project, it just harder because you still need those people and you don't get the efficiencies that you need to make to make the numbers work because you'd be surprised
and really you talk about these big numbers and all this stuff, but the margins are so tight on these deals. You know, it's it's it's so it's it's a hard to solve from, you know, really proud with the things that we've done. We're I'm really I'm so grateful to the
to our partnership that we created for Article. the people are renewing their leases. Everyone seems happy. And so I'd love to do I'd love to go to Margaret Street and figure out how to do something we can get done there. I just don't I just don't know the answer for it today because the resources are so
competitive. I mean Minnesota has got um a really good pool of sophisticated developers on all like asset classes. So those resources get gobbled up so quickly. Um, and we're
now searching out of state. We have uh projects in Michigan, Wisconsin, Nashville, Pennsylvania, and these are all those these guys that we hired um to play in the more affordable housing space. Although it's, you know,
it's great housing. It's just got this workforce. It's got this name to it, but it's just it's financed different than just going to a bank and getting the money to do it. So, I haven't forgotten about Margaret Street. I'd love to figure out Margaret Street, but I don't know that I have today. I can I can't stand here and say
I have the answers on how to do that because um I'm going to provide the the type construction quality that that I'll live in, right? And maybe there's another guy that's figured out different construction methods that can make
something like that work. I mean, we studied every every way we could on it. We got three different bids from three different GCs on the concept plan. We did a lot of work on it. Um, and there would be there would be likely to be some component of tiff. I think that site qualifies for it. Meets
the sniff test on it. >> We got that old building in the corner. Yep. Keeping up for >> Yep. Um, >> so when you're >> But there's still I mean there's still there's good and bad out there, right? There's always good and bad and you're al always solving for a problem. And I
know your other sites that you have downtown. Um, it would be it would be more feasible or easier if they were actually bigger. So, you could create something bigger. >> Somebody has to either side of the empty lot has to expand like they're going to
build it or something. That's where we're at. That's why we're actually looking at >> pavement between side winders because people use it to park and it's not really a parking parking lot. It's pretty uneven. So the way the market is, we thought we'd pave that, use that for, you know, for everybody parks there
anyways, use that as a parking lot and we got the sign over there and I appreciate you, Ron, moving it over there for development. So that's kind of the one we're going to focus on, but as an EDA, you know, you could help us to maybe is it how much effort do we put into it or do we wait? I mean, is it big
enough for anything or is it just something we just hold on to as far as uh because the size? It's a weird shape. You got the alley in between. I mean, it's it's an odd spot. It looks like it's bigger because you think it goes all the way back, but then we got the alley easement behind it. So, it is not
a lot of room, even though it looks bigger than it is. >> Well, I don't know. Advertise your opportunities. I think you went out, >> right? I think that's smart to do. >> And if someone doesn't come, that doesn't mean that someday you won't get someone else to come. you can put
>> you actively you actively try to get because I know there was somebody that was on before they want to get a a group to go out and advertise and you know hire people to to try to do this for the for the lots and I we're just seeing is that is that worth it in this market
right now to be able to you know >> if you advertise it for a period of time and if you're not successful then take it >> go find it is what yeah right think >> yeah there's a lot of really good brokers too um in town. Um
you know, they do specialize. I mean, there's the broke, there's JLL, there's CBRE, there's callers. I mean, there's a lot of good brokers, and I would I would suggest to go with one of the qualified class A versus, and I'm not trying to
dispel any their talents, but versus a EDI a realy, someone that focuses on focuses on residential sales. >> Sure. Um, >> so and if your advertising isn't successful, take it down and then bring it, you know, take it take it back out, you know,
>> advertised in a couple things out there. It's just, you know, how much we're, you know, just wait for the market. We don't have any expense into it. It's been sitting there empty for decades. So, it's not a cost to us, >> but you know, is it better, you know, maybe a Culver versus you can slide one
in there for >> We need 1.2 2 acres and minimum of 45 parking stalls and >> 4360 foot building. Yeah. Two drive-through lanes. >> Well, we're off a little bit of space missing.
>> So, but All right. Well, >> so during the pandemic, they had issues with the supply chain issues and stuff. I think that's kind of been settled out, but now we're dealing with tariffs. Um, what are you seeing for kind of cost of construction? Has that changed? you know, we haven't really there hasn't
been any really roll down of the tariffs um that we've seen. So, one other deal that we're working on now is Essentia Health bought did this huge hospital up in Duth and we got introduced
to them um to see if we couldn't find figure out a way to do some workforce housing for all the people that work at that. It's under a just under a billion bucks. If you haven't been to Duth, it's build a beautiful building, but they're solving for people to live and work there.
So, Bowerer Design Build who gave who built the building down the street, Pete gave me a price to do a sevenstory building, 225 dwelling units about a month ago. And the cost for that building
was more than the building down the street by just roughly about a 3 and a half to 4% yearly in yearly >> yearly increase. And he's not they're and we talked to
several other builders, but they're not seeing lumber. They're not seeing crazy steel. when we did article the the pandemic created a bunch of uh chaos with electric transformers switch gear you'd have to
order this stuff when you're starting those buildings actually before you even started construction for the stuff to get there. So the the timelines on all that stuff is compressed. So everything's normalized, but every year they keeps going a tick like this, which is better than something like
that. And you know, but it's not it's not a decrease either. And so you can't you can't rely on just continually increasing rents just because of other things. The rent growth hasn't kept up with the growth of everything else is my
point. So if if interest rates if we start seeing threes and fours again, you'll see stuff rolling again. But unless there's some other we'll call it gap like up in duth the gap up there there
we had a round table with JP Morgan the Bush Foundation. We knew there was going to be a gap and there's all these stakeholders in duth and so right now on the price that we got we're solving for about a seven million seven $7 million gap even assuming tiff to do the housing
up there that they that they want. So the problems are the same everywhere you go and the Bush Foundation that the end of the day they might step up and provide the mo the majority of that.
So, we'll see. >> It's interesting. I just love, you know, to hear hear your different scenarios and how you take the money here and you, you know, it's it's it's an art trying to, you know, do finance. >> Well, there's a lot of smart people around me, a lot smarter than me. So, >> but you know, you don't realize all the
thought that goes into this. You just think, oh, you just build something. But no, there's so many different things and the money the revenue coming in and how you going to do this and different programs and >> with the art. >> No, you have a great downtown and I would love to figure out how to do some more housing here, some retail
buildings. I mean the same and then going back going back to when we were doing article there was this huge desire to have retail in our building. So, we agreed that we would for a period of time market the building, a portion of the building for retail spaces. And the
two there was like we had three hits out of close to 700 invites on it, right? Um Herbert Berts and Gerberts and who's the other sandwich guy? Jimmy John's.
and they both so they they design or you know bum wad on their deal and based on what interest rates were there like it's going to cost us we won't even based on our forecasted sales for this location it won't even pay for the tenant
improvements that we have to make to this building much less rent. So the the the problem they were solving for is the cost of money at that time when we were going through that exercise. The cost of money was too high for them to make deals work and the cost of construction. So the same problem.
>> Yeah. You had to come back to us because you couldn't get any financing for that floor if it was commercial. So we had to do some changes. >> Sunrise Bank would not give us revenue. They would not uh count the retail revenue
in the way they size the loan. they would only count the residential because it's it's a bit perception until you really understand it because if you go up and down Seventh, there's a few of the retail storefronts that look like they've been vacant forever. They're but
they're they're getting paid. People are using them, but they're using them like back a house, not front of house. So, the book the book reads kind of funny, right? Um so, yeah. Um, and then addition mixeduse buildings. I've we did the I did the
Grove, I did Sydney Hall, Dinky Dome, I did the Edge on Oak. Uh, I know I've done a bunch of them. And there's always an issue with the retail tenants in those buildings. The Grove was built in 20
21. It had four It's on Snelling and St. Clair. It's on the southeast corner. It's got 4,400 square feet of retail in it. Um the good clinic moved in. They opened all these clinics around town
and then they went belly up because they didn't have the money to keep operations going. So the building was built 21 so 5 years old. The good clinic moved in for a period of like 6 months about a year after the building was open and now it's been
vacant ever since. >> Yeah. on Snelling in St. Clair. >> It's a great location. >> Yeah, it is. >> That's I live in that neighborhood there. So, yeah. >> Yep.
So, there's always challenges. >> Yeah, it's always challenges. Is there any way, this would be a stupid thought I'm thinking, is there a way could take when we if and when we did get this community center taken down. Is there a way we could square that
whole property along with the 45 or 47 parking spots? square it off, dig down and do into your underground parking and build up from there like you did article 7 to give you underground parking for residential
above for more of a uh senior high-rise or stuff like that again. See what I mean? >> We Yeah, I mean that site's going to be big enough to get some volume on it. >> Get your square line and we could straighten out sea down there a little bit.
>> Mhm. And then take all the parking and put that all underground for the building to go up. >> Sure. >> And run it in off of First or the North St. Paul drive or whatever it is there. And because that's lower compared to where the floor is for the community center,
>> right? Yeah, for sure. >> That way, >> is that building in that bad a condition that you'd want to that you'd want to demolish it? Yeah, we're >> it's in the process. >> It was going to be 8.3 million to fix it. >> Oh boy.
>> It only paints two two million to to to build it in ' 92 or two something and it was 8 point because it was Yeah. Everything is is shot. It's the '9s where they had the foam with the fake stuckle on it, the birds peck at it, then the squirrels eat through it, then they run around the inside and so Yeah.
>> give you a good deal on it. >> Yeah. So, but yeah, so that's been on our plan because we just couldn't. We had a >> Yeah, we had a $5 million grant during the um two, you know, the $18 billion surplus that we got a um a grant to fix
it for five, but didn't even So, another three million. It's just we couldn't do it. We couldn't afford it with the residents and how much money that would cost. Plus, with the state, you had to keep it open 20 years aid. So, it just didn't >> financially. >> That's tough. >> Yeah. But
>> but if we could dig down, square the whole building off to the 47 parking spots along Franklin Apartments, go up from there from the other side from the west. >> Sure. >> That would be uh at least we're not losing the land and we can reuse the
property that we still own. >> Right. >> So, yeah. Well, >> well, there's uh there's always an interest from our group to come and see what we can do to create more here. >> That's good. >> For sure. Yeah, >> we're happy to have the relationship and
we're likewise. >> See what see what the future brings all of us. >> Yeah, for sure. >> It's been educational. Appreciate it. >> Yeah. Well, thank you all. Yeah, thanks for the time. >> Appreciate it. >> Thanks. >> All right, so next up is the election of the 2026 officers.
>> We can just kind of go over this. The uh officers that we have are president, vice president, treasurer, assistant treasurer, and secretary. >> So, we'll open it up for discussion and then >> So, right now, of course, it's I'm
president Joe's vice president, Brandon's treasure. >> Yep. and uh council member >> the assistant treasurer was open last year which was normally taken by the community development director but we were between community development directors at the time so um that will be
open secretary of course is is Chris. >> Yep. >> All right. Anybody uh have any thoughts as far as how it's uh any changes you want to see? >> Don't look at me.
>> I'm absent. >> You're absent. >> Oh, lordy. >> Are you here? >> Yes. So, >> unless there's any changes proposed >> if there any Yeah. If there's any changes, we could just go the same route as last time if that's acceptable to the group. >> That's fine.
>> Unless somebody wants to bump their career up. >> Treasury position stress you out for you. >> It was okay. It was okay. >> You managed. Way to go. Way to go. >> We'll buy you a new roll of uh tapes for your machine so you can print it off for us.
>> So, are you going to have a sale day for North St. Paul people to come out and eat at the River's Edge out there again? Down there. I'll come out. >> So, we have to do this individually then for a to vote. >> Um, I would like at least to uh do the
assistant treasurer and just make that clear because normally that is the community director and I would propose Ken for that. Um, so if you'd like to vote on that otherwise we can you can make it in one fell >> okay >> swoop if you're not planning on making any changes besides >> doesn't sound like any changes.
>> Yeah. In years past when the community development director was the, you know, >> yep, >> assistant treasurer, I mean, it's not an issue because there's checks and balances. >> They were 100% say on what happens with the budget, then I think that but that's
not the that's not the case. >> That still comes back here for a vote. >> Exactly. >> So there's not >> Okay. >> I don't see an issue with that. >> Sounds good. So have a motion to nominate Ken as assistant treasurer. >> So move. >> So move Joe.
>> Second. >> Second. Dave. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Oppose. Any. Okay. And the second one would be for John Mungy to remain president. Joe remain vice president.
Treasurer is still going to be Brandon. Does that work for everybody? Unless somebody else would like to change. If not, can I have a motion for that, please? >> So move. >> So move. Dave. >> Second. >> Second. >> Fasure Brandon. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I.
>> All right. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Uh we will bypass the discussion of current environment for construction since we just discussed that. Um move on. >> Educator. I'm glad you got a hold of Jim. >> Yeah, he he was great. >> He's a he's a wealth of knowledge. >> I didn't know who it was. So I was glad
to meet him or see him there. Yeah, >> he was great to work with through that whole project. Uh just very down to earth. Yeah, great guy. >> So he has a love for North St. Paul. He's mentioned that quite a few times with different projects and different people. So >> it's nice to have them
>> indeed. Uh next up, I'd like to open up for the city owned lot at uh 25797th Avenue East. Um, we did bring uh public works director Ron Richie here to shed some light on that lot. Quick, if we could please.
>> Still sits in the very back even though he knows he has to come up. >> You're not on camera with >> where the trouble ones are. >> It's only three steps for you. So >> that's why I sit in the back. Otherwise, I get otherwise you're too close. >> I gather my thoughts.
>> It's a lot of pressure coming up here. Um, well, I think I know most of you except I don't think I've ever met Peter, but my name is Ron Richie. I'm public works director. Most of you know that. Um, so anyway, um, we're talking about the lot, the Sidewinders lot or
next to Sidewinders. We refer to it as a Sidewinder lot, but actually was the old medical building. >> Yep. >> I believe it was torn down. I think the first year I started here in 2008, the city tore that down and underneath it was actually a it was a bomb shelter for
way back in the day. So, the concrete down there was really really thick. It took us a while to get it down, but um yeah, Brian, I I'm not sure where or what what the discussion or how you want this to go here. Um >> we're just wondering about the lot and
you know what it means to you guys for having to be able to store stuff there. also trying to plow something that's class five and you know some issues we've had with the lot. >> Yeah. So lot so just a quick rundown. I won't get into all the details but downtown uh getting the snow out of downtown how we handle that um is we
plow all the snow out of downtown. We basically we don't leave any banks to step over along the curb lines you know where where we plow we've kind of always done that. Um I think at the end of the day it's it's a great result just because we don't have that extra snow
down there. our banks for people to step over. But in order to do that, um the only way we can do it in the time that we have to do it is really we have from 1 to 7:00 a.m. And really that those that timeline is probably 2 to 6, 2 to 5
is kind of the sweet spot for us to do that. And that all depends on when the snow stops. But in order to do that, um we actually rent actually with all the new buildings now, we make two different piles on each end of town. one of them we we'd use that lot to pile snow and
then we used to pile it on the corner of Helen and 7th Avenue the little corner lot that used to be the right price gas station um but since that road project got done we don't do that the the way we took out some driveways going in there and we planted trees but that's used to
be our two snow storage spots well we kind of lost that one so now we're using our well uh house where our well is it's right behind the article seven building right in the corner of Helen and Sepa Boulevard back there. Um, so we have a hired contractor that we use downtown to
plow snow off the sidewalks and then we depending on how much snow we have, we send another one of our guys down there in a skid steer to plow the snow out the road and then we have a loader that with a 16T pusher on which we push the snow to those spots.
What that does is allow us the time to get the snow or get the snow out of there quickly and then to allow us time to p pile it somewhere and then haul it out at at a different uh time. Uh we actually lease another loader now because the buildings downtown we have
to push a lot further uh because we don't use that corner lot. Um, so it, like I said, doing that, it just gives us that time frame to get it out of there and um, pile it up there and then haul it out at at a different time. Um,
the lot the way that it's sit, we we haven't really it's it's partially I don't want to say it's paved. It's the remainder of the blacktop that was there where the building wasn't. um which and that lot goes from Sidewinders to the
the tattoo shop. So the property that we own is from building to building. Um so part of it is paved right up next to Sidewinders where the building was torn down. That's really dirt. Um we put recycle base in there, but if any of you have ever had a dirt driveway in the
winter time, freeze thaw cycles, uh it just ices up. Um we had a resident fall there. Um, she slipped and fell and she was going to get her hair done, you know, and she I I spoke with her on the phone and, you know, to salt it and
maintain it. It really doesn't work with the dirt. Um, we maintain it the best that we can um with what we got to work with, but uh having a dirt parking lot is uh it's it's not ideal. >> Breaks our code
against our own. >> Yeah. Yeah. I don't know if I should say that or not, but It's the truth. I say it. >> Yeah. So, you know, with that being said, you know, paving it, the lot is always full. Um, but like I said, we do use it as that snow storage part. And if
we end up losing that at some point, you know, there's going to have to be other discussions on how we're going to handle the snow downtown in a timely fashion. When we get a super big snowstorm, um, you know, if we're eight plus inches, we do have to handle a little differently.
we don't have the time to push it to those spots. We might push up in the stalls um on the end of all the parking stalls um just because we don't have the time to handle that much snow and then we'd have to come back in another night and come out and push all that stuff out in the road and then get it hauled out.
Um in the past, just kind of how that looks quickly. Um when we have that much snow, we just push it to the end of the stalls and then we hire contract trucking, usually four to six uh dump trucks and then we have a big snowblower that we can put on the side of the on this on the loader and then we we send
kind of everyone down there, all of our resources, all of our guys with skid steers and tool cats. We push all that out in the middle of the road. We wind row it and then we can use our big snowb blower and we fill trucks up that way to get it out. We can fill a truck up in about 30 seconds, the tandem axle truck
with the snowb blower we have, but it's another night that we come in to take care of all that to get all that snow out out of downtown. So, >> you bring it to Mcnite Field. Is that >> right now? We haul it Yep. to Mcnite Fields. That's really the only spot that we have to do that. And it's we we put a
pile right now in between the the two ball fields, the the Legion ball field and the the uh um softball fields. Um, what's bad about that too is that it's a kind of dirt back there too. So this time of the year if we had a big snow that we had to haul, you know, you go in
there, you sink in. But we've had it down there where we've hired a bulldozer to ramp it all up when we had a ton of snow and we just get it up as high as we can because really that's the only place we have to go without having to pay to, you know, dump it somewhere. So I don't
know if I hit on kind of everything. >> I think so. Yeah. just trying to point out how important that lot is to the downtown means for clearing out down there and for the businesses and stuff. So, um appreciate you bringing that information >> and we got pricing on it. I don't know if they have all that.
>> I got it here. >> Yeah, in there. Um we had this priced out so I I I forgive me. I don't I can't remember the time frame on it, but it was going to be it was looked at is in making that area into a park at one time. >> They call it a pocket park. Uh we had it
priced out about I don't know eight different ways. Half sod, half parking lot, all all grass, uh astroturf, um all kinds of different options with that and the price just was, you know, kind of went up and up and up and if we
put sod in there, we have to get irrigation back in there to maintain it. Um so I mean it's been looked at a whole bunch of different ways and then I think they decided that they were going to try to market it to sell it and then status quo, you know, it's kind of where it's
at. But, you know, if we have residents falls, we we can't take care of it properly. Um, the good thing on the pricing that we just got updated on here from when we got got it priced last time, it's about I think our cheapest bid is about $16,000 less than what what
it was um >> two and a half, three years ago. >> Yeah. Three years ago. So, for now, that's the case. Um, so >> yeah. So, we're looking at I think Brian asked to get some pricing on it and the mayor for for us to or I'm sorry, you're the
president. >> Yeah, president. >> Keep my title straight, would you? >> Yeah. Sorry. I might look the same, but yeah. So, uh, like I said, we got some bids to do that and I guess you guys are going to discuss what you want to do with it or but like like Brian said,
it's uh, you know, for what it's sitting there right now, you know, our luck, we'll probably pave it and then uh, someone will want to develop it, but I guess that's not the >> business. Well, how come with a nice new parking lot, the price of the lot went up? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So,
>> after we uh, sided the old city hall site, did we sell it? Yeah, we solded it and put irrigation in and >> plus it's an eyesore right now when you drive past it. >> It it is and hit by a bomb and it's just >> for city I think I think it's the right thing to do because it can be properly
maintained. It gets used like I said for and we can properly maintain it that way. So, um yeah, any questions that you guys have that I can answer, I'm more than more than happy to. When when they're going to lay this black top along side
winders, are they going to kind of put it in a curl so the water runs back towards the middle and the other >> Yeah, they we always when when they lay all that stuff out consider consider the drainage for their in their building. >> Yep.
>> Yep. >> And we can stripe it. Is that fine? >> Yep. There there's striping in the in the price of it. So >> how many car did it say? How many cars would be >> It does. Yeah. I don't you know I was looking back there. I was looking at that and I thought that might get asked. I I don't know, but we'll I'm sure we'll squeeze as many as we can out of it.
>> Well, you got against the wall. I mean, they're parallel or, you know, perpendicular there. So, I'm sure you get quite a few in that lot. >> So, we we'll figure out a layout for there. And, you know, when you do that, I'm sure we'll have to there'll have to be handicap parking in there and, you know, for there's a formula for that for how many you need. So,
>> perfect. And there's two entrances coming in off of Seventh, right? >> There is. >> That's nice. So, you can go in and out again and plus you can go off Sepha. So it is an easy access for the >> Yes. Yep. >> And that will remain the same. >> Would you change that? >> I Well, I don't
I we we haven't we didn't look at changing that. Um because you get into sidewalks and, you know, different things down there. And when you do that, there's some, you know, we had all those old planters down there. Some of them have been filled in with concrete. Some of them been filled in with black top over the years. So, it's kind of hard to
stop once you if you're going to start redoing some of that. Um, you know, it might get into a a little more, but um, we did not look at changing any of that. >> I'm just glad there's two, not just one. >> Yeah. >> All right. Any questions? Anybody?
>> So, what we're looking to do, the price was 70,000. Uh, the two bids, the lowest one is now $54,2381. So actually looking to make a motion to see if the EDA is willing to move forward with the expenditures to improve
that lot. >> I think at that price you can't pass it up right now. Plus then we're in regulation with us right now. We're not even following our own rules. >> What are we not following? You have to be on solid pavement for you know
>> any extra driveway has be supposed to have either concrete black top supposed to have that kind >> even on residential >> I mean it's one that's being used um as far as there's always people there
it's not like it's not taken plus it's too. I think it gives us a good opportunity to clean up the look. I think it look a lot nicer, too, when we drive past it. Look better.
>> I think it would look a lot better. >> Yeah. Yep. It solves a couple problems. Looks, snow, and parking. And we're in ordinance. So, >> do you have anything you like to add to that, Ken? Uh, I was just going to say if if the EDA wants to move forward, it'
be best to have a motion then a second. >> That's what we'll do. If there's no more questions, can I get a motion to do the pavement on 7th between Sidewinders and was it falling angel? Did you say >> that D place? >> Anybody have a motion for that?
>> I'll make a motion. >> Motion Dave. >> Second, Joseph. All those in favor say I. >> I opposed. All right. >> When we when are we looking to get this done? >> Well, I So, right now with just
everything in oil prices, we don't know how they're going to do. We're going to try to get the contract we'll try to get the contract signed with the with the contractor. And um I they'll get it on, you know, get it on their schedule. >> Key is to get the contract signed. So,
it's >> Is there any kind of a thing in there for variable pricing for oil? >> Excuse me. And this one I don't see. We'll we'll find that out. Um sometimes they have some stuff in the fine print or I know some of the contracts over the years uh they'll say, you know, they the
contract's good for 10 days and then there's a blurb in there that says if oil prices change, you know, they might have to do something, but we we'll find out. >> And is that is that would be part of the scheduling, too? Is there is is is their truck trucks big enough where they can't
be on the road during this time of year? >> Yep. So road restrictions are on right now. Once road restrictions go on, they can't be on any longer than six weeks, but they can pull them off, you know, depending on when frost comes out of the ground. So, like I said, a lot of that stuff, if you want to say worst case scenario, they're not going to be able
to do it in six till, you know, until six weeks out from now. But I'd be surprised if we got in the schedule that quick, but >> okay, >> we'll we'll see. >> Thanks for getting all the information together and it's going to be a good good look for the city and help it out. >> Okay. Thank you.
>> Thanks. Thanks Ron. >> Thanks Ron. >> Updates on facade improvements. Huh? Is that next? >> Yeah. So the sad improvement program uh last meeting we discussed potential of expanding the parameters of the program. So
currently right now it is strictly facade. Um I believe Chris do you know we've only had what two turned in for that? Yes, we have had two approved applications for it. >> What was the Do you remember amounts off ballpark even?
>> I know. >> No problem. No problem. Well, we put initially $200,000 aside for the program. So, we're well within its parameters and we've I've heard talk of other places that might be interested, but we just haven't had anybody come forward yet. So, one of the options that
we're looking at for potentially expanding the program, do you uh allow like rooftop units, an AC unit, a you know, something like that that could still help out the businesses for the downtown? I don't know if that would overwhelm us or not. Um, but I just kind of planted that seed at the last meeting
to see your guys' thoughts. If you guys have had any more thoughts about that, be open to open that up to for that discussion. >> Well, some of the buildings in North St. Paul are getting up in age like where Joe's uh offices are there. How much of
those older rooftops are in need of repair? And if you've done your own already, how many others will need it? even like um I know one of the folk
fellas that's interested in this is uh Hillrest Break and Alignment. You know, a building's been there a long time. I don't know what his situation is on the roof like that there either. >> Yeah, I'm not sure. Just
>> as a business owner, how does that how does that sound? Is that something where you'd like to see it opened up? You you know, as far as business owners, what your thoughts would be on that? definitely would be viewed as supportive of local businesses.
>> I mean, because there's always expenses, you know, you got to got to have heat. You can have a nice sign out front, but you don't have heat or you got a leaky roof. That causes troubles, too. >> And you're going to move. >> Yeah. I mean, this is goes a long way towards keeping downtown what's
downtown. And that's really what I would like to see too as far as, you know, we had a lot of growth and there was a lot of patience from everybody who's had buildings downtown and with all the all the construction and everything else going on, you know, it's really nice to pay attention and, you know, thank
everybody as far as, you know, sticking with it because, you know, it was it was an inconvenience for businesses. It was a tough time. >> So, you know, and we appreciate them being there. You know, it's like anything else. You know, you look and everybody wants new people to come in. Well, we want people to stay, too. So,
how can we get the businesses to uh stay is is the big thing as far as for us too to make to know that they're appreciated. >> And is that maybe extending a little bit more to the I know when we were talking at the signing or signing the um gave
the guy the check for the windows, you know, he said, "Boy, that'd be awesome if we could because he has some roof work. he has to go up there and have a kid shovel it off because it's, you know, starting to leak and if, you know, I can get it done a little quicker. Just like the windows on the front. He was only going to do half of them, but all of a sudden our grant came. He goes,
"Oh, now he's able to do all the windows up front now." So, you know, it helps them and helps the value of that building if they're there or if they want to move on too. >> And the difficult part about this might be what kind of parameters do you put on? I mean, can't just say RTUs, I mean,
or um, you know, is it just HVAC stuff? I mean is a known a boiler, an AC and an RTU. >> That's what comes to my mind. >> It's pretty vague. >> Say parameters. Where is it? Where is it at? >> Yeah. It can't be structural. It can't
be, you know, something like that. >> We open it up where we just listen to people that coming. I mean, everybody's gonna have a different idea if we're just opening up to parameters. >> How do you how do you pick and choose?
>> Is there That's the part I don't like getting into. >> Well, if we just pick 10 items and we can just tear it out on a timeline first. open it up for HVAC systems and roofs keep it organized that way
something to consider if we do take it to that level when you're talking about for example roofs I mean we maxing out at 40 grand and we're putting $200,000 towards this you'd only take a couple of those and you'd be done for the year as well
>> um >> so Then again, and you got eight submissions, they're saying, "Well, we like these two businesses better. We're going to go with that." >> Have to be a first come, first serve here.
>> You know, it's uh limited to a couple per year or something. >> Well, you have your funds available. So, once the funds are gone, then >> yeah, these funds are >> I mean, they're not going to be replenished pretty much every single year. We do have a budget for but yeah,
>> not for spending 60 grand on parking lots, >> you know, >> so >> sitting good right now. Y >> um yeah, we'd hope to have more people involved in the facade improvement program >> and it's half, you know, they have to
pitch in, too, so there's skin in the game. So that's >> and we lowered that. So that's been helpful, too. >> So how do we get out as far as businesses? How can we get even to just to get out for the facade part of it? We haven't had as many people as you know as businesses as we were hoping. You
know, you you're in the mix of it or you know has the business been tight for people? Is it um do they know about it? You know, was your do you have any thoughts on that? >> I think people know about it. >> Okay. >> It's been in our newsletter. We've posted on the website. Um I've made some phone calls. >> Yeah, I know. I've been mentioned in it,
too. But is there just not work to be done or people's like, geez, you know, that's a great, but I don't even have half to put in. So, you know, you just don't know where people are sitting. >> And there's some people just too busy to jump in that we could
>> have a meeting on businesses that are interested to come in and explain what it's all about. >> Well, I mean, >> I mean, with the letters we've already sent out, you know, >> I think the process is working pretty good now. I mean people if if they're interested they apply they um and then
they fill out the permit process and we can bring it back to the board here and um have that discussion. Yeah. Is it too I mean people got up you know two >> is there a handout that we could do
that if one of us folks go to that business that's interested in doing it I could hand them a flyer and say contact this person this person and we can go and learn have you listen to what we have to offer
>> it' be easy enough to make up um you know just reference them to our website and we can put it back into our newsletter again just to refresh it especially with the nicer weather coming along. >> Is there any anywhere else Ken that uh any other cities doing anything
differently to have you is there any kind of research you can do to see what other cities are doing as far as that when it comes to like facade or building improvements or some kind of a an EDA function? >> Um Mr. President, members of the EDA, typically what I've seen is their loan
programs and not grant programs. >> Yeah. >> And maybe they're low interest loans at 3% or 2%. So they're subsidized by the city that way and then it might go up to $200,000 or something depending on the project size, but that's not what we're
in here. >> Correct. Yeah. We voted we didn't want to have we don't we don't want to be a bank. We're just trying to help if we can. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> Am I hearing correctly? There's not necessarily an appetite for rooftop units or HVAC right now. >> Well, we don't know that part. There
seems to be been an appetite for a lot for what we're talking about already, you know, but we haven't expand because like you said, it's a slippery slope. How far do you go into it? And you know, so it's so it's so hard, you know, where do you from a construction standpoint,
somebody's, you know, somebody needs a new roof, you know, but their HVAC units are 20 years old, too. >> Well, you should be doing both at the same time, right? >> Well, you can't do both at the same time. Like, so then are we going to say if we give you this money to do a new
roof, you have to do that? You know, >> I just going back to this whole program, it's awesome. It's wonderful. Um, >> we can't just be blowing money away. >> Should we just stay with the facade end of it then?
>> Well, something needs to change. I think we're all in agreement there because not enough people are participating in that. So, something needs to change. Um, I'm surprised more businesses aren't
uh participating in it. Um, I think we've done a fairly good job and and letting people know that it's out there. I've talked to local business owners. They're well aware of it. business. >> I'm wondering how many of the businesses
downtown that the business owners are actually the property owners too if get the information to the building owners. >> One guy lived out in Blaine, the one that owns the building where Swedes is in. He's out that direction. He's a realtor for some company, but yeah, he
lives out out west somewhere. Yeah. >> Because the person should be hearing this would be the building owner. >> Building owner. Yeah. >> Yep. >> So, we can look into that a little more too to see if we have something in our
>> building too. You know who's who's in charge of that, right? >> That's a group of people about 13 people that are owners of that. But yeah, that can be looked into as well. When is is this information getting back to the owners from the people that are leasing
or the businesses leasing the space >> unless they're signed up? >> That might be a reason why there hasn't been a lot of interest. The the building owner hasn't really heard about it. >> And unless they're signed up for our newsletter or getting onto our website that yeah, we wouldn't sometimes not
even have their address. So, >> one about the VFW were uh they were turned down. Have they ever come back? Anything yet? >> Not for anything different than that. >> Okay. I know. At one time, one of the former council members was was talking about
starting to charge for downtown to have the snow removed. Didn't do the sidewalk and all that. I don't didn't like that idea, but is it something where maybe the EDA uses picks up that tab for that? So, it's not on the regular tax dollars
because it is part of the the business function. Any thoughts on that? How much is that a year? >> It wasn't I mean it wasn't crazy amount. >> That was a long time ago. It's >> No, when you guys build, but >> Yeah. But
um in the last two years though we we discussed about bringing that back charging business and I really appreciate what uh what uh Ron said too because I went up to Duth to canal this winter and I had to try to
get over that mountain to get to the store and I almost killed myself. I mean, it was just awful. And I remember just looking at that going, "Matt, I really appreciate downtown North St. Paul." I mean, you can walk right in. You don't have to try to go over the big hump where the meter was over in Canal
Park. It was awful. >> So, I mean, that's something where it benefits the the businesses, too. Maybe, you know, instead of coming out of the general fund, it could come out of the EDA fund as far as for the snow on that, too. I don't know if that's just moving money or
>> Yeah, I guess you'd have to vote on something like that and what we're here for. But yeah, I get it. >> Well, it's to support the businesses. That's why I'm destroying it because before it was starting to charge businesses. I really don't want to do that. I think it's provide a good service for that. That's something we
can think too. >> Yes. Oh, for the businesses. Yeah, the um Sidewinders, they I don't It's kind of what we really don't want to get into that right now. what's it the church and the and the tattoo shop.
>> But, you know, I I think what would happen is one of those two decide to sell, then we would, you know, join, you know, see if it's feasible or for us to buy it or to invest with them or we sell as a group type of thing. But because, you know, I know, you know, for the
amount of money we do in the tax thing, holding on to to properties that were in a distress and we picked up properties we have picked up have been the old BP which was vacant. We wanted to keep that for the 12 36 quarter, which makes sense so you don't have to buy somebody else out and old gas stations that the lot
was weird like um right price and stuff like that. >> That's how article 7 was done. >> Yep. That started out with the port authority for article 7 >> for the lily >> renting. Yep. Yep. So that's how that one. We got rid of that was four bladed
properties that um our article 7 came. They all got together and made a and that's how they got the development there. But you're absolutely right that that that's the reason why we want to talk about doing the black top too is that building that spot is not going to sell unless somebody else on either side
does something. It's just not big enough for anything to >> go in there. >> Um I haven't heard of it finally or not. >> I heard it's still on the market last I heard. >> Did you? Okay. >> Last last I heard. >> But
>> so well thoughts I mean it's a I agree with you Joe too. It's tough to you know draw parameters and you know we want to be there but it's have to keep budget in mind too.
Can we find out you know not to share but do research >> right? access records. You guys would know as businesses in town. There's 10 15 people that own real
estate downtown but aren't active. Let's try out >> makes a lot of sense. >> Let's try >> with the program we have now. Reach out to them with what we're doing. >> Yeah. And we'll see how that goes. structure something.
>> Do you think we just take the program we have right now and just reach out to the owners and see how that goes and then we can tweak the program if they nobody's interested? If they go, "Oh, wow. You're going to do windows. I can do that. But nobody told me that that was happening. >> That's our logical first step. >> Okay. >> Sure.
>> So, if we hit the owners with the tax records and then tell them what we got going right now and I don't know if you can do kind of almost like a survey too of, you know, we're Yeah, >> it's so tough.
>> We can certainly do that. >> Yeah, let's do that. Let's We got the program in. We've had a couple people interested. Maybe just not getting to the right people. Just like you said, maybe it's just not getting to >> I don't know how the guy I should have asked him, the guy over at Swedies, you know, how that came about, but he
thought it was an awesome program. He goes, "Well, these windows, you know, they're terrible." Because he faced south, you know, he they're hot and you know, summertime or the winter, you know, the summertime coming in and, you know, they were just single pane. It made a big difference for him. And he looked at your guys' building over in Centennial and did black ones because
he, oh, I wanted to match. They look really nice across the street there. So, >> yeah, we can do another push on this program. >> Let's do that first. And because just there's I think we when we talk about this stuff, we have more questions than answers when we're with it because it's always like, well, if it does that, then
it does it extend into this, what kind of parameters, you know, how much of the of that budget do we are we going to put up for, you know, as far as um improvements? And you know, I don't know what some of the the other ones for the
EDA did as far as um uh getting involved with some of these bigger things. Was the EDA involved much with uh uh article 7 and um uh Sentinel? >> Uh a little bit at first. I mean, they got the port involved. Um they gave us
good direction. It kind of gained a feet from there. >> Yeah. And we did we had a whole section there that really needed to be redeveloped. We don't have huge sections right now >> that you know we it was awesome that where the old city hall was you know to get that building in it was perfect and of course now we have anchor anchors
completely developed so we don't have a lot of spots left that unless something gets torn down and or something you know big movement on that >> but then we part of our hometown thing too is we have these little quirky old
buildings and that's part of our culture too. So the charm, >> we want to try to make sure that, you know, >> they're welcome and we, you know, we want to help them keep them going because it's part of our quaint downtown. >> Indeed. >> So, let's do that. Let's start out with that. See how that goes. Our next
meeting in in uh June, we can decide if what other kind of tweaking and if there's anything else that comes up. >> Perfect. I do have one more uh issue to discuss under that facade improvement program. And um if you guys can picture the dew building
on the corner of Charles and 7th Avenue, um they have a retaining wall that is out in front of it that's pretty well disintegrated. Um in your opinion, would the facade improvement program apply to that? Um I've not reached out to him,
but if you guys thought it might apply, I know that that project would be probably over $100,000. So it' be could be potentially a $40,000 turnin for a rebate but our grant part but if you guys are open to that I can reach out to
them and see >> or do you feel that's not really part of a storefront per se or windows or doors or sign or >> which building is this? >> The do building um >> concrete that's falling apart on in their sidewalks
>> the retaining wall. And they have like a a railing and a ramp that goes up to the up to the offices. So he has like a retaining wall ramp and then uh building 20 grand's the most they can get.
>> Is that what we maxed out? Was it >> 20 grand's the most? 20 grand's the most. >> Oh, so they they'd have to spend 40. >> I had a double No, I it's not. I just needed to double check. 20 grand was the most. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Not sure. I haven't reached out. I know
what they want to improve it. >> Whatever. Yeah, that's independent of us here, but yeah. >> Yep. >> Well, it's the facade. It's I was going to say I I >> that would be part
my opinion. >> Yeah, that counts as a facade in my mind. right on the sidewalk. >> You can see it high profile. >> Yeah, >> it improves the look. >> Anybody else good with that? >> All right.
>> Wonderful. >> And see if they're looking at doing something. >> All right. Unless anybody has anything else else about the facade improvement program, we can move on to discussion about the car show. Yeah, sounds good.
>> So, we've been looking for um another agency, if you will, to pick up the other Fridays of the car show. Um that uh the car show, you know, their their personality is getting older, the people
that kind of run it, they're 70s and 80s, and it's getting harder for them. And so, they were cutting back. They went to halftime. Um going every other Friday. Um, we've reached out to a couple different programs, but we have one that's pretty interested. They have not signed anything yet, but uh, it's looking pretty good that we might have
somebody else to pick up those other Fridays. I don't know how much detail I want to get into it since they don't have a signed contract. Um, but they are hoping to come to council probably on the first April meeting on the 7th um, to make introductions and uh, have
council approve that contract. So, really good for the downtown businesses. Um, >> nice. >> Yeah, pretty excited about that. >> Thank you for your work on that, too. I know that's a big concern with all of the business owners. I shouldn't say
all, but a lot the business owners up. >> Yeah, it happened kind of bang bang. We talked to one agency that they sounded pretty interested and then the next day got another lead and they were on board right away. you were so >> a lot of good things about how how it is
for us down here. >> Yeah, they're all familiar with the program and our car show and have been to it many many times. So, so that was just kind of a heads up with that which I think >> for this whole community.
>> Yeah, very very beneficial. So, sorry to be so vague but at least it's good news. I just want to get it out there. >> Yeah. >> Very good. Do you have anything you'd like to add to that, Kent?
>> Kent and then just updates. Um, I'll turn it over to you for staff updates at first. Oh, staff updates. What are we doing, Chris? Oh, uh, Quick Trip got approved, uh, to add
a second car wash. Hopefully, they'll be applying for their permits any time to go through. Uh so that'll be a nice addition. Apparently they're very busy and very popular. The other thing we're working on right now
or starting to work on is the update to the comprehensive plan. That needs to be done in about two and a half years to the Met Council. So at some point we'll be coming back to the EDA to get your comments on the economic development
chapter in the plan. My sense is right now that the plan itself, a lot of it is still very relevant and useful. So I don't foresee a major rewrite where we just start from scratch and start over.
But there's still a lot of work that needs to be done. A lot of things that need to be updated uh reflect new development, new development trends, all new statistics that are 10 years newer than what's in the current plan. Uh,
so I would I would think we'll be back to the EDA by the end of the year to talk to you in more detail about that. That's it'll be coming fast. Two and a half years seems like a long ways, but really we need to have that submitted in about
two years to give the Met Council their time to do their reviews and make any changes that might be necessary. That's probably the Oh, we We are working on a grant application
with the DNR for improving the hockey rink at Casey Lake Park. That would be a 50-50 grant match. Uh we council approved that back in February to make the submitt. We made a preliminary submitt of a preliminary application.
DNR sent it back with some comments. change this, correct this, provide better information. But it wasn't anything really too ownorous or frightening, and then we'll wrap that all up and we have to submit that by the end of March.
We'll hear by summertime if the city gets the grant. I think we're in a good position, but depends how many grants they get and our grant applications, how much money they have. The idea is if it gets approved, we'd finalize construction plans in 2026
and redo the hockey rink in 2027 so it be open in the fall of 2027. The big thing is the proposal is to tear out all the rink that's there, put in a concrete base of five or six inches of concrete so it can
be used 12 months of the year. It'll be of course level and and all that. So it works better for flooding in the winter, holds the water better, and having a light concrete surface. It won't melt as fast with our winters being a wonky. Who
knows? But it'll be also striped for summer use, whether it's roller hockey, maybe pickle ball, maybe just even for riding scooters and bicycles in it. The DNR likes to know that if they're grant giving grant money, it'll be used
for outdoor activities 12 months of the year. We're trying to emphasize that. So, that that'll be a really nice addition to Casey Lake Park if we can get that. And we had had uh a few hockey teams reach out about renting it or at
least reserving it. And if we can put in a and it would have all new dashboards and new lights, too. It' be a complete rebuild. some paid parking right by the rink. If that all can come together, uh I think it'll get a lot more use and it'
be definitely a benefit to not just North St. Paul, but anybody that skates, ice skates in the area. That is all I have. >> Or which >> Oh yes. Thank you, Brian. Uh we are in the
process of re reviewing RFPs for the solid waste and recycling contract for the city that expires September 1st. We put out RFPs saying please make a submittal if you want. We
received seven proposals which is good. Our consultant said usually you might get three or four. Uh couple of national companies and several local companies. We're starting to review those seven proposals now. Uh
looking at not only the financials, but are there alternative services that they could provide and at what cost for saying picking up bulky waste? So maybe cleanup day isn't such a crazy mad house on the first Saturday or second Saturday
in May. Uh maybe it gets picked up, maybe you get to put out two items a month and then that's just cost is rolled into your uh solid waste garbage recycling bill that the city collects.
Uh maybe they do it where one Monday a month they're out picking up things with with the reservation. Those are alternatives we will be looking at very carefully when analyzing the contracts and we can what we're expecting to do
we'll have two or three I think that'll kind of rise to the top. We have a committee of staff people looking at the contracts with our consultant. We'll bring those companies in for interviews and learn more about them and see what
they're doing and maybe put some alternatives back at them and say, "Well, we're looking at this. This other company's proposing this. Can you match it? Can you modify your proposal?" And uh I think in the end we'll have a better setup than currently have. It'll
be a five-year contract, so we don't have to go through this too often. But yet, it, as Dan has said many times, it does show the value of having an RFP because you don't know what you're going to get unless you put it out there. And it took some time. We had some good help with our consultant and and the city
staff put some uh a lot of thought into it. And uh we hope to have a contract proposal to the council by the end of May, get that signed. So then there's if there's transition to a different hauler, they'll be ready to go by
September 1st. >> Sounds good. >> Thanks. >> Um I got one quick thing to add. Um we are working with a fiber contractor um on some final contracts for have for the
weather's pole attachments or rightaway permits, things of the such. But, uh, that is Metroet is looking at getting a foothold in our city and, uh, we're working on the final contracts for that coming up. So, more to come on that, but
just getting that off the ground. >> Forward to getting north. It's not quite as far up as me yet. >> Yeah. Yep. >> All right. >> Go around. Yep. >> Does anybody have anything? I know we're past our time, so I don't want to if if anybody has anything that they would
like to add at this time. If not, I really appreciate uh you guys coming in and the value you give to the city and uh it's uh it's much appreciated and we'll do this again in June. I'll ask for a motion to adjurnn. So move.
>> So move Dave. Second. >> Second, Joe. All those in favor say I. I. Thanks everyone. >> Thank you.