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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil_Connection_101910Council hears plans for Regional Economic Development Agency To develop more jobs in the Twin Cities, the City Council is considering investing $10,000 annually in a new Regional Eco- nomic Development Agency. For three decades, the Minnea- polis-St. Paul region’s economy outpaced the nation in employ- ment, wages and overall Gross Domestic Product. During the past decade and well before the current economic downturn, however, the region fell behind much of the nation in terms of job growth. A group of business leaders – the Itasca Project Job Growth Task Force – came to- gether to study factors that support job growth and identify strategies and policies to cre- ate, attract and retain quality jobs. Having completed its research and proven the need for a Re- gional Economic Development Agency similar to those in Kan- sas City, Pittsburgh and Char- lotte, the task force has launched a search for a CEO and is beginning to secure its founding investment. Cities in the 13-county metropolitan area with a population between 20,000 and 50,000 are asked to contribute $10,000 annually to fund the agency, which will work on behalf of the entire region to grow jobs. Council members have ex- pressed interest in being a part- ner in the Regional Economic Development Agency, and will consider the matter further during 2011 budget discus- sions this month and next. Unpaid utility bills certified The Council certified unpaid utility bills to the county for collection. More than 700 utility accounts for water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer and recycling with bal- ances of over $50 and delin- quent one month or longer were notified that the unpaid amounts will be certified to the county in November if they are not paid. The accounts total more than $503,500. Staff is hopeful that some of the ac- counts will be paid before Nov. 19. In 2009, about $365,000 in delinquencies was certified. In 2008, approximately $210,000 was certified. Concerned about the number and total value of delinquent accounts, the Council asked the Finance Director to consider certifying them twice a year or quarterly, and suggested the names of the larger account holders be publicized. The list of properties and delinquent amounts to be certified is public record, but has not been publi- cized to date out of respect for the owners’ privacy. The Fi- nance Director will work to de- velop a recommendation for future collection. Council grants preliminary approvals for ‘Y’ expansion The Council approved a prelimi- nary development plan and preliminary rezoning for an ex- pansion of the Southdale YMCA. Last year, the City approved plans for the YMCA to tear down and rebuild a new fitness facil- ity with a two-level parking ramp and a four-story, 130-unit, 136,000-square-foot apartment building. The YMCA has aban- doned those plans and now seeks to expand its current A summary of the Oct. 19 Edina City Council & HRA meeting Oct. 21, 2010 Volume 12, Issue 20 Council Connection Upcoming meetings: Transportation Commis- sion, 6 p.m. Oct. 21 Human Rights & Relations Commission, 7 p.m. Oct. 26 Planning Commission, 7 p.m. Oct. 27 Art Center Board, 4:30 p.m. Oct. 28 City Contacts Interim City Manager Ceil Smith 952-826-0402 City Clerk Debra Mangen 952-826-0408 Planning Director Cary Teague 952-826-0460 Finance Director John Wallin 952-826-0410 Park & Recreation Director John Keprios 952-826-0430 We’d like to hear from you … If you have any comments, call Communi-cations & Marketing Director Jennifer Bennerotte at 952-833-9520. The text of this publication will be available online at www.CityofEdina.com. www.CityofEdina.com facility. The expansion would add 15,300 square feet to the existing facility on York Avenue. A new leisure pool, fitness cen- ter and studio would be added. The Southdale YMCA is ex- pected to seek final develop- ment plan approval later this year. Council OKs construction of new pharmacy The City Council also approved plans for a new pharmacy in the greater Southdale area. CVS Pharmacy plans to build a 14,492-square-foot retail store with drive-through facilities on the vacant lot at 6905 York Ave. The Council granted final development plan approval for the project, lifting a previous condition prohibiting drive- through facilities on the prop- erty. Council approves bonds The Council approved the sale of bonds. The sale of $9.225 million in General Obligation Capital Im- provement Plan Bonds, Series 2010A, will refund the Public Project Revenue Bonds, Series 2002, which were originally issued for construction of City Hall and the Police facility. The estimated savings by this re- funding is approximately $90,000 per year beginning in the 2011 taxes payable year. The sale of $2.595 million in General Obligation Bonds, Se- ries 2010B, will finance $2.355 million of the 2010 street reconstruction projects and finance $240,000 in equipment purchases levied in the 2010 budget under equip- ment certificates.