HomeMy Public PortalAbout10/23/2014 Special City Council MinutesSPECIAL MEDINA CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 23, 2014
The City Council of Medina, Minnesota met in special session on October 23, 2014 at
7:30 a.m. to conduct a business focus group. .
I. ROLL CALL
Members present: Martin, Pederson, and Weir
Members absent: Martinson and Anderson
Also present: City Administrator Scott Johnson, Assistant to City Administrator
Jodi Gallup, Public Works Director Steve Scherer, and City Planner Dusty Finke.
II. BUSINESS FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION
City Council and staff had a discussion with representatives from Walter G. Anderson,
Loram, OSI, and Polaris to better understand how the City of Medina can help
established businesses to stay and to expand in Medina and how to attract new
businesses to Medina.
The City received feedback on some of the areas that the City could improve upon to
help streamline commercial development or expansion. Some of the main issues
included: city codes, length of time to get through the process, cost of engineering fees,
and cost of SAC/VAC charges.
Ideas to address these issues include the possibility of adding a second Planning
Commission meeting in a month if there were additional projects to review, changing
some of the city processes to give staff authority to administratively approve simple lot
combinations or other simple projects to avoid the current lengthy process, figuring out if
there are some trade-offs that would benefit the City to allow lower SAC/WAC charges
and the City having more oversight on how the City Engineering firm was spending
money.
It was noted that the City did establish a SAC fee deferral program to allow businesses
to defer their fees for up to three years, which some businesses have taken advantage
of this program.
The need for more affordable housing in Medina was also addressed because most of
these companies' employees cannot afford to live in the City of Medina.
Transportation was also discussed. OSI stated that most of their employees live in the
heart of Minneapolis and would like public transportation to Medina. The other
companies said most of their employees live west of Medina and would not need public
transportation.
Discussion took place on the improvements the City has already implemented to try, to
help businesses such as adjusting ordinances to increase hardcover, adjust parking
requirements, increasing outdoor storage standards, updating the sign ordinance, and
allowing up to four story buildings.
Medina City Council Special Meeting Minutes 1
October 23, 2014
III. ADJOURN
Adjourned the Business Focus Group meeting at 8:45 a.m.
izabeth Weir, Mayor
Attest:
J
Scott Johnson, City Administrator -Clerk
Medina City Council Special Meeting Minutes 2
October 23, 2014