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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20171211 CCM WSROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS DECEMBER 11, 2017 CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a work session meeting of the Rosemount City Council was held on Monday, December 11, 2017, at 6:30 p.m. at Rosemount City Hall, 2875 145th Street West, Rosemount. Mayor Droste called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm with Council Members Nelson, Weisensel, Freske and DeBettignies attending. Staff present included the following; o City Administrator Martin o Chief of Police Scott o Community Development Director Lindquist DISCUSSION 2.a. Receive Update on Results of Pending Litigation The City Council will go into a closed session pursuant to Minn. Stat. section 13D.05, subd. 3(b) for an attorney-client privileged discussion related to the pending litigation of Hoyland v. City of Rosemount, et al. Motion to enter closed session pursuant to Minn. Stat. section 13D.05, subd. 3(b) made by Droste, Second by DeBettignies. Mr. Jason Hiveley from Iverson, Reuvers & Condon represented the City of Rosemount on the aforementioned litigation, and he updated the Council on the process and the current status of the case. Motion to open the City Council worksession. (7:15pm) made by Droste, Second by Nelson. 2.b. Market Discussion with Ben Drew, Cushman & Wakefield The City Council was joined by Port Authority Members Wolf and Smith to receive a market update from Mr. Ben Drew of Cushman & Wakefield. Mr. Drew and his team are currently retained as commercial brokers by the property owners of the commercial sites on the east and west side of Akron Avenue. Mr. Drew provided background on the recruitment activities undertaken in recent years on these parcels, including the commercial businesses Cushman & Wakefield have specifically marketed the property to. Mr. Drew also discussed feedback he and his firm have heard from potential clients regarding the opportunities and challenges at this site. Most notably, Mr. Drew discussed the need to increase traffic volumes and housing construction / density in the direct vicinity to fully entice a retailer to locate in the area. He also discussed the potential development of UMore Park, and the likelihood that commencement of significant activity on that site would result in positive activity at the Akron Avenue site. He noted changes in the marketplace for retailers and indicated that their approach to development has changed. He indicated that retail now waits until the market is there, and doesn’t want to get in front of customers. He noted that the property owners are very motivated to sell the land and had it out to market at a deep discount, contacting various commercial developers in the Twin City marketplace. That exercise did not result in a buyer at this time. Mayor Droste discussed comparable developments in surrounding communities and inquired as to the 6.a. ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS DECEMBER 11, 2017 differences in this property. Mr. Drew again discussed the need to increase a potential customer base prior to a retailer entering the site, and compared the current traffic patterns in this area to more heavily trafficked sites in Dakota County. Councilmembers and Port Authority members discussed the short and medium term opportunities in this area, specifically tied to the likely imminent decision from the University of MN regarding the first phase of residential development at UMore. Mr. Drew reiterated the attributes of the site which made it good for retail in the future; its geological features, location, and proximity to major thoroughfares. He encouraged the group to remain patient and hopeful on its future, as it will be an attractive site when the timing is right. 2.c. Discuss 2018 City Council schedule City Administrator Martin discussed the 2018 Council calendar, specifically addressing City Council meeting dates requiring adjustment due to holidays, City events, and the 2018 General Election. City Administrator Martin also discussed the potential of moving the City Council’s monthly work sessions to the currently available 5pm – 7pm window of time prior to the 1st City Council meeting of the month. This could be done on a trial basis, and additional work session time could be added at other times during the month as needed. If successful, this would lead to the elimination of the currently scheduled work session on the 2nd Monday of every month. City Council members expressed their support of this plan and their willingness to experiment with it starting in January 2018.They indicated they are willing to schedule additional work session time is needed as they want to make sure there is enough time to discuss pertinent issues. City Administrator Martin also discussed his potential paternity leave in late January, pending the birth of his first child. He would anticipate taking two weeks of leave after the child’s birth, and the City Council expressed their support of this plan. STAFF & COUNCIL UPDATES Council member Freske inquired about the status of potential Downtown project and the former Applebee’s site. Community Development Director Lindquist provided updates on both of these projects, including the fact that staff has met on several occasions with the owners and broker of the downtown mall to discuss their future plans. Mayor Droste provided an update on the current activities of Rosemount’s Beyond the Yellow Ribbon group, including the fact that 190 meals were served at November’s Veterans Day Dinner. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the City Council, with a motion from Droste adjourned the meeting at 9:10 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Logan Martin City Administrator