EDA

Blaine City Hall City of Blaine 10801 Town Sq Dr NE Blaine MN 55449 Anoka County, Minnesota Minutes EDA The purpose of the Blaine Economic Development Authority is to increase the City’s commercial/industrial tax base, provide employment opportunities, undertake redevelopment to enhance and maintain neighborhood economic stability, and address special needs, such as senior housing. As authorized under Minnesota State statutes, the Blaine City Council also serves as the Blaine Economic Development Authority. This meeting will be a hybrid of Zoom and in-person. The Mayor has signed a declaration allowing members of the council, staff, and the public to attend the meeting remotely via Zoom as has been done during the COVID-19 pandemic. The council chambers will have limited seating, with audience chairs being set up at least six feet apart. There will be an overflow area where the meeting can be watched in the Cloverleaf Farms Room, also with chairs set up at least six feet apart. Please note that all visitors to city hall are required to wear a face mask while inside the building. Public comments may be submitted prior to the meeting by sending an email to PublicComment@BlaineMN.gov or by calling 763-717-2782 no later than Noon on Monday, December 21. Public comment during the meeting will be taken both remotely via Zoom and in-person in the council chambers. Members of the public can join the Zoom webinar at, https://blainemn.zoom.us/j/96558249205 Monday, December 7, 2020 7:20 PMto the COVID-19 pandemic, city meetings will be held as Due virtual meetings until further notice. 1 Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:20PM by President Ryan followed by the Roll Call. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic this meeting was held virtually. 2 Roll Call Quorum Present. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Michelle Wolfe; Community Development Director Erik Thorvig; Public Works Director Jon Haukaas; Police Chief/Safety Services Manager Brian Podany; Finance Director Joe Huss; Public Services Manager/Assistant City Manager Bob Therres; City Engineer Dan Schluender; City Planner Lori Johnson; Communications Technician Roark Haver; Communications City of Blaine Page 1 EDA Minutes December 7, 2020 Manager Ben Hayle; and City Clerk Catherine Sorensen. Present: 6 - President Ryan, Commissioner Swanson, Commissioner Jeppson, Commissioner Garvais, Commissioner Robertson, and Commissioner Paul Absent: 1 - Commissioner Hovland 3 Minutes 3-1 APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 2, 2020 EDA MINUTES Attachments: Minutes Moved by Commissioner Robertson, seconded by Commissioner Swanson, that the Minutes of November 2, 2020, be approved. A roll call vote was taken. Motion adopted unanimously. Aye 6 - President Ryan Commissioner Swanson Commissioner Jeppson Commissioner Garvais Commissioner Robertson Commissioner Paul 4 New Business - PUBLIC HEARING 4-1 GENERAL PATTERN COMPANY MINNESOTA INVESTMENT FUND (MIF) LOAN EXTENSION Community Development Director Thorvig stated General Pattern Company (GPC) is a family owned single source solution for plastic part manufacturing including design, prototyping, tooling and forming of plastic parts. GPC been operating in Minnesota for over 95 years and has operated for the last 34 years from its sprawling 200,000 square foot campus in the City of Blaine in the Northstar Industrial Park just south of 85th Avenue near 35W. GPC also has a 55,000 square foot site off of Radisson Road, north of 109th Avenue. Mr. Thorvig reported in 2017, GPC received a Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF) loan from the state of Minnesota in the amount of $450,000. The MIF provides financing to help add new workers and retain high-quality jobs on a statewide basis in manufacturing, and technology-related industries. The MIF loan application is prepared and submitted by city staff and funds are awarded to the local unit of government (EDA) who provide the loan to the eligible business. Therefore, the City acts as a pass through and administrator for the loan however there is no financial risk to the City if the loan defaults. The company is current on loan payments. The loan allowed GPC to fund an expansion project that included purchase of a 28,800 square foot building at 3100 84th Lane for $1,750,000; purchase of new machinery and software for $1,195,000 and $538,000 in renovations to the purchased building for a project total of $3,483,000. The acquisition of the building and other expenses has occurred over the last two years. Mr. Thorvig explained at the time of the agreement being executed, the company City of Blaine Page 2 EDA Minutes December 7, 2020 had 108 employees. The loan agreement required the company to hire 30 employees at various wages by 12/1/2020. The company provided annual reports in 2018 and 2019 and were on pace to exceed the hiring requirements. Unfortunately, due to the economic circumstances occurring in 2020, the company isn’t able to meet the staffing requirements by the required 12/1/2020 deadline. The company is requesting a one-year extension through 12/1/2021. The company is confident they will be able to meet the employment requirements. If the company is not able to meet the employment requirements by the compliance date, all loan funds must be returned to the state of Minnesota. President Ryan opened the Public Hearing at 7:26PM. Denny Reiland, General Pattern Company, introduced himself to the council and thanked staff for the thorough report. He discussed how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted his business in 2020, noting his business closed entirely during April and May. He stated since that time his business has reopened. Mayor Ryan thanked Denny Reiland for his outreach in the community and to the local schools. President Ryan closed the Public Hearing at 7:30PM. Commissioner Garvais thanked Mr. Reiland for all of his contributions to the community. He stated he fully supported the one year loan extension for GPC. Commissioner Paul thanked Mr. Reiland for his betterment to the community. Moved by President Ryan, seconded by Commissioner Garvais, that Resolution No. 20-15, “General Pattern Company Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF) Loan Extension,” be approved. A roll call vote was taken. Motion adopted unanimously. Aye 6 - President Ryan Commissioner Swanson Commissioner Jeppson Commissioner Garvais Commissioner Robertson Commissioner Paul 5 Other Business None. 6 Adjournment Moved by Commissioner Robertson, seconded by President Ryan, to adjourn the meeting at 7:34PM. A roll call vote was taken. Motion adopted unanimously. Aye 6 - President Ryan Commissioner Swanson Commissioner Jeppson Commissioner Garvais Commissioner Robertson Commissioner Paul City of Blaine Page 3