Lake Elmo City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Old Fire Station and Public Works Building RFP
2025 Eda Work Plan
Votes (2)
Discussion and Approval of RFP for the Old Fire Station and Public Works Building
Moved by Committee Member [0:48:07] · Seconded by Committee Member [0:48:10]
The Eda reviewed a draft RFP for the redevelopment of the Old Fire Station and Public Works Building. Key discussions included commissioning an appraisal and a Phase One Environmental Assessment prior to RFP release, setting a minimum purchase price ($100,000) and subsidy guidelines. The evaluation criteria were debated, specifically the weight given to preserving the fire station (20 points) versus promoting public space/streetscape improvements (10 points), leading to a proposed adjustment. Post-closing performance measures, including timelines for permits, completion, business operation, and reverter/clawback clauses, were thoroughly discussed to protect city interests. The need for a robust marketing plan and clear communication regarding desired commercial uses was also emphasized.
Review and Discussion of the 2025 Eda Work Plan
The Eda discussed the draft 2025 work plan, which outlined major goals such as business retention, collaboration, and community-centered development. Key action items include issuing an RFP for the old fire station/Public Works building in Q1, and developing a plan for the 180 acres using ULI technical assistance or commercial brokers, aiming for an RFP by year-end. Emphasis was placed on enhancing communication efforts with a new coordinator and promoting economic development resources. A critical point raised by a committee member was the inclusion of continued work on solar initiatives through the 3M Priority 2 Program, which was subsequently added to the plan.
Notable Quotes (8)
We discussed a minimum purchase price of $100,000 and then we're looking at if someone comes in with a purchase under the the appraisal price it's considered potentially a business subsidy...
I think it's in the best interest of the city to get the phase one only because if we don't the buyer potential buyer will get one most likely with their financing and then we're kind of trying to renegotiate this because we don't really know what we're dealing with at that point.
I was really surprised to see that the the encouragement of the preservation of the fire station it's not it does you know it's not like it's classic architecture you know uh it just it strikes me that the using that building would might hinder development options rather than promote them or promote any benefit to the city which is where this is benefits to the city.
I don't think that a redistribution of points would be a bad thing necessarily and and maybe um I like the community benefits being High but yeah you could distribute that into maybe public space and streets Cape improvements and parking.
We do want you to meet these goals and deadlines and with the purchase agreement we probably write additional you know if this happens you can ask for an extension and these sorts of things but our idea is I would like them to be in the RFP so they understand we will have some performance measures especially if you are receiving a subsidy and going below you know if the value comes in at half a million dollars and they offer 100 right that's to have all the rules spelled out first.
I mean I don't I don't have an answer as to whether one year is right it seems more so that because we know there are many interested parties because we know that this is an asset it does allow us to be a bit more protective of the city if this was something that had no interest whatsoever I don't think we'd be in a position where we could be this restrictive because we'd be begging people to come in whereas we are not in that situation so I think that is a bit more advantageous where we can be a bit more protective and intentional whether not a year is correct I I will defer to smarter people at this table than I more experience Brandon oh man nice happy to be here.
create a plan to develop the city owned 180 acres to issue an RFP we have talked to the Urban Land Institute and what we're probably going to do is bring them in first quarter meeting to go over a technical assistance panel it's a three-day process it's about $35,000 what I'm thinking is if we sell the fire station we could potentially use some of that revenue for pre-development costs...
I'd like to ask uh in the 2024 work plan we had the uh objective of responding to the upcoming RFP for money from the 3M priority 2 program I don't see that in this particular plan I I did send a report since of the op open meeting law I only extend a copy to Charles and to and to to Jason but uh I I do think we should continue that because we're you know the state has pushed back on this St they because of Staff shortages they haven't put out the RFP yet but it it's it's got to come out pretty soon and I'd like to have that on the work plan.
Ordinances & Resolutions (12)
Request for Proposals document being drafted and approved for redevelopment.
Previous meeting minutes approved at the start of the current meeting.
Previous building assessment for the fire station, noted potential contamination concerns.
Recommended assessment for the old fire station site to identify potential contamination before RFP release.
Follow-up assessment to Phase One, would look at actual contamination and cleanup costs.
Document to be negotiated with selected proposer, incorporating performance measures.
Strategic document outlining the Eda's goals and action items for the upcoming year.
Funding program for solar initiatives, part of the 3M settlement, to be pursued in the work plan.
An existing resource for developers/businesses, mentioned as an example of materials to promote.
A condition for fulfilling post-closing performance measures, especially for subsidy recipients.
Required for businesses to operate on the redeveloped site, ensuring adherence to approved uses.
Issued after businesses have operated for a specified period (e.g., one year), releasing the developer from certain performance measures.