Minutes 2/28/2006 r
PORT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF SAINT PAUL
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING RECEIVED
FEBRUARY 28, 2006 MAR 3 1 2006
CITY CLERK
The meeting of the Port Authority Board was held on February 28, 2006 at 2:00
p.m. in the Board Room of the Port Authority of the City of Saint Paul, 1900 Landmark
Towers, 345 St. Peter Street, St. Paul, Minnesota.
The following Commissioners were present:
- Mike Goldner - Andy Boss
- Kathy Lantry - Dick Anfang
- Joan Grzywinski - John Regal
- Dan Bostrom
Also present were the following:
- Ken Johnson - Laurie Hansen
- Laurie Siever - Lorrie Louder
- Bill Morin - Pat Dean
- Bruce Kessel - Bruce Gehrke
- Robyn Dixon - Terry Garvey, General Counsel
- Kathy Hahne, Faegre & Benson - Bob Geurs, City of Saint Paul
- Robyn Hansen, Leonard Street & Deinard
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Lantry made a motion to approve the minutes from the regular
December 20, 2005 Board meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Boss
and carried unanimously. A copy of the December minutes is on file at the office of the
Saint Paul Port Authority.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
None of the Commissioners had a conflict of interest with the items on the
agenda.
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NEW BUSINESS
INFORMATIONAL
2005 DEVELOPMENT TEAM AND REO PRODUCTION
Ms. Louder reviewed the 2005 Development Team and REO Production report
with the Board. The Port Authority's overall production in creating and retaining jobs in
the City of Saint Paul far exceeded the goal of 2,200 jobs. The total for the year was
2,979 jobs created or retained by the Saint Paul Port Authority. Ms. Louder concluded
her report with updates on activity at the Great Northern Business Center North and
South, Energy Park, River Bend, Westminster Junction, Arlington Jackson West and
scattered sites throughout Saint Paul.
Chair Goldner thanked Ms. Louder for the 2005 report.
A copy of the 2005 Development Team and REO Production report is on file at
the office of the Saint Paul Port Authority.
INFORMATIONAL
2006 LEGISLATIVE REPORT
Kathy Hahne, the Port Authority's legislative lobbyist, addressed the Board,
stating the eminent domain issue will be very contentious and a major topic in hearings
during this Session. Ms. Louder has been asked to testify on the first day the
Legislature is in Session on this specific topic. Public opinion appears to be firmly
entrenched on the side of new restrictive proposals on eminent domain. The Port
Authority will continue to educate legislators and work with their constituencies on the
importance of public entities having eminent domain powers and has also provided
specific bill language.
There was discussion by the Board including, but not limited to, what is
happening across the country regarding eminent domain, bills in the State House and
Senate, the challenges ahead, the Port Authority's position, the "perception" problem
versus the "facts", and strategies which will be used during this Session.
Ms. Hahne indicated this is a bonding year and the Governor has proposed $13
million in State bond funding for the State Department of Employment and Economic
Development (DEED) Redevelopment Grant Fund, which is an important Brownfields
funding source.
Tax Increment Financing has been an essential financing tool in the Port's
redevelopment efforts. This will be monitored for any potential "spill over" of the
eminent domain controversy onto tax increment definitions and findings that might
potentially increase the difficulty of this tool.
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The Minnesota Ports Association (Saint Paul, Duluth, Red Wing, Winona, and
Minneapolis) shall seek funds to assist in undertaking capital improvements that are
critical to the commercial navigation system in the Saint Paul Harbor and terminal areas
in the other cities.
The Port continues to work with the Governor's staff, Mayor Coleman and his
staff, and Ford representatives as possible, to structure any legislative initiative that may
be important to retain the 2,000-employee assembly plant in Saint Paul.
The Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority has requested $50 million to match
Federal funding for final design and construction of the Central Corridor. The Governor
has included $2.5 million in his bonding proposal. The Port Authority will be watching
this legislation closely and will be coordinating with the Saint Paul Area Chamber of
Commerce and the Midway Area Chamber of Commerce as appropriate.
Chair Goldner thanked Ms. Hahne for her presentation.
There being no further business, the meeting stood adjourned at 2:47 p.m.
Michael Go1h4 r, Chair
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