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HomeMy WebLinkAbout[06a] Preliminary TIF Application, St. Joe Meat MarketJkA�" Crry of S1: JosFPH MEETING DATE: February 17, 2011 Council Agenda Item W AGENDA ITEM: Preliminary TIF Application: St. Joe Meat Market SUBMITTED BY: Cynthia Smith - Strack BOARD /COMMISSION /COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: EDA recommends approval of Preliminary TIF application and submittal of final application for St. Joe Meat Market. PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Please see attached memo. BUDGET /FISCAL IMPACT: ATTACHMENTS: Staff memo and expansion plans. REQUESTED COUNCIL ACTION: . CITY OF ST. JOSEPH VVV.cityof stjoseph.com Administrator DATE: February 9, 2011 Judy Weyrens MEMO TO: Honorable Mayor Schultz Mayor Members of the City Council Richard Schultz Administrator Weyrens Councilors FROM: Cynthia Smith - Strack, Municipal Development Group Steve Frank Bob Loso RE: Request for Tax Increment Financing Assistance: Renee Symanietz Pfannenstein, St. Joe Meat Market Dale Wick Request: EDA Mr. Harvey Pfannenstein has submitted a pre - application for tax increment financing and Carolyn Yaggie- potentially tax abatement assistance in conjunction with a $354,000 (construction cost) Heinen expansion to the St. Joe Meat Market retail facility at 26 1St Avenue Northwest. A copy of the Steve Frank expansion plan is attached to this memo. Chad Davey Tom Skahen The expansion includes a 1,898 sf addition to the retail space and an additional 1,104 sf of Dale Wick new cooler space. Total expansion is 3,002 s.f. and will bring the existing 4,222 sf structure to 7,224 s.f. The expansion will allow the facility to process meat products at the retail shop versus the location on Minnesota Street resulting in productivity gains. In addition, investment in new equipment will provide increased operational efficiencies. The goal of the expansion is to ensure long -term viability of the establishment and to retain jobs within the community. The Applicant is reporting a $70- 80,000 gap in funding (details will be available for the meeting) and requesting assistance from the City to close the gap. The project to increase operational efficiency and increase productivity will not occur without gap financing. The Applicant has noted that if the gap in financing is not filled and operational /productivity efficiencies implemented the operation will likely close or leave the City. The Applicant has submitted a pre - application for TIF /ABATEMENT for the EDA's consideration and recommendation to the Council. Information regarding the projected estimated market value, potential sources and uses of financing, and financial pro forma analysis will be available for the meeting. Please note this information is not public until the financing is finalized, however, a copy of the information may be released to those needing reasonable access to said data provided it is again collected following its use. Background: TIF Tax increment financing is a tool which allows the City /EDA to reimburse a company or land owner a portion of the new property taxes generated as a result of a development project. The amount of financial assistance available (TIF) is dependent upon a number of factors including but not limited to the assessed market value of the building and the financial need of the company. There are several types of tax increment financing districts, each of which has a maximum increment period established by state law. Mr. Pfannenstein is requesting assistance in the form of economic development TIF. Term of TIF Agreement The maximum term of an economic development TIF district is nine years, however, the term of any TIF agreement should only reflect the amount needed to close a demonstrated 'gap' in financing. In this case the projected TIF generated by the project is NOT sufficient to close the financing gap. Therefore, the Applicant is requesting the City consider either using excess TIF revenue from an existing district or tax abatement to fill remaining gap. Pay as you go TIF State law allows the City /EDA to proceed with two types of TIF financing mechanisms. The first is the issuance of a TIF bond by the City /EDA. In this arrangement the proceeds of new tax increments are immediately available to the developer in the form of cash. With this type of mechanism the City /EDA bear significant risk in that if the project isn't completed and /or taxes are not paid, the City is responsible for making the bond payment. Due to the amount of risk involved, the City of St. Joseph's TIF policy highly discourages the issuance of TIF bonds. Instead an arrangement known as 'pay as you go' is the standard mechanism embraced by the City /EDA. With 'pay as you go' TIF, the City does not issue debt, instead the City enters into an agreement with the Developer pledging to 'rebate' a portion of the tax increment provided property taxes are paid. In this kind of arrangement, the Developer may use the TIF agreement to leverage a note from a conventional lender but the City is not incurring risk if taxes aren't paid or the project not completed. The Applicant is requesting pay as you go TIF. Requirements: Preliminary TIF Application: The following are required to be submitted with the preliminary application for TIF assistance: 1. A map showing the exact boundaries of the proposed development. A site plan is attached. 2. A General description of the project including the following: • Size and location of building(s); The proposed single story structure will be utilized for commercial retail and product storage space. The building design matches the existing structure. • Business type and use; Retail. • Traffic information, including parking; Parking facilities are proposed to the south and east of the building, as is existing. The site plan must be approved administratively by the City, including parking requirements. The EDA does not have jurisdiction over parking lots. • Timing of project; The Applicant wishes to proceed with the expansion in May of this year. • Estimated market value following project completion. MDG has consulted with the County Assessor regarding a projected EMV. The review is pending at this time, however, a report is expected in time for the meeting. The Applicant's contractor has placed the construction cost at $354,000. 3. The existing Comprehensive Plan land use designation and zoning of the property. The comprehensive plan guides the subject parcel to continued downtown (Central Business District) use. Current zoning class is B -1. Retail facilities are permitted within said zoning class. 4. A statement identifying how the increment will be used and why it is needed to complete the project. The increment will be used to assist with eligible expenses associated with the development. Thorough sources /uses will be included with the final application for TIF, the company will be required to disclose financial information in conjunction with the final application. Preliminary sources /uses will be available at the meeting. 5. A statement identifying the public benefits for the proposal including estimated increase in property valuation, new jobs to be created and other community assets. TIF assistance is requested to provide for increased operational efficiency and productivity increases by consolidating processing and taking advantage of new technology and equipment. The project will result in retaining 26 jobs within the community and a projected increase in market value for the structure within the Downtown. 6. A written perspective of the developers company (i.e. corporation, principals, history, past projects, etc.). St. Joe Meat Market has long been a fixture within the City. In fact in a comprehensive plan visioning session in 2002 when asked what made St. Joseph, St. Joseph the St. Joe Meat Market was often mentioned. The family owned business has been operated by the Pfannensteins for 50 years. Current owners and operators are Harvey and Carol Pfannenstein. TIF Policy: A copy of the City's TIF policy is attached. The policies for the use of TIF include the following: General Policy - The City of St. Joseph and EDA shall consider Tax Increment Financing for projects that serve to accomplish the City's goals for housing and economic development as they may change over time. The goals include facilitating projects that would result in the creation of quality jobs(i.e. stable employment and /or attractive wages and benefits) and the attraction, retention, and expansion of business and housing options in the City. The request appears to meet this policy criteria. 2. Objectives: As a matter of adopted policy, the City of St. Joseph and EDA will consider using tax Increment Financing (TIF) to assist private development projects to achieve one or more of the following purposes: The project appears to meet objectives as outlined in (c)and (t) below. a. Remove blight and /or encourage redevelopment in the commercial and industrial areas of the City in order to encourage high quality development or redevelopment and private reinvestment in those areas. b. To provide for a balanced and sustainable housing stock to meet diverse needs both today and in the future. c. To retain local jobs and /or increase the number and diversity of quality jobs (i.e. stable employment and /or attractive wages and benefits. d. To encourage additional unsubsidized private development in the area, either directly, or through secondary "spin -off' development. e. To offset increased costs of redevelopment (i.e. contaminated site clean -up, demolition of existing building), over and above those costs that a developer would incur in normal urban and suburban development. f. To facilitate the development process and to achieve development on sites which would not be developed without this assistance. 3. Costs that qualify for TIF assistance: The TIF would assist with building expansion to accommodate operational efficiencies and productivity gains. 4. Minimum Qualifications: a. TIF would facilitate development that would not occur without the assistance. The Preliminary TIF application will be supplemented by source/use statements including preliminary pro forma analysis which identify a gap in project funding. The applicant has certified the development could not occur but for the use of TIF. b. But -For Test. The pre - application requires the developer to submit a statement identifying how the increment will be uses and why it is needed to complete the project. The applicant will demonstrate the project does not cashfiow without TIF assistance. c. The project is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and zoning ordinance. The subject parcel is zoned downtown commercial. Prior to approval of the TIF Plan (at the time of final application), financial guarantees and credentials will be required. e. The Applicant owns the subject property. 5. Desired Qualifications: a. Taxes paid before and after the development will be greater than a 2:1 ratio. Current property taxes payable on the subject parcel equal to $12,708. I'm currently working with Bob Lindvall at Stearns County to obtain a projected market value and taxes payable. Following that preliminary TIF projections will be created by Ms. Traci Ryan of David Drown Associates and available at the meeting. Ms. Ryan will also be attending the February 9t' meeting. b. TIF should not be used for speculative projects. Mr. Pfannenstein has been a business owner for 14 years. St. Joe Meat Market has been in business for 50 years. Pfannenstein is a life -long resident of the area. c. TIF should not be used to pay for overpriced land. The TIF assistance is proposed to be used for costs associated with expansion of an existing business within the original townsite (Central Business District) and not for greenfield development. Since the site is within a dense, developed urban area, specialized construction techniques must be employed. TIF is not being used to pay for overpriced raw land. d. TIF should be pay -as -you go. The request is for pay -as -you go assistance. e. Preference is given to projects that do not cause extraordinary demands on City services. The applicant is proposing retail space and energy and water efficiency upgrades which will decrease demand on the utility systems. f. Preference is given to projects that are consistent with the comp. plan, improve surrounding land uses, provide new employment, are financially feasible and provide the highest and best desired use for the property. The project appears to meet all of the aforementioned criteria in addition to furthering the City's goal of revitalizing the Downtown with pedestrian friendly, human -scale construction. It is important to note that the process /criteria /guidelines /policy used for consideration of tax abatement is the same as for TIF. Therefore, the aforementioned analysis applies equally to the request for tax abatement. The Developer and the City's new TIF Consultant will be present to provide answers to questions and additional comment as requested. The concept of 'preliminary' as it pertains to this request is similar to the concept of 'preliminary' in conjunction with a 'preliminary plat.' Although the conventional definition of 'preliminary' describes activities preceding the main discourse or business approval of the 'preliminary' TIF /abatement application is an action analogous to approving the conceptual use of TIF /abatement for this project. Recommendation: The EDA approved a motion recommending the City Council approve the pre - application and authorize submittal of the final application. Action: If the Council is supportive of utilizing TIF /abatement for this project, a MOTION is in order to approve the pre - application and authorize submittal of the final application and preparation of necessary documents. i El Is �00 i r F ° � 4 9 I ® Q i I eg k n n n 00 OD i Q ^N CL. aL� F U A p z Y� O1 n G c o T W F tl JZtl ZZ w M y a ^ 0 0 � j a 0 0 OI 0 W N� a �q tl i ,/ U„ p N o C n N M O- 0 5 a J ••D+ , f- q �gdn" O C — o w• > Z i� to n oo r� .0 .0 w c ^ n L. N eq o° �• ai io no L O TY .� Y At •+ O 41 Cr,- 6 L YJJ L 10 O C O U N O O T O 1 Y C VJ 1 O a^ 7 U) mO L q p p (n LO p q q a a T g 0 L^ L y' o^ L 4012 . Y G fY j y I~0 ICOL {y M �r r O M O L Z q 7 •.Gig C 0 0 O C R 7 O) J q 0 o L J L q�. O Q Zd LY • • .+.+p q ML nZ e p O JN Y•_ o O O w 4« C w O•► \ .qri ^Q w L9 M C 0 Y O w o C _TY — L L p qp r p ^ CC Y C oq 7 O 4D YP 2.— w 6L C L in w f w Y a G a Y 41 Y O PI U O a O N '•r •Y Z fy ^ T(O� a M o J4, - O qw E w W w Y O ^ C O L O e L o G O a D S y Y > �.1 M Y p r a L •• w q► O Y Y L E Y T Z p,o L n q L U M ~ N > Q Y tl �s C q Y L ++ i C q L 2 , L q o L q a Y Y L Y L o a+ f-Z*+F In a Y L a 7 L L o c o HrZ"'U 0 0 L C y a ,. p ^ 1.L M O < m 4 a < —/ a1 / / to 1 1 Lo AL4EY 1 W Y 1 41 m / r V / / 1 f- / U ,� / _ d LO N `1 r / �a OF Mn+ a U0 Ni O VI 1 L: 1 SOp"- ,'tttlll'''i 1 ° A 46T 1 i i 00 OD i Q ^N CL. RESOLUTION NO. 2011 -005 CALLING PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED CREATION OF TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT NO. 2-2 AND THE ADOPTION OF A TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN RELATING THERETO BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council (the "Council ") of the City of St. Joseph, Minnesota (the "City "), as follows: Public Hearing. At the request of the EDA of the City of St. Joseph, this Council shall meet on Thursday, April 21, 2011, at approximately 7:30 p.m. at City Hall to hold a public hearing on the following matters; (a) the proposed creation of Tax Increment Financing District No. 2- 2, and (b) the proposed adoption of the Tax Increment Financing Plan relating thereto, all pursuant to and in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, Sections 469.174 through 469.1799, inclusive, as amended (the "Act "). 2. Notice of Hearing. Filing of Program and Plan. The City Administrator is hereby authorized to cause a notice of the hearing, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, to be published as required by the Act and to place a copy of the proposed Tax Increment Financing Plan on file in the Administrator's Office at City Hall and to make such copies available for inspection by the public. Adopted this day of February, 2011. Rick Schultz, Mayor ATTEST Judy Weyrens, Administrator RESOLUTION 2011 -006 CALLING PUBLIC HEARING ON THE ADOPTION OF A SPENDING PLAN FOR TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT NO 1-4 BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council (the "Council ") of the City of St. Joseph, Minnesota (the "City "), as follows: 1. Public Hearing. This Council shall meet on Thursday, April 21, 2011, at approximately 7:15 p.m. to hold a public hearing on the proposed adoption of a Spending Plan for the use of funds for Tax Increment Financing District No. 1 -4, pursuant to and in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, Section 469.176 Subd 4m. 2. Notice of Hearing. Filing of Program and Plan. The City Administrator is hereby authorized to cause a notice of the hearing, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, to be published as required by the Act and to place a copy of the proposed Tax Increment Financing Spending Plan on file in City Administrator's Office at City Hall and to make such copies available for inspection by the public. Adopted this February, 2011. Rick Schultz, Mayor ATTEST Judy Weyrens, Administrator