HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.16.23 EDA Packet
NOTICE OF MEETING
City of Lake Elmo Economic Development Authority
Meeting
3800 Laverne Avenue North
Tuesday, May 16, 6:00 PM
AGENDA
A. Call to Order 6:00 p.m.
B. Minutes
February 21, 2023 Minutes 6:00p.m.
C. Business Retention and Expansion
Survey Updates 6:05p.m.
D. Business District Signage Update 6:10p.m.
E. Future Agenda Items/Reports 6:15 p.m.
-Next Meeting August 15, 2023
F. The EDA will go into closed session pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section
13D.05, subdivision 3 (c)(3) – to consider offers for the sale of the former 3M
property on Ideal Avenue, PIDs 16.029.21.24.0002 and 16.029.21.23.0003.
G. Adjourn 6:40 p.m.
The Lake Elmo Economic Development Authority (EDA) is
committed to preserving and enhancing our community by
creating an attractive business climate and listening to
businesses and residents to prepare for the economy of
tomorrow.
Page 1 of 2
CITY OF LAKE ELMO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES February 21, 2023 Call to Order/Roll Call Manzara called the meeting to order at 6:01pm.
PRESENT: Jeff Holtz, Charles Cadenhead, Ninna Waldoch and Tony Manzara
ABSENT: Paul Ryberg Staff Present: City Administrator Handt
November 15, 2022 Minutes: Motion by Cadenhead, seconded by Holt to approve. Motion carried.
Election of Officers: Motion by Cadenhead, seconded by Holtz to nominate Ninna Waldoch as President. Motion carried. Motion by Holtz, seconded by Cadenhead to nominate Tony Manzara as Vice President. Motion carried. Motion by Manzara to nominate Kristina Handt as Secretary. Motion carried. Motion by Cadenhead, seconded by Manzara to nominate Holtz as Treasurer. Motion carried. Motion by Holtz, seconded by Cadenhead to nominate Handt as Assistant Treasurer. Motion carried. Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Survey Updates and Interim Report Handt presented a summary of the informational report draft in the packet. Commission discussed having a joint work session with council. Given the two council liaisons on the EDA a joint work session didn’t seem necessary. There was discussion on signage comments. Handt will check with Washington County about business district informational/directional signage and repot back at the next meeting. Commission discussed website comments. It was suggested to add Connect Lake Elmo as a link on the city website since they are developing a business directory. Motion by Cadenhead, seconded by Manzara to present the informational packet from the Old Village business interviews to the city council at the March work session. Motion carried.
2023 Meeting Schedule Motion by Cadenhead, seconded by Manzara to accept the meeting schedule as presented. Motion carried.
Future Agenda/Reports The next agenda will include updates/feedback on the BRE, land sale proposals and an update on signage on county roads.
Page 2 of 2
Manzara asked about the sale of the old fire building. It will follow a similar RFP process once the firefighters are moved into the new station. Handt mentioned the ribbon cutting for La Vie Est Belle on March 7th at 4pm
Adjourn Meeting adjourned at 6:45 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, Kristina Handt
STAFF REPORT
DATE: May 16, 2023
REGULAR
AGENDA ITEM: Business Retention and Expansion Survey Updates
SUBMITTED BY: Kristina Handt, City Administrator
BACKGROUND: Conducting a Business Retention and Expansion Survey (BRE), has been identified as the top goal for the
EDA for 2022 and 2023. The EDA finalized the survey questions and decided to begin by meeting with businesses in the Old Village area last year. At the August meeting, it was decided to move on to contacting businesses south of 10th St between Inwood Ave and Keats Ave.
ISSUE BEFORE COMMITTEE: What feedback do members have from their business visits since February? PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: Only one business visit has been completed since our last meeting. Responses below:
1. Gift Store and online gift sales - they are renting at this location
2. 1 FT and 3 PT employees 3. (a) Considering expanding or creating a partnership to broaden the line of offerings
4. No significant problem (g) got a sign permit and did the installation, but no one has stopped by to check on it - perhaps a walk-by was done? is there a closure step in this permit process? (h) had a problem with Wi-Fi but was able to get if fixed 5. What could the City attract to help this business? The major need for a business of this type (mostly drop in shoppers) is for greater potential customer traffic flow. If there were some way that the City could encourage more light lunch/casual shopping/family-oriented places/pizza. The amount of available retail space along Lake Elmo Ave is quite limited, even though there is quite a bit of unused land (large
lots with smaller houses, vacant lots) that could be suitable for retail business. There are a number of "destination" businesses like hair care, accounting, real estate, architecture, flagpoles but few drop-in shopper places. It is a chicken and egg proposition, more businesses bring more customers for all, but a
due diligence business model looks at present traffic and does not see the payoff. 6. How can City or EDA help this business grow?
Signage on major thoroughfares which indicates which businesses exist in the City. Better integrate City Planning with Business needs - for mutual benefit. Better communications between Businesses and Council especially when planning decisions are made.
Current opportunities to make a "public presentation" to Council are one-way and do not provide a format
for discussion or any feedback 7. Strategic Planning priorities
Increase commercial square footage for smaller retail operations Better connection between downtown and Farmer's Market to bring customers to downtown- relocate Farmer's market?
Current F.M. schedule is limited, it closes just when later-season produce is ready. Add protected crosswalk across Hwy 14 at LE Ave south through downtown - would make it easier for folks in new developments N of 14, and Arbor Glen residents, to get to downtown on foot. Beautification - planters or ?? along Lake Elmo Ave The City could publish a brochure to give business investors more reasons to consider Lake Elmo, like "How to Start a Business in Lake Elmo" RECOMMENDATIONS: Provide verbal updates at the meeting on BRE visits ATTACHMENT:
• None
STAFF REPORT
DATE: May 16, 2023
REGULAR
AGENDA ITEM: Business District Signage Update
SUBMITTED BY: Kristina Handt, City Administrator
BACKGROUND: At the last meeting, as a result of the comments received on the BRE from the Old Village area,
there was discussion about pursuing some business district directional signage. I mentioned I
would reach out to Washington County since the signage would likely be posted along a county road (Stillwater Blvd/CSAH 14 or Manning/CSAH 15). PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: Joe Gustafson, Washington County Traffic Engineer, said the county does not allow directional business signage on their roads. Information about MNDOT rules for allowing business signs can be found at this website: https://www.dot.state.mn.us/trafficeng/signing/business.html
A copy of the city’s sign code is attached for reference. Off premise signage is prohibited expect for agriculture business sales, real estate and temporary signage for special events.
ATTACHMENT:
• Lake Elmo Sign Code