MINUTES EDA 10.18.16 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF OCTOBER 18, 2016 Klein called the meeting to order at 5:04 pm. PRESENT: Denaway, Gallivan, Houle, Klein, Petty. ABSENT: Puleo, Weidt. STAFF: Bryan Bear, City Administrator Rachel Juba, Planner Rachel Leitz, Community Development Assistant APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF AUGUST 16, 2016 Petty made motion, Gallivan seconded, to approve minutes for the EDA meeting of August 16, 2016. All Ayes. Motion carried. UPDATE ON WASHINGTON COUNTY ECONOMOC DEVELOPMENT Juba stated that Washington County finalized their strategic plan, created a community development authority, and hired an economic development director this year. The new economic development director has been holding economic development forums. Presenters at these forums have included Open to Business Program, Xcel Energy, Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), and branding/marketing specialists. Some of the priorities include coordinating with Cities on County marketing, the Open to Business Program, a labor study/market study, facade building improvement program, and a predevelopment SEED grant. Juba concluded by saying that starting in 2017, the County wants to have a program in place that helps the County as a whole with economic development. UPDATE ON RUSH LINE CORRIDOR Juba stated that the Rush Line Corridor is a 30 -mile study area which is focusing on routes and modes of transit between the Union Depot, in St. Paul, to Forest Lake. There are four remaining options with many remaining choices of modes for a transit line. These options continue to be narrowed down in the pre -project development stage through public input and committee opinion. The entire project could take up to 11 years for completion. Juba stated that staff believed this was related to economic development as development largely occurs around transit, therefore it could be very beneficial for Hugo to have a transit line that connects to St. Paul. UPDATE ON RAIL LINE Bear stated that the businesses continue to work towards recurring maintenance on the rail line. Their goal is to be put on next year's legislative bill for approval of monies for rail repairs. He stated that these businesses heavily rely on rail to operate their businesses successfully and the City has been supportive of rail line repairs and keeping these businesses in Hugo. UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT Staff provided an update to the EDA on downtown redevelopment. ADJOURNMENT