Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF APRIL 19, 2016 <br />Chair Weidt called the meeting to order at 5:02 pm. <br />PRESENT: Denaway, Gallivan, Klein, Petty, Weidt <br />ABSENT: Houle, Puleo. <br />STAFF: Bryan Bear, City Administrator <br />Rachel Juba, Planner <br />Rachel Leitz, Community Development Assistant <br />APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF FEBRUARY 16, 2016 <br />Klein made motion, Denaway seconded, to approve minutes for the EDA meeting of February 16, 2016. <br />All Ayes. Motion carried <br />PARK DENTAL — JAN TIFFANY, MARKETING/BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT <br />Juba introduced Jan Tiffany, who is the Marketing/Business Development professional for Park Dental. <br />Jan Tiffany thanked the EDA for having Park Dental as their guest. She described Park Dental's history <br />and stated that they now have 40 practices, generally located around the metro. She stated that Park <br />Dental is community oriented in all cities they are located within and have been participating in events <br />in Hugo, like Kidz N' Biz. She stated that Park Dental is excited to be growing along with our <br />community. <br />KIDZ N' BIZ SPONSORSHIP REQUEST <br />Juba stated that Kidz N' Biz is April 301h this year. Each year, they ask the EDA to sponsor the event <br />for $750. <br />Petty stated that Kidz N' Biz is an expensive event to run, but that it's very popular. They ask for <br />funding from different entities and businesses to help put on this growing event. She stated that 38 <br />businesses will be in attendance, with others still sponsoring but not attending. <br />Klein motioned, Gallivan seconded, to approve the $750 sponsorship of Kids N' Biz for the 2016 event. <br />All Ayes. Motion carried. <br />UPDATE ON THE FUTURE OF THE RAIL LINE <br />Bear gave the EDA an update on the current happenings of the rail line in Hugo. He stated that two bills <br />were introduced to the legislature related to the railroad. The first is a bonding request for 1.1 million <br />dollars for rail improvements. He reminded the EDA that the state legislature gave a smaller amount <br />last year for emergency improvements to allow the railroad to remain open up to this point. The current <br />request is to make the remaining improvements for the 6.5 miles of rail. He stated that this request has <br />received quite a bit of attention and support. The second bonding request is a 45 million dollar bill, <br />which would be spent over a 10 year period. This would establish a grant program for short line <br />railroads all over the state. Bear stated that this request has widespread support from counties, cities, <br />industrial organizations, chamber of commerce, railroads, etc. because this is an economic development <br />