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MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF APRIL 21, 2020 <br />Meeting held remotely pursuant Minn. Stat. Sec. 1313.021 <br />Chair Weidt called the meeting to order at 5:35 pm. <br />PRESENT: Denaway, Houle, Klein, Petty, Puleo, and Weidt. <br />ABSENT: Gallivan. <br />STAFF: Bryan Bear, City Administrator <br />Rachel Juba, Community Development Director <br />Emily Weber, Community Development Assistant <br />APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF FEBRUARY 18. 2020 <br />Commissioner Klein made a motion, Commissioner Denaway seconded, to approve minutes for the <br />EDA meeting of February 18, 2020. <br />Ayes: Denaway, Houle, Klein, Petty, Puleo, Weidt. <br />Nay: None. Motion Carried. <br />BUSINESS RESOURCE UPDATE <br />Chris Eng from the Washington County CDA presented on resources available to Washington County <br />businesses as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. While resources are available, they are limited. Eng <br />stated that the most reliable program at the moment is the Small Business Administration Economic <br />Injury Disaster Loan. There are a variety of loan programs available as well as technical assistance for <br />businesses throughout the County and Eng provided insights into them. Staff, Rachel Juba, also <br />provided the EDA Commissioners insight on how businesses are responding locally and stated how <br />helpful the County has been to have as a resource. The City of Hugo will continue to evaluate the <br />state of local businesses and help inform local business owners of opportunities available. <br />The Commissioners discussed the current challenges that the community faces and ways to offer <br />relief and guidance. Among the discussion was removing late fees for utility bills, waiving fees for <br />temporary signage, and updating the City website to ensure accurate and updated information. No <br />motions were made. <br />UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT <br />Staff provided background on downtown redevelopment. This included the PUD, site plan, and <br />preliminary plat applications for a restaurant to be known as the Cattle House, which is scheduled for <br />the following Planning Commission meeting. Staff also stated that TGK Automotive has site plan <br />approval for phase II of their building. City Administrator, Bryan Bear, also updated the EDA on city <br />services available during the statewide stay at home order. <br />