MINUTES EDA 02.21.23 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF FEBRUARY 21, 2023 Vice-President Klein called the meeting to order at 5:30pm. PRESENT: Chrun, Denaway, Klein, Puleo, Roberts ABSENT: Arcand, Weidt STAFF: Bryan Bear, City Administrator Rachel Juba, Community Development Director Max Gort, Associate Planner APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 20, 2022 Commissioner Roberts made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chrun, to approve the December 20, 2022 EDA meeting minutes. Ayes: All. Nay: None. Motion carried. EDA ANNUAL REPORT OF 2022 Community Development Director Juba presented a draft of the 2022 EDA Annual Report, which the Community Development department creates every year to showcase econo mic development activity within the city of Hugo. Staff brought the draft report to the EDA for any changes or suggestions the commissioners may have before the report is published on the City website. Commissioner Roberts asked for clarification on the intended audience of the report. Juba responded that typically developers and construction analysts who are trying to gain a sense of the city’s economic profile view the report. A few suggestions were made for additions to the report such as a demographic p rofile of the city, information on the EDA’s initiative to expand broadband internet connections to rural areas of the city, and contact information for those wishing to learn more about any of the items presented in the report. The EDA commissioners agreed to publish the annual report with the noted changes. APPROVAL OF 2023 EDA GOALS Staff presented the graphic of the 2023 EDA Goals which were set at the December 20, 2022 meeting. Juba highlighted a few noteworthy items that had new implications going into 2023. The first of these was the Highway 61 Visioning Study with Washington County and MnDOT. The EDA is expecting to receive a presentation on the existing conditions of the study early this year. The second item highlighted was the six-month moratorium on the development of solar farms enacted by the City Council on February 6, 2023. Juba informed the EDA that workshops will be taking place with the City Council and Planning Commission within the coming months to determine how the City will address solar farm development. Commissioner Roberts made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Denaway, to approve the 2023 EDA Goals as presented.