2013.11.12 EDA Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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JOINT CITY COUNCIL AND EDA MEETING TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2013 5 P.M. HUGO CITY HALL — ONEKA ROOM Mayor Weidt called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Weidt, Council Members Bronk, Haas, Klein, Petryk CITY STAFF PRESENT: City Administrator Bryan Bear, Planner Rachel Juba, Community Development Intern Eric Maass EDA.Present: Arcand, Denaway, Gallivan, Klein, Puleo, Weidt Washington County Commissioner Fran Miron gave an introduction regarding the potential for Economic Development within Washington County. He then turned the meeting over to David Unmacht of Springsted Incorporated who provided an outline of the process currently being taken by Springstead regarding data collection/analysis and community input as they pertain to the current study being conducted. Council Member Petryk described the importance that is placed on transit and infrastructure in regards to current and future economic development, and the ways Hugo is currently lacking in those regards potentially hindering economic development in the city. This notion was agreed upon by EDA member Puleo who stated that an interchange at 35E. and County Road 4 could prove critical for economic development along that corridor. Bill Barrett, a local business owner, stated that additional city or county incentives could aid in business retention and growth, further spurring economic development. Council Member Klein stated that to further help local business owners there needed to be added competition between urban services, specifically high speed internet availability. Council Member Petryk discussed the potential for a small business bureau which would aid small businesses in locating property for sale, connecting businesses to potential employees, or possibly providing placement aid for technical training internships. These notions were echoed by Council Member Haas and Council Member Klein stating the potential creation of a small business incubator and extension of the accomplishments already created by local chambers of commerce. EDA Member Denaway described the importance of integrating the potential for increased economic development into the ranking and scheduling of transit projects. Denaway also described how important it was that the county continues to be flexible with traditional TIF rules to aid in economic development. Bryan Bear agreed with that notion, adding that it was also important that TIF and tax abatement are allowed to be used at the same time.