2015.02.10 EDA Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Planner Juba gave an update regarding the January 23, 2015 meeting with Staff and the St. Paul Port Authority. She described the steps the St. Paul Port Authority suggested to the City in marketing City owned property in downtown. These steps included property control, proper zoning, community input, creating a summary of financing options, putting together a marketing brochure, and reaching out to brokers. Planner Juba explained that the meeting with the St. Paul Port Authority reconfirmed that Staff has been taking the correct steps in beginning to market the City Owned Property and the St. Paul Port Authority have offered some help in this process. Discussion on Marketing of City Owned Property Planner Juba looked for insight from the EDA in developing potential criteria to sell the City owned property for $1.00. The EDA agreed that there should be development criteria and plans to continue to work with Staff to come up with this criteria. Staff will formulate this criteria and pass it on to the City Council for further review. Update on the Future of the Rail Line City Administrator, Bryan Bear, gave an update on the future of the Hugo Line. He described that the Hugo Line is a 10 mile line extending southward that has three businesses on it. The businesses that use the line are Schwieters, Loadmaster Lubricants, and NRI. The future of the rail line is uncertain based on business rail volumes, which are lower than original projections, and the Hugo Line needing significant maintenance. City Administrator Bear said that the City is facilitating meetings with the businesses and also talking with the railroad in an effort to help develop a strategy. The EDA agrees that the City needs to be involved and financially supportive to the businesses in keeping rail service. Commissioner Puleo made a motion, seconded by Klein, that the EDA support the financing of the railroad improvements. Chairman Weidt called for a roll call vote. Denaway: Aye. Gallivan: Aye. Houle: Aye. Klein: Aye. Petty: Aye. Puleo: Aye. Weidt: Aye. All ayes. Motion Carried. Update on Downtown Redevelopment Planner Juba updated the EDA on downtown redevelopment, particularly regarding O'Reilly Auto Parts. Adiournment Chairman Weidt made a motion, seconded by Klein, to adjourn at 8:03 pan. All Ayes. Motion carried.