HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES EDA 10.18.16MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF OCTOBER 18, 2016
Klein called the meeting to order at 5:04 pm.
PRESENT: Denaway, Gallivan, Houle, Klein, Petty.
ABSENT: Puleo, Weidt.
STAFF: Bryan Bear, City Administrator
Rachel Juba, Planner
Rachel Leitz, Community Development Assistant
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF AUGUST 16, 2016
Petty made motion, Gallivan seconded, to approve minutes for the EDA meeting of August 16, 2016.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
UPDATE ON WASHINGTON COUNTY ECONOMOC DEVELOPMENT
Juba stated that Washington County finalized their strategic plan, created a community development
authority, and hired an economic development director this year. The new economic development
director has been holding economic development forums. Presenters at these forums have included Open
to Business Program, Xcel Energy, Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED),
and branding/marketing specialists. Some of the priorities include coordinating with Cities on County
marketing, the Open to Business Program, a labor study/market study, facade building improvement
program, and a predevelopment SEED grant. Juba concluded by saying that starting in 2017, the
County wants to have a program in place that helps the County as a whole with economic development.
UPDATE ON RUSH LINE CORRIDOR
Juba stated that the Rush Line Corridor is a 30 -mile study area which is focusing on routes and modes of
transit between the Union Depot, in St. Paul, to Forest Lake. There are four remaining options with
many remaining choices of modes for a transit line. These options continue to be narrowed down in the
pre -project development stage through public input and committee opinion. The entire project could take
up to 11 years for completion. Juba stated that staff believed this was related to economic development
as development largely occurs around transit, therefore it could be very beneficial for Hugo to have a
transit line that connects to St. Paul.
UPDATE ON RAIL LINE
Bear stated that the businesses continue to work towards recurring maintenance on the rail line. Their
goal is to be put on next year's legislative bill for approval of monies for rail repairs. He stated that
these businesses heavily rely on rail to operate their businesses successfully and the City has been
supportive of rail line repairs and keeping these businesses in Hugo.
UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT
Staff provided an update to the EDA on downtown redevelopment.
ADJOURNMENT
Houle made a motion, seconded by Denaway, to adjourn at 6:03 p.m.
All ayes. Motion carried.