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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES EDA 09.19.17MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 19, 2017 Weidt called the meeting to order at 5:08 pm. PRESENT: Gallivan, Petty, Klein, Houle, Denaway, Weidt ABSENT: Puleo STAFF: Bryan Bear, City Administrator Rachel Juba, Planner Rachel Leitz, Community Development Assistant Sarah Rumppe, Community Development Intern APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF AUGUST 15, 2017 Petty made a motion, Gallivan seconded, to approve minutes for the EDA meeting of August 15, 2017. All Ayes. Motion carried. DISCUSSION ON 165TH STREET IMPROVEMENTS Juba stated that during the 2040 Comprehensive Plan process staff has been contacted by property owners in the area of 165th Street and Highway 61. They have asked questions on how and when sewer and water services would be extended to the property. Typically, sewer and water services are extended with development. Juba talked about the difficulty of extending utilities due to the physical arrangement of existing infrastructure. Juba outlined a number of ways the project could occur. Juba asked the commissioners to comment regarding holding an informational neighborhood meeting for this project. Weidt supported the idea of holding an informational meeting. Houle asked if the interest from the property owners in this area stems from their desire to develop. Juba responded by stating that the she believes the Comprehensive Plan process has made the property owners think about future development in the area, but some are also interested in City utilities based on needed updates to their septic systems. Klein inquired if the development community has been asking about this area. Juba responded there has been some interest, generally surrounding industrial development. Bear noted people will be asking about how the assessment will be spread amongst the property owners. Juba noted we assess our residential developments by unit, and commercial/industrial projects by linear foot. She noted various zonings in this area, like mixed use, will make it very complicated to make an assessment strategy. The commission concluded by agreeing to hold a neighborhood meeting. DISCUSSION ON 2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN — ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER Juba gave a summary of what the City has heard from the community in regards to economic development and informed the Commission which sections are traditionally included in the Comprehensive Plan's economic development chapter. Juba recommended including the following additions to the chapter: information on economic development in Washington County, the workforce — how to attract talent, and encouraging quality planning and buildings — creating places people want to live. DISCUSSION ON AMAZON H02 RFP Juba informed the EDA that Amazon is currently looking for a second headquarters within the United States. Minneapolis is an area the company has shown interest in, therefore, Washington County has been compiling a list of properties that could be of interest. Bear noted that Washington County will recommend a few sites in the effort of drawing attention to the City and County as a place that encourages economic development. UPDATE ON PROPERTY OWNER MEETINGS Juba updated the commission on the meetings with O'Reilly Auto Parts and the owner of Wagner's Greenhouses. Juba stated that meetings will continue with property owners and staff will be meeting next with the owner of the former Stock Lumber site. UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT Staff provided an update to the EDA on downtown redevelopment. ADJOURNMENT Klein made a motion, seconded by Houle, to adjourn at 6:26 pm. All ayes. Motion carried.