Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES EDA 03.20.18MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF MARCH 20, 2018 Weidt called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm. PRESENT: Denaway, Gallivan, Houle, Klein, Petty, Weidt ABSENT: Puleo. STAFF: Bryan Bear, City Administrator Rachel Juba, Planner Rachel Leitz, Community Development Assistant APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF JANUARY 16, 2018 Klein made a motion, Petty seconded, to approve minutes for the EDA meeting of January 16, 2018. All Ayes. Motion carried. DISCUSSION ON WASHINGTON COUNTY CDA PREDEVELOPMENT GRANT Juba introduced Chris Eng, the Washington County Economic Development Director. Eng described the Washington County CDA Predevelopment Grant. He stated that the grant is for cities, townships, and local government development authorities located within Washington County. He described that Washington County has a lot of land available, but not a lot of shovel ready property so these grants can be used to help cities find land that's suitable for new development opportunities. Commissioner Klein asked how lack of transit in this area will influence businesses looking for a new location. Eng stated that a lack of transit does pose a challenge for businesses in certain cases, especially in attracting workers. Eng stated that the City of Forest Lake just contracted with a company called, "New Tracks," which is a bus service with a regular route in White Bear Lake, Mahtomedi, and now Forest Lake. Eng described the opportunity for Hugo to be a part of something like this. He stated that Forest Lake will start with a regular bus route 1 day a week to see how ridership is and plan from there. Eng added that this bus service has typically been geared as a senior service. Commissioner Petty stated her interest in this transit option for the Hugo community. Commissioner Houle asked about the process after an application has been submitted for this program. Eng stated that the program takes applications in the order in which they come while funds are available. If a grant amount is under $10,000, it's reviewed internally, and if over $10,000, the application will be reviewed by the CDA board, which meets once a month. Juba stated that Washington County had a similar program many years ago and in 2009 Hugo received a grant for the old Stock Lumber site. She stated that staff has been talking about properties in Hugo that could take advantage of the current grant program and a couple of properties have come to mind. Staff has been talking to these property owners regarding the program and if they are interested the City would be the applicant representing these property owners. Eng stated that there are funding priorities and a scoring system for applications. He stated that vacant, underutilized parcels that will be put in place for development will score high as will applications demonstrating business retention and expansion. Eng stated that the County wants to keep the program relatively simple. Juba asked Eng to further talk about the project taking place in Oak Park Heights. Eng stated that the City wants to see higher density development in an area that is currently largely comprised of overbuilt parking lots. The City has discussed hanging some land uses to mixed use to allow for a variety of uses. He stated the application describes a high level master plan, specifically looking at the feasibility of roads and utilities. Eng stated that the City has requested a $9,500 grant, while the total project cost is $27,000. UPDATE ON WASHINGTON COUNTY CDA OPEN TO BUSINESS PROGRAM Eng stated that beginning in July, 2017 the Community Development Agency Board (CDA) approved an 18 - month contract with Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD) to begin operating the Open to Business Program in Washington County. Open to Business is a resource for small and emerging businesses in Washington County that may need support with business feasibility, planning, financing, licensing, and regulatory issues. Eng stated that the Open to Business program is going very well and 59 businesses have been served, six of which are located in Hugo. Eng stated that Business Advisor, Tyler Hilsabeck, can be reached for further questions and spends one day a week at Hugo City Hall for those looking for more information. Eng invited County Commissioner, Fran Miron, to the podium for any extra words on the programs. Miron stated that he is excited about having these opportunities available to the community. He described that the County Board has embraced Chris Eng's work so far within the County and appreciates him engaging the County Commissioners and the areas they represent. Miron stated that the County Board believes many economic development efforts need to come at a higher, more regional, level which is why the County hired an Economic Development Director and are supporting these programs. Miron explained that the work the County has put into economic development thus far seems to be embraced by the cities within Washington County, especially the smaller cities with a more limited staff. He explained that cities seem to recognize economic development, wherever it occurs in the County, is a positive thing for the County as a whole. Chair Weidt stated that he is happy that these programs are being taken advantage of. Miron also added that the County Board was presented with information from the County's assessment team and he wanted to share some information. Miron stated that so far this year there are 326 residential new starts in Woodbury, who is leading the County. Hugo has 81 new residential starts in 2018. He stated that these numbers translate into continued growth in the County. Miron also stated that home values continue to increase with a 4.45% increase in residential house values in Hugo. Miron added that commercial and industrial values have seen a 3% increase in Hugo; a 10% increase in 5 years. Bryan Bear, City Administrator, stated that the City Council just approved the reimbursement of excess TIF valued at $350,000 for the Bald Eagle Industrial Park project. He stated the County will be receiving some extra revenue from that recent approval. UPDATE ON SHWIETERS DEVELOPMENT EXPANSION Juba described that Schwieters Properties, LLP. submitted a concept plan to receive informal comments from the various Commissions and City Council prior to moving forward with the formal development approval process in December, 2017. She stated that last Tuesday, March 13th, Schwieters submitted an application for a conditional use permit, site plan, and final plat for a campus development. UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT Staff provided an update to the EDA on downtown redevelopment. ADJOURNMENT Klein made a motion, seconded by Gallivan, to adjourn at 5:53 pm. All ayes. Motion carried.