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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEDA PACKET 03.19.19AGENDA CITY OF HUGO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2019 5:00 PM 5:00 pm 1. Call to Order 5:01 pm 2. Roll Call (Denaway, Gallivan, Houle, Klein, Petty, Puleo, Weidt, Wilson) 5:02 pm 3. Approval of Minutes • EDA Meeting of January 15, 2019 5:03 pm 4. Update on Technology Corridor • Bruce Sayler, Connexus Energy • Chris Eng, Washington County 5:25 pm 5. Discussion on BR&E Program Outline 5:40 pm 6. Kidz N' Biz Sponsorship Request 5:50 pm 7. Update on Downtown Redevelopment 6:00 pm 8. Adjournment BACKGROUND MEMO FOR THE EDA MEETING OF TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2019 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Staff recommends approval of the minutes from the January 15, 2019 EDA meeting as presented. 4. UPDATE ON TECHNOLOGY CORRIDOR Over the last few months, staff has been meeting with Washington and Anoka County Economic Development staff, including communities along I -35E, to discuss the possibility of a technology corridor. The group has been working together to discuss how to best market properties in each community for locations for high data users, such as data centers or engineering firms. Chris Eng with the Washington County CDA and Bruce Sayler with Connexus Energy will be updating the EDA on the marketing and developing strategies being implemented towards the future technology corridor. 5. DISCUSSION ON BR&E PROGRAM OUTLINE As part of the Hugo EDA Strategic Plan, the EDA has indicated they would like to begin a Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) program. At its November 2018 meeting, the EDA reviewed options for a BR&E Program. A decision was made to have an informal program with site visits and/or surveys conducted by the Mayor and staff. Intent of the survey was to be short and to ask questions about how the City can help the business. There was also interest from the EDA members to attend site visits. Staff, with help from Chris Eng at Washington County, has put together a general outline of the program and survey questions based on input from the EDA. Staff will provide an update of the outline and survey, including ideas for contacts and business visits. 6. KIDZ N' BIZ SPONSOR REQUEST On April 6, 2019, the annual Kidz `N Biz will take place at Oneka Elementary School. This annual event is an opportunity for the HBA and Hugo EDA to directly connect with the Hugo families and children in a PTA carnival atmosphere. This event is expected to attract more than 500 Hugo children and their families and will feature an assortment of games and entertainment presented by Hugo businesses. In previous years the EDA sponsored the event in the amount of $750. The HBA is asking for the EDA to sponsor in that same amount again this year. 7. UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT Staff will provide an update on downtown redevelopment at the meeting. MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF JANUARY 15, 2019 Klein called the meeting to order at 5:00pm. PRESENT: Gallivan, Klein, Petty, Puleo, Wilson. ABSENT: Denaway, Houle, Weidt. STAFF: Bryan Bear, City Administrator Rachel Juba, Community Development Director Emily Weber, Community Development Assistant APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF DECEMBER 18, 2018 Puleo made a motion, Petty seconded, to approve minutes for the EDA meeting of December 18, 2018. All Ayes. Motion carried. UPDATE ON THE OPEN TO BUSINESS PROGRAM FOR 2018 Tyler Hilsabeck, Washington County Business Advisor, was present to update the EDA on the Open to Business program in 2018 and the latest business happenings in Hugo and the surrounding area. Hilsabeck gave a background on the free and confidential program that started in July of 2017. Most of the businesses in Washington County that reach out are small, start-up businesses. The Open to Business program offers services such as consulting, financial advising, and can provide loans on various levels. Although the program works with a variety of businesses, one of the goals of the program is to target businesses that have the opportunity for growth such as manufacturing. Overall, there were 125 clients served in 2018 throughout the County, 6 of which had businesses located in Hugo. Hilsabeck stated that there is room for growth in Hugo and the City could benefit from an increase in marketing of the program. Another challenge that faces the area is low unemployment, which can make it difficult for small businesses to find and retain valuable employees. APPROVE 2019 GOALS At the last meeting in December, the EDA brainstormed goals for the EDA to achieve in 2019 and directed staff to draft the 2019 goals for review and approval. Many of the goals are ongoing, but Juba reviewed the goals that were added. This year there is an emphasis on promoting the City, particularly the possibility of a technology corridor along I35E. The City will continue to attend these meetings and assist in the development of the technology corridor as they see fit. Additionally, the EDA will review and implement the Economic Development Work Plan. The EDA was pleased with the goals staff drafted and had no further comments to add. Petty made a motion, Gallivan seconded, to approve the 2019 EDA goals. All ayes. Motion carried. UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT Staff provided an update to the EDA on downtown redevelopment. Juba stated that O'Reilly Autoparts is ready to pick up their permit and start construction this spring. The Purchase Agreement on the City owned property with the Cosgroves is due to expire at the end of January if the client does not move forward with development. Staff noted that the site is still an excellent site for a restaurant user and there are potential buyers whom the City will reach out to. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Gallivan made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Puleo, to adjourn at 5:46 pm. All ayes. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted. Emily Weber, Community Development Assistant Agenda Item 5 Hugo EDA Business Retention and Expansion Program: Program objectives of the 2019 BR&E Program are: To demonstrate support and appreciation for existing businesses (an opportunity to connect the city with the businesses), 2. To identify and potentially assist in addressing any immediate business opportunities or concerns (identify any red flag warnings), 3. To establish and implement future EDA strategic/work plan action steps (identify priority projects), and 4. Identify potential opportunities for new businesses that can complement the existing businesses in the city (vendors and service providers, suppliers and customers). Business Surveys and Site Visits: The Hugo BR&E Program will involve informal business meetings (and possible tours of the business) with the Mayor & staff. Staff would coordinate the business visits. All EDA members will be invited to attend each site visit. Onsite business visits will be conducted with a very informal and short survey. This is an important but informal way for the city to say "Thank you for doing business in Hugo. And ask, are there any opportunities, concerns or issues that you want us to assist you with"? The business visits would begin in 2019 and be ongoing. Updates will be provided to the EDA Board Members on a regular basis, however, the businesses may request that the information shared be treated with confidentiality at any time on an individual basis. All requests for confidentially will be honored. City of Hugo — Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) Survey Questions Business Name: Date of visit: 1. Please tell us about your primary products and services? 2. How many employees currently work at this location? FT PT 3. Is your business currently considering? (circle all that apply) a. Downsizing b. Selling c. Merging with or acquiring another business d. Moving e. Closing f. Expanding at this or another location g. None of the above 4. Are you currently experiencing any challenges with? (circle all that apply) a. Attracting or retaining talent b. Employee education or training c. Transportation for products d. Transportation for employees e. Housing for employees f. Financing g. Municipal utilities, code enforcement or other regulation h. Private utilities (electric, gas, highspeed broadband) i. Other 5. Are there any customers, vendors, service providers or suppliers the city may want to consider visiting with about possibly relocating to Hugo that could compliment your business? 6. Is there anything the City or EDA can do to help your business grow and expand? 7. Are there any priorities you would like to help identify for the City of Hugo or the Hugo EDA to consider as strategic planning action steps? Agenda Item 6 From: Rachel Juba To: Emily Weber Subject: FW: Kidz n Biz Date: Thursday, February 28, 2019 8:25:45 AM Emiliy: Can you make sure this is on the March EDA agenda. You will have to look in 2017 or 2018 on what we did in the past. Also, for the agenda, lets put Chris Eng and Bruce Sayler from Connexus Energy for an update on the Tech corridor. Can you email Chris confirm he is available for the March EDA meeting? Thanks! Rachel From: Citizen Ad [mailto:citizenad@presspubs.com] Sent: Monday, February 25, 2019 2:15 PM To: Rachel Juba <RJuba@ci.hugo.mn.us> Subject: Kidz n Biz Good Afternoon Rachel, We are currently working on putting the next KNB together and would like to request a sponsorship from the EDA as you have done in the past. Please let me know if you have any questions or need any more information. Thanks Rachel! Blessings on your day, Jeanne Kuenzli Multimedia Consultant Office: 651.407.1224 Cell: 651.335.7384 Fax: 651.429.1242 Increase your exposure www.pressoubs.com ***Please note that I have been assigned a new email address. Would you please make this change in your contacts? Thank you!