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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007.09.17 EDA MinutesMINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 17, 2007 EDA Vice President Phil Klein called the meeting to order at 8:30 am. PRESENT: Jan Arcand, Jim Bever, Tom Denaway, Phil Klein, and Brian Thistle ABSENT: Mike Granger and Fran Miron City Administrator Mike Ericson, CD Director Bryan Bear, Associate Planner Rachel Simone APPROVAL OF MINUTES EDA MEETING OF JULY 16, 2007 Arcand made motion, Thistle seconded, to approve the minutes for the EDA meeting of August 20, 2007. All aye. Motion carried. 2008 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN At its August meeting the EDA was presented with the economic development section of the 1998 Comprehensive Plan. Staff requested feedback on what items should be in the economic development section of the 2008 Comprehensive Plan. The EDA was presented with a draft of the economic development section for the 2008 Comprehensive Plan. Staff recommended the EDA discuss the draft plan is going in the right direction with the comments from the August meeting. Klein suggested that the EDA section talk about high speed internet. Arcand agreed. Klein talked about financing for businesses and for the proposed interchange on County Road 8 and 35E. Denaway stated that the plan is a great big picture idea for the EDA and sets even more goals for the future. Thistle and Arcand agreed. The EDA generally agreed that the economic development portion of the 2008 comprehensive plan was going in the right direction. DISCUSSION ON SEWER AND WATER FEES FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE CITY Staff was contacted by a contractor of a new restaurant that is planned to be in Victor Gardens. The Contractor has stated that the fees are more expensive than other cities. Staff discussed the sewer and water fee policy for economic development in the City. The City Administrator stated that the City and the Metropolitan Council have fees for sewer and water hook-ups. The City collects money to maintain the sewer and water systems in the City. Klein asked what other commercial projects in the City pay. The City Administrator stated they have paid the same fees. Bever asked if it was a one time charge. The City Administrator stated it is a one time connection charge. Bever made a motion, seconded by Thistle, for staff to do research on other cities SAC/WAC charges and bring findings back to the EDA. All Aye. Motion Carries. UPDATE ON CARPENTERS RESTAURANT Staff gave an update at the meeting on the redevelopment plan for Carpenters Restaurant. The CD Director gave an update on the redevelopment of Carpenters Restaurant and stated that the Andersons would like to come back to the EDA in the next couple months to present a new concept plan. Bever asked where the restaurant would be built. CD Director stated in the same location as it is now, although they have been in contact with other property owners. Arcand asked if there was enough room on the site for the size of restaurant that they are proposing. CD Director stated that they will if they use the restaurant and the antique store property, but we will have to see when they come to the EDA with a new concept plan. DISCUSSION ON WASHINGTON COUNTY LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATORS MEETING Staff gave an update on the Washington County Local Government Administrator Meeting regarding economic development web presence. This site is comparable to the DEED MNPRO site. Klein stated we should move in this direction and go with the new technology. ADJOURNMENT Denaway made motion, Bever seconded to adjourn the meeting at 9:40 am All aye. Motion carried.