HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007.10.15 EDA MinutesMINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF OCTOBER 15, 2007
EDA President Fran Miron called the meeting to order at 8:30 am.
PRESENT: Jan Arcand, Jim Bever, Tom Denaway, Phil Klein, Fran Miron and Brian Thistle
ABSENT: Mike Granger
City Administrator Mike Ericson, CD Director Bryan Bear, Associate Planner Rachel
Simone, City Engineer Jay Kennedy, and Administrative Intern Nate Ehalt
APPROVAL OF MINUTES EDA MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 17, 2007
Arcand made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the minutes for the EDA meeting of September 17,
2007.
All aye. Motion carried.
MN MANUFACTURER'S WEEK
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has
designated the week of October 22nd through the 26th, 2007 "Minnesota Manufacturer's
Week" statewide. The intention is to showcase Minnesota's diverse manufacturing industry,
and to create statewide awareness of the important role manufacturers' play. Here in Hugo
we have a wide array of manufacturers that provide high -paying, high skilled jobs to our
community and help create our solid economic base. Minnesota Manufacturer's Week
presents the City with an opportunity to put a spotlight on our manufacturers, and say "thank
you" for helping make Hugo a great place to work and live. Clarice Olson and Gerry Wenner
from DEED were present at the meeting to talk about the importance of MN Manufacturer's
week and how they have worked with manufacturers in Hugo.
REDEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE END ZONE PROPERTY
The City has received a concept plan for the redevelopment of the End Zone property. The
concept plan includes a retail center and plaza in the front of the building. Representatives
from DK Dockendorf Inc. were present at the meeting to present their plans to the EDA. Dale
Dockendorf presented the concept plan for the End Zone site to the EDA. He stated that the
project is to be a retail center and showed an example of a project in Mendota Heights to
show the level of architecture proposed for the project. Staff stated that the project is moving
in the right direction and that staff and the developer recently had a meeting with Scott
Montgomery the owner of the adjacent properties. The EDA encouraged the representatives
from DK Dockendorf to move forward with the project.
DISCUSSION ON SEWER AND WATER FEES
The Council discussed this topic at their October 1, 2007 meeting. The council talked about
having a workshop to discuss this issue, but then deferred the issue to the EDA to make a
recommendation to the Council.
At its September meeting the EDA directed staff to conduct research on what other cities that
are comparable to Hugo are charging for sewer and water fees. Administrative Intern, Nate
Ehalt put together a memo outlining the system other cities are using for sewer and water
fees. Staff presented the findings to the EDA and suggested that the EDA make a
recommendation to the City Council on whether or not our policy is working well for
businesses. Chad Wagner, owner of the Blue Heron Grill and Paul Nolan, the contractor were
present at the EDA meeting.
Nate Ehalt gave an overview of how other cities like Hugo charge for SAC/WAC fees. Each
City has a different way of handling the fees. The City Engineer stated the way Hugo charges
for the fees is a good practice.
Chad Wagner stated that he does not want the fees waived for his business, but would like to
work out a payment plan with the City.
Miron made a motion, seconded by Klein, to recommend to the City Council to prepare
options for Chad Wagner and work with him on a payment plan.
All aye. Motion carried.
"THAT'S HUGO, TODAY" CABLE ACCESS SHOW
The City Administrator introduced "That's Hugo, Today" is the City's new cable access
show that last week premiered in Hugo on cable channel 16. The show is produced by Hugo
City Staff. The topic for October was downtown redevelopment. Please watch for "That's
Hugo, Today' on cable channel 16.
ADJOURNMENT
Denaway made motion, Bever seconded to adjourn the meeting at 10:45 am
All aye. Motion carried.