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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007.11.19 EDA MinutesMINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF NOVEMBER 19, 2007 EDA Vice President Phil Klein called the meeting to order at 8:40 am. PRESENT: Jan Arcand, Jim Bever, Mike Granger, Phil Klein, and Brian Thistle ABSENT: Tom Denaway and Fran Miron City Administrator Mike Ericson, CD Director Bryan Bear, Associate Planner Rachel Simone APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF OCTOBER 15, 2007 Thistle made motion, Arcand seconded, to approve the minutes for the EDA meeting of October 15, 2007. All aye. Motion carried. DISCUSSION ON LAKE AREA BANK TEMPORARY TRAILER Currently Lake Area Bank has a temporary trailer along County Road 8, and was given a deadline of September 2007 for removal of the temporary trailer. Their intent was to have a new building for Lake Area Bank up by this time. There have been some changes internally at Lake Area Bank and they now have a new President. With all the changes with Lake Area Bank they have not submitted plans to remove the trailer for construction of a new building. Len Pratt, Lake Area Bank Board Member and David Erickson, owner of Lake Area Bank were present at the meeting to give an update on the progress on submitting plans for a new building. They also asked for an extension to stay at the temporary trailer until the new building is built. They plan to have a new building up in the Fall of 2008. David Erickson stated that the land is bought where the trailer is and the new building is planned to be built there. Bever asked how big the new bank will be. Mr. Erickson stated it will be a 3,000-5,000 square foot full service bank. Granger made a motion, seconded by Klein, to recommend to the City Council to approve an extension of the temporary trail until October 1, 2008 All aye. Motion carried. UPDATE ON BLUE HERON GRILL At the October meeting, the EDA directed staff to work with Chad Wagner on a payment plan for the SAC/WAC fees for the Blue Heron Grill. Staff provided an update for the proposed assessment agreement with Chad Wagner for the SAC/WAC fees set for the City Council meeting of November 19, 2007. Staff will continue to look at how the SAC/WAC fees are charged for developments. EDA ANNUAL REPORT One of the items on the work plan for the EDA Marketing Strategy is to create an EDA Annual Report for 2007. Staff presented the report to the EDA and welcomed any comments. Staff will be sending the EDA Annual Report to the businesses that are showcased to get feedback from them also. Granger stated that we should also highlight any additions to existing commercial and industrial businesses, such as Wilson Tool. Arcand stated that the Annual Report should stay the same just add Wilson Tool for the retention portion of the report. Associate Planner stated that the Annual Report will come back to the EDA in December 2007 and will be ready to showcase to the public in January 2008. UPDATE ON LIONS CLUB HOLIDAY BANNERS At its June meeting the EDA was presented with banners that are now put up along County Road 8. At the meeting, the EDA discussed the Lions Club's interest in providing holiday banners for the winter months. Staff recently contacted the Lions Club and they stated that they would like to continue displaying the lighted wreaths that have been used in the past instead of purchasing holiday banners. When the lighted wreaths can not be used any more holiday banners will be purchased. Granger stated that the lighted wreaths are good for now and at the time that the Lions club is ready they can think about the holiday banners. Klein stated that the Hugo Business Association may look into partnering with the Lions Club on the holiday banners. Granger stated that they should also contact the Hugo American Legion on partnering on the holiday banners. UPDATE ON CARPENTERS AND THE END ZONE PROPERTY Staff updated the EDA on the progress that is being made for redevelopment on both of these properties. CD Director stated that staff has been working with a developer on the End Zone site that now has a TIF attorney and an Engineer to work on the development. Staff is planning on getting a TIF application and site plan soon for the End Zone site. Klein asked about the access on to Highway 61. CD Director stated that the area should be thought of as one big project to coordinate proper access on to Highway 61. Bever asked if the developer had a purchase agreement. CD Director stated that they do have a binding agreement with the property owner and staff will continue to update the EDA. CD Director stated that Mike Anderson, owner of Carpenters Restaurant now has a new architect working on the project. They are making the project bigger, finding partners for the restaurant, and adding a retail aspect to the development. Staff met with the Carpenters development team to go over concepts for the project. Staff will continue to work with the Carpenters development team on the project and update the EDA. Klein asked about the Southern Auto Sales property. CD Director stated that they have talked to them, but the owners of Southern Auto Sales want to find another site for the car sales lot. Arcand asked about the Oneka Square retail development and the Lumberyard. CD Director stated that the plans for Oneka Square are ready to go, but they want more tenants. Pete Sampair has some interest but has not contacted staff about any proposed projects. UPDATE ON CITY -OWNED PROPERTIES Staff updated the EDA on the progress that is being made on the City owned parcels for downtown redevelopment. Staff also asked for direction on the next steps for these properties. Granger stated that the EDA should get a sign up on the City owned properties stating that there is commercial land available, Bever agreed. CD Director updated the EDA on the project showcase article in the Finance and Commercial Thursday Real Estate edition. Bever made a motion, seconded by Arcand to recommend to the City Council to approve a sign for the City owned property in the downtown area as commercial development land. All aye. Motion carried. DISCUSSION ON WASHINGTON COUNTY'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES FUNDS Washington County is soliciting proposals for affordable housing and community facilty projects to be funded through the Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership programs. The estimated funds available are up to $300,000. The deadline to apply is December 14, 2007. Staff asked for direction from the EDA on whether or not to apply for the grant. Klein stated that if we do not have a residential project in mind that we could probably go with out applying for now and maybe apply next year. UPDATE ON 84 LUMBER 84 Lumber has closed as of the end of October. 84 Lumber was using the rail line to receive their products. There has been some concern from the rail authority on the closing of 84 Lumber because the rail line will not be used as much. Attached was an email from John Gohmann, as well as information from 84 Lumber concerning the building. ADJOURNMENT Klein made motion, Granger seconded to adjourn the meeting at 10:25 am All aye. Motion carried.