HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008.08.18 EDA MinutesMINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF AUGUST 18, 2008
EDA President Fran Miron called the meeting to order at 8:30 am.
PRESENT: Jan Arcand, Jim Bever, Tom Denaway, Mike Granger, Phil Klein, Brian Thistle
and Fran Miron
ABSENT: None
CITY STAFF PRESENT: City Administrator Mike Ericson, Community Development
Director Bryan Bear, and Associate Planner Rachel Simone
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF JULY 21, 2008
Denaway made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the minutes for the EDA meeting of July 21,
2008.
All aye. Motion carried.
WALKER ELDER CARE SERVICES
Walker Elder Care Services is proposing to construct a 206 unit independent and assisted
living senior housing facility in Forest Lake. The project has been approved by the Forest
Lake City Council. Attached is Forest Lake's staff report on the project. The City of Forest
Lake is using industrial revenue bonds to help finance the senior housing facility. Each City
has a limit for bonding revenue of $10 million. The City of Forest Lake has asked the City of
Hugo if they can use a portion of Hugo's bonding authority to help finance the project. Doug
Borglund and Chip Robinson from the City of Forest Lake were present at the meeting and
gave an overview of the project and request. Mary Ippel from Briggs and Morgan was also
present at the meeting. Staff recommended that the EDA make a recommendation to the City
Council on whether or not to allow the City of Forest Lake to use the City of Hugo's bonding
authority to help finance the senior housing facility.
Mary Ippel gave an overview of the project and stated that there is not a risk for the City of
Hugo to allow the City of Forest Lake to use Hugo's bonding authority for this year.
Washington County is also allowing Forest Lake to use a portion of their bonding authority
for the year.
Doug Borglund from the City of Forest Lake talked about the projects importance as Walker
is partnering with the Washington County HRA affordable housing project. He stated that it
will be servicing independent living to assisted living and that the project is a great way for
seniors to transition to different types of care.
Denaway made a motion, seconded by Klein to recommend to the City Council to allow the
City of Forest Lake to use the City of Hugo's bonding authority for the year.
All Aye. Motion Carried.
NORTHLAND PALLET COMPANY
Northland Pallet Company has purchased and is now running its business out of the old 84
Lumber building. Northland Pallet is a company that constructs pallets and recycles pallets
into mulch. The company moved from Minneapolis to Hugo. Mitch Martin from Northland
Pallet was not present at the meeting to talk about his business.
UPDATE ON BR&E SUBCOMMITTEE
The Associate Planner gave an update on the BR&E Subcommittee's progress. The business
profile questionnaires have gone out to the commercial and industrial property owners and
are being returned to the City. This is a way that the committee can get an idea of the
businesses that would like a case study done for their business and what workshops to
provide to the business community. The committee will be doing site visits to businesses in
Hugo.
DISCUSSION ON EDA MARKETING STRATEGY
In 2007 the EDA created a marketing strategy work plan. Staff went through the work plan
and discussed with the EDA what has been completed to date. The EDA would like a list of
items completed and items that are an ongoing priority.
There was discussion on creating an annual fall event. Granger suggested having a fall event
that would be located in the rural area of the City.
UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT
Staff updated the EDA on the progress of downtown redevelopment.
The redevelopment of the former end zone site will be back to the EDA in September for
review and approval of the TIF agreement.
Mike Anderson continues to work on the redevelopment of the Carpenters Restaurant Site
and plans to submit an application soon.
ADJOURNMENT
Granger made a motion, seconded by Denaway, to adjourn at 10:40 am.