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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009.01.26 EDA MinutesMINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF JANUARY 26, 2009 EDA President Fran Miron called the meeting to order at 8:35 am. PRESENT: Jan Arcand, Jim Bever, Tom Denaway, Mike Granger, Phil Klein, Fran Miron, and Brian Thistle ABSENT: None CITY STAFF PRESENT: City Administrator Mike Ericson, Community Development Director Bryan Bear, and Community Development Assistant Dennis Fields APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF NOVEMBER 24, 2008 Klein made motion, Thistle seconded, to approve the minutes for the EDA meeting of November 24, 2008. All ayes. Motion carried. UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT Staff updated the EDA on downtown redevelopment projects. Carpenters Restaurant continues working on their site plan and TIF application. They have drastically changed their site plan and design of their building from a 2 story 20K sq ft building to a single story 8K building. They have removed the commercial space and continue to work on their floor plan of the building. On the City owned properties just north of Carpenters, developers have discussed plans of a business park with office buildings that they would like to start construction on one of the office buildings just north of the Carpenters site this year. Staff has not yet received official submittal of plans for the project. On the Endzone property, staff has received a TIF agreement but it is not signed. They are having a hard time finding tenants due to market conditions. If and when they do find tenants the approved plans for the site may change. The Ricci's Restaurant site is now in full ownership of the bank. Price has been drastically reduced and the bank has recognized that the building and home may have to be demolished. Staff is planning to meet with the bank and realtors as to how they site may develop. The intersection at 147th ST and Hwy 61 will not add driving lanes, only turn lanes and a street signal. Plans have been approved and construction is planned to start in 2009. DISCUSSION ON TIF CERTIFICATION Staff invited Paul Steinman and Mikaela Huot, from Springsted. Mikaela gave a background to the EDA and things to consider in the coming months. Certification needs to be completed within 3 years of the first demo and that timeline will end in March 2009. She explained that the EDA has three options: - Do nothing - Certify the district - Modify and then certify the district The EDA discussed the options and whether delaying would effect Carpenter's aggressive plan. Mayor Miron made a motion, Granger seconded, to direct staff to discuss with carpenters the urgency of their TIF application and bring the issue back to the EDA. All Ayes, Motion carried. ANNUAL REPORT Bryan credited Rachel Simone for her work and efforts in putting together the report. The EDA thought that the report would serve as a good marketing tool. Denaway motioned, Klein seconded, to approve the EDA annual report. All Ayes, Motion Carried. DISCUSSION ON GOALS Bryan reviewed past goals with the EDA leading to a discussion on future goals for 2009. 2009 EDA Goals: 1. Create Business Retention and Expansion Subcommittee of the EDA • Work with U of M, St. Thomas, or others on BR&E research program a. Case studies • On-going site visits • Continue collaboration with HBA a. Breakfast meeting with businesses b. Kidz N Biz fest • Continue participation in events. (groundbreaking, ribbon -cutting ceremonies) 2. Continue working on downtown redevelopment projects • Certify the TIF District • Partner on initial project to begin in 2008 • Coordinate public infrastructure o Stormwater management planning & funding o Traffic improvements (signals, Hwy 61) o Trail and sidewalk improvements 3. Establish quality commercial development • Focus on gateways • Coordinate site planning for 165th & 61 • Begin area plan for 170th & 61 • Create design guidelines • Collaborate with the Planning Commission • Review development policies and incentives within the approval process 4. Continue implementation of the EDA marketing plan • Continue to update the marketing plan • Updating City website • Continuation of the City's cable access show Klein made a motion, Denaway seconded, to approve the Goals for 2009. All Ayes, Motion Carried. The EDA requested that the next meeting date be changed to February 23, 2009. Thistle motioned, Klein seconded, to change the meeting date from February 16th to February 23rd in observation of President's Day. All Ayes, Motion Carried. ADJOURNMENT Klein made a motion, seconded by Thistle, to adjourn at 10:33 am. All Ayes, Motion Carried.