HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009.03.16 EDA MinutesMINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF MARCH 16, 2009
EDA President Fran Miron called the meeting to order at 8:30 am.
PRESENT: Jan Arcand, Tom Denaway, Phil Klein, and Fran Miron
ABSENT: Jim Bever, Mike Granger, and Brian Thistle
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 FEBRUARY 23, 2009
Klein made motion, Arcand seconded, to approve the minutes for the EDA meeting of February 23,
2009.
All ayes. Motion carried.
DISCUSSION ON BR&E U OF M EXTENSIONS PROGRAM
Over the last year the EDA has discussed business retention and expansion program options
for the City. In January of 2008 staff met with Liz Templin, from U of M extension services,
on the Business Retention and Expansion Research Program they offer to communities. Staff
presented the findings to the EDA at their January 2008 regular meeting. The EDA stated at
that time that it is a great program to think about doing but the funding for the project was
not budgeted nor was the staff time that would be required available.
Over the last few months staff has been contacted by Connexus Energy and they have a grant
program that gives $5,000 to communities that partner with the U of M on a BR&E program.
Also staff just received notice that the City of Hugo was awarded a grant for an intern to
work on administration and economic development projects. With these new items available,
staff invited Liz Templin to give a presentation on the Business Retention and Expansion
Research Program they offer to communities. Staff discussed advertising for an intern that
would work on BR&E efforts and to initiate the U of M on a BR&E program.
Liz Templin gave a presentation on the BR&E Progrom to the EDA. She explained the roles
of the leadership and taskforce groups that will need to be created for the program. She
talked about other success stories from other cities that have completed the program. She
stated the program is usually about a year long and includes surveying the businesses in the
City. After the formal program there is an implementation period that can take up to three
years.
Klein asked about funding for the implementation of the recommendations from the U of M
Extension Services. Ms. Templin stated that there are grants available depending on the
outcome.
Arcand stated we need to make sure that we do not miss the small businesses in the City. Ms.
Templin said that was a good point to bring up and that it should be brought up during the
business survey selection period.
Miron stated that the EDA could work with the Hugo Business Association (HBA) to get a
meeting set up to present these ideas to the businesses in the City. This is a good way to get
their feelings about the program also.
Bever agreed and stated that staff should get the funding set up, the intern in place, and the
leadership team established and then initiate the formal program.
Bever made a motion, seconded by Arcand, to set up a meeting by working with the HBA,
advertise for the intern, and work on establishing funding and the leadership group.
All aye. Motion carried.
UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT
Staff updated the EDA on the progress on downtown redevelopment. The Carpenters
Restaurant site plan was approved at the March 12, 2009 Planning Commission Meeting. The
plan will go to the City Council in April.
Bryan Bear talked about the concept plan for the City owned property and the comments that
were made at the Planning Commission meeting. The Planning Commission liked the plan in
general, but stated that the plan needed additional open space.
DISCUSSION ON KIDZ N' BIZ FEST
Staff gave an update to the EDA on Kidz n' Biz Fest on April 4, 2009 at Oneka Elementary.
ADJOURNMENT
Denaway made a motion, seconded by Klein, to adjourn at 10:35 am.
All Ayes, Motion Carried.