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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009.08.10 EDA MinutesMINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF AUGUST 10, 2009 EDA Vice President Phil Klein 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, Associate Planner Rachel Simone, and Shayla Syverson, Economic Development / Parks Intern APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF JULY 20, 2009 Denaway made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the minutes for the EDA meeting of July 20, 2009. All ayes. Motion carried. DISCUSSION ON OFFERS TO SELL PROPERTY LOCATED ON 165TH STREET On Thursday, May 14, 2009 staff met with the property owners in the 165th Street and Highway 61 area. The meeting was to discuss the possibility of another industrial park in that area. On the 2030 land use plan the area is shown as industrial. At the meeting some of the property owners in the area were interested in selling. These property owners continue to market their property for sale. The property owners thought the City may have an interest in buying the property and followed up with an offer to sell. Staff recommended the EDA discuss the offers to sell. Miron talked about the meeting with the property owners and the scenarios that were presented to them on how the property could be developed. Granger talked about the proposed land use for the site and that an industrial park will be a good fit once city services are available to the site. Miron also talked about the reasons the City acquires property and felt that the property would likely develop on its own. Miron made a motion, seconded by Granger, to recommend to the City Council that a letter be sent to the listing agent stating that the City is not in the position to purchase the properties at this time. UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT The CD Director updated the EDA on downtown redevelopment in the City. He talked about the Carpenters Restaurant redevelopment project and how the changes to the SAC/WAC fee structure lowered the cost of the connection to City sewer and water for the proposed building. He also talked about the improvement plans for Highway 61 being delayed until spring. Granger stated that the City should work with the property owner to demolish the antique building. The CD Director stated that 61 Stop will be reopening with new owners in September. He also talked about the selling price of the Ricci's property has gone down. UPDATE ON BR&E PROGRAM Shayla Syverson updated the EDA on the progress of the Business Retention and Expansion Program. The leadership team has been set and the task force members will be going though an orientation of the program on September 22, 2009. The task force training for the site visits will be on October 7, 2009. The business visits will start in October. Staff continues to work on the resource list to give to businesses to help them with immediate concerns that they may have. MISCELLANEOUS DISCUSSION At its August 10, 2009 meeting the EDA discussed two items that are related to the City Budget. First, they discussed whether or not the City would support the project to renovate the YMCA in White Bear Lake. They discussed the location of the YMCA and the residents of Hugo that use the YMCA. They generally agreed the location was not close enough to Hugo to justify the expense to the City and only a small percentage of Hugo residents are members of the YMCA. The White Bear Lake School district has committed to contributing to the renovation project and Hugo residents living in the White Bear Lake School District are supporting the YMCA through their payment of school property taxes. Granger made a motion, seconded by Klein to recommend the City Council not financially support the project to renovate the existing YMCA in White Bear Lake since the Hugo families that are using it are already contributing to the YMCA through the White Bear Lake School District taxes. All ayes. Motion Carried. The EDA also talked about the funding for the Washington County 4-H program. The 4-H program has funding from Washington County through September 2009, but the County has eliminated the funding for the coming year. At its July 20, 2009 meeting the City Council was approached by a Dan Dolan of the Washington County Agricultural Society to have the Council consider contributing to the 4-H program for the year 2010. The City Council stated that they would consider it at their Midyear Budget Workshop. The EDA compared the 4-H program to youth services provided by White Bear Lake and Forest Lake, which the City provides limited financial support for. Arcand made a motion, seconded by Granger to recommend to the City Council support the 4-H program on a limited basis for the coming year, with encouragement of the 4-H Program to eventually become a self supporting organization. All ayes. Motion Carried. ADJOURNMENT Klein made a motion, seconded by Granger, to adjourn at 10:30 am. All Ayes, Motion Carried.