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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009.12.14 EDA MinutesMINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF DECEMBER 14, 2009 EDA Vice President Phil Klein called the meeting to order at 8:30 am. PRESENT: Jan Arcand, Tom Denaway, Mike Granger, Phil Klein, Brian Thistle and Fran Miron ABSENT: Jim Bever 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 NOVEMBER 9, 2009 Granger made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the minutes for the EDA meeting of November 9, 2009. All ayes. Motion carried. KIDS ABILITIES Kids Abilities is a pediatric therapy clinic that provides high quality therapy services for kids and is a new business in Hugo. There are a variety of pediatric therapeutic programs in specialty areas available at the clinic. The business is located in Victor Gardens South Village Retail area next to Kindergardens Daycare. The owners were unable to make the meeting because of the weather and will be invited back for the January 11, 2010 EDA meeting. UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT Staff updated the EDA on the meeting with the owners of Carpenters Restaurant. They are interested in selling the properties that they own in downtown to the City. Granger stated that staff should be working with the title owner on any proposals to purchase the properties. Klein stated that the conditions of the buildings should be taken into consideration with the offer to purchase the properties. The CD Director updated the EDA on his discussions with the development team from Finn Daniels. He stated that they would like to wait on their discussions until staff comes to a conclusion with Carpenters Restaurant. UPDATE ON BR&E PROGRAM The Economic Development/Parks intern gave an update to the EDA on the BR&E Program. The survey portion of the BR&E Program is coming to an end on December 18, 2009. There are currently 37 surveys returned out of 70 sent out and each has received follow up letters on the business resources they requested. There are still a few surveys that staff expects to be returned soon. The next meeting is a campus meeting at the U of M for staff to get information on the outcome of the surveys from the U of M Extension staff members that evaluate the surveys. There is a Task Force Retreat on February 8, 2010 at 4 PM that will be held at Hugo City Hall to present the outcome of the surveys and to formulate implementation strategies to help the business community. All Leadership and Task Force Members will be invited to the meeting. In the beginning of March 2010 the U of M Extension staff will present the full report and the implementation strategies identified by the Task Force. UPDATE ON BUSINESS NETWORK INTERNATIONALBNI) Business Network International (BNI) is an organization for businesses to network and benefit through their business relationships. There is a new chapter of BNI in Hugo that meets in Hugo City Hall's Oneka room every Wednesday morning at 7:30 am. Phil Klein informed the EDA on the BNI Chapter and how it benefits the business community. The BNI chapter in Hugo includes 26 business owners representing different sectors. They help each other through referrals and since they have been established there have been 110 referrals. 2010 GOAL SETTING The EDA discussed its goals for 2010. The EDA stated that implementation of the BR&E strategies program will be a goal for 2010. They also talked about continuing to market the City and researching trade shows. They want to help the business community and to continue to collaborate with the Hugo Business Association. The City Council is holding a goal setting session on January 25, 2010 and the EDA goals for 2010 will be forwarded to the Council at that time. ADJOURNMENT Granger made a motion, seconded by Klein, to adjourn at 10:40 am. All Ayes, Motion Carried.