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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010.12.13 EDA MinutesMINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF DECEMBER 13, 2010 Fran called the meeting to order at 8:39 am. PRESENT: Jan Arcand, Jim Bever Tom Denaway, Mike Granger, Phil Klein, and Fran Miron ABSENT: Brian Thistle APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF OCTOBER 11, 2010 Arcand made motion, Granger seconded, to approve minutes for the EDA meeting of November 8, 2010. All aye. Motion carried. RETIREMENT OF BRIAN THISTLE FROM THE EDA Brian Thistle is retiring from the EDA after this year. Brian has been on the EDA since 2006 and has been a great asset to the EDA. Staff prepared a certificate thanking Brian for his time on the EDA. Staff published the vacancy for the EDA membership in the newspaper. Denaway made a motion, seconded by Klein, to recognize Brian Thistle for his volunteerism on the EDA. All aye. Motion Carried. Miron suggested having Brian come to a future Council meeting to recognize him for his time on the EDA. Miron and Klein accepted their reappointment on the EDA. UPDATE ON PARK DEDICATION POLICY At its October 28, 2010, meeting the Planning Commission considered the park dedication policy at a public hearing. They were presented with the Parks Commission and EDA recommendation regarding the commercial and industrial park dedication fees. The Planning Commission made a recommendation to the City Council to keep the language to require commercial and industrial development to pay park dedication fees. At its November 15, 2010 meeting the City Council approved the park dedication policy with the revision to remove the language that would require commercial and industrial development to pay park dedication fees. Tom gave an overview of the Council meeting which he attended and spoke at on behalf of the EDA. He talked about the goals of the EDA and what businesses are looking for as they decide what City to locate in. UPDATE ON CITY RENTAL PROPERTIES IN DOWNTOWN The CD Director gave the EDA background on rental properties the City owns. There is one tenant in the rental house that has paid the rent to date. The other tenant is in the process of eviction. Staff will continue to evaluate the building and see if the tenant space should be rented out again. There is someone that may be interested in renting out the entire print shop building and sub -leasing to the current tenant that runs a barbershop. He would also be in charge of the maintenance of the building. Miron stated that would help with the holding costs for the building and then the building would be occupied until redevelopment occurs. UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT CD Director stated that Bill Lentsch and Paul Kelleher continue to work together on putting together a project that would include assisted living on the End Zone property. Pete Sampair has been working with a development team for a redevelopment project on the old Stock Lumber site. The project would include a mix of commercial, residential, and office. The property has also thought about a transit station being located on the property. The Planner gave an update to the EDA on the zoning map changes to be consistent with the 2030 comprehensive plan that are proposed to the Planning Commission and City Council. UPDATE ON BR&E MARKETING ACTION PLAN The Planner updated the EDA on the BR&E Marketing Action Plan effort with the HBA. The process with the HBA is now complete and staff has been working with Tom Weidt and Phil Klein on a Marketing Action Plan geared towards the City. The group came up with the idea of a multimedia campaign to market the City. This would include a section of the City's website that is dedicated to marketing the City. Granger stated that we need to figure out how to get people to the website and get them the information quickly. Provide a list of contacts with phone numbers. He suggested business cards for the EDA members. Bever stated that this may require spending some money and would like to have a budget for the EDA marketing action plan. Deb Barnes was in the audience and suggested that an EDA member write an editorial in the newspaper reminding people to shop locally. DISCUSSION ON GOALS FOR 2011 The EDA's goals for 2011 will be forwarded to the City Council as they discuss their goals for 2011. Below are the draft goals that will be discussed at the EDA meeting on January. 1. Business Retention and Expansion • Implementation of the BR&E Strategies Program • 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 Marketing of the City • BR&E Marketing Action Plan o Updating City website • Downtown Promotions o Trade shows • Continuation of the City's cable access show • Evaluation of 2010 US Census data o Include in marketing information • Encourage the Parks Commission to sponsor the "Hunt for the Golden Spike" during Good Neighbor days. 3. Continue working on downtown redevelopment projects • Coordinate public infrastructure o Stormwater management planning & funding o Trail and sidewalk improvements o Railroad abandonment • City owned properties 4. Establish quality industrial and commercial development • Focus on gateways • Coordinate site planning for 165th & 61 • Begin area plan for 170th & 61 (Mixed Use) • Create design guidelines • Collaborate with the Planning Commission • Review development policies and incentives within the approval process 5. Transportation • Interchange @170th St & 35E • Intersection @ HWY 61 & CSAH 4 (170th St) • Elmcrest Ave • County Road 8 Trail on the south side o Parks Commission 6. Encourage the County on Economic Development Efforts ADJOURNMENT Granger made a motion, seconded by Bever, to adjourn at 10:30 am. All aye. Motion carried.