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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011.04.11 EDA MinutesMINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF APRIL 11, 2011 Miron called the meeting to order at 8:30 am. PRESENT: Arcand, Bever, Denaway, Graff, Klein, Puleo, and Miron ABSENT: None STAFF: Mike Ericson, City Administrator Bryan Bear, Community Development Director Rachel Juba, Planner APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF MARCH 14, 2011 Denaway made motion, Klein seconded, to approve minutes for the EDA meeting of March 14, 2011. All aye. Motion carried. PRESENTATION ON 2010 CENSUS INFORMATION Staff presented the released 2010 Census information to the EDA. The information that was presented was from the redistricting data, which is the 10 question form that was sent to the public. Additional data is planned to be released in the summer. Hugo's population is 13,332, which is a 110% increase from 2000. There are 4,990 households in Hugo and approximately 2.67 people per household. The Metropolitan Council estimated Hugo's population to be 19,100 for the year 2010. The population is lower than what they estimated, but that is a good thing because the City has planned for a higher population and will be ready for it when it comes. The redistricting data will affect Hugo in regards to the boundaries for Senate, Congress, and City Council Wards. DISCUSSION ON MULTIMEDIA MARKETING CAMPAIGN - STRATEGIC PLAN The 2010 Census information has started to be released and staff is ready to start putting together the marketing information for the City. Enclosed in the packet was the Multimedia Marketing Campaign Strategic Plan. Staff will be organizing all of the information for the marketing section of the website. Staff recommended that EDA provide feedback on the information that will be presented on the website. Staff showed the EDA what other cities are doing in regards to City marketing. There was discussion on other items to include in what we want the target market to know. Miron stated that we need to do something different than what other cities do for promotion and marketing. Commissioner Denaway recommended that the EDA may want to approve a nonbinding resolution or policy statements that the EDA welcomes new businesses and wants to work with businesses as they come to Hugo. DISCUSSION ON FLEXIBLE OFFICE SPACE Flexible office space is furnished office areas for separate businesses to share. One example is the businesses share a tenant space, but have separate areas to work (cubes). This often includes shared storage space for files and/or a common receptionist for all the businesses. Commissioner Graff started the discussion with the EDA on the idea of flexible office space in Hugo. He stated that this idea may help property owners with vacant space to collect rent and fill the space. There are several home based businesses in Hugo that may want an office outside of their home and a place to have meetings with clients. He stated that he thinks that the vacant space in the Healtheast building is a good place for this concept and would like to have a discussion with the property owner. He also stated there are other vacant buildings and other property owners he would like to meet with. Miron stated that he thought this was a good idea and anything we can do to help property owners fill vacant space is positive. Puleo made a motion, seconded by Bever, to have staff contact property owners to have a discussion on flexible office space and to include Commissioner Graff. All aye. Motion Carried. Miron asked staff to bring information on abatement to the EDA for its May meeting. UPDATE THE DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT CONCEPT PLAN — PETE SAMPAIR At its March 24, 2011, meeting the Planning Commission reviewed the downtown redevelopment concept plan presented by Pete Sampair. The Planning Commission generally agreed with the EDA on its comments and feedback to Mr. Sampair. The Planning Commission stated that they liked the option with the main street atmosphere. They provided feedback on the type of housing and encouraged four sided architecture. Community Development Director, Bryan Bear, stated that now Mr. Sampair has received feedback on the plans he can start the detailed development plans. Mr. Sampair does not own all of the properties shown on the plan and will now meet with the other property owners on acquiring properties. UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT Community Development Director, Bryan Bear, updated the EDA on the progress of downtown redevelopment. The bank that owns Ricci's restaurant building has stated that there is an interested buyer and they expect a purchase agreement soon. Hugo 1 Stop has reopened with a new operator/manager. The development team that has the purchase agreement for the City owned property will be attending a future EDA meeting to talk about their marketing efforts. UPDATE ON KIDZ `N BIZ FEST AND HEALTH UP AND GO KICK OFF EVENT The 7th annual Kidz `n Biz Fest is on Saturday, April 16, 2011, at Oneka Elementary School from 11 am to 2 pm. The Park Commission Health Subcommittee has put together a 148 -day wellness challenge that will kick off on Saturday, April 30, 2011, at Hugo City Hall from 9 am to 12pm. The summer -long wellness challenge includes a weekly walking club, speakers on topics such as healthy snacks, exercise demonstrations, health screening, fun health challenges, and lots of prizes. This event is part of the Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) and has received funding through SHIP. DISCUSSION ON JOINT PLANNING COMMISSION AND EDA WORKSHOP The Planning Commission has expressed interest in finding Hugo's identity. Bryan talked with the Planning Commission about the different events and recreation programs that have been currently taking place over the past few years. He shared what each of the other commissions are working toward and how that might start shaping Hugo's identity. The Planning Commission asked staff to share its interest with the EDA and was interested in having a joint meeting with the EDA to discuss Hugo's identity. The EDA liked the idea and wanted to invite the City Council to the meeting. ADJOURNMENT Klein made a motion, seconded by Denaway, to adjourn at 10:40 am. All aye. Motion carried.