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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011.07.11 EDA MinutesMINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF JULY 11, 2011 Miron called the meeting to order at 8:30 am. PRESENT: Arcand, Bever, Graff, Klein, Puleo, and Miron ABSENT: Denaway STAFF: Mike Ericson, City Administrator Bryan Bear, Community Development Director Rachel Juba, Planner APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF JUNE 13, 2011 Klein made motion, Puleo seconded, to approve minutes for the EDA meeting of June 13, 2011. All aye. Motion carried. CHRISTY WEFLEN — ST. CROIX SADDLERY Christy Weflen, owner of St. Croix Saddlery, was present at the meeting and discussed her business with the EDA. St. Croix Saddlery is moving into the old daycare building located at 5525 141St Street. Ms. Weflen provided the background of her business to the EDA. She stated that they specialize in English style riding and there is only one other English retailer in the State. She stated that they have four full time employees and ten part time employees. The EDA welcomed St. Croix Saddlery as a new business in the City of Hugo. GRETCHEN BOYD - BNI PRESIDENT Gretchen Boyd, President of Business Network International (BNI), was present at the meeting to give the EDA background on BNI and how it benefits businesses. She stated that BNI compliments the Hugo Business Association (HBA). BNI is a group of business owners that support each other through networking and referrals. The Hugo BNI group, called Hugo Preferred Partners, started in May 2009. They have 23 members and had $400,000 in referrals since January 2011. She also talked to the EDA about educational seminars that the BNI group may offer to small businesses and entrepreneurs. It would be like an entrepreneurial boot camp that would provide information on how to start and grow a business. The information would include tips on financing, banking, legal, and business resources. Miron added that staff may want to include a presentation on home occupations and under what conditions they are allowed in Hugo. Bryan Bear stated there are several home occupations and also several patents in Hugo. This seminar could offer people with the proper connections to get their business started or to grow their business. UPDATE ON FLEXIBLE OFFICE SPACE Staff and Commissioner Graff met with Grant Barrette, a property owner in the Bald Eagle Industrial Park that has office space available. Flexible office space was discussed with the owner and he seemed interested. Staff will continue to work with the property owner to help him lease the space. UPDATE ON THE BUSINESS NETWORKING BREAKFAST The EDA and HBA business networking breakfast was held on Tuesday, June 28, 2011. Washington County Attorney, Pete Orput, spoke to the group about identity theft. There were over 50 people that attended the event. Miron stated that the business breakfasts are important and they should continue. UPDATE ON CITY RENTAL PROPERTIES The print shop building has been leased out to an individual that cleans foreclosed properties and will use it for storage. The barber shop area will soon be vacant, as Pricilla will be leaving the business. The house that the City owns to the north will also be vacant. Staff will walk through the rental house to see if it will be rented out again. Miron asked staff to provide information on the rental properties in regards to costs. UPDATE ON MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT LCDA GRANT Staff helped Pete Sampair complete the Met Council's Livable Communities development grant pre -application for a mixed-use development that was due in May 2011. Staff received the feedback from the Met Council on June 13, 2011. They stated that although we are welcome to submit the full application, the project does not seem ready to be competitive in the application process. There is a predevelopment grant, designed for providing money for planning a development, which Mr. Sampair is applying for. Staff will continue to update the EDA on the progress of the grant application. UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT The purchase agreement for the Ricci's property has been canceled. Staff will continue to talk to the bank on the demolition of the building. The City is continuing to work with the development team that has the purchase agreement on the City owned property. Staff updated the EDA on the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal article on Hugo being the fast growing City in the metro area. ADJOURNMENT Klein made a motion, seconded by Bever, to adjourn at 10:30 am. All aye. Motion carried.