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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011.08.08 EDA MinutesMINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF AUGUST 8, 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 JULY 11, 2011 Klein made motion, Puleo seconded, to approve minutes for the EDA meeting of July 11, 2011. All aye. Motion carried. DISCUSSION ON GREATER MINNEAPOLIS ST. PAUL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP Washington County has been contacted by a newly formed Greater MSP Economic Development Partnership (Greater MSP) to seek help in coordinating an economic development roundtable in the County. This organization was created to enhance existing economic development efforts in the greater metropolitan region. They are reaching out to private and public economic development leaders in Washington County to assist them in developing an aggressive regional economic development strategy. The City of Hugo has been informed by Washington County that they seek participation from cities in Washington County and business owners in the Greater MSP Economic Development Partnership, which will be holding a meeting on Tuesday, August 23, 2011. Deputy County Manager Molly O'Rourke has informed the City of Hugo that it seeks participation from two City officials as well as local business owners. The City Council considered this request at its August 1, 2011, meeting and appointed Bryan Bear, Community Development Director and EDA President, Fran Miron, as representatives and requested the EDA select someone of its membership as another representative of Hugo. Washington County will be contacting Wilson Tool and Schwieters Companies to be part of the roundtable discussion as private economic development leaders. Klein made a motion, seconded by Graff, to have Commissioner Denaway represent the EDA at the Greater MSP roundtable discussion. All aye. Motion Carried. DISCUSSION ON ENTREPRENEUR BOOT CAMP At its July 11, 2011, meeting the EDA had a discussion on a concept, presented by the BNI group, for an entrepreneur boot camp. The sessions would help small business and entrepreneurs grow and create new businesses. Staff would like to provide the EDA with an update on how the boot camp is moving forward in partnership with the Hugo Business Association (HBA). Graff made a motion, seconded by Bever, to have staff continue working the BNI and the HBA on the boot camp. All aye. Motion Carried. UPDATE ON FLEXIBLE OFFICE SPACE Staff has been working with a property owner in the Bald Eagle Industrial Park on flexible office space as an option when leasing the building. The property now has three tenants and using the idea by creating separate office areas for the tenants in one space. UPDATE ON CITY RENTAL PROPERTIES Staff included the expense reports from September 2010 on the properties. The print shop is rented out on a short term lease. The barber is vacating the property this month. Staff has walked through the rental house and it is in need of repairs before it can be rented out again and out building will need to be removed. The repairs could be over $5,000. When it was being rented out the City was making money, but there has been a lot of staff time involved in maintenance and getting rent. If the building was demolished the cost would be over $20,000. Miron stated that the repairs will cost more than what the City is profiting. Klein stated that the EDA talked about his last year and it may be more beneficial to demolish the house. Denaway agreed and stated that the property seemed to be a liability. Miron stated in the mean time the City needs to make sure the property is maintained, such as mowing the lawn. Staff will put together additional information on the properties and will bring it back to the EDA. UPDATE ON MIXED-USE REDEVELOPMENT LCDA GRANT Staff updated the EDA on the progress of the LCDA grant for the Sampair property. The application is complete for the Met Council review. One of the items that are requested for the planning grant is the update of the Maxfield study. Denaway stated that was a good idea to include that in the grant. Miron asked for an overview of the study at the next EDA meeting. UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT Staff included the assessment agreement for the demolition of the Ricci's property. The building is planned to be demolished this year. Staff is waiting for monthly reports from the development team that has a purchase agreement on the City owned property. The old Superior Market property has a reduced price of $695,000 and a new marketing brochure. Miron asked about the number of building permits and commercial/industrial activity. Staff will provide the 2010 Building Report and will provide the 2011 report when it is complete. Graff talked about agricultural business in Hugo and how we could showcase their service to the community. He talked about marketing to get more agricultural businesses in Hugo. Miron stated that the agricultural services are getting further away because they provide more of a service in those locations. The suppliers are also getting larger and have consolidated into fewer locations. Commissioner Bever stated that he would like to make a presentation on a community event sign. ADJOURNMENT Klein made a motion, seconded by Puleo, to adjourn at 10:10 am. All aye. Motion carried.