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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014.04.08 EDA MinutesMINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF APRIL 8, 2014 Weidt called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm. PRESENT: Arcand, Klein, Gallivan, Puleo, and Weidt ABSENT: Denaway STAFF: Bryan Bear, City Administrator Rachel Juba, Planner APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF MARCH 11, 2014 Klein made motion, Gallivan seconded, to approve minutes for the EDA meeting of March 11, 2014. All ayes. Motion carried. DISCUSSION ON METROPOLITAN COUNCIL SAC DEFERRAL PROGRAM The Met Council has a new program to allow deferral of the Met Council SAC (sewer area connection) fees for eligible businesses. Cities can participate by completing an application and entering into an agreement. The program allows deferral of up to 80% of the SAC due for the wastewater demand created by the business, up to a 10 year period. Staff presented the details and examples of the program to the EDA at the meeting. Staff stated there is not a deadline to enter the program and with talking to the Met Council staff the program is very easy to enter once a project comes forth. The EDA agreed that the program is a good economic development tool and directed staff to bring this item back to the EDA if it would benefit a specific project. UPDATE ON WASHINGTON COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STATEGIC PLAN At its March 18, 2014, meeting the Washington County Board of Commissioners reviewed and considered the strategic plan. The Board made a few minor revisions at the meeting. Prior to the Board formally approving the plan, they are asking for comments from communities on the plan. Staff recommended the EDA provide staff with comments on the plan to forward to Washington County. The EDA agreed that the plan was a good start for economic development for the County. The wanted to provide comments to allow the CDBG to be in favor of economic development projects. Additional comments included encouraging the County to get started as soon as possible on the action items. UPDATE ON CDBG FUNDING FOR 2014 The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) are federal funds that are administered through the Washington County HRA. Staff will provide an update to the EDA on the projects in Hugo that were recommended to be funded in 2014. Staff stated that the Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf and Habitat for Humanity were approved for CDBG funding for 2014. UPDATE ON REALTOR CONTRACT At its July 15, 2013 meeting, the City Council authorized the EDA to send out RFQ's for commercial realtors to market the City owned properties on Highway 61. In late August the RFQ's were sent out for proposals. The EDA received four proposals and, after evaluation, chose to interview two commercial realtor teams. After conducting the interviews at its February 11, 2014 meeting, the EDA recommended High Pointe Realty and Wakota Commercial Advisors as the realtors to market the City owned property in downtown. The contract with the realtors is on the April 7, 2014, City Council agenda for approval. UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT Staff reminded the EDA of the Joint City Council, Planning Commission, and EDA Workshop on Thursday, May 8, 2014, to discuss the updated Maxfield Research Inc., downtown market study and the downtown plan and design guidelines. ADJOURNMENT Klein made a motion, seconded by Gallivan, to adjourn at 5:40 P.M. All ayes. Motion carried.