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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014.10.14 EDA MinutesMINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF OCTOBER 14, 2014 Weidt called the meeting to order at 5:02 pm. PRESENT: Denaway, Gallivan, Houle, Klein, Petty, Puleo, and Weidt ABSENT: NONE STAFF: Bryan Bear, City Administrator Rachel Juba, Planner OATH OF OFFICE Cindy Petty gave her oath of office to the Hugo Economic Development Authority. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 9, 2014 Klein made motion, Denaway seconded, to approve minutes for the EDA meeting of September 9, 2014. All ayes. Motion carried. DISCUSSION ON MARKETING At its September meeting the EDA discussed the 2030 Comprehensive Plan implementation items and the EDA goals for 2014. The EDA discussed marketing as one of its top goals. Staff has provided an overview of of the current marketing efforts and discussed others the EDA would like to accomplish. Staff presented the marketing efforts to the EDA. The main topics included the City website, community videos, quality development, events, and partnerships. The City website has an entire section dedicated to economic development that provides an abundance of information for business owners and properties that are available. There are several events that are held that bring in large numbers of people to Hugo. Partnerships was a large portion of the presentation showcasing all of the partnership that have been established over the last several years. Staff stated they were comfortable with the marketing that is being done, but asked the EDA for other big picture marketing efforts that could be completed. Commissioner Klein stated that the EDA should ask commercial and industrial businesses what kinds of businesses would be a benefit to them if they moved here. Commission Denaway stated that generally the City is doing a good job marketing Hugo. More outreach and networking with economic development organization would benefit Hugo. There needs to be word of mouth effort that Hugo is a great place to locate a business. President Weidt asked the EDA if a consultant should be hired on to complete the marketing efforts and provide the City with additional marketing efforts. He asked if this would have more impact. Commission Denaway stated that a consultant may not be the right approach. The word of mouth and networking may have more of an impact and result. Having meetings with commercial realtors or brokers is a good idea. The EDA generally agreed. Commissioner Petty stated that the EDA or City should conduct a commercial realtor's forum and present information to the realtors on Hugo. The EDA generally agreed this was a good idea. President Weidt asked staff to look into having a commercial realtor's forum in Hugo. DISCUSSION ON THOMMES AND THOMAS PROPERTY At the September meeting the EDA discussed the Thommes and Thomas property on 165th Street being for sale. In 2009, the EDA discussed the purchase of the property and made a motion to not purchase the property. Recently, the realtor had contacted staff again asking if the City would be interested in buying the property for $50,000 per net developable acre. Staff provided the EDA with the inventory of industrial lots and building available. Staff recommended the EDA discuss the City's role in development and purchasing the property. Commissioner Denaway stated that this property is located in an area where the City has zoned property industrial. We developed the Bald Eagle Industrial Park and provided incentives to businesses who located in the park. There may be another time when it will be the City's role again to develop an industrial park. There also may be other ways besides acquiring properties to provide incentives for businesses to locate in Hugo and to help development of the area. President Weidt agreed and stated that there are several other properties that would need to be acquired to make a development possible. Commission Puleo asked if staff could provide an estimate on the cost to extend utilities to the area. Staff stated they could provide something to the EDA at an upcoming meeting. Commission Houle questioned whether the market was ready for development if the private sector has not developed the property. Staff stated that the main question is "what is the City's role in development?". Should be City continue marketing or actually being the developer? If the market is there, private developers are likely to develop the property. A reason the City would develop a property before the market is ready, is they want it to move faster and want to incentivize the development. This means a high risk investment and properties are likely sold at a discount. If the City decided to develop a property are market study should be completed to ensure it's feasible. Commissioner Puleo stated that if the City were to develop an industrial park in this area, this may not be the first property the City would want to acquire. President Weidt summarized that from the discussion is that the EDA does not want acquire property and develop an industrial park at this time, but may want to revisit the issue in the future. The EDA members agreed. UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT Staff stated that the Hardwood Creek Trail extension from 145th Street to 140`h Street has been completed. O'Reilly's Auto Parts purchased the property located at 14777 Forest Boulevard (old Ricci's Saloon Site) and has submitted for site plan approval. ADJOURNMENT Weidt made a motion, seconded by Gallivan, to adjourn at 6:30 P.M. All ayes. Motion carried.