Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015.01.13 EDA MinutesMinutes for the EDA Meeting of January 13, 2015 Weidt called the meeting to order at 5:01p.m. PRESENT: Gallivan, Houle, Klein, Petty, Puleo, and Weidt ABSENT: Denaway STAFF: Bryan Bear, City Administrator Rachel Juba, Planner Rachel Leitz, Community Development Intern Approval of minutes for the EDA meeting of December 9, 2014 Klein made motion, Gallivan seconded, to approve minutes for the EDA meeting of December 9, 2014. All Ayes. Motion carried. Discussion on 2015 EDA Goals Planner Juba gave an update regarding 2015 EDA goals, which included downtown redevelopment, maintaining a business friendly environment, marketing/ promotion of the City, and economic development strategic planning. Planner Juba started discussing downtown redevelopment more specifically in regards to developing a strategic plan to market the City owned property in downtown and assisting and encouraging redevelopment of other properties downtown. Commissioner Klein commented that the City and Commission needs to continue to be patient through development. As of right now, the City is seeing the residential side being developed more quickly than commercial and business development will take more time. Planner Juba wanted to get insight from the Commission on marketing promotion of the City, specifically on City entrance signs. There was previously a goal to have a "Welcome to Hugo" sign. Chairman Weidt stated that he would be comfortable with looking into this and the rest of the Commission agreed. Planner Juba discussed creating and enhancing city identity. City Administrator Bear pointed out that the Planning Commission talked about the identity of the City for the past few years and that it has been really tough to pin down one identity for the City. The Planning Commission, last week, talked about the steps and process for the next Comprehensive Plan. City Administrator Bear believes that if the City implements the statements and goals stated within the Comprehensive Plan, the City will eventually form its own identity. Commissioner Klein added that he is more concerned with bringing people here because the more residents, the more businesses and commercial development. He believes that through this process, an identity will form. Planner Juba discussed the goal in regards to the possibility of extending utilities to properties in the area of 165th street. She provided the very rough cost estimate for this project: $4.2 million. City Administrator Bear pointed out that assessments are likely when utilities are extended, therefore, some of these people may be forced into developments with higher assessments. He added that because the sewer main and water tower is right there, there is easy access to these utilities. Planner Juba concluded by acknowledging the Commissions views and asking if the EDA approve of these goals. Puleo made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the 2015 goals. All ayes. Motion Carried. Discussion on Options for Marketing City Owned Property Planner Juba stated that in the last meeting the EDA directed staff on some options to market city owned property across the street. She said that they have come up with a few options in marketing this: 1. Hire a new realtor 2. Market the property ourselves a. Prepare an RFP b. Meeting with the St. Paul Port Authority Planner Juba wanted to hear feedback on these options. Commissioner Puleo said he does not want to get a new realtor. Commissioner Klein added that he would like to hear what the St. Paul Port Authority has to say about redevelopment in Hugo. City Administrator Bear presented an idea that consisted of listing the property at a lower price. This would make it so the EDA can evaluate the project and make sure it would meet certain criteria to ensure a good quality project is built. The Commission discussed this option and concluded that they want a good quality project built on that property. Commissioner Puleo wants the Council to weigh in on lowering the purchase price before any recommendations are made. City Administrator Bear agrees and said that they first wanted to address the EDA to get an idea of the Commission's ideas before the next step. In conclusion, the Commission agreed that they do not believe a new realtor needs to be hired and staff should market the property. The Commission would also like to hear what the St. Paul Port Authority says and believes they will then have a better understanding for future marketing of the property. Discussion on MNCAR Membership Planner Juba gave an update of MNCAR, which she states is an organization for commercial real estate brokers. She then discussed with the Commission certain MNCAR membership options: 1. Economic Development membership 2. MNCAR Exchange membership (through Xceligent) 3. MNCAR sponsorship Commissioner Puleo stated that these programs seem like they are only for real-estate agents and asked if there were other cities that do these programs. Juba responded saying there are many cities that are members including Burnsville, Maple Grove, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Coon Rapids, etc. Chairman Weidt stated that this would be a good opportunity to network with developers and real-estate brokers. He asked if the membership was $250. Planner Juba answered "yes" to the Chairman's question. Chairman Weidt then stated that he believes this option is good. The Commission favors the $250 membership and the City hosting a commercial realtor forum. Discussion on Letter from Brian Wurzer Commissioner Puleo updated the Commission on Mr. Wurzer's letter. Mr. Wurzer's suggestions were to update the original downtown, along Highway 61. One of his ideas was to add lights, similar to the ones on CSAH 14. Commissioner Puleo asked if there anything we can do that could be an improvement on the look of 61. Planner Juba stated that they are working on Hardwood Trail and will be doing beautification to this trail including benches, landscaping, and kiosks. She also added that the City is working on a project with O'Reilly and they are proposing landscaping and benches (potentially matching the ones on the trail). Commissioner Puleo asked if the City could do maintenance in the ditch up to the post office and, on the east side, maybe doing something along the sidewalk to make it look more appealing. City Administrator Bear said that staff will talk with the county to see if they would be willing to install or other beautification elements, since they are helping with the trail development. City Administrator Bear said that with O'Reilly development and other such development, it will all add to the downtown feel Mr. Wurzer wants. Commissioner Petty state that lights on the corridor might make it look better to everyone. Commissioner Puleo added that staff should talk to Public Works to do anything, inexpensively, to make things look nicer. City Administrator Bear discussed work Public Works does to keep things looking nice, which includes cleaning telephone poles and clearing off snow on the 61 sidewalk. Commissioner Puleo said that we should keep this on the agenda, so in the Spring, when things melt, we can check out if areas need new sod or other updates. Update on Downtown Redevelopment City Administrator Bear wanted to make note of development, including O'Reilly Auto Parts site plan, planning for Lions Park, and construction of Keystone Place at LaValle Fields. Adiournment Chairman Weidt made a motion, seconded by Klein, to adjourn at 6:18 p.m. All Ayes. Motion carried.