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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-08-12 EDA MinutesCITY OF COTTAGE GROVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES August 72, 2003 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a regular meeting of the Economic Development Authority was held at City Hall, 7516 80th Street South, Cottage Grove, Minnesota on the 12th day of August 2003. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:30 a.m. by EDA President Wolcott. Rni i CAI i Members Present: Jim Wolcott, EDA President Sandy Shiely, EDA Vice - President Gerry Weingartner, Authority Member Dick Pederson, Authority Member Mike Wennen, Authority Member Al Boche, Authority Member Glen Kleven, Authority Member Members Absent: Others Present: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator Ron Hedberg, Finance Director Steve Barrett, Management Analyst Scott Johnson, Management Analyst Colby Johnson, South Washington County Bulletin APPROVAL OF MINUTES Authority Member Dick Pederson moved to approve the July 8, 2003 EDA Minutes. Mike Wennen seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. Economic Development Authority - Minutes August 12, 2003 Page 2 PROJECT UPDATES There are currently 13 restaurants on the city's active project list. There are a few potential relocations also on this list. Industrial leads for the city have been slow lately. Some industrial projects are waiting for better economic projections before building their projects. CCE Technologies is talking about expanding their current facility in the industrial park. Kim Lindquist and Michelle Wolfe recently met with a realtor who represents a recording studio that is interested in the industrial park. Finally, the city has a body shop that is interested in locating in the industrial park. GATEWAY G -Will Center - KKE is currently drawing up improvement plans for the G -Will Center. They will upgrade the rear of the building first and consolidate the dumpster locations. The fagade will be upgraded in the future. Cottage Square - The city continues to work on a proposal for the Cottage Square site. Hamlet Park Ponding — A stormwater ponding project in Hamlet Park would require an expansion of existing facilities. This project would also take away industrial property in the industrial park. In June, the City Council met with residents. They discussed expanding Hamlet Avenue and adding housing units. Also, MNDOT expressed concerns over the current water levels in Hamlet Park. We may be able to sell some of the sub -soil rock to help pay for this project. This will be determined in the near future. Staff put together a drawing of the 20 acre pond, flume system, and the expansion of the Hamlet ball fields. Some portion of this property is already directed to use for ponding. Ryan Schroeder informed the EDA that it is important to improve the drainage and ponding to help with the storm water issues that were created with development in the 1960's, 70's, and 80's. Rock exists 5 to 6 feet below surface levels. The rock will need to be removed and crushed. The proposed storm water project would create up to an 800 foot buffer between the industrial sites and the residential sites. The ball fields will also be graded to take on storm water for a 100 -year storm. Glen Kleven asked if the storm water would kill the grass on the fields. Other EDA members thought the grass would be fine after the flooding. Mr. Schroeder also informed the EDA that the city needs to wait for the results from the soil borings before making a decision on this project. There will be a neighborhood meeting on August 20 to discuss plans for Hamlet Park. There are currently no bids in hand for dredging the pond at Hamlet. A road would still need to be built to expand the housing in the area. Up to 18 single family homes are projected on this site. This will depend on the depth of the bedrock on the site. The major concern for the current residents is the volume of traffic in the area. HWY 61 PONDING Economic Development Authority - Minutes August 12, 2003 Page 3 Steve Barrett is currently working with Clear Channel to replace billboards in exchange for storm water ponding space and $1.00. He has received positive feedback from Council on pursuing this option. Clear Channel would be left with 3 billboards that would be limited in square footage to no more than exists on current sign faces. The current structures are outdated and can only be replaced through this agreement with the city. Jim Wolcott asked if the DNR has been contacted about turning the property into a storm water holding area. Staff will contact the DNR about the project and make the agreement contingent on the approval of affected state agencies. Mr. Schroeder has been in contact with Joe -Bob properties on the other land parcel for this project. EDA GOLF OUTING Staff will be recognize and thank eight developer /builders for their contributions to the City of Cottage Grove since 1997. This year's recipients include Orrin Thompson, Kingsborough Homes, Custom One Homes, McGough, Gunderson Construction, Goldridge Group, BRAA, and Xcel Energy. Staff would like to give out annual awards to developers for their work in Cottage Grove at the golf outing. CGAA Al Boche informed the EDA that the CGAA has donated $30,000 to the city to pave the north parking lot at Kingston Park. PROMOTIONAL VIDEO Mayor Shiely informed the EDA that the Hastings promotional video is located at hastingsmn.org. Tom Mortice from the Chamber of Commerce will look into putting together something similar for the City of Cottage Grove. ADJOURN The EDA adjourned at 8:45 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Scott Johnson Management Analyst