The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2007-04-10 EDA MinutesCITY OF COTTAGE GROVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES April 10, 2007 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 10th day of April 2007. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:33 a.m. by EDA President Bailey. ROLL CALL Members Present: Myron Bailey, EDA President Paul Poncin, EDA Member Gerry Weingartner, EDA Secretary /Treasurer Mike Wennen, EDA Member Jim Wolcott, EDA Member Members Absent: Pat Rice, EDA Vice President Others Present: Joe Fischbach, Management Analyst Ron Hedberg, Director of Finance & Administrative Services Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer Ryan Schroeder, EDA Executive Director Kenneth Smith, Management Analyst Jesse Swenson, Management Analyst APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by EDA Member Wolcott to approve the March 13, 2007 Economic Development Authority minutes. Seconded by EDA Member Wolcott, all Present in Favor. Economic Development Authority - Minutes April 10, 2007 Page 2 DEVELOPMENT UPDATE EDA Executive Director Schroeder gave the EDA a development update. He stated that the format for his development presentation was a little different this week. He listed all development activity: Hamlet Park (enlargement of storm water holding area), McHattie Farms Subdivision Concept Plan (90 acre subdivision), Colonial Commons, LLC (redevelopment of dental building), 2007 A Street Improvement Project (Pine Cliff subdivision street permanent street construction), 2007 Sealcoating Project, The Preserve at Cottage Grove (zoning change), East Ravine Trunk Utilities (Announcing Council approval for feasibility report for Trunk sanitary sewer extension), MSA Route Designations (street designation changes), Lehigh Avenue Grant Award, S &C Bank, (construction of 3,500 square foot two story building), Pine Tree Valley Park Improvements (Council authorized plans for $350,000 improvement to Pine Tree Valley Park), Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park Master Plan (City Council will review plan at their meeting on May 2, 2007), Gateway North Streetscaping (US Bank retaining wall, four corner monuments, refencing Atkinson Cemetery), New Restaurant (Bamboo Garden at former Quisno's location), Cottage Grove Plaza Sold (sold for $5,072,000 to EA 394 Associates LLC and Geller Properties LLC), Hemingway Business Center (20,000 square foot first phase and 23,500 square foot second phase), ICHOR Creative Stone (space available), TIF District 1 -14 (approval to create district sought), Cottage Grove Ice Arena (agreement to lease ice time to School District 833), South Service Center (C of O obtained by Washington County), Health East Building / Summerhill (Health East has moved into new building at 6936 Pine Arbor Drive), Top Ten Liquors (opened at old movie gallery building 8617 East Point Douglas Rd.), TH61 /CR 19 Feasibility Study (proposed feasibility to determine infrastructure needs related to CR19 bridge over TH61, $38,000 is City's expected contribution for project costs), Upcoming Projects /Approvals 1. Southridge Point Plan and Specs: 2. Billboard Ordinance: 3. Development Architectural Ordinance: 4. Norris Marketplace Site Plan Review, Building Permit Approvals. Executive Director Schroeder, noted that there were six commercial building permits already approved this year. Executive Director Schroeder informed the Board that the City's web page has been updated for 2007 infrastructure projects and For Sale For Lease information has also been updated. Events / Meeting Executive Director Schroeder highlighted several upcoming events and meetings: Arbor Day April 28 ", Spring Clean Up Day, May 5 ", Industrial Park Roundabout Traffic Route Meeting May 8 and the Strawberry Festival, June 14 at Kingston Park. ON Economic Development Authority - Minutes April 10, 2007 Page 3 Creation of TIF district 1 -14 Executive Director Schroeder and Ron Hedberg, Director of Finance and Administrative Services, presented information concerning the creation of TIF District 1 -14. At the February 12, 2007 EDA meeting, the EDA passed a resolution requesting that the City Council call for a public hearing on modifying the current development plan establishing TIF District 1 -14. At the February 21, 2007 City Council meeting, the City Council passed a resolution calling for the public hearing to be held on April 18, 2007. The EDA is now asked to consider adopting resolutions to create the new TIF District 1 -14. These resolutions include: • A resolution adopting a modification to Development District No.1 establishing TIF District 1 -14 and adopting the TIF plan to provide for this new district • A resolution approving the removal of two parcels from the existing TIF District No. 1 -10, in Development District No. 1 The new district will provide for the development of phases of the Hamlet ponding needs and to create a pad ready site with the soils removed from the pond. It is also necessary to remove two parcels from the original TIF district 1 -10 to provide the ability to pay for the pond improvements within the new TIF district. These parcels have never been improved so they can be included in the new district and there are no financial impacts to original district by removing these parcels. Staff Recommended that the EDA adopt resolutions to create a new TIF District 1 -14. These resolutions include: • A resolution adopting a modification to Development District No.1 establishing TIF District 1 -14 and adopting the TIF plan to provide for this new district • A resolution approving the removal of two parcels from the existing TIF District No. 1 -10, in Development District No. 1 Action Requested: Adopt Resolutions: • RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ELIMINATION OF PARCELS FROM TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT NO. 1 -10 (WASHINGTON COUNTY TIF DISTRICT NO. 66), LOCATED WITHIN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT NO. 1 IN THE CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE. • RESOLUTION ADOPTING A MODIFICATION TO THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT NO. 1, ESTABLISHING TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT NO. 1 -14 THEREIN AND ADOPTING A TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN THEREFOR. President Myron Bailey, made a motion to recommend TIF districts to the City Economic Development Authority - Minutes April 10, 2007 Page 4 Council and to adopt the resolutions. It was seconded by member Wolcott and passed unanimously. Clear Channel Pond - Design Details of Phase 1 Pond City Planner, Jennifer Levitt and Executive Director Schroeder made a presentation to the Board summarizing the design details regarding the Phase 1 Clear Channel Pond Improvements. Details covered included: a) Pond Aesthetics which looked at location, elevation, improvements and tree placement: b) Stormwater Rate Control which involved location and size, flood storage volume and reduced stormwater discharge. c) Stormwater Quality, which included in the project a number of water quality treatment features including wet ponding cells and an infiltration shelf. d) Tributary Drainage Area which will be roughly 63 acres with 85% of this tributary area located north /east of Highway 61. Director Schroeder informed the Board he wasn't looking for any action but wanted to keep them up -to -date on the project. Director Schroeder stated that there would be seat coat rock at the site and the question of a trail around the pond was raised by President Bailey. Although, plans for a trail was included in the original plans, they have since been removed. Member Wolcott, stated it wouldn't be a pleasant walk. Member Wolcott also asked if we needed a new pipe under TH61. Ms Levitt said no, the current pipe is in good condition. EDA Strategic Planning Retreat Notes Management Analyst, Kenneth Smith thanked the EDA Board Members for attending and participating in the retreat. He reviewed Facilitator Barbara Strandell's strategic planning retreat notes. He covered the areas of General Comments, Council Objectives, Project Status Update, Successful Economic Development, Unsuccessful Economic Development, The EDA's Ranked Strategic Priorities, Long Term Goals, Objectives / Priorities Next Two Years, Obstacles or Barriers, Strengths and Opportunities and the Next Steps. Director Schroeder pointed out some changes he had made including the order of number 5 and 6 in the Objectives / Priorities section to reflect the fact the number 6 had no objectives associated with it and he asked if the Board was ok with the headings he had inserted under the EDA Strategic Priorities section. The Board concurred on both points. Mr. Smith informed the Members that the notes would be included in the updated EDA Strategic Plan being assembled by the Administration. EDA GOLF TOURNAMENT UPDATE Management Analyst Jesse Swenson, informed the Board that there is one foursome and one single person registered for the August 14 tournament to date. A sponsorship request letter was sent out on April 4 th to past sponsors and other corporate businesses in the Cottage Grove Area. The sponsorship opportunities will also be included in the 4 Economic Development Authority - Minutes April 10, 2007 Page 5 invitations. Invitations for the tournament will be mailed out at the end of April. Bruce Anderson, Golf Pro Manager, gathered price quotes and samples which Ms Swenson showed to the Board. These included: a travel mug with a sleeve of balls, sleeved and sleeveless windbreakers and a baseball cap. After a lively conversation the board agreed to go with a stone colored windbreaker with a small Cottage Grove Minnesota logo on it. Executive Director Schroeder asked the Members if they wanted the City's web site on the shirts. The members did not want this. It was suggested that the price of the tournament be increased to cover the price of the shirt, but it was pointed out that the invitations with the current prices had already been sent out. 4 Th ANNUAL BUSINESS SHOWCASE The EDA was thanked for being a sponsor of the Chamber event again this year. This year's showcase had 47 booths and was enjoyed by more than 300 people. Director Schroeder, was thanked by Mary Slusser, Chamber President, for his support and Jesse Swenson was noted for doing a great Job. City of Cottage Grove Arbor Day - 2007 Director Schroeder announced that the City of Cottage Grove is sponsoring an Arbor Day event to promote the environment, local parks, tree planting and environmental awareness and encouraged Board members to talk to their neighbors about it. The date is April 28, 2007 from 10:00 to 1:00 p.m. It will be held at Highlands Park, off 70 St. and Idsen Ave. South. Annual Cottage Grove Spring Clean Up Day The City of Cottage Grove is sponsoring a spring cleanup day. Household goods, tires and batteries and electronic equipment can all be dropped off at the CG Public Works Garage 8635 West Point Douglas Rd. on Saturday, May 5, 2007 from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDA Member Jim Wolcott called it and excellent event. Cottage Grove Strawberry Fest The 2007 Cottage Grove Strawberry Fest is scheduled to begin June 14 and run through to June 17 The event will be held at Kingston Park and will feature a carnival, bands and food. Member Wolcott asked if all EDA members were invited to the volunteer recognition banquet. Director Schroeder, replied in the affirmative and encouraged members to submit volunteer nominations for persons they know in the community. s Economic Development Authority - Minutes April 10, 2007 Page 6 CALENDAR The EDA members were reminded of upcoming meetings and events. Farewell to EDA Member Mike Wennen Members and staff said farewell to Member Mike Wennen, who is resigning from the Board and moving out of state for business opportunities. ADJOURN EDA President Myron Bailey moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by EDA Member Wennen, All Present in Favor, the meeting adjourned at 8:15 AM. Respectfully Submitted, Kenneth L. Smith Management Analyst G