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Home My WebLink About2008-04-08 EDA MinutesCITY OF COTTAGE GROVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES April 8, 2008 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 8th day of April 2008. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:30 a.m. by EDA President Luden. Rni i r.o i i Members Present: Tony Jurgens, EDA Member Fred Luden, EDA President Paul Poncin, EDA Member Richard Remackel, EDA Member Sandy Shiely, EDA Vice President Gerry Weingartner, EDA Secretary /Treasurer Sarah Westall, EDA Member Members Absent: Staff Present: Howard Blin, Community Development Director Joe Fischbach, Management Analyst Ron Hedberg, Director of Finance & Administrative Services Ryan Schroeder, EDA Executive Director Ken Smith, Management Analyst Jesse Swenson, Management Analyst Others Present: Jon Avise, South Washington County Bulletin APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by EDA Member Poncin to approve the March 11, 2008 Economic Development Authority minutes. Seconded by EDA Secretary /Treasurer Weingartner, All Present in Favor. Economic Development Authority - Minutes April 8, 2008 Page 2 DEVELOPMENT UPDATE EDA Executive Director Schroeder gave the EDA a development update. There is one final bid left for the ice arena windows that will be awarded later in the month of April. The School District is planning on making several mechanical and plumbing upgrades at Cottage Grove Junior High School and Park High School. The District is also considering temporary classroom rentals at Crestview Elementary to help with the demand for its Spanish Immersion program. The G -Will center is intending to do fagade and signage improvements. Cottage Grove Marketplace is expected to be fully occupied this summer. For the first three months of the year commercial /industrial permit values and residential new construction permits have come in higher than expected. However, staff still predicts a modest year, especially in residential new construction permits. GATEWAY NORTH MONUMENT SIGN AND US BANK RETAINING WALL EDA Executive Director Schroeder presented a plan for the intersection of Hardwood Avenue and 80 Street's monument sign and retaining wall. The City has been working with US Bank, located at this corner, for several years on building a two tiered wall. Since the project has taken longer to execute than predicted the costs have grown. Once the retaining wall project is complete US Bank will be responsible for the upkeep. A new cost to the overall project is a proposed $25,000 sidewalk that would run alongside 80 Street to the soon to be developed Culvers restaurant. Both Kohls and Culvers would help experience the cost of the sidewalk through an assessment totaling $8,921.43. The total project cost to the City is $53,468.57. EDA Member Poncin made a motion to approve the project, budget, and funding source as presented. Seconded by EDA Secretary /Treasurer Weingartner. EDA Member Jurgens noted that he was not convinced the sidewalk was necessary. EDA Executive Director Schroeder reiterated that the sidewalk plan is cost effective and there is a fair amount of walking traffic in that area; especially after the Culvers is open. EDA President Luden requested a vote and All Present were in Favor. EDA LEASE REVENUE BONDS FOR ICE ARENA EXPANSION Director of Finance and Administrative Services Ron Hedberg presented this item. The resolution provides authority for the EDA to issue up to $7 million in bonds for the new ice arena. A lease agreement would be made between the EDA and the City, which would run and operate the arena. EDA Secretary /Treasurer Weingartner made a motion to approve the resolution authorizing the publication of a notice of public hearing and establishing May 13, 2008 for a public hearing regarding the issuance of lease revenue bonds under MN statues, section 465.71, and setting May 21, 2008 as a special meeting of the Cottage Grove EDA to be held at 6:30 p.m. to consider awarding the sale of bonds and approving the lease with the City. Seconded by EDA member Poncin, All Present in Favor. RED ROCK RAIL STATION AREA PLANNING Economic Development Authority - Minutes April 8, 2008 Page 3 EDA Executive Director Schroeder presented this item. At the March 2008 EDA meeting the committee suggested identifying funding sources to initiate a master plan for this area. Community Development Director Blin spoke with Washington County and the Red Rock Rail Authority to see what resources they have available. The Red Rock Rail Authority will review the site and an RFP will be out soon. BUSINESS RETENTION /EXPANSION WORK PLAN EDA Executive Director Schroeder formulated a business retention /expansion work plan with direction from the City Council. An outcome is a directive that the EDA reconsider the approach taken regarding both commercial and industrial attraction to the community. Currently the EDA markets the City through Growth Partners and several print ads and postcards were created in the past to solicit new businesses to the Industrial Park. EDA Member Westall noted that she would like to see more brokers specifically interested in Cottage Grove, and believes the current Industrial Park brokers do not have a specific interest in the area. EDA President Luden added that he would like to see City staff start marketing the City as a whole, which would include housing, education, health care, businesses, and jobs. EDA Member Jurgens really likes the overall business retention /expansion work plan and would like to see the City work with a broker to create spec buildings in town. EDA Member Poncin stated that he believes the City should market to end users. EDA Member Remackel would like to see more focus on post high school education. City staff will come back to the EDA in the following months with more information regarding this plan. TECHNICAL TRAINING EDA President Luden explained the background on the City's past relationship with Inver Hills Technical College. Inver Hills had a satellite facility in Cottage Grove several years ago at Norris Square, but left when its rental space at Cottage Square Mall was torn down for a redevelopment. The question was raised if the City /EDA should try to establish the training facility again, because Inver Hills has interest in establishing industrial training in Cottage Grove. This will be a continuous EDA agenda item to update the EDA members on the ongoing discussions with Inver H i l l s . EDA GOLF TOURNAMENT UPDATE Management Analyst Jesse Swenson reported that two foursomes have already signed up for the event. Samples for the golf premium were handed out to the EDA members to get opinions on what should be purchased for this year's tournament. EDA Secretary /Treasurer Weingartner asked that staff not include items like travel mugs or towels since those types of premiums are not visible to others, and that the item purchased should be something with high visibility like a shirt or jacket. CALENDAR The EDA members were reminded of upcoming meetings and events. Economic Development Authority - Minutes April 8, 2008 Page 4 MISCELANEOUS BUSINESS ITEMS EDA Executive Director Schroeder went over the highlights of the PowerPoint presentation from the Annual Business Recognition Breakfast at 3M given by Minnesota Chamber President, David Olson. ADJOURN EDA Vice President Shiely moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by EDA Member Jurgens, All Present in Favor. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 AM. Respectfully Submitted, Jesse Swenson Management Analyst