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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-11-12 EDA MinutesCITY OF COTTAGE GROVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES November 12,2008 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 12th day of November 2008. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:31 a.m. by EDA President Fred Luden. ROLL CALL Members Present: Tony Jurgens, EDA Member Fred Luden, EDA President Paul Poncin, EDA Member Richard Remackel, EDA Member Sandy Shiely, EDA Vice President Members Absent: Gerry Weingartner, EDA Secretary /Treasurer Sara Westall, EDA Member Staff Present: Howard Blin, Community Development Director Joe Fischbach, Management Analyst Ryan Schroeder, EDA Executive Director Ken Smith, Management Analyst Jesse Swenson, Management Analyst Others Present: Justin Fox RE /Max Resources APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by EDA Member Poncin to approve the October 14, 2008 Economic Development Authority minutes. Seconded by EDA Member Remackel, all present in favor. DEVELOPMENT UPDATE EDA Executive Director Schroeder gave the EDA a development update. He stated that the City has received notice that there is a signed purchase agreement on the former Health East Economic Development Authority - Minutes November 12, 2008 Page 2 building on 80 Street from a collection agency. This collection services agency is being relocated from the Cedarvale redevelopment project area in Eagan. They are expected to bring 29 employees to this site and will utilize the entire building. Cottage Grove Collision Center (7516 95 St.): this project has been referred to as Zitzloff Auto Body. A banner is now hanging from the building referring to its new name and pending opening. Allina Medical (8611 W. Pt. Douglas Rd.): On October 31 St Allina hosted a ground breaking for their 11,466 square foot clinic expansion. EDA President Fred Luden was in attendance at this event. He commented that this is one of the few capital projects that went forward this year in the Allina Network. Cottage Grove Ice Arena: Executive Director Schroeder stated the Ice Arena was substantially completed. The ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on Tuesday, November 18 Events go into the night with a scheduled girl's hockey game. Building Permits: New home permits are up 42% over YTD 2007 at a total of 81 with two months remaining. Total permit volume is at $77,825,330 in value which is on par with the 2003 -2007 time frame mean. This has been a typical year from a permit value position however a substantial portion of the value is due to public sector projects. EDA member Poncin inquired as to why the parking lot in front of the Allina building was torn up. Community Development Director Howard Blin responded that they were putting in ponding and expanding the parking lot. Metro MSP Web Site Update Management Analyst Jesse Swenson stated that the MSP website at www. metro ms .org was launched in May 2008 and serves as a GIS based site selection tool developed and funded by an 11 county public - private partnership convened by the Minneapolis Regional Chamber Development Foundation. Information on privately owned properties is provided by the Minnesota Commercial Association of Realtors (MNCAR), and information on publically owned properties and redevelopment sites is provided by cities and counties in the Metro MSP region. The City of Cottage Grove has a link to the site on its web page. Jesse presented stats on how they've been doing from May to August, 2008. Industrial Park Land Purchase EDA Executive Director Schroeder explained to the EDA that the City Council authorized an agreement with WAG Farms, fee owner of the raw land within the industrial park, which will result in the eventual purchase of a land parcel next to the Hemingway Business Center. The intent, and the request here, is that the EDA ratify the intent to use ED Trust fund dollars for the land purchase. (By motion authorize the designation of ED Trust Fund dollars toward the purchase of up to 3.5 acres within the industrial park at a purchase price of $1.75/sq. ft. (maximum purchase price of $266,805). Ultimately, the EDA would have the future opportunity to reimburse the Trust Fund out of sale proceeds and TIF generation if a parcel resale occurs. EDA President Fred Luden asked what role the EDA would have in the future. Executive Director Schroeder said any development agreement would come thru this body as usual. EDA member Tony Jurgens asked what the other funding sources are if the ED Trust Fund is not tapped. Executive Director Schroeder stated the other fund would be the City's fund balance. EDA member Paul Poncin made a motion to use the ED Trust Fund to fund the Economic Development Authority - Minutes November 12, 2008 Page 3 purchase. This was seconded by EDA member Richard Remackel and all were in favor with no dissention. Business Retention and Expansion The BR &E spreadsheet was given to the EDA. Executive Director Schroeder stated that he was in communication with someone interested in possibly acquiring one of three sites for a sports bar and ball fields. Nothing was certain at this time. Chamber Economic Development Committee Meeting Minutes Management Analyst Jesse Swenson presented minutes of the meeting and informed the EDA she was not present at the last meeting. The committee will work with the Showcase and Communications committees for the check -off card and website ideas respectively when there may be an overlapping in responsibilities. EDA Vice President Shiely reflected that we have to tell people they can only buy local for certain things, i.e. pizza, nails done etc. We don't have enough stores to completely buy local. EDA Enabling Resolution and Term Limits In the EDA enabling resolution it states that EDA members are limited to serving two consecutives terms. At the end of 2008 EDA Secretary /Treasurer Gerry Weingartner will have served two consecutive terms. There will be 3 positions to fill and Council will fill two of these seats from its 2009 membership. EDA Executive Director Schroeder asked the EDA to suggest individuals to replace Secretary /Treasurer Gerry Weingartner. Individuals can fill out an application on line. EDA Richard Remackel will continue to be a member into the next year. EDA Vice President Sandy Shiely told the EDA she has received an email from a woman who is interested in serving on the EDA. EDA member Tony Jurgens asked Executive Director Schroeder if there was anything else going on with BR &E. Executive Director Schroeder mentioned recreational retail perhaps. EDA member Jurgens stressed that the collection agency considering Cottage Grove is a good deal that would bring good paying white collar jobs to the area. Management Analyst Jesse Swenson and Community Development Director Howard Blin mentioned that there was a possibility that an Italian restaurant would be opening in the License center mall. CALENDAR The EDA members were reminded of upcoming meetings and events. ADJOURN EDA Vice President Sandy Shiely moved to adjourn the meeting. It was seconded by EDA President Fred Luden. All present were in favor and the meeting adjourned at 7.59 AM. Respectfully Submitted, Kenneth L. Smith Management Analyst