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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-02-10 EDA MinutesCITY OF COTTAGE GROVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES February 10, 2009 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 February 2009. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:34 a.m. by EDA President Myron Bailey. ROLL CALL Members Present: Myron Bailey, EDA President Tony Jurgens, EDA Member Justin Olsen, EDA Vice President Paul Poncin, EDA Secretary /Treasurer Richard Remackel, EDA Member Sara Westall, EDA Member Members Absent: Chris Reese 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: Gerry Weingartner APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by EDA member Tony Jurgens to approve the January 13, 2009 Economic Development Authority minutes. Seconded by EDA Member Justin Olsen, All Present in Favor. Welcome to Chris Reese, new EDA Member The welcome was not held. EDA President Myron Bailey informed the members that Mr. Reese would not be present due to an unavoidable conflict. Economic Development Authority - Minutes January 13, 2009 Page 2 Gerry Weingartner Certificate of Appreciation The EDA presented Gerry with a certificate of appreciation and thanked Gerry for his years of service on the EDA. Gerry served on the EDA for 21 years beginning in 1986. DEVELOPMENT UPDATE EDA Executive Director Schroeder gave the EDA a development update. He stated that at the January meeting of the EDA, the Board granted support of the Southwest Transportation corridor as a federal highway authorization bill submittal. Further, the EDA supported use of ED Trust Fund dollars for consulting dollars to assist with this important commerce /industrial corridor project. Included in the packet was the Council adopted resolution of support and a management letter used to describe the project. The next step is to work toward receiving a Federal Highway bill authorization for the next six year period. Building Permit Activity EDA Executive Director Schroeder stated that the City issued 4 permits for new houses in January of this year. As expected, per unit values are down slightly from 2007 and 2008 January levels. The 2009 permits average $326,737 per unit with 2008 at $373,040, and 2007 at $345,812. He also mentioned that American Accounts & Advisors have purchased the former Health East Building near City Hall. They will be moving in on April 4, 2009. He expects the business to bring in around 25 jobs. EDA Annual Report Management Analyst Joe Fischbach presented the EDA Annual Report and asked the members to review the document and forward any comments or recommendations to himself or Executive Director Schroeder. EDA member Tony Jurgens commented that the report looked good. EDA President Myron Bailey shared a similar sentiment and said he liked the colors and the ribbon cutting pictures because it lets residents know the City is growing. BR &E Update Management Analyst Jesse Swenson presented the business retentions and expansion update. She attached a memo which had a list of new corporations and assumed names taken from the Business Journal. She informed the members that the City has begun tracking these filings and that most are home based businesses in Cottage Grove. Three potential companies /projects were listed on the BR &E spreadsheet for 2009. Promotional Advertising Card Executive Director Schroeder informed the members that they had a promotional Valentine advertising card in their packet. This card was sent out to the City's economic development mailing list. The concept was created by Senior Planner John Burbank and had been warmly received by all those who'd seen it so far. Based on comments received from this promotion, similar follow up cards are planned. EDA President Myron Bailey told the members that he'd had a marketing meeting with City Staff and encouraged marketing ideas that were unique. Economic Development Authority - Minutes January 13, 2009 Page 3 Metro MS P Web Site Update Management Analyst Jesse Swenson presented the Metro MSP web site update as a FYI. She explained that the site was launched in May of 2008 and can be used to download demographic workforce, consumer expenditures and area business information. More than 40 national rankings by respected business research groups were added to the site in 2008. Taken as a whole the rankings make a compelling case for businesses to locate or expand in the 11 county Minneapolis / Saint Paul region. EDA President Myron Bailey asked if we'd gotten any leads off the site. EDA Executive Director Schroeder replied not as of yet. EDA Member Justin Olsen remarked that the Real Estate industry has been using something similar to this for some time and it was good we had a site like this. EDA Member Sarah Westall stated that there is a perception in the businesses community that Cottage Grove is geographically far out there. The message we should get out is that we are centrally located to Rochester, Wisconsin and the Metro area. Jesse mentioned that Washington County put us on the Website. EDA Executive Director Schroeder mentioned that an example of our locational advantage was provided by the Werner project during which we were able to market that we are centrally located to their potential customers. River Oaks Rate Comparisons & River Oaks Marketing Management Analyst, Kenneth Smith presented a memo highlighting a comparison between River Oaks Golf Course and other metro area golf courses provided by Golf Manager Bruce Anderson. Comparisons were made in green fees for 18 and 9 hole and senior rounds on weekdays and weekends. He mentioned that River Oaks green fees are in the middle of the group and in some instances in the bottom third when compared to other courses. Mr Smith also pointed out the marketing efforts that the golf manager had undertaken over the past few years. Executive Director Schroeder informed the group that the golf course had recently won a "Hackers" award where River Oaks had scored in the top ten public courses in 3 out of 5 criteria for best places to play. Hackers magazine is directed at those golfers who regularly shoot between 90 and 120. EDA member Tony Jurgens suggested that the news be put into the Newsletter. EDA member Justin Olsen, asked if Bruce Anderson has autonomy to set prices. Executive Director Schroeder told him he can negotiate banquets and meetings and tournaments. Mr. Olsen asked if we should be the lowest priced golf course in the area during these hard times as a way to attract more golfers. EDA member Tony Jurgens remarked that we have a jewel of a golf course and did it make sense to drop our prices to be the lowest place to play. Finance and Administrative Director Ron Hedberg commented that Bruce has daily price changes depending upon the day, the time and the time of the year. EDA member Richard Remarkel informed the members that last May was a wet cold month which cut down on rounds played. Then the Hasting Bridge was shut down for repairs and that further hurt the courses, bottom line. EDA member Sarah Westall asked if people who stay after were more likely to eat and drink. EDA member Remarkel replied yes. EDA member Westall commented that Southview Golf Course is always busy in the banquet area and asked if we market our banquet facility. Yes, replied Executive Director Schroeder but the restaurant side is harder for us to market because the kitchen is small. EDA member Justin Olsen stated he knew some people who complained the food was not very good and wouldn't hang around afterward. EDA member Sarah Westall stated that the view from the club house was great. Executive Director Economic Development Authority - Minutes January 13, 2009 Page 4 Schroeder commented that he knows people hang out on the deck in the middle of the week for drinks after work. EDA member Westall remarked that if you market to females you'll get more corporation business. Further, she wanted to know what does the course need to be better. EDA member Ramackel said a bigger kitchen with a signature food item. It was decided by the members to hold the next EDA meeting (March 10, 2009) at River Oaks Golf course and talk to Bruce and Sue O'Connell Banquet Manager about their needs. EDA Golf Tournament Update Management Analyst Jesse Swenson informed the members that on February 3 rd the EDA golf tournaments "save the date" post cards were mailed to over 1,300 EDA contacts. CALENDAR The EDA members were reminded of upcoming meetings and events. Jesse Swenson stated that Christine Beckwith will be the speaker at the 3M Business Recognition Breakfast. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS ITEMS EDA member Tony Jurgens asked about the items under the BR &E, focusing on the Bio Medical Device Company. Executive Director Schroeder informed him that this was a new list. He told him the company was in Minneapolis and that the Hemingway Business Center would meet their stated site requirements. Director Schroeder also said he was in contact with a developer who is interested in putting in a bowling alley in Cottage Grove. Jesse Swenson said she would designate years on the list to note which is old and which is new. EDA President Myron Bailey and other members of the EDA said they would be available to help with company contacts. EDA Treasurer Paul Poncin asked about lights on ballfields and was told it was in the CIP but was currently on hold due to the pressures on the budget. EDA President Myron Bailey mentioned that he had a meeting with City staff about a Community Center. They were looking to form a Community Center Task Force (with individuals from library, School District, CGAA etc.) and that the planning was in the preliminary stages and that they wanted to ascertain community interest. He asked members to mention this to people in the community and invite them to apply. It was envisioned that the task force would complete their report by May 2011. ADJOURN EDA member Justin Olsen moved to adjourn the meeting. It was seconded by EDA Treasurer /Secretary Paul Poncin. All present were in favor and the meeting adjourned at 8:30 AM. Respectfully Submitted, Kenneth L. Smith Management Analyst