HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000.02.08 MINUTES • CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY
MINUTES
FEBRUARY 8, 2000
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 February 2000.
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 a.m. by Jim Wolcott.
2. ROLL CALL
Members Present: Glen Kleven, Fred Luden, Dick Pederson, Gerard Weingertner, Jim
• Wolcott.
Members Absent: Jack Denzer, Shannon Green.
Others Present: Michelle Wolfe, Assistant City Administrator.
Dan King, Management Analyst.
Neil Belscamper, Secretary.
3.APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Kleven moved to approve the January 11, 2000 Minutes. Pederson seconded. Motion carried
unanimously.
4.A. PROJECT UPDATES
CCE: Wolfe stated that the TIF district had been approved by the City Council, as well as the
development agreement for CCE. There were still some issues with the adjacent lot that needed
to be resolved.
Metro East: One new proposal had been submitted from Metro East. There was no new
information on any of the previous proposals.
Hotel/Restaurant/Office: A purchase agreement had been signed between the school district and
the developer.A traffic study was the next step in the process.
Grove Plaza: There was no new information on the status of this project.
• APi: Currently, APi was in the process of putting together a strategic plan. They have been
informed of the status of the TIF district.
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Economic Development Authority - Minutes
February 8, 2000
Page 2
High Tech Manufacturing: This was an active project, but there was no further information at
present.
Post Office: Finalization of the project was being worked toward, but some stormwater ponding
issues remained. Luden suggested that the City have the property surveyed, and be reimbursed
for the cost once the purchase agreement is signed.
Murphy Warehouse: Luden informed the EDA that the project was proceeding as scheduled.
Trucking/Warehouse Distribution: A broker had contacted the City recently in regard to this
project.
NSP Inquiry: This proposal would have heavy utility requirements and a considerable amount of
truck traffic,which several of the EDA members voiced concerns over.
16-Acre Site: This was an inquiry by a broker for a 16-acre site in the industrial park with rail
access.
Miscellaneous: A meeting had recently taken place between the City and CP Rail. A contact
person with CP had been designated who could be contacted regarding the establishment of rail
access for new businesses in industrial park. CP representatives had also stated at that meeting
• that extending the rail over 95th Street would be feasible.
4.B. STRATEGIC PLAN
Wolfe said an RFP had been sent out, and three respondents had been interviewed. Barbara
Strandell was selected by staff as the top choice to facilitate discussions with the EDA. Pederson
asked if anyone had been in contact with the City of Maplewood, which was one of her
references. Wolfe replied that she had contacted them and they had provided a good reference
for Ms. Strandell. Kleven commented that her biography looked good, and that she had listed a lot
of good references. Weingartner moved that Barbara Strandell be contracted with to facilitate the
strategic planning session. Kleven seconded. Motion carried unanimously. The session will start
at 8:00 a.m. on March 11 at 3M Center, Cottage Grove.
4.C. BUSINESS BREAKFAST UPDATE
This was an informational item included with the packet. Wolcott suggested having the Public
Safety and Public Works Directors at the next meeting. Pederson agreed, stating that it was
important to establish these relationships with the business community.
4.D.ADVERTISING UPDATE
A sample of the holiday mailer was included in the packet. Wolfe said that she had already
received some contacts through the postcard. Wolcott felt that mailings such as this should be
sent out on a regular basis. In the future, press releases would also be sent out regularly, Wolfe
replied. Kleven suggested putting press releases out on the web page, and there was discussion
about creating a link between the City's and Chamber of Commerce's web sites.
• A Real Estate Journal Leasing Guide advertisement would be done in February, but continued
advertising in this publication would be too expensive. City Business was suggested as a better
use of advertising dollars, and cost sharing with Welsh could be another means of defraying
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Economic Development Authority- Minutes
February 8, 2000
Page 3
costs. Kleven thought some cooperative advertisement with Metro East might also be a good
idea.There was discussion between advertising in City Business vs. Real Estate Journal.
4.E. 1999 ANNUAL REPORT
Wolfe presented a color sample of the annual report. She said there would be some narrative
changes. Kleven thought the annual report should be put on hold until after the strategic planning
session. Weingartner suggested having dated highlights being put in the report as an insert, rather
than as part of the report itself. After further discussion, Wolfe said the annual report would be put
on hold until after the strategic planning session.
4.F. LABOR FORCE EXPO UPDATE
This was an informational item included in the packet. There were some concerns with the City
being the fiscal entity for the expo, which had been requested by the organizers. Dan King said •
the expo would probably be held in Woodbury. King said there were approximately 60
representatives in attendance last year, and that it provided beneficial information for small
businesses.
5. MISCELLANOUS UPDATES
• Wolfe said that the deadline for getting an advertisement on the Chamber map was this Friday.
She asked what size ad the EDA would like to use on the map. Consensus was that the smaller
size ad should be used.
6.ADJOURN
Kleven moved to adjourn.Weingartner seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Respec•ully submitted,
eil :- c per
conomic Devel •ment Secret.
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