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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000.03.14 MINUTES • CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES MARCH 14, 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 14th day of March 2000. 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:35 a.m. by Denzer. 2. ROLL CALL Members Present: Jack Denzer, Glen Kleven, Fred Luden, Dick Pederson, Gerard Weingertner, Jim Wolcott, Shannon Green. Members Absent: None. Others Present: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator Michelle Wolfe, Assistant City Administrator. Steve Barrett, Management Analyst. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Kleven moved to approve the February 8, 2000 Minutes. Wolcott seconded. Motion carried. 4. BUSINESS ITEMS A. Project Updates (a) CCE —The lot split for the TIF district is on the March 15 City Council agenda. Closing is in 2—3 weeks. Sanitary sewer relocation is progressing. i • Economic Development Authority-Minutes February 8, 2000 Page 2 (b) Hotel/Restaurant/Office — Plans are moving forward. A meeting has been scheduled to start the traffic study. (c) Api—City staff had lunch with company representatives this week. They will provide another tour on March 15 for Councilmember Rice and two EDA members. (d) High Tech Manufacturing—Cresa project is still alive. They are considering the south metro area. (e) Grove Plaza—Potential users have surfaced. Walgreen's needs utility extension some time this year. The church is considering • using the Petter's space for a while. Dairy Queen is asking for access to Point Douglas. (f) Post Office—Closing on the property in 2—3 weeks. • (g) Murphy Warehouse— Plans continue. Luden said there is a meeting this week to go over the economics. Schroeder commented that once this is done they would need to discuss specific sites. (h) Grey Cloud Island—A timetable will go to City Council for review on March 15. A consensus statement is expected in May. Luden asked if there was anything the Chamber could do to help. Schroeder said that when the timing is right, we will need the Chamber and other civic groups to shop the ideas, whatever they end up being. (i) Metro East—Wolfe reviewed the quarterly report from MEDP, highlighting some of the projects that were still viable. Wolfe also passed around copies of the MEDP Annual Report. (j) Miscellaneous —Wolfe commented that at the last Chamber breakfast, a company in a neighboring community approached city staff about locating here. A local road groove/pavement marking company approached the City. Staff identified outside storage issues. • The City responded to a DTED request for information relating to a manufacturing and distribution facility. • Economic Development Authority- Minutes February 8, 2000 Page 3 DTED coordinated site visits at 15 different cities, including Cottage Grove. The company is still gathering information. A warehouse facility was pitched to City staff, but it would amount to a large pole barn. A well company approached City staff. Staff identified outside storage concerns. A manufacturing company is looking for an existing facility. If they decide to build we will be near the top of their list. NSP project has nothing new to report. The Holiday postcard generated several of the inquiries discussed above. Planning responded to an inquiry regarding a mini-storage • business in the Industrial Park. The project would require rezoning. Wolfe and Schroeder discussed the Langdon grant and the Red Rock grant. The Langdon grant would cover many of the transit issues, so they are thinking about using some of the grant money for other planning costs, such as storm water planning. Schroeder mentioned that there is a meeting with Cogentrix officials later that day. Kleven asked what the plans were for the property behind Menards. Schroeder said many have looked, including various office supply stores. Pederson commented that the Comprehensive Plan designations for neighborhood markets were a good idea, and that people are talking to him about it. B. Strategic Plan Follow Up Wolfe passed out a handout from Barbara Strandell, highlighting what still needs to be done. Strandell will have a draft report in the next couple days. The April meeting can be used to address the remaining issues. • Economic Development Authority-Minutes • February 8, 2000 • Page 4 Wolcott commented that he would like to have the Chamber involved before the plan goes to the City Council. The Authority members discussed having the Chamber board look at it first, then the general membership. Kleven suggested having a subcommittee keep the process moving. Schroeder said he would contact the Authority members and include all who want to be involved. Wolfe said the final approval of the Strategic Plan could take place at the May meeting. C. 1999 Annual Report Wolfe reiterated the group's wish to produce a more general marketing piece, with an insert to include dated material. Kleven suggested we wait until the Strategic Plan is finished before we finalize a draft. D. Labor Force Expo Wolfe stated that the memo in their packets was self-explanatory. E. Industrial Park Aerial (Response to Planning Commission) Wolfe stated that the memo in their packets was self-explanatory. F. Industrial Park Sign and Tree Plantings Wolfe passed out samples of possible sign designs around to the members. Wolfe stated that the City would maintain the sign until that corner lot was sold. At that time the owner would maintain it. Authority members discussed the possibility of metal decorative elements rusting. Pederson commented that the sign is needed to enhance the entrance into the Industrial Park. The sign itself would be a nice touch. Schroeder said the City would look into the aesthetics of the entrance, including landscaping. • • Economic Development Authority- Minutes February 8, 2000 Page 5 Wolcott said the City should go ahead and begin planting trees. Luden commented that 3M has used scouting organizations in the past, coinciding with Earth Day. 5. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS ITEMS The members discussed the tab in the leasing guide. Wolcott commented that he would like to see Welch and Glendenning pay more of the cost, since we are marketing their land. Wolcott asked about the EDA Golf Tournament. Wolfe said it would be on next month's agenda. Wolcott asked if we were planning a grand opening for the new clubhouse. Schroeder said there were plans in the works. Wolcott said it would be important for the EDA and Chamber to be there. Schroeder also commented that the new building was looking very nice. • Kleven asked if the state has specific economic development tools to attract out of state businesses. Schroeder said the state has outreach efforts in the mid west and Canada. 6. ADJOURN Wolcott moved to adjourn. Luden seconded. Motion carried. - -sp- tfully submitted, • Steve Barrett Management Analyst •