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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001.02.13 MINUTES I . • CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES February 13, 2001 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 13th day of February, 2001. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Sandy Shiely called the meeting to order at 7:30 AM. ROLL CALL • Members Present: Glen Kleven, Dick Pederson, Sandy Shiely, Gerard Weingartner, Jim Wolcott, and Fred Luden Members Absent: None Others Present: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator Michelle Wolfe, Assistant City Administrator Scott Johnson, Management Intern APPROVAL OF MINUTES Wolcott moved to approve the January 9, 2001 Economic Development Authority Minutes. The motion was seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Project updates The City of Cottage Grove is close to finalizing a development agreement with Tradehome shoes. There will be an attorney conference call to discuss the final details. There should be a closing by mid-April. Also, the school district closes on their land acquisition in April. Cushman Wakefield —They have decided to stay in Wisconsin. • Post Office—effectively done Nothing new on Metro-East projects Walgreens—There is uncertainty on the status of this project. Economic Development Authority- Minutes • February 13, 2001 Page 2 Office Max—They are downsizing by 1,000 sq. Ft. and the project is still going well. Tushie/Montgomery — This may be a venture capital deal with some concern regarding loading docks. #83 Navy Island Plywood — A family owned cabinet business. They are currently looking at lot locations. #84 Benson-Orth — They are looking for an anchor tenant or two, but there has been little response. Staff is looking into direct-mail efforts. Large Retail Store — Redevelopment discussion, but there are no current sites available. They are currently looking for 90,000 sq. ft. (9 acres). Possible redevelopment; but the City needs to look into finding a developer and relocate existing businesses. #01-002—An Eden Prairie business is looking to build and expand in the future. #01-003 -#01-004—These are new inquiries Parks and Planning 70th and Keats — SA station, retail and 12 Townhome sites. Approximately 35 families are against this development because of the aesthetic issue of losing trees. This land needs to be re-zoned. CIP Draft • There is currently more MSA funding than expected. The project on 80th Street is currently paid. It was proposed that the 100th Street project be moved up, and the group feels the problem at 80th and Jamaica needs to be taken care of first. Also, the construction of a Water treatment plant for 2006 was discussed. The first couple of years of the projects are a work plan. The city needs a positive cash flow established in certain areas before new projects can be approached. Election of Officers President Nomination — Mayor Sandy Shiely nominated Jim Wolcott, the motion was seconded, and the motion carried. Vice President Nomination—Jim Wolcott nominated Mayor Sandy Shiely. The motion was seconded and the motion carried. Secretary/Treasurer—Gerard Weingartner was nominated. The motion was seconded and the motion carried. 4110 • Economic Development Authority- Minutes P February 13, 2001 Page 3 Executive Director— EDA appointed the City Administrator Deputy Executive Director— EDA appointed the Assistant City Administrator Assistant Treasurer- EDA appointed the City Finance Director 2001 Business Breakfast The board wants to recognize individual businesses more. They want to recognize new businesses and recognize businesses who have been a part of Cottage Grove for 10,15,20 years (etc.). We need the city to recognize the businesses in the community. EDA and Staff vacancies The EDA decided they need more time to replace their vacant seat. A list of possible candidates will be compiled. The idea of a probationary period for the new member was discussed. Redevelopment • Mayor Sandy Shiely told the EDA board that she strongly supports redevelopment and called for an all out effort to accomplish this task. A project plan needs to be discussed. Developers, including Kraus and Ryan, were discussed as possible options. A discussion also continued on the possibility of commuter rail and where the station will be located. The example of Stillwater was used to explain the type of development preferred around the new commuter train station. However, the EDA wants to stay away from fragmented development as much as possible. Home Depot wants to move into the vacant space at the Grove Plaza next to EBL&S. Home Depot would increase the land value to nearly $56.00 sq. ft. This would create more revenue for other projects in Cottage Grove. The Burger King building still has not been addressed. The board made it clear, that the citizens and Council must know that we are not subsidizing Home Depot. The Home Depot is taking care of a blight, which exists at the Grove Plaza. The citizens need to understand the re-development process before we proceed. We need to start thinking outside the box. Also, the city when looking at re-development should also look into combinations of retail and housing (senior citizens). For redevelopment purposes the City has decided to pursue redeveloping the two gateways of Cottage Grove first. The second option would be the Langdon area and redevelopment of Keats would be the last option. Community Center • The example of Brooklyn Park's Community Center was used to look at the possibility of an armory/community center. Also, the idea of lawful gambling was brought up as a possible option. The examples of hockey associations with Economic Development Authority - Minutes 411 February 13, 2001 Page 4 charitable gambling licenses and pull-tab emporiums were brought up as possible ways to pay for a Community Center. Calendar Business Day at the Capitol— March 14, 2001 Labor Force— EDA does not support Cottage Grove's involvement Mississippi Dunes Meeting— February 21, 2001 — Mayor will discuss the goals of the City Industrial Park Tree Planting - Spring Golf Tournament—Will be on the 3rd Tuesday of August ADJOURN Motion Carried Respectfully submitted, Scott Johnson Economic Development Secretary • •