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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001.08.14 MINUTES, • CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES August 14, 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 14th day of August 2001. CALL TO ORDER Jim Wolcott called the meeting to order at 7:30 AM. ROLL CALL • Members Present: Glen Kleven, Dick Pederson, Gerard Weingartner, Jim Wolcott, Sandy Shiely, and Fred Luden. Members Absent: None Others Present: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator Michelle Wolfe, Assistant City Administrator Scott Johnson, Management Analyst. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Jim Wolcott moved to approve the July 10, 2001 Economic Development Authority minutes. Dick Pederson seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. Project Updates ED-01-003 — The staff put together a large response to the RFP for this company. Most of the responses for this RFP came from Metro East Cities. ED-01-018 — UpNorth Plastics is planning an addition to their building in the Industrial Park. ED-01-025 — This business inquiry is looking for access to two rail lines and barge access. American Agco —This Company is proceeding with their plans to reach an agreement to • build in the Industrial Park. • Economic Development Authority- Minutes August 14, 2001 Page 2 Twin City Poultry — This Company is proceeding with their plans to reach an agreement to build in the Industrial Park. Redevelopment Hotel —This project is ready to close any day. Walgreen's—They are currently in renegotiations. Fifth Street Ventures — One of the spaces is leased and the others are currently open. Mayor Shiely expressed concern about the current lack of landscaping around the new buildings. Restaurants — Dick Pederson spoke about the Ember's America owners. They are willing to sit down and talk about possible restaurant sites with City Representatives. Mr. Pederson will contact the owners to set up a meeting. Mayor Shiely then expressed concern about the lack of interest from Restaurants in Cottage Grove. She also expressed concern about the possibility of the new hotel not having a restaurant. Fred Luden explained the restaurant portion of the hotel was based on demographic studies and the possible lack of extended stays in the hotel. Business Subsidies • Assistant City Administrator Michelle Wolfe reminded the Commission that law requires the City Council to hold a public hearing on business subsidies. The Council must approve a resolution that the criteria were met for the project. Mr. Pederson made the motion for the EDA to support the recommendation of the Business Subsidies to the City Council. Jim Wolcott seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. 2002 Budget The proposed budget in the packet is identical to the version provided at the July meeting except for a $104,400 levy increase. The levy would count towards the overall levy limit for the City. If the levy were approved, the budget would be updated under the capital outlay line. Most of the money would go to expenses for the 80`h Street Redevelopment project. If the money was not used, there would be a project carry-over with an adjustment. It would be an investment in infrastructure for the City. Glen Kleven made the motion to approve the budget. Fred Luden seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. EDA Golf Outing The EDA was updated on the golf outing. Mr. Wolcott wanted to be kept informed about the program that will follow the golf outing. Architectural Review Criterion KKE created the criteria for the policy. Copies have been sent to Council Members. The EDA is concerned about the canopy requirement. The canopies tend to fade after a • Economic Development Authority- Minutes August 14, 2001 Page 3 couple of years of use. The EDA thinks the policy should mandate the use of higher quality canopies. They also requested better color copies of the document for the members. This issue will be reviewed at the next EDA meeting. Advertising 2002 The plan for next years advertising will be discussed in the fall. Michelle Wolfe discussed sponsorship packages for the event put on by the Real Estate Journal and St. Thomas. The sponsorship would include advertising opportunities and a tabletop display. There is also the MN Development Conference, which would give Cottage Grove an opportunity for an exhibit. The EDA was in favor of setting up a professional looking display board at conferences. The display board should include area business information, a map of Cottage Grove and the Industrial Park. It was also suggested that a staff member should go to this year's event to get ideas for the display. EDA Welcome Signs New signs would cost $80.00 per sign. The EDA discussed splitting the cost with the Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Wolcott wanted the signs ordered as soon as possible. • Misc Tradehome shoes will be done with construction in May. ADJOURN EDA President Jim Wolcott adjourned the meeting at 8:40 AM. Respectfully submitted, Scott Johnson Management Analyst 4110