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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999.01.12 PACKET Secretary CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AGENDA Tuesday, January 12, 1999 7:30 A.M. 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of December 8, 1998 Minutes 4. Business Items A. Staff Transition • Introduction Letter • New Management Analysts B. 1999 Work Plan C. Project Updates D. Annual Business Recognition Breakfast 5. Miscellaneous Business Items 6. Adjourn • Next Meeting: February 10, 1999 F:\GROUPS\PER_ECON\KEB\EDA Packets\99pcketAgendas\January.doc City of Cottage Grove S Memo To: Economic Development Authority Members From: Michelle A. Wolfe, Assistant City Administrator 4v Date: 01/06/99 Re: Staff Transition Item 4A Introduction Letter City Administrator Ryan Schroeder has drafted a letter that we plan to mail to various economic development contacts. A copy is attached for your review. It is intended as a marketing tool to familiarize this audience with the staff they will • work with and the streamlined process we have developed. We wish to share a draft of this letter with you, and request any comments you may have about the content of the letter. Management Analysts At the meeting of January 6, 1999, City Council approved the appointments of Daniel King and Steven Barrett as Management Analysts. Attached is a brief description of the education and experience of these two new employees. We expect that they will both contribute to Economic Development efforts, and feel that they both have backgrounds that will enhance our current staff. \\CG_FS1\SYS\GROUPS\PER_ECON\MA\MEDA Memos\Jan 99 Staff Trans.doc January 7, 1999 • X X X X As you may already be aware, our Economic Development Director of the past six years, Kirstin Barsness, has moved on to other pursuits. Kirstin was a valuable resource for the City of Cottage Grove in creating a development program for the community. Her talents will be missed. We wish her well in her new venture in the private consulting field. With Kirstin's departure the City of Cottage Grove has determined that now is the right time to slightly restructure our development efforts. We believe the result will be an enhanced service delivery model in the manufacturing sector while focusing efforts in commercial development as opportunities arise. Our top administrative positions have been assigned to business retention and attraction duties. Our team leader will be Michelle Wolfe, who as our Assistant City Administrator brings with her a unique ability to work collaboratively to achieve desired results. Ryan Schroeder, our City Administrator, who has a • broad array of development experience in both the public and private sectors, will join her. Other members of the development team include Kim Lindquist, Community Development Director, Elizabeth Johnson, Finance Director, and Chief Building Official Bob LaBrosse. Steven Barrett, Daniel King, and Neil Belscamper will support our lead personnel. With our new team we can commit that our level of service to the business community will be unsurpassed. In addition to restructuring, we have also streamlined our construction process to assure that most manufacturing projects gain plan approval within two weeks of submittal. This process allows our City to fast track development approvals for qualifying manufacturers. Cottage Grove is in the business of helping business grow and prosper. Toward that end if there is any assistance we can provide to you please contact Michelle Wolfe at 458-2882. We look forward to working with you in the future. Sincerely, Mayor Jack Denzer \\CG FS1\SYS\GROUPS\PER_ECOMMAW\ED Marketing\Intro Letter.doc • Daniel King Mr. King is a graduate of John Marshall High School in Rochester. He holds a B.A. in Public Administration and Urban Affairs from St. Cloud State University. He graduated Cum Laude, and was a member of the Political Science Honor Society (Pi Sigma Alpha.) He was also a member of the Urban Studies Association at St. Cloud State. Mr. King is currently working for the City of Brooklyn Park as a Planning and Zoning Assistant. He did an internship with the City of Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, and did volunteer research for the St. Cloud Heritage Preservation Commission. He also served as Co-director for a St. Cloud State University Social Science Research Survey. In his various work experiences, Mr. King developed marketing brochures for a Housing and Redevelopment Authority and Historic Preservation Commission. He researched tax increment financing and fiscal impact analysis for the local H.R.A. He chaired a Streetscape Committee that created downtown design guidelines. He has done zoning and subdivision review, plat and site plan review, conditional use and non-conforming use maintenance, zoning code enforcement, and staff reports to the planning commission. For the past month, he has been working with the Economic Development division for Brooklyn Park, working on some of the types of projects we would likely assign to a • Management Analyst here in Cottage Grove. Steven Barrett Steven Barrett is a graduate of Hill-Murray High School in Maplewood, University of St. Thomas (major in Political Science), and Hamline University Law School. He has had a variety of work experiences that we believe prepare him well for the position with Cottage Grove. Mr. Barrett was a planning intern with the City of Wyoming in 1995. He worked as a research associate for the Minnesota Taxpayers Association in St. Paul from 1995— 1997. He also has a solo attorney's practice established from 1996 through 1997. From December 1997 through August 1998, he worked as a Real Estate Associate for Menard, Inc. During his experience at Menard's, he worked with cities in several states to acquire property and site approval for the construction of Menard's stores. F:\GROUPS\PER_ECON\MA\MED Marketing\King&Barrett Bio.doc City of Cottage Grove • Memo To: Economic Development Authority Members From: Ryan R. Schroeder, City Administrator l�1; Michelle A. Wolfe, Assistant City Administrator Date: 01/06/99 Re: 1999 Work Plan Item 4B Staff has developed a draft 1999 work plan. A copy is attached for your review. This work plan is developed keeping in mind the restructuring of staff, the 1998 work plan, and the strategic plan. • The 1999 work plan is intended to focus EDA staff efforts primarily on industrial retention and attraction. It is expected that we will in turn support efforts by others in the retail and housing sectors. Our availability there will be primarily as a clearinghouse of data and programming such as work readiness efforts conducted by the County. However, as opportunities present themselves in these sectors, such as the proposed Grove Plaza redevelopment or perhaps creation of a senior housing campus, staff time will be reallocated to assure the development effort is adequately supported by the City. We would like your input and suggestions regarding the work plan. I will schedule this for discussion at the January 12 EDA meeting. • \\CG_FS1\SYS\GROUPS\PER_ECON\MAW\EDA Memos\99 Work Plan Memo.doc CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE 1999 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WORK PLAN FIVE YEAR GOAL#ONE Enhance the strength of the Cottage Grove economy through the support of local industry and the attraction of new industries, which bring quality jobs, an enhanced tax base and new capital into the region. Time allocation: 1400 Hours 1999 Goal # 1-1: Support existing industry and assist them with expansion opportunities. Objective A: Implement Business Retention and Expansion Program. Task 1: Meet with each manufacturing concern at least once during 1999 to work on opportunities and challenges. MAW/RRS Task 2: Meet with major retailers at least once during 1999 to work on opportunities and challenges. • MAW/KL Objective B: Coordinate business appreciation event in cooperation with 3M Cottage Grove and the Chamber of Commerce. MAW/DK Objective C: Support Chamber activities and remain responsive to their needs and requests. RRS/MAW 1999 Goal # 1-2: Work to attract new industry to the community. Objective A: Implement marketing plan. Task 1: Conduct ongoing advertising through the Real Estate Journal and Industrial Properties publications. MAW/DK Task 2: Conduct targeted mailings to manufacturing concerns with identified tenancy needs. Ensure follow-up to mailers. MAW/SB Task 3: Gain access to vendor lists of local manufacturers and • work actively with those manufacturers on visitation to top prospects. MAW/RRS/SB Task 4: Meet at least once during 1999 with major C/I brokers, developers and builders to ensure understanding and familiarity with Cottage Grove opportunities and programming. MAW/RRS/SB Task 5: Conduct mailing to metro area SBA bankers and accounting firms. DK/SB Objective B: Continue responding to Metro East Development Partnership and other broker/developer requests. MAW/DK Objective C: Host the annual business appreciation golf tourney. MAW/DK/SB Task 1: Reformat event to provide for cost sharing and possible • dinner opportunity rather than bus tour. 1999 Goal # 1-3: Maintain and enhance economic development tools which support successful retention/expansion and business attraction efforts. Objective A: Ensure certainty in timing of land take-down. Task 1: Provide for option agreements with landowners to facilitate timely delivery of land to end users. RRS/SB Objective B: Remain cognizant of outside economic development funding opportunities and facilitate access to those opportunities by local businesses. RRS/SB/DK Objective C: Monitor changes in state allowed development tools and react as necessary. MAW Objective D: Update and maintain labor force and employment program data created by others. • DK Page 2 • 1999 Goal #1-4: Focus staff and volunteer efforts through effective planning, reporting, development, and training activities. Objective A: Ensure inter-and intra-departmental communication is at optimal levels. MAW Task 1: Hold at least quarterly strategic planning meetings with representatives from Planning, Inspections, Public Works and Safety. MAW Task 2: Actively participate in regular technical review staff meetings. MAW Objective B: Complete 1999 work planning and 2000 to 2005 strategic plan. MAW/RRS Objective C: Target training and educational opportunities. MAW • Task 1: Complete work group training plan reducing reliance on Association activities. MAW FIVE YEAR GOAL#TWO Address local and regional issues critical to business site location decisions. Time allocation: 640 Hours 1999 Goal # 2-1: Enhance the image and perception of Cottage Grove internally and externally. Objective A: Aggressively utilize cable, newspaper, and CG Reports resources to highlight Cottage Grove opportunities, programs and successes. MAW/KL/RRS Objective B: Prepare recommendations for streetscape enhancements. KLJDK 1999 Goal # 2-2: Improve highway access to Cottage Grove. • Page 3 Objective A: Ensure community representation on key transportation • committees. RRS/KL Task 1: Continue to staff the Wakota Bridge, Red Rock Commuter Rail, and Metro Transportation Improvement Plan committees. RRS/KL Objective B: Work with funders/agencies to ensure improvements in transit and transportation assets. RRS/KL Task 1: Work with Metro Transit on a permanent Park and Ride in the Industrial park area. KL Task 2: Work with Washington County to ensure access to 5 year CIP improvements conducted through the County. LB/RRS Task 3: Work with St. Paul Park and Newport to ensure Highway 61 improvements remain on schedule. • KURRS 1999 Goal #2-3: Secure expansion of MUSA capacity in a manner, which supports community growth and development. KURRS Objective A: Monitor Comprehensive Planning efforts to ensure document facilitates business growth. KURRS Objective B: Monitor Metropolitan Council and South Washington County Watershed District efforts and participate in planning efforts to utilize infrastructure resources. KURRS FIVE YEAR GOAL#THREE Enhance the appeal of Cottage Grove as a place to live and work. Time allocation: 120 Hours 1999 Goal #3-1: Enhance retail opportunities in Cottage Grove. • Page 4 • Objective A: Monitor efforts of others in the retail area remaining cognizant of available space and development plans. MAW/SB 1999 Goal #3-2: Identify and explore opportunities for improving access to the Mississippi River for Commercial/Industrial opportunities. Objective A: Monitor efforts of others such as MNRRA and the Heritage River to ensure planning activities support continued use of the Mississippi as a working river. KUMAW 1999 Goal #3-3: Balance and diversify Cottage Grove housing stock by increasing options for availability of all market segments. Objective A: Monitor housing planning and subdivision proposals to encourage development opportunities for all market segments. KUMAW FIVE YEAR GOAL# FOUR Support efforts to improve statewide business climate and legislative issues which impact Cottage Grove's ability to attract and retain jobs and tax base. • Time allocation: 40 Hours 1999 Goal #4-1: Support efforts to improve statewide business climate and legislative issues which impact Cottage Grove's ability to attract and retain jobs and tax base. Objective A: Monitor legislative and other efforts which may impact the communities competitiveness in the global economy. RRS • Page 5 City of Cottage Grove • Memo To: Economic Development Authority Members From: Michelle A. Wolfe, Assistant City Administrator 0 Date: 01/06/99 Re: Project Updates Item 4C Executive Golf Course Staff met with a representative regarding the development of an executive 9-hole golf course. Basically, it was a very early stage meeting to educate and inform regarding the City's procedures, ordinances, process, etc. They don't anticipate • starting the application process until June. Up North Plastics The Council expedited the most recent request by Up-North to facilitate j construction of the towers currently under construction. The structural framing is completed on these towers and the metal skin is expected to be completed by next week. This project will facilitate, but not guarantee a building expansion. At present the proposed expansion is still on track but has not yet been forwarded to an architect in that the length of the expansion has not yet been determined. However, Up-North is currently targeting the March Planning Commission meeting for site plan review. Cottage Grove Carrier Annex The Postal Service has proposed an 18,000 S.F. Carrier Annex utilizing lots 2, 3, and 4 block 8 of the Glendenning preliminary plat. This is along 95th Street on the west side of the plat just east of the drainage ditch. Their optimum parcel size is 300 foot of frontage with a 440 foot lot depth. They will end up with a parcel that approximates that size. The Postal Service has completed the lot survey and the purchase offer is under review. At present it is expected that this project will be on the March Planning Commission agenda. • F:\GROUPS\PER_ECON\MAW\EDA Memos\Jan 99 Proj Update.doc Welsh Companies Spec Building . Welsh has been attempting to market a spec office/warehouse facility for a couple of years in the vicinity of Ideal and 95th. Depending upon tenant selection the project ranges in clear heights from 18' to 24' (most likely toward the latter). Welsh is in discussions with possible tenants which could possibly take down a sufficient amount of space to make the project bankable (the project, of course, will not go forward unless it reaches that point.) Grove Plaza Grove Plaza has not yet finalized lease negotiations with their prospective primary tenant necessary in order to push this project forward. At this point, however, that is expected to occur around mid-January, at which point work on application materials to the City process would begin. Renewal We received the first reporting form from Renewal By Andersen on job creation as is required as part of the $5000,000 grant we/they received from the State of Minnesota. Their base employment as of 5/8/98 was 99 persons. They have created an additional 29 jobs to date for a total of 128 employees. To meet state requirements they need to create an additional 196 jobs for a total of 324 jobs. • For the 29 created the total increase in payroll is $1,349,046 plus benefits. The lowest paid job created to date pays $11.40/hour plus benefits. The average annual salary of all jobs created is $46,519. Corporate Real Estate is nominating the Renewal by Andersen project for the City Business Project of the Year award. Nominations are due by mid-January. F:\GROUPS\PER_ECON\MAIMEDA MemosUan 99 Proj Update.doc City of Cottage Grove • Memo To: Economic Development Authority Members From: Michelle A. Wolfe,Assistant City Administrator 0.0 Date: 01/07/99 Re: Annual Business Recognition Breakfast Item 4D Staff is proposing that for this year's breakfast, we attempt a panel discussion on various City issues and projects impacting the local business community. In addition, we would possibly include some general information about city • service delivery. We thought it might be of interest to have the Director's of our two largest departments, Public Safety and Public Works, present to provide an overview of their operations. We may also wish to review progress on the comprehensive plan and the Capital Improvement Plan. Following the presentations, we would ask those present to complete some type of survey instrument. This would allow us to receive input from the business community regarding the various issues presented. It would also be a tool for the City to find out if we are providing services in a way that meets the needs of the business community. Another suggestion is to provide a copy of the EDA's Strategic Plan to those in attendance. The current plan developed in 1996 will likely need to be revisited in the near future. Therefore, it would be timely to solicit input from the business community during this event. We would provide a copy that they could take with them to read. Then they could call me with comments. These comments would be compiled into a report and presented to the EDA. I spoke with Fred Luden and he provided three possible dates: March 1, 8, and 15. We would like to finalize a date at the EDA meeting. Please review the attached list of possible panel discussion topics. At the January 12 EDA meeting, we would like your input and suggestions about the program. • F:\GROUPS\PER ECONWIAW\EDA Memos\Jan 99 Breakfast.doc s • Commuter Rail Highway 61 Renewal by Andersen Y2K Stormwater Management Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion Fiscal Impact Analysis Comprehensive Plan Growth Public Safety topic Public Works topic • F:\GROUPS\PER ECON MA1MEDA MemosUan 99 Breakfast.doc