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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999.01.12 EDA MINUTES-APPROVED CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES January 12, 1999 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 12th day of January 1999. • CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:30 a.m. by Mayor Denzer. ROLL CALL • Members Present: Donna Boehm, Jack Denzer, Glen Kleven, Fred Luden, Dick Pederson, Gerard Weingartner, Jim Wolcott Members Absent: None Others Present: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator Michelle Wolfe, Assistant City Administrator Neil Belscamper, Secretary APPROVAL OF MINUTES Kleven moved to approve the December 8, 1998 Economic Development Authority Minutes. Luden seconded. Motion carried unanimously. 4.A. STAFF TRANSITION Wolfe outlined a new introduction letter, which will be sent to various economic development contacts. Kleven questioned whether the title of Economic Development Director would still be retained. Schroeder responded that it would not, noting that the Assistant City Administrator would be listed as the new contact person for economic development. Wolcott asked whether the two new Management Analyst positions would also be listed, and Wolfe replied that they would. In conclusion, Wolcott commented that the letter had been well written. p Economic Development Authority- Minutes January 12, 1999 Page 2 4.B. 1999 Work Plan Schroeder outlined the draft 1999 work plan. Some of the changes he noted over previous work plans were that tasks had been specifically assigned to staff members and that the priority of each goal could be observed according to the time noted for each particular area. Relating to 1999 Goal #1-2, Wolcott said he liked the idea of a dinner rather than a bus tour for the Economic Development Golf Tournament. Pederson requested specific information about Goal#1-3, Objective B, asking if there was a listing for all available federal and state funding sources. Schroeder responded that sources for state funding were available, but that federal funding was not very likely for local projects, and not a practical solution. Pederson explained that it was important to inform prospective businesses of all available resources, as it may make the difference in their choice to locate in the City. Wolcott suggested more involvement from the Chamber of Commerce in this area, and Kleven felt that the City's Web Page might be an area that could be further utilized. Regarding the Web Page, Schroeder said he had received several ongoing comments from council members, and there was a lot of interest in furthering its use. Using Park High School students to help with the project was an idea Kleven offered, as it might help keep some of the associated costs down. Wolcott concurred. Luden noted that if the page was not kept up-to-date, it would not likely be • revisited, and its value would be negligible. Pederson felt that there needs to be more community identity to the City, saying that 70% of City residents shop outside the City, and felt that the beautification of the entrance to the City, and enhancing retail opportunities within the City, were very important issues. Assess to the Mississippi River was another topic of discussion, in terms of commercial uses. Schroeder said a study was currently being undertaken in regard to the proposed park on Grey Cloud Island; he stated that the study would give some basis for further discussion. Wolcott noted that there was already a draft bill in the works for the state to purchase land for park development on Grey Cloud Island. As a side issue, Kleven said the whole island was designated as rural residential on the draft comprehensive plan. Pederson commented that the state is taking a considerable amount of land for parks, which creates a burden for local municipalities by taking away its potential to generate tax revenue. Wolcott stated that the EDA should take a position on the use of land on Grey Cloud, to which Denzer agreed. Wolcott moved that a portion of Grey Cloud Island should be designate for the development of a commercial area on the comprehensive plan, as well as higher density residential. Pederson seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Kleven moved to adopt the draft 1999 work plan. Luden seconded. Motion carried unanimously. • Economic Development Authority- Minutes January 12, 1999 Page 3 4.C. PROJECT UPDATES Wolfe outlined several prospective projects for the City. Wolcott asked for clarification as to whether a proposed executive golf course would be 9 or 18 holes, and asked how it would impact River Oaks. Kleven questioned whether the proposed postal service annex would eliminate tax revenues from its prospective location in the industrial park. Denzer affirmed that it would. Pederson and Denzer both commented that the post office is involved with more and more retail sales, which compete with local merchants, and that it should be taxed in accordance with any other commercial business. There was discussion on the proposed Welsh Company spec building, which would be a managed multi-tenant warehousing facility. 4.C. ANNUAL BUSINESS RECOGNITION BREAKFAST Wolfe highlighted some of the happenings within the City over the last year that could be brought to the attention of the community at this function, and recommended that feedback from community leaders could also be solicited. Schroeder suggested that someone from the Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development could be brought in to attend the meeting and be available for questions from participants. • Luden requested a date for the event, and Wolcott suggested March 8. Wolfe outlined a list of potential topics for the meeting. Schroeder felt that a lot of the information could be disseminated through handouts. Weingartner felt that a mailing should be done very soon in order to present general information for the upcoming event. Luden agreed, saying that an agenda for the event could be sent along with the first mailing. ADJOURN Weingartner moved to adjourn. Wolcott seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Nei - •• •er Economi Development -ecretary •