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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999.04.13 EDA MINUTES-APPROVED CITY• OF COTTAGE GROVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES APRIL 13, 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 13th day of April 1999. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:30 a.m. by Mayor Denzer. ROLL CALL ID Members Present: Jack Denzer, Glen Kleven, Fred Luden, Dick Pederson, Gerard Weingartner, Jim Wolcott Members Absent: Donna Boehm Others Present: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator Michelle Wolfe, Assistant City Administrator Neil Belscamper, Secretary APPROVAL OF MINUTES Kleven moved to approve the March 9, 1999 EDA Minutes. Wolcott seconded. Motion carried unanimously. 4.A. BUSINESS BREAKFAST Wolfe asked EDA members if another event should be held in October, or perhaps another state- of-the-city-type event later on. Pederson felt there should be more events geared toward the business community, and thought it would be a good idea to hold both. Wolcott asked whether both the business breakfast and another event had been done in the past. Kleven replied that they had, and commented that he was in favor of putting on more events if they would increase participation from the community. Certain communities sponsor a business week, Luden remarked, where local retail support from the community is emphasized. Weingartner noted that it is sometimes difficult to get participation from retailers, especially during business hours. Wolcott commented that he would like to see an event held in the evening, when business owners were not as likely to have conflicts. • Wolfe asked what kind of attendance Chamber of Commerce luncheons drew. Luden responded that usually 15 to 20 attend. Wolfe asked whether there would be a positive response to City representatives attending, and Luden replied that there would be. Wolcott named some of the City officials that business owners might be interested in talking to. • Economic Development Authority - Minutes April 13, 1999 Page 2 4.B. PROJECT UPDATES There were no requests for proposals from Metro East, Wolfe reported. Schroeder commented on a possible motel project using a parcel the school district expressed an interest in selling. Wolcott asked if there was regular contact between Metro East and the City. Schroeder replied that there was, and Wolfe noted that there was a new rapid response program in place that the City is participating in. Pederson commented on the need for a motel in the City with meeting rooms where area business representatives could meet. 4.C. 1998 ANNUAL REPORT Schroeder stated that at present, the report would cost between $7 and $12 apiece. Kleven remarked that the odd-sized stock was inflating the printing price, and suggested reducing the number of pages and using standard stock for printing; he said he liked the new format, however. Denzer asked if the Wakota Bridge should be addressed in the report, and Schroeder replied that it was an important topic and should be. Other suggestions were to include a photograph of the new Renewal plant, and aerial photograph of the industrial park, in addition to printing the City's web address somewhere in the document. • 4.D. 3M SURVEY Wolfe asked for some direction for the presentation that would take place that evening. Weingartner suggested questions relating to restaurants. Wolfe asked whether another figure should be used in regard to increased property taxes for the proposed park on Grey Cloud Island, and Kleven suggested that the cost of parks in general should be presented. Wolcott suggested questions in regard to shopping, restaurants, theaters, etc. 4.E. ADMINISTRATIVE SITE PLAN REVIEWS This was an informational item included in the packet. 4.F. PARTICIPATION IN LABOR FORCE EXPO Wolfe asked if the City should participate in the Labor Force Expo, and EDA members supported the idea. 4.G. PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY SHOW Wolfe said the International Manufacturing Technology Show would take place in September 2000. Schroeder said Metro East would sponsor a booth. Kleven felt the City might be conspicuous if they were absent, and suggested participation. 4.H. FISCAL IMPACT ANALYSIS STATUS UPDATE This was an informational item included in the packet. • 4.1. DISCUSSION REGARDING POSSIBLE VISIT TO GENSIS BUSINESS CENTER'S SITE Kleven said he was in favor of the visit, and would be interested in going. Wolfe said she would get a couple dates for possible visits to the site. • Economic Development Authority - Minutes April 13, 1999 Page 3 4.J. CITY IDENTITYITHEME Pederson said he had talked to a number of people, and no one had any suggestions for a city theme. He noted that there were many volunteers in the area and suggested using volunteerism for a theme. He felt that a resolution identifying the theme would help create pride in the community. Weingartner said he felt that volunteers were not unique to the City, and that the theme did not strike him as dynamic enough. Pederson reiterated that he felt the community needed a positive identifier. Wolfe felt that a theme drawing business attention would be more in line. Kleven thought the idea of volunteerism was too general. Wolfe suggested that other commissions might be able to help with ideas. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS ITEMS Kleven said there was a proposal before the:Planning Commission for a townhouse development along Point Douglas Road; he expressed concern for future commercial development should they be built. Pederson commented that the City's tax base was already heavily orientated toward residential use. ADJOURN • Kleven moved to adjourn. Luden seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, . � Neil :elsca •- Eco omic Develop -nt Secretary 4110