HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999.08.10 EDA MINUTES-APPROVED CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY
MINUTES
AUGUST 10, 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 10th
day of August 1999.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 a.m. by Mayor Denzer.
ROLL CALL
• Members Present: Jack Denzer, Glen Kleven, Fred Luden, Dick Pederson, Gerry
Weingartner, Jim Wolcott.
Members Absent: None.
Others Present: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator.
Michelle Wolfe, Assistant City Administrator.
Dan King, Management Analyst.
Neil Belscamper, Secretary.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Wolcott moved to approve the July 13, 1999 Economic Development Authority Minutes.
Luden seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
4.A. PROJECT UPDATES
Wolfe highlighted projects currently under consideration or in the works: a hair-product
manufacturing company had recently contacted the City; no further information was
available on a metal galvanizing company from England that had been in contact with
the City; and a request for proposal for a retail bulk distribution center had been
received. Discussion then centered on some of the problems with getting rail service to
a potential industrial park client. Wolcott asked what the nature of the business involved
was. Wolfe only had general information—that there was the potential for 200 to 300
jobs, and that 30 to 40 acres were being requested.
• Economic Development Authority - Minutes
August 10, 1999
Page 2
In regard to a proposed hotel project, a developer would be meeting with District 833
over the sale of a parcel of land owned by the District. Parking volume and the size of
the parcel were some of the concerns with the project. Kleven asked if the Planning
Commission Minutes could be reviewed to determine the District's intent when they had
originally purchased the parcel.
There was no new information regarding the post office annex proposed for the
industrial park. It would be on the Planning Commission agenda in the next couple
months.
Wolfe stated that TIF and other financing options were being reviewed in relation to a
local shopping center project. Denzer suggested that a timeline be requested from the
developer in order that the City be prepared. Several EDA members felt that a proposed
theater would be key to the project.
A builder had submitted a site plan for an office warehouse project. A local
manufacturer's need for additional office space would be an important consideration as
to whether the project goes forth.
• A request for Information had been received from DTED in regard to an overseas food-
processing company that was looking for an existing building.
4.B. RECOMMENDATION FOR NEW EDA MEMBER
Wolfe said she had received a biography from Shannon Green, and passed around an
item that would be on the City Council agenda on Wednesday. It was noted that the
appointment had been approved by the EDA at the July meeting.
4.C. PROPOSED 2000 EDA AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND BUDGETS
Wolfe remarked that copies of the proposed budget had been distributed last month.
She outlined the changes.
4.D. ANNUAL GOLF OUTING
King stated that about 30 people outside the City had signed up for the EDA Golf
Tournament so far. The event would be held on August 24, beginning at 11:00 a.m.
Dinner would be provided by Joyce Catering and would follow the event. Wolfe said that
hole-in-one insurance had been approved for a car giveaway at one of the par 3 holes.
4.E. 3M COTTAGE GROVE SURVEY UPDATE
This was an informational item for anyone who had not previously seen the results of
• the survey.
410 Economic Development Authority - Minutes
August 10, 1999
Page 3
4.F. MARKETING/ADVERTISING UPDATE
Wolfe said an ad had been placed in the August issue of Minnesota Business and
Opportunities. It would also be included in the Real Estate Journal in September.
Various publications had been contacted in regard to additional advertising. Kleven
asked if some of the national magazines with local focus issues could be used. Some
sort of tracking would have to be implemented, he said, in order to gauge the
effectiveness of the ads. There was a consensus that City Business was widely read
and was a good source for advertising. A CD-ROM being distributed with listings of
available commercial space was discussed as another option, the cost being around
$300/year. Cooperative advertising with other communities was another possibility.
4.G. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SECTION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
There had been a change to the wording of this section regarding the Mississippi River.
Kleven pointed out that the Planning Commission had made some additional minor
changes to the section as well.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS ITEMS
• King passed around a sample of the baseball caps that would be ordered for the golf
tournament.
ADJOURN
Wolcott moved to adjourn. Weingartner seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
i
N-il Be camp,
Economic De -lopment Secretary
•