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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999.12.07 EDA MINUTES-APPROVEDr T CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES . Tuesday, December 7, 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 7th day of December, 1999. 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:33 a.m. by Mayor Denzer. f 2. ROLL CALL Members Present: Jack Denzer, Jim Wolcott, Glen Kleven, Fred Luden, Gerard Weingartner, Dick Pederson. Members Absent: Shannon Green. Others Present: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator Michelle Wolfe, Assistant City Administrator Steve Barrett, Management Analyst 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Pederson moved to approve the November 9, 1999 Economic Development Authority minutes. Wolcott seconded. Motion carried unanimously. 4. BUSINESS ITEMS A. PROJECT UPDATES CCE Plans continue to move forward, and they are working on their letter of intent. The City Council will conduct a public hearing on the TIF district on January 19. Pederson asked if anyone foresees any problems in creating the TIF district. Schroeder commented that there was some concern on the Council about a blanket TIF district, but in regards to this project all concerns can be sufficiently allayed. Economic Development Authority- Minutes December 7, 1999 Page 2 METRO EAST DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP The city has responded to three new proposals. First, an industrial manufacturer just received the city's proposal, and will consider it at their board meeting in Michigan. Second, a restorative utility construction company, requiring 25,000 square feet and 7 acres, was growing well and doing lots of business in Wisconsin. The third is a metal manufacturing company, which has dropped its requirement for a 90-foot ceiling down to 40 feet. There were four proposals previously sent to Metro East. First, a paper products company is scheduled to meet city and business representatives for lunch on that day (December 7.) The second consisted of a 75,000 square foot building. Metro East was not holding out much hope for success. The third is an • international company from Spain, which has looked at various sites, including Cottage Grove. Finally, a transportation company has apparently slowed their progress since retaining a broker. They have not been consistently returning calls. I HOTEURESTAURANT/OFFICE The school board has approved a purchase agreement with a few contingencies. Schroeder mentioned that the trustee needs to sign off on the bond issue, which is being delayed by the trustee's attorney. One payment has been made on the bond so far. Luden asked if there were any time constraints to this process. Schroeder responded that there were none. Wolcott requested that if there was anything the EDA could do to move the process along, to let them know. GROVE PLAZA Schroeder mentioned that the owners have filed a lawsuit in Pennsylvania against Regal, claiming Regal negotiated in bad faith. Schroeder would be meeting with the owners by conference call that day (December 7.) EDA members expressed concern about the aesthetics of the mall, and asked Schroeder to discuss these concerns during the conference call. Api Representatives visited the city on November 9. Green and Luden made presentations, with assistance from Denzer and Wolcott. Wolfe commented that the meeting appeared to go well. The company will go over all the proposals, and make a decision in the first quarter of 2000. Denzer noted that the company seems enthused about Cottage Grove. HIGH TECH MANUFACTURING There was nothing new to report. The city provided information on a 65-acre site. Metro East claims that this is a"high quality" company. Economic Development Authority- Minutes December 7, 1999 Page 3 POST OFFICE A site plan has been submitted to Community Development. They are in the process of their administrative review. OFFICE WAREHOUSE PROJECT There was nothing new to report. DTED REQUEST FOR INFORMATION There was nothing new to report. MURPHY WAREHOUSE There was nothing new to report. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS Planning staff is working with developers on the property next to Menards. Wolfe also discussed the Wakota Bridge project, stating that the project would have to be scaled back to fit within the budget. Wolcott commented that the project as it stands is projected to be $48 million over budget. B. BUSINESS BREAKFAST The date is set for Monday, January 24. There were three options for the final 10 minutes of the program. Luden and Weingartner expressed their desire for the first option—a transportation planning update. Other members agreed. C. EDA APPOINTMENT The appointment of Kleven for a six-year term has been approved by the City Council. D. PROPOSED ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT The Planning Commission has gone through the proposed changes, and made some additional changes. Schroeder stated that the amendment is on the next City Council agenda. Denzer requested that metal plating be changed from a permitted use to a conditional use. Other members agreed with the proposed change. E. MARKETING UPDATE Wolfe commented on the examples currently being used by city staff. Wolfe also noted that more surveys are being done. So far, the results have been useful. When more responses are gathered the marketing plan can reflect any changes. Economic Development Authority-Minutes December 7, 1999 Page 4 Wolfe noted that it appears the city's advertising efforts are on the right track, according to the results of a survey. F. BUSINESS SUBSIDIES and TIF UPDATE The City Council approved the resolution at the last meeting. The TIF public hearing is scheduled for January. G. GOLF TOURNAMENT The Chamber has scheduled their tournament at Mississippi Dunes. The city has reserved June 13 and August 22. Wolcott commented that the August date would be consistent with past tournaments. Other members agreed that the August date would probably be best. • 5. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS ITEMS A. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE The City Council approved the plan, with some changes. Wolcott mentioned that the changes relate to the commercial district along Hinton Ave, more language relating to senior housing, and changes to the rural residential areas. B. LIVABLE COMMUNTIES GRANT Wolfe announced that the Livable Communities Committee has approved the city's grant request. The Met Council will vote on December 20. The conditions for approval include expanding the scope to include the entire highway 61 corridor, taking a closer look at the park and ride, and allowing Met Council staff to work with the city on studies and planning. Wolfe commented that the grant is for$150,000, which will require some matching on the part of the city. Wolfe would look into whether staff time and in-kind contributions could be considered as part of the match. 6. ADJOURN Wolcott moved to adjourn. Weingartner seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Res Ily submitted, Stev n P. Barrett Management Analyst