HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998.03.10 EDA MINUTES-APPROVED i•
CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY
MINUTES
March 10, 1998
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 March 1998.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 a.m. by Mayor Denzer.
ROLL CALL
• Members Present: Jack Denzer, Bill Buth, Donna Boehm, Glen Kleven, Fred Luden,
Gerard Weingartner, Jim Wolcott.
Others Present: Kirstin Barsness, Economic Development Director
Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator
Kim Lindquist, Community Development Director
Neil Belscamper, Personnel/Economic Development Secretary
Jerry Faletti, Business Development Chair, Chamber of Commerce
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Kleven moved to approve the February 10, 1998 EDA Minutes. Wolcott seconded.
Motion carried unanimously.
A. MARKETING MATERIALS UPDATE
Barsness submitted copies of the draft brochure to EDA members, and stated that she
was pleased with it. Others made similar comments.
B. LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES
Barsness said the City was still waiting for the outcome of the conference committee. She
stated that there were different versions of the bill in the House and Senate, and that an
effort had been made to kill one of the bills. She noted that if the current legislation
passed, the outcome would be better than expected.
C. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
• Barsness said the Comprehensive Planning process was underway. She said the land-
use component was one of the key issues that would affect Economic Development. After
some discussion, Economic Development Authority members split up into groups to
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'• Economic Development Authority- Minutes
March 10, 1998
Page 2
identify where they thought the most important commercial areas and corridors into the
City might be. Luden commented that County Road 19 might, in the future, be an
important entrance into the community. Kleven pointed out areas he felt could be small
"neighborhood" commercial pockets. Denzer identified several locations as key entry
points into the City. He added that the Langdon area should be looked at for future
commercial expansion. Lindquist said there would be monthly Comprehensive Plan
workshops, and that a future river crossing would be a topic of discussion, as well as
zoning of the related corridor. She said a draft of the Comprehensive Plan could be
expected by the end of the year.
D. PROJECT UPDATES
Barsness informed EDA members that Courtesy Car Rental does not need to rezone the
property for which they signed a purchase agreement, and that they are working with
Planning Staff. Barsness said they are running into issues with cost, including city water
and sewer, and other issues such as the building standards required by the City.
An area manufacturer is now looking at 7 communities for their new site, which will
initially be an 180,000 square foot facility, with possible expansion to 360,000 square feet.
Barsness said the City proposed offering a 20-acre parcel to Andersen. She said the City
• is expected to make the final cut of two or three communities. Buth commented that
Andersen would be a major acquisition, and that additional steps should be taken to get
them into the community. Other members concurred. Schroeder said land issues would
not be the overriding concern with their location.
Barsness said a local company is looking to expand into a 15,000 square foot facility. The
company has 20 employees, and is currently located in East Cottage Grove. Barsness
noted that they want to construct a metal building, and that she has been in contact with
them in regard to alternative construction methods.
G-Will Liquors is considering a location at the old Rainbow site.
E. REVIEW OF BUSINESS APPRECIATION BREAKFAST
Barsness said she was somewhat disappointed with the turnout, and asked for input on
how to increase attendance in future years. Buth felt that more key people in the
community should feel a responsibility to attend and support such events.
ADJOURN
Denzer moved to adjourn. Weingartner seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Neil Belscamp-
Economic ' - elopment Secretary
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