HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998.10.13 EDA MINUTES-APPROVED S CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY
MINUTES
October 13, 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 13th
day of October 1998.
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 a.m. by Mayor Denzer
2. ROLL CALL
• Members Present: Jack Denzer, Glen Kleven, Fred Luden, Jim Wolcott, Gerry
Weingartner
Members Absent: Donna Boehm
Others Present: Kirstin Barsness, Economic Development Director
Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator
Michelle Wolfe, Assistant City Administrator
Neil Belscamper, Personnel/Economic Development Secretary
3. APPROVAL OF AUGUST 25. 1998 MINUTES
Kleven moved to approve the August 25, 1998 Economic Development Authority
Minutes. Weingartner seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
4.A. DEVELOPMENT TOUR AND GOLF TOURNAMENT WRAP-UP
Barsness reviewed the 1998 Development Tour and Golf Tournament. She said 40
people participated in the tour and lunch, 40% of them first-time participants in the
event. Seven foursomes played in the tournament. Barsness felt that everything ran
smoothly, and said the weather had been ideal. She requested comments, and those
who were present echoed the same sentiments.
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• Economic Development Authority - Minutes
October 13, 1998
Page 2
4.B. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SECTION - 2000 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Barsness emphasized that the Economic Development portion of the Comprehensive
Plan was a rough draft, and requested feedback from EDA members. Kleven
questioned whether the EDA as a whole would like to comment on the development of
Jeffery Avenue in the Jamaica/Hwy 61/Hwy 19 area, expressing concerns over
congestion in that portion of the City. In addition, he commented that the word
"redevelopment" might want to be added to the stated goals, and felt that the land-use
portion of the plan should be expanded. Barsness said the document could be
expanded upon. Kleven cited some of the Met Council's ideas on development. Luden
noted how housing development may face dramatic changes in the near future, and
raised concerns over the flexibility of the plan. In conclusion, Barsness said changes
would be made to the draft concerning the river crossing, the extension of Jeffery
Avenue, and the implementation of commuter rail.
4.0 FISCAL IMPACT STUDY
Barsness said the City had been selected as a pilot community by the Met Council for a
Fiscal Impact Study. She said some base information had been compiled—housing
• growth and economic impacts, specifically employment growth. Employment scenarios
between now and 2020 were being considered. She said much of this information would
be incorporated back into the Comprehensive Plan. Wolcott questioned whether the
study could be re-evaluated in the event that growth-trend projections prove inaccurate.
Schroeder said he would request more information from the Met Council on the process.
He noted that the CityVision 21 projections were conservative, and consistent with the
low growth scenario of the Met Council. Schroeder outlined the Met Council's
projections for Grey Cloud Island. Denzer questioned how parkland on Grey Cloud
Island would affect the taxes of other residents, as it removes land from the tax roll.
4.D. PROJECT UPDATES
Barsness handed out an informational sheet. She outlined the potential expansion of a
local manufacturer into warehousing; they would be applying for a variance to construct
a 62-foot high building. She said a gear manufacturer is looking for a 10-acre site. A 30-
acre site at Jamaica and 95 had been optioned by a nationally traded company, which
subsequently let the option expire. A national restaurant chain expressed interest in a
site in the vicinity of the old Cub building. A leasing company had met with staff over the
construction of a new showroom. A machining company expressed their desire to
purchase 10 acres of agriculturally zoned land. The Renewal by Andersen site was
progressing well. A prospective client had contacted the City regarding a site for location
of an 80,000 sq. ft. building. A coatings company had been looking for land for the
relocation of their headquarters, but will probably locate west of the Metro Area.
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• Economic Development Authority- Minutes
October 13, 1998
Page 3
4.E. EDA MEMBER APPOINTMENT
Denzer felt Dick Pederson would be a good match for the EDA. Weingartner agreed.
Kleven moved to approve the appointment of Dick Pederson to the EDA. Weingartner
seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
5. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS ITEMS
Barsness outlined the Labor Force Expo, which was held in Woodbury and focused on
the retention of employees.
ADJOURN
Weingartner moved to adjourn. Wolcott seconded. Motion carried unanimously. The
meeting adjourned at 9:00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
4.
eil Belscamp-
Economic Dev- opment Secret:ry
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