Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-02-09 Approved Minutes CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE E CONOMIC D EVELOPMENT A UTHORITY MINUTES February 9, 2016 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a regular meeting of the Economic Development Authority was held at Cottage Grove City Hall, 12800 Ravine Parkway, Cottage Grove, Minnesota 55016 on the 9th day of February, 2016. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:30 a.m. by EDA President Bailey. ROLL CALL Members Present: Myron Bailey, EDA President James Celkis, EDA Member Trent Cole, EDA Member Steve Dennis, EDA Vice President Tony Jurgens, EDA Treasurer Members Absent: Jeff Carter, EDA Member (Excused) Ramona Westerberg, EDA Member (Unexcused) Staff Present: Charlene Stevens, EDA Executive Director Jennifer Levitt, Community Development Director/City Engineer Robin Roland, Finance Director Kori Land, City Attorney Alicia McMonigal, Economic Development Assistant Others Present: Will Schroeer, Executive Director, East Metro Strong Melissa Taphorn, Deputy Executive Director, Washington County Housing & Redevelopment, Transit Planner APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3.1EDA Member Jurgens motioned to approve the January 12, 2016 EDA Meeting Minutes. EDA VP Dennis seconded (5-to-0 vote). BUSINESS ITEMS 4.1 Development Update / BR&E Update Community Development Director/City Engineer Levitt discussed the development update items that were presented in the packet. EDA Member Jurgens asked for the dimensions of the Kwik Trip. Community Development Economic Development Authority - Minutes February 9, 2016 Page 2 Director/ City Engineer stated she did not have the plans in front of her but it is very similar to their C Store concept. She stated she didn’t anticipate seeing the footprint being any different from those in the Metro. EDA Member Jurgens discussed his desire to ensure a similar footprint as the Hastings store. He has concerns regarding crowding in the Center. Community Development Director/City Engineer Levitt stated she will bring information back to the EDA. She reassured the EDA that Kwik Trip has not had to downsize their model to fit into the space. She is confident that the model will compete well in the marketplace and Kwik Trip has a strong desire to be in Cottage Grove. EDA President Bailey stated the access point on to Hadley is being removed. The mall will look completely different after the Center is complete because of the remodeling. 4.2 East Metro Strong Presentation Will Schroeer, Executive Director, East Metro reviewed the East Metro Strong, Transit, and Economic Development materials that were presented in the packet. EDA Treasurer Jurgens asked if any types of transit were excluded. Will Schroeer, Executive Director stated all transit including regular route bus transit is valuable but East Metro strong focuses on fixed guide way transit investment because they believe it is more reliable, provides better service and economic growth because of the certainty of the service of the fixed locations and lines. EDA Member Jurgens asked how East Metro Strong partners with the State of Minnesota and MnDOT. He also stated one of the challenges in Cottage Grove was getting to W Point Douglas Road and for years thought a slip ramp of Hwy 61 would be great but it appears that MnDOT is not interested. Will Schroeer, Executive Director, stated East Metro Strong would be happy to work on problems that they are specifically asked to work on by stakeholders. The Board then makes decisions to work on issues presented. EDA President Bailey asked the criteria to become a partner of East Metro Strong. Will Schroeer, Executive Director, suggested attending Board meetings to see if this is a direction Cottage Grove would like to move towards. Will Schroeer, stated you sign on to agree to the decisions that the board as made so far, agree with the mission as currently constituted, advance the mission, locally agree to advance the mission, we will be represented in front of legislator on mission issues. At the moment, members are not contributing financially that is expected going forward. Seed funding was given and now that you are up and running the members will pony up. EDA Member Jurgens asked if we are a member, would we have a member on the board. Will Schroeer, Executive Director, stated the formal member is the elected official. There are board meetings 10 times a year, and staff meetings two weeks prior to board meeting. EDA Member Jurgens made a motion to recommend the City Council consider joining East Metro Strong. EDA Member Celkis seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously (5-to-0 vote). 4.3 Washington County Community Development Agency (CDA) Melissa Taphorn, Deputy Executive Director, Washington County discussed Proposed Legislation to Add Economic Development Powers to the Washington County HRA materials that were included in the EDA packet. EDA VP Dennis made the motion to adopt the Resolution of the Economic Development Economic Development Authority - Minutes February 9, 2016 Page 3 Authority in and for the City of Cottage Grove, Minnesota Supporting Proposed Legislation to Authorize the County of Washington to Confer Economic Development Powers upon the Washington County Housing and Redevelopment Authority. EDA Member Cole seconded. Motion passed unanimously (5-to-0 vote). 4.4 Grove Plaza REA City Attorney Land discussed the Grove Rainbow REA materials that were included in the EDA packet. EDA Member Jurgens asked if the attached documents will takes care of all inconsistencies between the REA and RCA. City Attorney Land answered in the affirmative. Their documents specifically outlines the terms of the RCA word FOR word. EDA Member Jurgens asked when the current RCA was set to expire in seven years and the new document extends the REA. EDA Treasurer Jurgens motioned to approve the REA and authorize its, execution, subject to minor modifications approved by the City Attorney. EDA Member Coleiseconded. Motion passed unanimously (5-to-0 vote). 4.5 TIF District Creation-Cottage Grove Leased Housing Associates I, (Dominium Development) Finance Director Roland discussed the TIF District Grove Rainbow REA materials that were included in the EDA packet. Finance Director Roland asked that no action be taken on the second resolution in item 4.5 (Resolution No. EDA 2016-005) as a public hearing is not required at the March 8, 2016 EDA meeting. EDA Member Cole motioned to adopt the Resolution Requesting the City Council of the City of Cottage Grove Call for a Public Hearing on the Modifications of Tax Increment Financing District No. 1-17 (A Housing District) at the April 6, 2016 City Council meeting. EDA VP Dennis seconded. Motion passed unanimously (5-to-0 vote). EDA Member Jurgens asked for clarification as to why there wasn’t a Public Hearing required at the March 8, 2016 EDA meeting. Finance Director Roland stated the TIF 1-17 plan will be considered at the March 8, 2016 EDA meeting but there is not a legal requirement to hold a Public Meeting at the EDA meeting. Instead, the Public Hearing will be held at the April 6, 2016 City Council meeting. 4.6 Future Vision 2030 Comprehensive Plan—Update Community Development Director/City Engineer Levitt discussed the Future Vision Comprehensive Plan items that were presented in the packet. 4.7 Assignment of Purchase Agreement—Gardenworld, Inc and Belijah, LLC Community Development Director/City Engineer Levitt discussed the assignment of purchase agreement item that was presented in the packet. Economic Development Authority - Minutes February 9, 2016 Page 4 EDA Member Jurgens asked if the same principle would be operating but if it would be operating under a different legal name. City Attorney Land stated Belijah, Inc. is going to be the entity that owns the property but it is a wholly owned subsidiary of Gardenworld. Gardenworld is still the developer. Belijah, Inc. is the name of the property holder. EDA VP Dennis recommended that the EDA execute the Assignment of Purchase Agreement assigning Belijah, LLC as the purchaser. EDA Member Jurgers seconded. Motion passed unanimously (5-to-0 vote). 4.8 Elect Officers EDA President Bailey presented the Election of Officers materials that were presented in the packet. EDA Member Jurgens made a motion to appoint Mayor Bailey as EDA President and EDA Member Dennis as EDA Vice President. EDA Member Celkis seconded, all present were in favor. Motion passed unanimously (5-to-0 vote). EDA Member Jurgens made a motion to appoint Alicia McMonigal as secretary and Robin Roland as Vice Treasurer. EDA Member Cole seconded, all present were in favor. Motion passed unanimously (5-to-0 vote). EDA VP Dennis motioned to appoint EDA Member Jurgens as Treasurer, EDA Member Cole seconded, all present were in favor. Motion passed unanimously (5-to-0 vote). PUBLIC HEARING None OTHER BUSINESS 6.1 Calendar EDA Members viewed the various upcoming events listed on the calendar. 6.2 EDA Comments EDA Treasurer Jurgens asked if the council took action on the management of the golf course, are the EDA’s responsibilities to the golf course severed. EDA President Bailey stated that it does. The loans were forgiven and eventually the responsibilities will fall to Parks & Recreation. There is a transitional period where the City Council will work to make the golf course breakeven or profitable. EDA Executive Director Stevens stated the Council interviewed two candidates for the Economic Development Director and were successful in making an offer to Christine Costello. She brings with her good experience in business retention and expansion. She will be present at the next EDA meeting. Economic Development Authority - Minutes February 9, 2016 Page 5 AJOURN 7.1 EDA Treasurer Jurgens made a motion to adjourn. EDA Member Celkis seconded. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 a.m. (5-to-0 vote). Respectfully Submitted, Alicia McMonigal Economic Development Assistant