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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-05-10 PACKET 03.01. CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE E CONOMIC D EVELOPMENT A UTHORITY MINUTES April 12, 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 8th day of March, 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 Ramona Westerberg, EDA Member Eric Thiewes, EDA Member Members Absent: None Staff Present: Charlene Stevens, EDA Executive Director Jennifer Levitt, Community Development Director/City Engineer Christine Costello, Economic Development Director Robin Roland, Finance Director APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3.1EDA Member Westerberg motioned to approve the March 8, 2016 EDA Meeting Minutes. EDA Member Cole seconded. Motion passed unanimously (7-to-0 vote). BUSINESS ITEMS 4.1 Development Update / Business Inquiry Community Development Director/City Engineer Levitt discussed the development update items that were presented in the packet. EDA Member Jurgens asked about the road reconstruction in conjunction with the Summers Landing residential development. Community Development Director/City Engineer Levitt responded that the City Council held a public hearing on the Hadley improvements between 90th Street and 100th Street and Economic Development Authority – Minutes April 12, 2016 Page 2 of 3 ordered the project. The construction will be done in two phases. The first phase, which will be con- structed in 2016, is the area from 90th Street to 95th Street including the roundabout and upgrading Hadley from a rural roadway to an urban roadway with curb and gutter, street lights, sidewalks/trails, and more intensive landscaping. She will forward the plan for the first phase to EDA members. Economic Development Director Costello stated that in the packet is a memo titled “Business Inquiries,” which lists inquiries that she receives from businesses. In the past, the EDA had received a list taken from the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal of businesses that changed their names or had registered as a business in the City. Those entities had not contacted the City; it was just research by staff. The new memo will provide an idea of the kind of contact staff receives from small businesses and large companies interested in locating in Cottage Grove. She believes this would be more beneficial to the EDA. It was the consensus of the EDA to continue with the new memo. 4.2 BEC Room Rental Policy Economic Development Director Costello summarized her memo and the proposed policy for renting rooms at the Business Enterprise Center. EDA President Bailey stated his support for the proposal. EDA Member Jurgens asked who opens and locks the building. Economic Development Director Costello responded that currently the rental of those rooms would be Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., so she would be available to ensure that the building is opened and locked. If someone wants to meet earlier in the morning meetings or in the evening, a key card could be provided. She noted that policy requires that if City staff is needed, they would have to pay for that staff person’s time. EDA Member Jurgens asked if access to the building is with a key card. Economic Development Director Costello stated that access if with a key card, but the doors automatically open at 8:00 a.m. EDA Member Jurgens asked if somebody calls City Hall asking for meeting space, would they be given information on the spaces at City Hall, BEC, and River Oaks. Eco- nomic Development Director Costello responded that she would check to see if River Oaks is included. City Administrator Stevens stated that information is provided. She then explained that the rooms at City Hall are utilized often but there are limitations on what they can be used for, so the BEC would provide an alternative location. EDA Member Jurgens stated that the library also has a room available. City Administrator Stevens responded that information is also provided. EDA Member Jurgens asked if there are any connectivity charges to utilize the video conferencing room at the BEC. Economic Development Director Costello stated that would need to be coordinated with the City’s IT Department but there shouldn’t be any additional fees. EDA Member Cole stated that when the BEC was set up the tenants in the building would get first right to the meeting spaces and asked if that would still be the case. Economic Development Director Costello responded that the existing businesses, as well as City staff, have the first option to sign up to use the rooms, noting that the tenants do use the rooms quite a bit, so reserva- tions would be coordinated with them as well. EDA Member Thiewes motioned to approve the BEC Room Rental Policy. EDA Vice President Dennis seconded. Motion passed unanimously (7-to-0 vote). 4.3 Gardenworld Development and Assessment Agreement Finance Director Roland summarized the reasons for the amendments to the purchase, development, and assessment agreements for Gardenworld. EDA Vice President Dennis motioned to approve the resolution authorizing execution of the amendment to the purchase agreement, development agreement, and minimum assessment agreement. EDA Member Westerberg seconded. Motion passed unanimously (7-to-0 vote). Economic Development Authority – Minutes April 12, 2016 Page 3 of 3 4.4 Acceptance of the Interfund Loan between Future Economic Development Fund and EDA Finance Director Roland provided information on the interfund loan between the future Economic Devel- opment Fund and the Economic Development Authority for TIF District 1-17 (Gardenworld). EDA Member Jurgens clarified that the EDA would loan up to $100,000 if needed and that would be repaid through the taxes. Finance Director Roland responded that through this document the TIF District is authorized to borrow from the Future Economic Development Fund up to $100,000 for preliminary costs that are incurred during the creation of the TIF District. Once TIF starts coming in, administrative costs are reim- bursable under state law, so the TIF would come through the district to repay that loan to the Future Economic Development Fund. She noted that the loan should be less than the $100,000 maximum. EDA Member Jurgens motioned to accept the Interfund Loan between the Future Economic Development Fund and the EDA. EDA Member Thiewes seconded. Motion passed unanimously (7-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 None 6.3 Response to Previous EDA Comments None AJOURN EDA Vice President Dennis made a motion to adjourn. EDA Member Celkis seconded. The meeting adjourned at 8:19 a.m. (7-to-0 vote). Respectfully Submitted, Kathy Dennis Planning Secretary