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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-09-13 PACKET 03.01. CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE E CONOMIC D EVELOPMENT A UTHORITY MINUTES th August 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 16th day of July, 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 Eric Thiewes, EDA Member Ramona Westerberg, 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 Matt Wolf, Economic Development Assistant Others Present: Chris Eng, Washington County Economic Development Director Kimberly Graff, City Council Candidate LaRae Mills, City Council Candidate APPROVAL OF MINUTES th 3.1EDA Vice President Dennis motioned to approve the July 7, 2016 EDA Meeting Minutes. EDA Member Celkis seconded. Motion passed unanimously (7-to-0 vote). BUSINESS ITEMS 4.1 Business Inquiry/Community Development Update Economic Development Director Costello gave an update on the projects that are in development around the City of Cottage Grove. Economic Development Authority – Minutes May 10, 2016 Page 2 of 4 EDA Vice President Dennis stressed that in many instances the City of Cottage Grove is complimented as a very business forward and business friendly community. The City of Cottage Grove received a thank you letter from Appro Development who is in charge of the Garden World project in the Business Park that is currently under construction as an example. th EDA Member Jurgens asked with the changes to the project at 80 Street Crossing if there were still going to be road closures. Economic Development Director Costello replied that with the changes that would no longer be the case. EDA Member Jurgens inquired if the project still was going to have the Honest-1 Autocare demolished and moved. Economic Development Director Costello stated that was correct and no part of the current building would be demolished. EDA Member Jurgens inquired if the old G-Will Liquour building, which will be the new Ace Hardware if that was going to be staying the same. Economic Development Director Costello replied that they are waiting for plans to be submitted to determine how that façade to the building will be handled but no application or permit has been submitted. th EDA Member Jurgens asked with the business park grading site that is complete at the corner of 97 th Street and Hemingway Avenue, if that site would have access to 95 Street. Community Development Director/City Engineer Levitt responded that due to a storm water basin and the slope that is found th towards the back of property it is not possible to give access to 95 Street for that site. EDA President Bailey inquired about the Xcel Certified Site Program if that is something that Xcel would market our site or if that is handled by the City. Economic Development Director Costello stated that Xcel would actually help market the site as a development ready site. th EDA President Bailey commented on the 80 Street Crossing site that although Kwik Trip will no longer be located at the site the City will still be happy with the end result and the investment that will be put into property. 4.2 EDA 2017 Proposed Budget Finance Director Roland gave an overview of the current City budgeting process and specifically the Economic Development budget. Economic Development Director Costello addressed the changes to the budget that would affect travel and training, advertising and marketing, and the business retention and expansion program. Economic Development Director Costello also stated that the BEC budget is being reduced greatly due to its closure. The EDA after discussion of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) RECON Convention that has been attended in years past requested that it be added to the budget at an estimated cost of $2,200 per person. EDA Member Westerberg motioned to approve the budget with the addition of two people attending the ICSC RECON Convention budget item. EDA Member Thiewes seconded. Motion passed unanimously (7-to-0) 4.3 WAG Agreements Economic Development Director Costello went over three separate agreements for the EDA to consider pertaining to the Dog Park Lease Agreement, Compost Site Lease Agreement and Option Agreement or Right of Entry Agreement. Economic Development Authority – Minutes May 10, 2016 Page 3 of 4 EDA Member Thiewes asked the cost annually to maintain the Compost Site and Dog Park. Finance Director Roland replied that the cost of the dog park is roughly half of the cost of property taxes for the property. The compost site is $7,000 annually split between the City and Rumpca Companies Inc. EDA Vice President Dennis motioned to approve acceptance and issuance of the proposed Dog Park and Compost Site Lease Agreement and the Option Agreement and Right of Entry with WAG Farms, Inc. with the following conditions: 1. Review and acceptance by WAG Farms, Inc. 2. th Review and acceptance by the City of Cottage Grove City Council at their August 17 meeting. 3. Allow the City attorney to make minor changes to all agreements when necessary. EDA Member Celkis seconded. Motion passed unanimously (7-to-0) 4.4 BEC Update Economic Development Director Costello gave an update on the closure of the Business Enterprise Center. EDA Member Jurgens inquired if the tenant that was requesting an extension of their lease if that was the same tenant who was behind on their rent. Economic Development Director responded that it is not and that the tenant who asked for a lease extension is always on time. EDA Member Jurgens asked what was the current plan on the Chamber and if they were able to stay longer. EDA Member Cole stated the Chamber was currently looking into other options and that Chamber is working with the City. Economic Development Director stated the City will accommodate the Chamber for however long they need. 4.5 BR&E Timeline and Process Approval Economic Development Director Costello gave an overview of the Business Retention and Expansion Program (BR&E) importance, timeline, and the $12,000 agreement to work with the University of Minnesota Extension Office. EDA Vice President Dennis motioned to approve the University of Minnesota Business Retention and Expansion Program Agreement and the proposed timeline for the program. EDA Member Celkis seconded. Motion passed unanimously (7-to-0) PUBLIC HEARING None OTHER BUSINESS 6.1 Calendar EDA Members viewed the various upcoming events listed on the calendar. 6.2 EDA Comments EDA Member Jurgens requested staff to provide a historical comparison of residential property tax vs. commercial/industrial property tax. 6.3 Response to Previous EDA Comments Economic Development Authority – Minutes May 10, 2016 Page 4 of 4 6.3a Letter to DEED – Thank You letter to the Department of Employment and Economic Development for their financial assistance to economic development related projects in the City of Cottage Grove. AJOURN EDA Member Jurgens made a motion to adjourn. EDA Member Thiewes seconded. The meeting adjourned at 8:18 a.m. (7-to-0 vote). Respectfully Submitted, Matt Wolf Economic Development Assistant