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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-12-12 PACKET 03.01. CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE E CONOMIC D EVELOPMENT A UTHORITY MINUTES October 10, 2017 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a regular meeting of the Economic Development Authority was th held at Cottage Grove City Hall, 12800 Ravine Parkway, Cottage Grove, Minnesota 55016 on the 10 day of October, 2017. 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 Chris Carey, EDA Member Steve Dennis, EDA Vice President Dan Myers, EDA Member Ramona Westerberg, EDA Member Members Absent: Eric Thiewes, EDA Member 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: John Shardlow, Stantec Senior Principal APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3.1EDA Vice President Dennis motioned to approve the June 13, 2017 EDA Meeting Minutes. EDA Member Westerberg seconded. Motion passed unanimously (5-to-0 vote). BUSINESS ITEMS 4.1 Business Inquiry/Community Development Update Economic Development Assistant Wolf gave an update on the projects that are in development around the City of Cottage Grove. Economic Development Authority – Minutes th October 10, 2017 Page 2 of 3 EDA Vice President Dennis stated he was pleased with the direction the City of Cottage Grove was headed and that permit valuations over the past three years were the greatest period of growth the City of Cottage Grove had seen in its history. 4.2 Presentation on Cottage Grove Business Park AUAR Stantec Senior Principal John Shardlow gave a presentation on the Alternative Urban Area Review (AUAR) in the Cottage Grove Business Park. PUBLIC HEARING None OTHER BUSINESS 6.1 Calendar EDA President Bailey reminded everyone of the Fire Department Open House at Kingston Park on October 13, 2017 and on Sunday, October 15 the Oktoberfest Fundraiser for the Friends in Need Food Shelf at Historic Hope Glen Farm. EDA President Bailey also reminded citizens of the My Future Cottage Grove Launch Party on Wednesday October 25, 2017 at the Furber Farm Event Center. EDA Vice President Dennis spoke about the Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce membership drive the evening of Tuesday October 10, 2017. EDA Vice President Dennis thanked former EDA Member Trent Cole for his service on the EDA. EDA President Bailey stated the Economic Development Authority had an opening on the EDA and that applications for the position are on the website. 6.2 EDA Comments None 6.3 Response to Previous EDA Comments Lodging Tax Discussion – Economic Development Assistant Wolf gave a presentation on lodging tax use in the State of Minnesota and some examples of how lodging tax proceeds have been utilized in other cities in the Metro Area. EDA Member Myers asked how effective the marketing was using the lodging tax in other municipalities that have the Lodging Tax. Economic Development Assistant Wolf stated that all the communities felt their hotels saw an increase in overnight stays due to the marketing that occurred as a result of the lodging tax but overall the community’s success was tied to the amount of funds that were available to market their communities. EDA Vice President stated he supported the use of a lodging tax to market the community but agreed with the recommendation to wait until a third hotel was in place before implementing the tax. EDA Member Westerberg asked if there was a way to implement the tax on facilities that are booked through Airbnb and weren’t necessary hotels. Economic Development Assistant Wolf stated that he was Economic Development Authority – Minutes th October 10, 2017 Page 3 of 3 not sure how Airbnb and other facilities like them worked within the context of the Lodging Tax but would find out for the next meeting. EDA President Bailey said he supported the lodging tax implementation and leaned to the option of partnering with the Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce if the lodging tax were to be implemented. EDA Vice President Dennis stated that he did want the City of Cottage Grove to be thoughtful of how trying to implement a full time staff member through working with the Cottage Grove Area Chamber could affect their organization. Overall recommendation is to wait on the lodging tax until a third hotel is opened in the City of Cottage Grove but to begin working with the Cottage Grove Area Chamber on utilizing the funds to market the City of Cottage Grove. WORKSHOP 7.1 None AJOURN EDA Member Myers made a motion to adjourn. EDA Member Westerberg seconded. The meeting adjourned at 8:19 a.m. (5-to-0 vote). Respectfully Submitted, Matt Wolf Economic Development Assistant