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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.1 Sept. 11, 2018 EDA Minutes CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE E CONOMIC D EVELOPMENT A UTHORITY MINUTES th September 11, 2018 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 11 day of July 2018. 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 Wayne Butt, EDA Member Chris Carey, EDA Member Steve Dennis, EDA Vice President Dan Myers, EDA Member Eric Thiewes, EDA Member Ramona Westerberg, EDA Member Members Absent: Staff Present: Charlene Stevens, EDA Executive Director Robin Roland, Finance Director Jennifer Levitt, Community Development Director/City Engineer Christine Costello, Economic Development Director Matt Wolf, Economic Development Specialist Others Present: Della Kolpin, President, dk design and development Don Theisen, Director of Public Works, Washington County APPROVAL OF MINUTES th 3.1 Approval of EDA Minutes July 10, 2018 EDA Vice President Dennis motioned to approve the July 10th, 2018 EDA Meeting Minutes. EDA Member Myers seconded. Motion passed unanimously (6-to-0 vote, EDA Member Butt absent) EDA Member Butt joined the meeting from this point forward. Economic Development Authority – Minutes September 11th, 2018 Page 2 of 5 PUBLIC HEARINGS 4.1 Economic Development Update/Business Inquiry Economic Development Specialist Wolf gave an update on the new business and projects occurring in Cottage Grove. EDA President Bailey stated that it was good to see that two members of the EDA (Carey and Myers) were making significant renovations or additions to their buildings. 4.2 Business Retention and Expansion Program 2018 Overview Economic Development Specialist Wolf presented the general results from the 2018 Business Retention and Expansion Program. With the major priorities that came out of the program being internet access, signs as it relates to code enforcement, housing both market rate and workforce and façade improvement in the commercial district. EDA President Bailey inquired if staff could look into how our sign ordinance compares to other communities, in terms of if our policy is more or less strict. EDA President Bailey also asked if there was anything unique in happening in other communities in terms of business access to fiber connections, either in terms of programs or incentives. EDA Vice President Dennis stated that in terms of sign code enforcement, that although most business follow the regulations there are some that do not and that the City of Cottage Grove needs to make sure all businesses are held to the same regulations. EDA Member Westerberg inquired that when businesses open up if they are aware if there is a sign policy and if it is possible for the City of Cottage Grove to put a packet together for new businesses. Economic Development Specialist Wolf stated that a sign brochure was developed as a result of the 2017 Business Retention and Expansion Program and the City of Cottage Grove does actively try to give the brochure to new businesses. EDA Member Butt asked what is it that businesses that are not following the sign ordinance want from a sign ordinance. Economic Development Specialist replied that businesses want to get as much information out as possible to potential customers and businesses see signs as that opportunity. EDA Member Butt inquired on what is the current coverage of internet in the City of Cottage Grove and if there are specific areas that do not yet have coverage with high speed internet. Economic Development Specialist Wolf stated that there aren’t necessarily any gaps in the City of Cottage Grove in terms of internet coverage, however the costs associated with a new connection to fiber can be too costly for a business due to connection fees. 4.3 Lemonade Day – Chris Carey EDA Member Carey presented on Lemonade Day that occurred in Cottage Grove on August 25, 2018. Lemonade Day is meant to promote entrepreneurship among youth across the country. EDA President Bailey thanked EDA Member Carey and his wife Heather for organizing the event and promoting entrepreneurship in Cottage Grove. 4.4 Presentation on Definitions of Multi-Family Housing Economic Development Authority – Minutes September 11th, 2018 Page 3 of 5 Economic Development Director Costello gave an overview of the definitions of different types of multi- family housing. EDA Vice President Dennis thanked staff for doing a fantastic job for putting together the video on different types of housing and requested that the video be put on website to share. EDA Member Butt inquired if the City of Cottage Grove has a sense where the current workforce is residing. Economic Development Director Costello responded that our current workforce is residing in our multi-family housing stock. EDA President Bailey stated that those workers not in community are also coming from St. Paul, Woodbury, Hastings and Inver Grove Heights. th 4.5 Letter of Intent (LOI) with Mesaba Capital for 7516 80 Street South, the former City Hall site Economic Development Director Costello gave a presentation on the proposed mixed use multi-family development by dk design and development proposed at the former City Hall site. Economic Development Director also gave an overview of how the proposed development affects the potential for a new library in the area. DK Design and Development (DK Design) President Della Kolpin gave a brief history of the company and the project being proposed at the former City Hall site. EDA President Bailey inquired if the site plans that were being presented were put together by staff or they came directly from DK Design. President Della Kolpin stated that the layouts came from meetings between Washington County staff, City of Cottage Grove staff and DK Design. President Kolpin then presented the two different proposed site plans for the development. EDA Member Carey inquired if these site layouts were still feasible based on the need of Washington County library desire to do a 1 story building and buy additional land (both layouts presented had the library at two stories). Economic Development Director Costello replied the layouts for the mixed use multi-family development proposed by DK Design are still feasible for the city owned former City Hall site. However, they would not work for Washington County and the library. EDA Member Thiewes asked what kind of amenities were going to be offered as part of the proposed development by DK Design. President Della Kolpin stated the development as currently proposed would have a fitness facility, club room, and some sort outdoor facilities area that may or may not have a pool. EDA Member Thiewes asked if the mixed use multi-family project would be marketed to young families. President Della Kolpin responded that is most likely going to be one of the targeted demographics, but DK Design needed to get a further market study completed to determine fully the targeted demographics for the project. EDA Member Thiewes inquired if there would be an outdoor playground and President Della Kolpin responded yes. EDA Vice President Dennis stated that the library is a great amenity for the City of Cottage Grove and wants to ensure that it stays in the area. EDA Vice President Dennis stated that from his prospective he liked site layout number 2 as it provides both the proposed mixed use multi-family project and the th library a clear sight line from 80 Street. EDA Member Westerberg asked what the two lots located across Hemingway Avenue would be used for if purchased for the library redevelopment. Economic Development Director Costello stated that the Economic Development Authority – Minutes September 11th, 2018 Page 4 of 5 library would have options to work with the parking and that the additional land would allow for a one- story building. EDA President Bailey asked if DK Design had already reached out to either of the property owners located across Hemingway Avenue. President Della Kolpin stated she had not spoken with the southern property owner but did speak with the north vacant property owner and would be willing to do so again. EDA President Bailey indicated his support for the DK Design project and believes there is an opportunity for redevelopment of the surrounding parcels at the former City Hall site for the redevelopment of the library. EDA President Bailey asked if there is a way for the City of Cottage Grove to know where the residents are coming from that use the library. Washington County Public Works Director Don Theisen provided a map showing where all the users are that use the various libraries across Washington County. EDA President stated that it looked like based on the map that most of the residents coming to the library were from the City of Cottage Grove and that Newport residents were mostly going to Woodbury. EDA President inquired if Washington County had any future plans for the Newport library. Washington County Public Works Director Don Theisen responded there were no additional plans for the Newport library at this time. EDA Member Butt inquired what was the possibility of the City of Cottage Grove and Washington th County exchanging their land, so the library redevelopment would be on 80 Street and the proposed multi-family building would be in the back. Economic Development Director Costello replied if that were considered any potential commercial that would be part of the mixed use multi-family development would be removed and the marketing presence for the project would be lost. EDA Vice President made a motion to authorize the City Administrator to execute the Letter of th Intent (LOI) with dk design and development for the purchase of land at 7516 80 Street South, the former city hall site. EDA Member Westerberg seconded. (7-to-0 vote) OTHER BUSINESS 6.1 Calendar EDA President Bailey stated there was a Chamber business afterhours event September 11at Junction th 70 Grill. Also, on September 11 is a League of Women Voters candidate forum event at City Hall for City Council candidates in Cottage Grove and Newport at 7 pm. th EDA President Bailey stated that September 15 is the Thrivent Financial Ribbon Cutting at 11:30 am and later that night is an informational sound wall meeting for area residents. 6.2 EDA Comments th EDA Vice President Dennis asked that in remembrance of the September 11 attacks, that the EDA take a moment of pause. 6.3 Response to Previous EDA Comments None Economic Development Authority – Minutes September 11th, 2018 Page 5 of 5 WORKSHOP 7.1 None AJOURN EDA Member Butt made a motion to adjourn. EDA Member Carey seconded. The meeting adjourned at 8:55 a.m. (7-to-0 vote) Respectfully Submitted, Matt Wolf Economic Development Specialist