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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.1 March 12, 2019 EDA Minutes CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE E CONOMIC D EVELOPMENT A UTHORITY MINUTES EDA Meeting March 12, 2019 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a special meeting of the Economic Development Authority was th held at Cottage Grove City Hall, 12800 Ravine Parkway, Cottage Grove, Minnesota 55016 on the 12 day of March 2019 at 7:30 a.m 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 Eric Thiewes, EDA Member Members Absent: Ramona Westerberg, EDA Member Dan Myers, EDA Member Staff Present: Robin Roland, Finance Director Christine Costello, Acting Community & Economic Development Director Matt Wolf, Economic Development Specialist Others Present: Jennifer Wenshau, Executive Director Cottage Grove Area Chamber Roshan Patel, Owner Country Inn & Suites Cottage Grove Renee Bade, General Manager Country Inn & Suites Cottage Grove Wayne Butt, Owner Historic John P. Furber Farm and City of Cottage Grove Councilmember APPROVAL OF MINUTES th 3.1 Approval of the February 12th, 2019 EDA Minutes th EDA Member Thiewes motioned to approve the February 12, 2019 EDA Meeting Minutes. EDA Member Carey seconded. Motion passed unanimously (4-to-0 vote) BUSINESS ITEMS 4.1 Economic Development Update/Business Inquiry Economic Development Authority – Minutes March 12th, 2019 Page 2 of 3 Economic Development Specialist Wolf gave an update on the new business and projects occurring in Cottage Grove. PUBLIC HEARINGS 5.1 None OTHER BUSINESS 6.1 Calendar 6.2 EDA Comments EDA Vice President Dennis stated that with all the snow melting that if residents run in to blocked drains or flooded roadways that they can reach out to Public Works for assistance. EDA President Bailey also updated that City of Cottage Grove is staff is prepared for possible flooding along the Mississippi River. 6.3 Response to Previous EDA Comments WORKSHOP 7.1 Discuss Lodging Tax with Chamber of Commerce, Country Inn & Suites, and Historic John P. Furber Farm The City of Cottage Grove EDA met with the Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce, Country Inn & Suites and Historic John P. Furber Farm to discuss the potential implementation of a lodging tax in the City of Cottage Grove to market and promote the community to potential visitors. Country Inn & Suites Owner Roshan Patel and General Manager Renee Bade shared their concerns that they although they are not opposed to the tax, they have reservations of how the tax will be spent to properly market the community. Cottage Grove Area Chamber Executive Director Jennifer Wenshau shared that when the Chamber works to form the Cottage Grove Area Tourism and Visitor’s Bureau they will work to make sure that the proper people whose businesses are affected by tourism/visitor’s will be represented on the Board of Directors. Historic John P. Furber Farm Owner Wayne Butt shared that he felt a lodging tax would benefit the community as many of the weddings that are using his venue are using hotels in Woodbury. General Manager Renee Bade pointed out that Country Inn & Suites always works to serve their wedding venues first and although they are very busy during the summer weekends their main concern is they don’t have the business during the week and winter weekends. EDA President Bailey asked that if the lodging tax proceeds that the Country Inn & Suites and other tourism related businesses be involved and help in making this a success. Owner Roshan Patel stated that between General Manager Renee Bade and himself they would be involved to make sure it benefits all in the community. AJOURN Economic Development Authority – Minutes March 12th, 2019 Page 3 of 3 EDA Vice President Dennis made a motion to adjourn. EDA Member Carey seconded. The meeting adjourned at 8:36 a.m. (4-to-0 vote) Respectfully Submitted, Matt Wolf Economic Development Specialist