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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.15.25March 18th, 2025 Page 1 of 2 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the St. Joseph Economic Development Authority met on Tuesday, April 15th, 2025 at 12:00 PM. Members Present: Board Members Joe Bye, Kevin Kluesner, Ross Huls, Larry Hosch, Kelly Beniek via Zoom Members Absent: none City Representatives Present: Nate Keller Community Development Director Hosch called the St. Joseph Economic Development Authority meeting to order at 12:00 PM Public Comments: none Agenda Approval: Kluesner made a motion to approve the agenda as presented; seconded by Beniek and passed unanimously by those present. Consent Agenda: Bye made a motion to approve the consent agenda; seconded by Kluesner and passed unanimously by those present. a. Minutes — Mar. 181h, 2025 b. Financial Report March CVB Joetown Blocks update Keller updated the group on CVB discussion. The CVB decided to not go ahead with the Joetown Blocks event in 2025 due to the capacity of members. At the April 141h meeting CVB discussed the $10,000 allocation. CVB recommended utilizing the money (redirecting it) for a Social Media campaign. The campaign would go towards promoted posts, content creation, photos, videos, and targeted outreach via social media (e.g. targeting people in the Monticello region). EDA Board asked questions tied to the recommendation. The consensus of the EDA was to ask the CVB to submit a new proposal with a new ask for the Social Media campaign including dollar amounts. CVB Organizational Restructure update Keller highlighted discussions and research completed thus far. Some main points of research includes: • Zoom calls with the CVB Directors of Stillwater and St. Peter • Zoom call with the MN Association of CVB's Executive Director • Research into 16+ CVB's and their organizational structure Some findings thus far include: • There are three main organizational structures that CVB's follow and those include: o Option 1 — Convention and Visitor Bureau is separate from the city and operates as its own 501 c (6) ■ About 60% of all CVB's in the state operate under this arrangement ■ A plus for this structure is it allows the CVB to oversee their finances, and be eligible for grants through Explore MN ■ A negative for this is the time, cost it takes to establish a 501 C (6) along with ongoing accounting expenses to maintain the 501 c (6) status. This option may require additional Admin support o Option 2 — Convention and Visitor Bureau is combined with local Chamber of Commerce ■ About 35% of all CVB's in the state operate under this arrangement ■ A plus is revenue is diversified. The CVB would not just rely on lodging tax but would also rely on Chamber memberships. This diversifies the revenue allowing more resilience at times of slower lodging tax collections (or vice versa) ■ A negative is different missions and priorities and strong perceptions from CVB members to not join the Chamber o Option 3 — Convention and Visitor Bureau is a branch of the local municipality and operates under the city umbrella March 18th, 2025 Page 2 of 2 The Board discussed the various options and structures. Some questions were asked and continued discussion will occur next month. General Business updates Keller updated the Board on: Pine and Fiber closing, Laser Dentistry, Novak homes, 2025 street construction, construction activity in Industrial Park including status of Hansen and Company, Industrial park phase 2, CMS Autobody expansion, Casey's site, Joint Planning Board — County Service Center, SCDP grant, Retention visit with Two Bits, Rental licensing, Council direction to research allowing chickens in urban residential areas, Short-term rental at 24 MN Street East, April 3rd pop up and pitch competition event, CVB updating trailhead map. Adjourn: Beniek made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 12:57 PM, seconded by Kluesner and passed unanimously by those present. Minutes b Nate Keller Community Development Director