HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998 [04] Apr 13Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Economic Development Authority for the City of St. Joseph
met in regular session on Monday, April 13, 1998 at 8:00 a.m. in the St. Joseph City Hall.
Members Present: Chair Kenneth J. Hiemenz. Board Members Ken Twit, Mike Deutz, Ross Rieke.
EDA Director Chad Carlson. Recording Secretary Judy Weyrens.
Others Present: Ellen Wahlstrom, Jim Graeve.
Minutes: Twit made a motion to approve the minutes of March 29 with corrections; seconded by Rieke
and passed unanimously by those present.
Strategic Plan: Carlson presented the revised Strategic Ptan for the Economic Development Authority
Deutz questioned whether the final plan would be presented to the City Council. Carlson reported that
upon approval by the EDA approves he will submit it to the City Council. Deutz made a motion to
approve the Strategic Plan of the EDA as corrected. The motion was seconded by Twit and passed
unanimously by those present.
Miscellaneous: Hiemenz reported the information packet for the meeting inGuded the following
information items: Open Meeting Law clarification, draft Wetlands Ordinance.
Financial Report: Weyrens presented the final 1997 financial activity report and a detailed first quarter
financial report. Board Members discussed the eligibility of overtime for the EDA Diredor as the poshion
is classified as exempt. It was the consensus of the Board that the position of EDA Diredor is not
eligible for overtime for any meetings or activities that are a requirement of the position (ie: Planning
Commission meetings or Council meetings where EDA activity is being reported). The Board further
clarified that all overtime needs to be approved by the Board and is permitted only when the employee is
requested to perform a specific task or provide assistance. Deutz made a motion to accept the final 1997
Financial Statement and the 1ST Quarter 1998 Financial Statement. The motion was seconded by Twit
and passed unanimously by those present.
Memorandum to the Citv Council: Carlson presented a draft memorandum from the EDA Board to the
City Council Garifying the role and operation of the Economic Development Authority. Carlson stated he
prepared the document in response to questions raised by the public in regard to the functions of the EDA
and chain of authority. The memo included information obtained from the State Auditor and MN
Statutes. The following is a summary of the information received:
While the City Council allocates funding for the Economic Development Authority, upon
allocation, the control of funds becomes the responsibility of the Economic Development
Authority.
According to the State Auditor and MN Statutes, the EDA is a separate entity.
The By-laws for the St. Joseph Economic Development Authority requires the Board to follow
the budget procedures as outlined by the City. However, once the funds are received the
EDA has the authority to appropriate the use of such funds.
By MN Statute, EDAs are permitted to spends funds to promote Economic Development.
Therefore, since financial responsibility lies with the EDA Board, the Board will monitor and accept all
financial reports inGuding overtime /comp time earned by the EDA Director. Further, the overtime and
callouts will no longer be part of the bi-monthly report received by the Council. Quarterly the Council will
receive a financial report presented by the EDA Diredor.
Rieke made a motion to forward the draft memorandum to the City Council with corrections; seconded by
Deutz and passed unanimously by those present.
Director Reports
Industrial Park:
• The Topographical Study of the Industrial Park is complete and will be distributed shortly
• The City Engineer is preparing a development cost estimate to develop the property
former owned by Robert Koening.
• A business has inquired about constructing a 20,000 square foot building in the Industrial
Park
Development Activity: Carlson presented a confidential contact list.
TIF Consultant: Ed Tschida, Advanced Resources, has offered to meet with the EDA Board to discuss
financing alternatives for the Industrial Park. The Board scheduled a special meeting on May 4, at 8:00
a.m.
Public Input
Ellen Wahlstrom distributed copies of information presented at the Minnesota Project -Rocky Mountain
Institute and requested the Board Members review this material.
Jim Graeve expressed concern that in his opinion the City does not have a vision for development or a
visionary process. He encourages the Commission to develop a master plan with input from the
residents of St. Joseph.
Ken Hiemenz requested the EDA Director complete a housing study to determine at what cost
development is effective, when does the City break even with infrastructure costs.
Adjourn: Deutz made a motion to adjourn at 9:30 a.m.; seconded by Twit and passed unanimously by
those present.
. _._ ,?
~C~C ~~ ~' ~ Z ~~ ~~
/Jud Wens
riling Secretary