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HomeMy WebLinkAbout[03] MinutesCITY OF ST. JOSEPH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AURTHORITY Meeting Minutes -Wednesday, January 28, 2009 Present: EDA Board Members Carolyn Yaggie-Heinen, Ken Jacobson, AI Rassier, Tom Skahen, and Dale Wick. Absent: None. Also present: EDA Consultant Cynthia Smith -Strack of Municipal Development Group. Chairperson Wick called the January 28, 2009 regular meeting of the St. Joseph EDA to order at 3:01 p.m. Election of Officers. Chairperson Wick noted that since this meeting was the first in 2009, election of officers was required under the EDA bylaws. Strack stated officers from 2008 were as follows: Wick Chairperson, Jacobson Vice-Chairperson, Secretary Yaggie-Heinen and Treasurer Skahen. Motion by Rassier, second by Jacobson to re-appoint previous year's officers fo same office positions in 2009. Motion carried 5-0. Agenda. Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda. No changes were requested. Moved by Skahen, seconded by Heinen to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 5-0. Approval of Minutes. Chairperson Wick introduced the minutes from the December 17, 2008 regular meeting. Motion by Wick, second by Jacobson to approve the minutes from the December 17, 2008 regular meeting. Motion carried 5-0. EDA Accounts Payable. Wick introduced the topic. Wick noted accounts payable for the month which totaled $2,253.19. Motion by Jacobson, second by Skahen to approve the EDA accounts payable for the month of January 2009 in the amount of $2, 253.19. Motion carried 5-0. Financial Report. Wick introduced the agenda item. Wick noted the packet included financial reports. Strack referenced the Treasurer's Report which illustrated year to date expenses of $36,180.03 and a year-end (unaudited) fund balance of $21,808.59. Motion Skahen, Second Heinen to approve the December 2008 financial reports as presented. Motion carried 5-0. Approve BFA Grant Disbursement: Gohman Construction. Wick introduced the agenda item noting it was for the Business Facade Architectural Grant program. Strack reviewed EDA Board action at the April 23, 2008 regular meeting regarding approval of a Business Facade Architectural Grant Program application submitted by Gohman Construction. The motion approving the grant was contingent on the grant being limited to design services relating to new signage and/or landscaping improvements, being matched dollar for dollar by the company, and limiting the grant to a maximum of $1,000. Pursuant to the approval, Gohman Construction has submitted a request for payment which includes documentation of design fees related to the creation of a sign placed on the building facade. Board Members reviewed documents related the disbursement request submitted by Gohman Construction which included an invoice from Scenic Sign Corporation. The itemized invoice included the following line item: "Cost for CAD design, survey location, layout for color and shop drawings and cost for graphic designer: $2,100." Motion Skahen, Second Rassier to approve BFA Grant Disbursement in the amount of $1,000 to Gohman Construction. Motion Carried 5:0. 2008 EDA Annual Report to City Council (Revised Draft) Wick introduced the draft report to Council. Strack provided an overview of changes from the original draft. Wick requested the following additional changes: 1. Change any/all references to STEDA or SJEDA to "EDA". 2. Update Table 1-1 through end of 2008. 3. Typographical error on page 13, delete the first occurrence of the word `in' in the first sentence on the page. 4. Leave narrative regarding foreclosures in the document, but remove listing of foreclosed properties. 5. Page 21, typographical error, change year in first bullet point #3 to 2008. 6. Page 22, insert 'discussed' after "MDG" in the first sentence of the paragraph relating to Tax Increment Financing. 7. Insert a comma between revolving loan fund balance and 'EDA'. 8. Further describe concept of a `west entrance' into the downtown as it relates to 2009 EDA goals. Strack was directed to insert the changes as discussed. Motion Rassier, Second Skahen to authorize submittal of the monthly report to the City Council following insertion of changes discussed. Motion carried 5:0. Conversion of Rental Units Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda item. Strack stated that at a previous meeting, EDA Board Member Heinen agreed to approach CSB/SJU regarding sharing of information and funding participation in study. The purpose of the study by St. Cloud State University is to establish quantitatively the potential local economic impact of a change in residency requirement. Heinen indicated she had met with and secured a verbal commitment by CSB/SJU to share information and participate in funding the study. SCSU is preparing to initiate the study which will begin in earnest upon receipt of information from CSB/SJU. Receipt of said information is expected within one month. Strack further noted that at the December EDA meeting she was directed to create maps illustrating conditions and potential conversion options for off-campus student rental units. Those maps had been created and were available for review at the meeting. Strack stated the following: 1. There appears to be an opportunity to establish a commercial corridor adjacent to College Ave N. from Minnesota Street to Wobegon Trail Center -link Downtown to EDA Minutes -January 28, 2009 Wobegon Trail. Such a link meets goals of Comprehensive Plan & downtown revitalization effort. 2. There appears to be an opportunity presented by a cluster of rental homes north of Minnesota Street West between 2nd Avenue NW and 4~n Avenue NW. This is a corridor that leads into downtown & could be impacted by new CSAH 2 construction (turnback of Minnesota Street West to municipal jurisdiction). This is a prime area for tying downtown to I-94 by street lights, sidewalks, etc. being incorporated in a streetscape plan. Could also be a potential for partnering with Stearns Co. HRA or MHFA to pool parcels, raze, & put up new MF housing or condos/patio homes. Could include design for senior living. Increase density in close proximity to downtown, provide an opportunity to establish a nice entry corridor to downtown, both which meet goals of Comp Plan and downtown revitalization effort. 3. There appears to be an opportunity to purchase cluster of lots just east of current city hall for a public park, library, or parking or a combination of those. Nice anchor area in downtown, will be centrally located if/when downtown extends north of CSAH 75. The EDA Board discussed the maps and directed Strack to have them converted to GIS format. The Board also made a finding that further discussion on this topic would likely be more effective after the fiscal impact study by SCSU was complete. The Board was of the opinion that outreach to property owners regarding potential conversions was necessary and the maps would be helpful, however, such outreach would be most appropriate after the SCSU study was complete. Board Member Reports Wick reported the SCAEDP was considering the development of a "Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy" (CEDS) for the Partnership area. A CEDS is a strategic planning document that is intended to diversify and strengthen regional economies. A CEDS allows access to federal economic development funding sources. Wick also requested the Walz property representatives be invited to an EDA meeting and that a review of 2009 CIP projects be added to the next EDA agenda. Jacobson noted he attended a grant writing class for fire fighters. The class was extremely informative and eye opening with many opportunities discussed. Adjournment. Meeting adjourned by consensus at 4:20 PM. EDA Minutes -January 28, 2009 3