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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000 [04] Apr 13O~eial Minutes- EDA Board Pursuant to due call and notice thereo€, the Economic Development Authority for the City of St. Joseph met in special session on Thursday, April 13, 2000 at 8:00 a.m. in the St. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Chair Kenneth J. ITiemenz. Board Members Mike Deutz, Ross Rieke, Bruce Gohman, and Ken Twit. EDA Director Chad A. Carlson. Others Present• None Apgroval of Minutes: Gohman moved to approve the February 16, 2000 minutes as presented; Seconded by Twit. The motion passed with the following vote: Ayes: Gohman,l~Iienuenz,Tv~r3t,Dentz_andRieke_ Nays: None Motion Carried Approval of Minutes: Twit moved to approve the March 16, 2000 minutes as presented; Seconded by Gohman. The motion passed with the following vote: Ayesr Lohman, Hiemenz, Twit,Deuta and_Rieke Nays: None Motion Carried Redevelopment Protect Area snd Plan Resolution: Carlson presented the Redevelopment Project Area and Plan to the Economic Development Authority Board members for approval. Carlson noted that the Plan is the same as presented in March with changes made to the budget page as approved by the City Council. Lohman questioned if the building committee has deterniined the amount of remodeling needed and the cost of construction. Hiemenz stated that the building committee narrowed the scope of the project down to three options. The options will be taken to the architect for review and cost comparisons. The building committee is also considering another public information meeting once the three options have been more defined. Hiemenz further stated that Carlson make a change to Page A-3 of the Redevelopment Plan indicating the correct location pf the project area on the map. Deutz questioned if the-Legion expansion project will be part of the redevelopment area of the City Hall project. If not, could Carlson explain the difference between the two projects. Carlson stated that the City Hall project will be funded via Project Revenue Bonds and is area specific to the bank property. The requirements also stated that a private property be included in the project area. The Legion project vYill create another redevelopment area. However, the funding will be via Tax Increment Financing bonds and the project area will be much larger. Twit moved to approve the Rede-velopment Praject~rea_andPlan_as presented witL. correction to the project area map on Page A-3 of the Redevelopment Plan; Seconded by Rieke. The motion passed with the following vote: Ayes: Lohman, Hiemenz, Twit, Deutz and Rieke Nays: None Motion Carried Framers Market Grant Application: Carlson informeslthe EDAHoardthat the SL Joseph.FA*merc Market would be applying_to the_Bremer Foundation for grant funds to assist in the formation and operation of the farmers market. The Bremer Foundation application will compliment the application approved by the Initiative Foundation this month. Carlson stated that the organization can submit the application but can not serve as the fiscal agent since they don't have 501c3 status or a governmental agency. Carlson isrequesting the EDA Board to consider serving as the fiscal agent for the application. Gohman moved to have the EDA proceed as the fiscal agent for the St. Joseph Farmers Market application to the Bremer Foundation and that five percent (5%) of the grant award amougt be paid by the applicant to the EDA for administration of the grant fends; Seconded by Deatz. The motion passed with the following vote: Ayes: Gehman, Hiemenzr Tv~cit,DeutaandRieke Nays: None Motion Carried Proiect List: Carlson presented the April update to the active project list and detailed the projects that are in the process of developing plans for the site. Carlson further stated that activity and interest in the Industrial and Business Parks have increased dramatically in the past month. Board Member Annougcements: Hiemenz reported on the progress of the Lake Wabegon Trail and the potential timing of the project. The abandonment of the rail is in progress and the purchaser will pull the rail and salvage the material. It appears the abandonment will occur from Avon to old County Road #133. Carlson requested input from the Economic Development Board regarding the development of a revolving kern fund for the EDA to manage. The auditors will b~ p~resentingrthe findings of the 1949 suditto the. City Council on April 20's and one suggestion will be to create a revolving loan funding for the EDA. Carlson suggested the creation of revolving loan fund board made up of an accountant and lenders. The funds would be accessed from the City reserves and a start up amount should be discussed. Gohman suggested that the auditors present a startup amount based on the City's financial situation. Rieke stated that the City Council should consider a public relation campaign for the creation of the fund. The public perception maybe more favorable if the fund is defined as a reinvestment of tax dollar into the community. Deµtz concurred that City must create a positive reaction from the community considering all the projects that are occurring at this time. Twit stated that the timing of creating a revolving loan fiord may be delayed to the other' projects facing the City at this time_ Twit suggested_that Cazlsonhold nff on approa ;n .interested parties to serve. on the. RL1~ board until the City is sceure in funding the effort. The City Council should have a better picture of the City's financial situation after the audit report and recommendations from the auditors. City Hgll Project Uadate: Twit detailed the progress of the building committee and the three options the committee has determined to be the mast feasible. Members of thebuildtng_carnmitt~ has expresses their opiniotithatthe-City news to do the project to incorporate the City Administration, Police and Council Chambers. The project cost is estimated at $654,000. Twit further stated that the building committee will also be researching the original plan of moving administration and council chambers and remodeling the existing police department. Twit stated that he suggested to the building ee~nmittee that they limit the remodeling of both facilities to $250,000 to control costs. Gohman stated his opinion that the Police and Administration should remain separate. The building committee should be aware of ADA standards with remodeling. In the private sector, if you don't improve more then 50% pf the space, ADA standards don't have to be met. Gohman further stated that the regulations aze di~'erent for public facilities and it could be to the advantage of the City to make the building ADA accessible regardless of the remodeling needed. The EDA Board review the plans presented by the building committee at length and Gohman suggested that the EDA Board meet over at the bank for further discussion, Deutz moved to adjourn at 9:45 a.m. and reconvene at the First State Bank of St. Joseph; Seconded by Twit. The motion passed with the following vote: Ayes: Gohman, Hiemen~, Twit, Deutz and Rieke Nays: None Motion Carried Deutz informed the EDA Board that he would not be attending the meeting at the First State Bank of St. Joseph. The EDA Board meeting reconvened at 9:50 a.m. Greg Reinhart provided the EDA Board with a tour of the facility as members of the EDA Board provided remodeling suggestions. Rieke moved to adjourn at 10:30 a.m.; Seconded by Gohman. The motion passed with the following vote: Ayes: Gohman, Hiemenz, Twit, and Rieke Nays: None Motion Carried ~ ~! ~ G~ fChad A: arlson Economic Development Director