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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003 [01] Jan 221-22-03 Page 1 of 2 CITY OF ST. JOSEPH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Meeting Minutes -Wednesday, January 22, 2003 Present: EDA Board Members Bruce Gohman, Mike Deutz, Ross Rieke and Larry Hosch (4:35 p.m.). Absent: Bob Loso. Also present: Joanne Foust of Municipal Development Group. Chair Gohman called the meeting of the St. Joseph EDA to order at 4:10 p.m. Agenda. Moved by Deutz, seconded by Rieke to approve the agenda as presented. The agenda was approved 4:0. Minutes. Moved by Deutz seconded by Hosch to approve the minutes of the December 18, 2002 EDA meeting as presented. Minutes were approved 4:0, as presented. Accounts Payable. The EDA discussed accounts payable for the month of December, 2002 in the amount of $1,842.25 and year end revenues and expenditures as they related to the 2002 budget. Moved by Hosch, seconded by Deufz to approve December Accounts Payable as presented. The accounts payable were approved 4:0. Moved by Deutz, seconded by Rieke to accept the financial report as presented. Motion was approved 4:0. EDA members asked if per diems for EDA meetings had been issued in 2002 and if they were included in the budget. Election of Officers. Moved by Gohman, seconded by Rieke to elect Mike Deutz as EDA Chairperson for 2003. Discussion followed. Hosch noted he felt Deutz would serve as an excellent chairman, but expressed concerns that there may be potential projects in which Deutz may have a direct or indirect conflict of interest. EDA members discussed the need for all members of the EDA to remove themselves from discussion and action on items where there may be a conflict of interest and to share with other EDA members concerns if there is a perceived conflict of interest. Following discussion, the motion carried 3-1, with Hosch voting nay. Moved by Rieke, seconded by Deutz to elect Hosch as Vice Chairperson. With all in favor, the motion carried 4-0. Moved by Hosch, seconded by Deutz fo elect Rieke as Treasurer. W-th all in favor, the motion carried 4-0. Moved by Deutz, seconded by Rieke to elect Gohman as Secretary. With all in favor, the motion carried 4-0. EDA Consulting Contract Municipal Development Group, Inc. has served as the City's EDA consulting firm since August of 2001. The current contract for services is for 28 hours per month at a fee of $1100, plus $60 per hour for additional hours in addition to mileage and reimbursable expenses. Municipal Development Group has expressed a desire extend the contract for an additional year for a fee of $1,200 per month for 28 hours plus $60 per hour for additional hours in addition to reimbursable expenses. 1-22-03 Page 2 of 2 EDA members discussed the average number of hours per month during the past year's contract. Municipal Development Group Inc. averaged around 35 hours per month with economic development projects, in addition to separate grant and TIF work. Moved by Hosch, seconded by Rieke to authorize Chairperson Deutz to execute a one year contract with Municipal Development Group, Inc. for economic development services at a monthly rate of $1,500 for 35 hours of service, plus mileage and reimbursable expenses. If MDG, Inc. works in excess of 35 hours in a month, those hours will be "banked" and applied toward other months in which less than 35 hours of service are provided. At the end of the calendar year the EDA shall pay MDG, Inc. any additional hours which have accumulated over the 35 hours per month, at a rate of $60 per hour. With all in favor, the motion carried 4-0. EDA members discussed the creation of a survey form to distribute to business contacts to obtain input on how businesses and developers perceive the EDA and City's processes. Questions would relate to experiences with the EDA's consultants, EDA, Planning Commission and Council through the various economic development and planning steps. Information obtained will be used to review the process currently occurring, develop a framework for future contacts and incorporate suggestions from contacts. EDA members asked MDG to create a sample questionnaire for the February meeting. The method of distribution and target group(s) (e.g. all active leads vs. projects moving forward vs. businesses that located elsewhere) will be discussed in further detail in February. 2002 EDA Annual Report Moved by Hosch, seconded by Rieke to approve the Annual Report of the EDA for 2002 and forward it to the City Council, with the following changes or additions: (1) modification of the city's web site address to www.cityofstioseph.com, (2) inclusion of statistics relating to the percent of commercial and industrial construction versus residential construction which occurred in 2002, and (3) Addition of several commercial/industrial construction projects which occurred over the past five years. With all in favor, the annual report was approved as amended 4-0. MCCF Participation The City Council voted to participate in the Minnesota Community Capital Fund as a Level C participant. The city is contributing $25,000 from its reserves, which allows the City to access up to $250,000 from the revolving loan fund. Prospect ListfActivity Report A report outlining communication with various contacts was included in the EDA's packet. A brief overview of several projects was provided. It was noted that two businesses hope to close on parcels in Buettner Business Park within the next month. Board Member Announcements Hosch announced he plans to meet with representatives from the College of St. Benedict and St. John's University to discuss a joint membership to the Partnership. The ability to retain alumni in the area following graduation and job placement for students were among the benefits noted for the college and university to participate in the joint membership venture. Next Meeting The next official meeting of the EDA was scheduled for Wednesday, February 19, 2003 at 4:00 p.m. Gohman noted he will not be able to attend. Adjournment Moved by Hosch, seconded by Rieke to adjourn. All present voted in favor of adjournment, fhe EDA meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m. 2