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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008 [02] Feb 27CITY OF ST. JOSEPH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AURTHORITY Meeting Minutes -Wednesday, February 27, 2008 Present: EDA Board Members AI Rassier, Tom Skahen and Dale Wick. Absent: Members Carolyn Yaggie-Heinen, Ken Jacobson. Also present: Cynthia Smith -Strack of Municipal Development Group. Chairperson Wick called the February 27, 2008 regular meeting of the St. Joseph EDA to order at 3:01 p.m. Agenda. Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda. No changes were requested. Moved by Skahen, seconded by Rassier to approve the agenda as presented. 3-0. Approval of Minutes. Chairperson Wick introduced the minutes from the January 23, 2007 regular meeting and noted a quorum of those present at the January meeting were not available to approve the meetings. Motion by Rassier, second by Wick to postpone approval of minutes from the previous meeting until a quorum of those attending the January 23, 2008 meeting was present. Motion carried 3-0. EDA Accounts Payable. Wick introduced the topic. Wick noted a discrepancy in the MDG invoice included in the packet. The invoice stated year to date service hourly total that is incorrect. The 420 hours should have referenced the actual hours provided in January rather than those provided throughout the calendar year 2007. Accounts payable for the month totaled $2,341.27. Strack noted the check register included in the financial report duplicated some payables included in the January 2007 accounts payable report. Motion by Skahen, second by Wick to approve the EDA accounts payable for the month of February 2008 in the amount of $2,341.27. Motion carried 3-0. Financial Report. Wick introduced the agenda item. Board members reviewed financial reports contained in the information packet. Wick inquired as to why budgeted revenue amounts did not show up in the EDA Revenue Report. Strack to investigate and report back at next meeting. Motion by Skahen, second by Rassier to approve the January financial reports, with a note a report on the budgeted revenue amount be presented at the next regular meeting. Motion carried 3-0. 2008 Goals Update from City Council Retreat. Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda item. Strack reminded Board Members the City Council, Department Heads and consultants held a special meeting on January 29th for the purpose of setting priorities for 2008. Among items discussed were 2008 goals included in the EDA's annual report. Strack provided the following updates on specific goals relating to the EDA: 1. Proactive participation in utility and collector roadway development in conjunction with the County's construction of a roadway connecting CSAH 2 to CSAH 3. This means active participation in examining and planning for utility (storm sewer, sanitary sewer, drinking water, private utilities) extension and collector street connections. This item was the subject of discussion at a recent department head/consultant staff meeting. The following work items were identified: • Meet with Stearns County Engineer regarding urban corridor design for new roadway (asap). • Establish future land use for impacted area through Comprehensive Plan (bymid-summer). • Initiate sanitary sewer and drinking water master planning for future service area (immediately following future land use is established in Comp Plan, completion by Fall of this year). • Feasibility studies for sewer and water extension to new construction corridor (this fall). • Feasibility study for construction of a community collector roadway to service corridor (this fall). 2. Formation of a focus group to examine CSB/SJU four-year residency initiative. The group is expected to encourage dialogue regarding the residency initiative, provide factual information to decision makers and the public and to establish a work plan to provide for the transition. Continue Downtown Revitalization program. Determine whether or not changes to the revitalization plan are needed or warranted. Begin dialogue by meeting with work group chairs. Board members discussed the EDA's potential role in the priority items. Rassier stated the EDA may need to further pare down the scope of future projects so as to focus investment on a single priority area, presumably the area with the most likelihood of producing a return on investment within the near-term. Strack noted a single priority might supply focused action, however, a few diverse priorities could minimize the investment risk and allow the forthcoming Community Development Director and opportunity to seek success on several levels. The Board noted a need to work with the Planning Commission and City Council to focus efforts through the Comprehensive Plan Update process. Business Recruitment Information on City Website. Wick introduced the topic and noted the business recruitment portion of the website had been completed. Wick asked other Board Members if they had any suggested changes. Board Members noted the site/information was complete. Comprehensive Plan Update -Draft Chapters. Wick introduced the agenda item. Strack stated the City Council had initiated the update of the 2002 Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan is the umbrella document that guides overall redevelopment and growth within the City of St. Joseph. Not all sections of the Comp Plan will be updated at this time (i.e. Economic Development was updated last year, Transportation the year before, Sewer and Water Planning on the horizon). The Planning Commission is facilitating the Comprehensive Plan Update process but was seeking input from a variety of sources including the EDA. Strack referenced three draft chapters included in the EDA packet as: the introduction, physical profile and demographic profile. Strack requested comment on the draft chapters and noted the EDA was encouraged to attend a community meeting at the fire hall scheduled for later that evening. Board Member Reports. Wick noted he attended the St. Cloud Area Economic Development Partnership Meeting and would be going the SCAEDP's Governing Board. Wick noted the SCAEDP has indicated an increase in requests for access to railway shipping and an interest in wind energy manufacturing. EDA Minutes -February 27, 2008 2 Rassier noted he was to begin a new employment position and may have conflicts with some EDA meeting dates. Rassier will know more at the March meeting. Adjournment. Meeting adjourned by consensus at 4:27 PM. r~~ cC - EDA Minutes -February 27, 2008