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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008 [04] Apr 23CITY OF ST. JOSEPH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AURTHORITY Meeting Minutes -Wednesday, April 23, 2008 Present: EDA Board Members Carolyn Yaggie-Heinen, Ken Jacobson, Tom Skahen and Dale Wick. Absent: AI Rassier. Also present: Bruce Gohman representing Gohman Construction and EDA Consultant Cynthia Smith -Strack of Municipal Development Group. Chairperson Wick called the April 23, 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 Heinen, seconded by Skahen to approve the agenda as presented. 4-0. Approval of Minutes. Chairperson Wick introduced the minutes from the March 26, 2008 regular meetings. Motion by Skahen, second by Heinen to approve the minutes from the March 26, 2008 regular meeting. Motion carried 3-0 with Jacobson abstaining due to absence at previous meeting. EDA Accounts Payable. Wick introduced the topic. Wick noted accounts payable for the month totaled $2,394.21 and included: $2,302.74 for EDA consulting service, $89.81 for telephone service, and $1.96 for postage. In addition, payment for legal services related to TIF 2-1 (Millstream) in the amount of $4,850.00 was presented for approval under Fund 157. The payment will be reimbursed though an escrow deposit from the property owner. Motion by Heinen, second by Wick to approve the EDA accounts payable for the month of April 2008 in the amount of $2,394.21 (Fund 150) and $4,850 (Fund 157). Motion carried 4-0. Financial Report. Wick introduced the agenda item. Strack noted she had reviewed the previous monthly report with the Finance Director as it relates to budgeted revenues. The Finance Director had followed up and requested a transfer from an allocation for a staff level community development director to the professional services line item in Fund 150. Wick confirmed the transfer had been completed at the previous City Council meeting. Motion by Skahen, second by Heinen to approve the Financial Reports from March and April 2008. Motion carried 4-0. Review of BRA Application Requests. Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda item. Strack noted the EDA had received two applications for the Business Facade Architectural (BFA) Grant Program which was created last year and included in the 2008 budget. The 2008 pilot program can fund up to five projects totaling $1,000 each. The matching grant is for architectural services relating to facade redevelopment or landscape visible from public rights of way. BFA program oversight and authority for grant approval was delegated to the EDA. The EDA is to review and approve grants based on the program guidelines. Strack noted the first application was from Tracy Omann-Smith with Daisy A Day Floral shop. Strack noted a recent addition to her family left her unable to attend the meeting. However, the completed application was included in the EDA's information packet. In addition to the application, a review of the proposed project under eligibility guidelines was included in the packet. Smith proposes accessing the BFA grant to help offset expenses associated with architectural design of their storefront. Smith hopes to have the storefront improvement designed so as to lead people from the Wobegon Trail to downtown. Motion by Jacobson, second by Heinen to approve the Daisy A Day BFA grant application for a matching amount up to $1,000. Motion approved 4-0. Strack noted the second application was from Bruce Gohman with Gohman Construction. Strack noted an inquiry from Gohman was received on March 28th following his reading of an article in the City newsletter. However, a building permit for the proposed activity was filed on February 29th and issued on March 18th -prior to the inquiry from Gohman. As such the application was not eligible for the BFA grant; however, additional improvements could be included in the program. Gohman presented his idea and urged the EDA to consider his request. Gohman noted he was intending to add new signage as well. Strack noted the program was available to assist with the design of new signage in conjunction with facade enhancement. Motion by Skahen, second by Heinen to approve the Gohman BFA grant application providing the matching grant was limited to design services relating to new signage and/or landscaping improvements and limited to a maximum of $1,000. Motion approved 4-0. Comprehensive Plan Update -Second Half of Land Use. Wick introduced the agenda item stating that the CPU process was continuing. Strack noted the Planning Commission would be reviewing the second half of the plan use plan at its meeting that evening. Strack handed out maps of proposed planning districts and proposed language regarding future uses. The EDA discussed proposed land uses in Districts one through seven, including future land use within the downtown. Concern regarding property values in light of land use plan guidance were expressed. The issue was further explored and is expected to be addressed at additional meetings. Conceptual Discussion: Use of Tax Abatement for Supermarket EDA Chair Wick introduced the agenda item and referred to the memo included in the packet. Strack noted the memo was a response to a request from an interested party who wished to remain confidential at this time. Strack stressed the individual inquiring was not a grocer in the community and did own property intended for such a use within the community. Skahen noted it was difficult to hold a conceptual discussion in what amounted to a vacuum of information. Skahen suggested the individual requesting comment be invited to the next meeting to further explain the request. Although they acknowledge the impact a larger grocery store could have on the trade area, several members expressed concern over using tax abatement for retail development on raw land. The EDA agreed to suspend the conceptual discussion until such a time the individual inquiring could be present at a meeting. Strack is to contact the interested party and invite to the May meeting. Board Member Reports. None. Adjournment. Meeting adjourned b onsensus at 4' 7 PM. ~,~~,~,~ c ~ ~ EDA Minutes -April 23, 2008 2