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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001 [09] Sep 199-19-01 Page 1 of 3 Official Minutes- EDA Board Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Economic Development Authority for the City of St. Joseph met in Regular Session on Wednesday, September 19, 2001 at 4:00 p.m. in the St. Joseph City Hall. EDA President Gohman called the meeting to order at 4:10 p.m. Members Present: Board Members Bob Loso, Larry Hosch, Bruce Gohman and Ross Rieke (arrived at 4:15). EDA Consultant Joanne Foust of Municipal Development Group was also present. Absent was Commissioner Mike Deutz. Others Present: Judy Weyrens, City Administrator, 5:30 p.m. Approval of the Agenda: Discussion: Gohman requested additions to the agenda, including additional meeting minutes from July and August of 2001 and an update on the EDA Director position. An inventory of available commercial and industrial sites was also added. Commissioner Loso moved to approve the agenda as amended. Seconded by Mayor Hosch. The motion passed, with the addition to agenda, unanimously by those present. Minutes: Commissioner Loso moved to approve the July 18, 2001 minutes as presented. Seconded by Mayor Hosch. The motion passed with the following vote: Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 Abstain: 0 Request for Tax Increment Financing -American Manufacturin D.S.I - Amercian, Inc. d.b.a. American Manufacturing submitted apre-application for tax increment financing assistance St. Joseph Business Park. The company is proposing the construction of a 9,000 square foot manufacturing facility on a five (5) acre site (part of Lot 1, Block 2). American Manufacturing has recently added six (6) jobs and anticipates additional employment with wages ranging from $14 to $17 per hour. The company has indicated that without the TIF Assistance, the project would not move forward. Discussion: The EDA Board discussed the request as it relates to the TIF Policy. The project appears to meet fhe objectives, minimum and desired qualifications. It is estimated from a very preliminary analysis that approximately $5,000 per year would be available. Additional information relating to the proposed building, market value trends of the community, etc. are needed along with the final application to determine the actual amount of TIF assistance available. The amount of TIF available compared to the application fees and escrow requirements were discussed. Rand Schaper was present at fhe meeting. Mr. Schaper is the Architect/Engineer for American Manufacturing. He stated American Manufacturing is planning the construction of a manufacturing facility with office space. The company had been looking of a portion of Lof 1, Block 2 of the Business Park. American Manufacturing manufacturers components for water and oil well drilling operations. The Company currently distributes internationally. The proposed 9-19-01 Page 2 of 3 construction is apre-engineered metal building with office space at the front of the facility. The status of utilities to the proposed site was discussed, as was the project timeframe. Building construction is proposed for spring of 2002. The formal TIF application will be submitted ifpre-application is accepted. Moved by Commissioner Loso seconded by Commissioner Rieke to accept the pre- application for TIF, authorize submittal of the final application and authorize the services of Juran and Moody to complete the TIF Plan. Ayes: 4-0 Nays: 0 Abstained: 0 Project Updates: Foust reviewed a number of projects and contacts that have been made or continued over the past month. Included were: Expansion of VicWest Steel -Plans for a proposed new facility are progressing. Representatives from VicWest, DTED, Stearns Electric met to discuss the project and state and local financial programs. DBL-MCL-MCO expansion: A 60,000 to 80,000 square foot expansion project is proposed. Staff has been in contact with Essilor's Mike De La Vega regarding the project. Centra Care Clinic: The site selection phase continues. INH Property Management: Site selection and property acquisition negotiation for a McDonald's continues. Comtrac, signed a purchase agreement for the southern five (5) acres of Lot 1, Block 2, Buettner Business Park. The Planning Commission will review the building permit and site plan at their October 1, 2001 meeting. In addition contacts with developers of a shopping center and Lisa Pfannestein's candle company were made. Tanner Systems received approval from the Planning Commission for a building permit for Lot 11, Block 1, Rennie Addition for an 8,000 square foot facility, pending Fire Marshall approval. TIF Reports The TIF Reports for TIF District 1-3 were completed. During the completion process it was noted that the County did not have record of a building within the district's boundaries due to a discrepancy on the building permit. Action has been taken to correct the error and adjust TIF received for 2000 and 2001 accordingly. The first payment to the developer is due this year. Foust also reported that per First Special Session Laws 2001, TIF municipalities that elected to make a local contribution to avoid an aid reduction are no longer required to make a contribution. In addition TIF municipalities will no longer receive aid reductions for the establishment of a new TIF district. Agenda Additions The EDA levy was discussed. The estimated levy for 2002 will be $18,000. The EDA will further discuss this item at their next meeting. 9-19-01 Page 3 of 3 The Economic Development Director position was discussed. City Administrator Judy Weyrens gave an update on the status of hiring for the position. Administrator Weyrens indicated three applications were mailed out with one returned. Applications are currently closed. Foust inquired about an inventory of available commercial and industrial sites in the community. Gohman suggested contacting the Economic Development Partnership in St. Cloud for this information. Additional meeting minutes are needed for review at the next EDA meeting. Meeting minutes for the July and August 2001 EDA meetings have not been reviewed or approved. Next Meetins~ The EDA Board scheduled the next EDA meeting for Wednesday, October 17, 2001 at 4:00 pm in City Hall. Adjourn The EDA Board meeting adjourned by consensus at 5:45 p.m. following a motion by Commissioner Loso an a second by C missioner Rieke. Joanne Foust, MDG Inc. EDA Consultant