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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002 [03] Mar 203-20-02 Page 1 of 2 CITY OF ST. JOSEPH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Annual Meeting Minutes -Wednesday, March 20, 2002 Present: Bruce Gohman, Mayor Larry Hosch, Bob Loso, Mike Deutz and Ross Rieke. Also present: Joanne Foust, Municipal Development Group Chairman Gohman called the meeting of the St. Joseph EDA to order at 4:10 p.m. Agenda Moved by Rieke, seconded by Hosch to approve the agenda with the addition of "Letter of Support for the Update of the Comprehensive Plan" added to Business. All in favor, the amended agenda was approved 5-0. Minutes Moved by Duetz seconded by Rieke to approve the minutes of the February 20, 2002 EDA meeting with the change of `President Gohman" to "Chairman Gohman" With all in favor, the minutes of the February 20, 2002 meeting were approved as amended, 5:0. Accounts Payable Moved by Duetz, seconded by Loso to approve the February Accounts Payable in the amount of $1,524.24. Discussion regarding the availability of funds to cover professional services at the end of the calendar year, if needed, occurred. With all in favor of fhe motion the Accounts Payable were approved 5-0. A copy of the 2002 EDA budget was included in the packet. EDA members inquired about the allocation of expenses for the City's telephone service. Administrator Weyrens will review this. Business Commercial Redevelopment Sites A preliminary report containing potential sites for redevelopment along with possible public funding sources to assist with projects was reviewed. EDA members suggested the addition of the Knight building north of city hall, the floral shop adjacent to Super America and the Center Care Clinic, if they relocate. EDA members also requested the addition of information relating to the square footage of the sites and buildings, taxes and city's portion of the taxes. It was the consensus of the EDA to have MDG prepare a letter to property owners regarding possible EDA assistance for the redevelopment of the sites, for the EDA's review and approval at the April meeting. EDA members also noted that in the past the First State Bank of St. Joseph had offered low interest loans to businesses along Minnesota Avenue for facade improvements. Contract for Economic Development Services In August of 2001, the EDA entered into asix-month contract for Economic Development Services with Municipal Development Group, Inc. (MDG). The contract, which continued through the end of February, 2002, included 28 hours per month for a fee of $1000 plus additional hours at $60 per hour. MDG submitted a letter to the EDA expressing their desire to continue to work with the community. An increase of $100 to the monthly fee was proposed. 3-20-02 Page 2 of 2 Moved by Loso, seconded by Duetz to recommend to the City Council that fhe contract with Municipal Development Group, Inc. be extended through December 31, 2002, to be concurrent with the City's fiscal year, at a rate of $1,100 for 28 hours, plus additional hours at $60 per hour. Any rate increases proposed for 2003 to be presented to the EDA in September 2002 for budgeting purposes. All in favor, the motion was approved 5-0. Letter of Support for Comprehensive Plan Update The City is in the process of applying for grant funds to assist with the update of the City's Comprehensive Plan. Letters of support from various organizations/agencies are required as a part of the grant application process. The EDA discussed how the Comprehensive Plan will assist with identifying future commercial and industrial areas. Moved by Duetz, seconded by Loso to authorize Chairman Gohman to submit a letter of support for the update of the Comprehensive Plan on behalf of the Economic Development Authority. All in favor, the motion was approved 5-0. Project Updates A report outlining communication with various contacts was included in the EDA's packet. The final application for tax increment financing for the VicWest project has not yet been received. The project is moving forward, with the request for TIF anticipated for the April meeting. EDA members agreed to conduct a special meeting or move the April 17, 2002 meeting earlier if needed to accommodate VicWest's construction schedule. Storm water ponding requirements for the VicWest project and the remainder of the business park was discussed. EDA members felt it would be beneficial to have the City Engineer attend the next EDA meeting to provide an overview of storm water ponding requirements within the park so the EDA would have a better understanding when reviewing site plans and marketing the sites. Director's Report: An update on the public improvement process for St. Joseph Business Park and the covenants was provided. The City received approximately one-half of the tax increment it was scheduled to receive in 2001 for TIF District 1-3. The City Attorney is assisting to expedite the process to receive the balance due to the City so the TIF payment can be made to Borgert Products. Board Member Announcements: Mayor Hosch reported that he attended a very informative Tax Abatement Session on Thursday, March at the St. Cloud Technical College. Copies of the slide presentation were distributed to EDA members. EDA members requested that a letter be sent to Xcel Energy thanking them for the donation to update the brochure inserts. Next Meeting The next official meeting of the EDA was scheduled for Wednesday, April 17, 2002 at 4:00 p.m Adjournment Moved by Duetz, seconded by Loso to adjourn. All voted in favor of adjournment, the EDA meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m. ~ ~ ~~~ ~ ~~ 2