HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005 [05] May 18CITY OF ST. JOSEPH
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Meeting Minutes -Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Present: EDA Board Members Richard Carlbom, Bruce Gohman, Ken Jacobson, Ross Rieke and Tom
Skahen.
Also present: Cynthia Smith-Strack of Municipal Development Group.
Chair Rieke called the regular meeting of the St. Joseph EDA to order at 3:07 p.m.
Agenda.
Chairperson Rieke introduced the agenda. Moved by Carlbom seconded by Gohman to approve the
agenda as presented. Rieke asked for the addition of item 7(a) an update on membership in the St.
Cloud Chamber of Commerce. Motion amended. Motion carried 5-0.
Approval of Minutes.
EDA Chair Rieke noted the minutes from the April meeting were included in the packet.
Motion Skahen, seconded by Carlbom to approve the May 18, 2005 Regular EDA minutes as presented.
Motion approved 5-0.
EDA Accounts Payable.
Rieke introduced the topic. Strack provided an overview of the accounts payable for May 2005 in the
amount of $2,138.80.
Motion by Gohman, second by Skahen to approve EDA accounts payable. Motion carried 5-0.
Financial Report.
Rieke introduced the agenda item. Strack provided an overview of the financial reports for April.
Gohman requested clarification on EDA Revenue Report, budgeted revenue for Fund 250 (Revolving
Loan Fund) and line item titles under Fund 156 (TIF 1-4). Strack noted an apparent oversight in the
representing budgeted revenue for Fund 250, but that principal and interest payments received were
credited to the year to date revenue received for Fund 250. Strack noted the titles of Fund 156-34150
(TIF/MIF Deposit) and Fund 156-34151 (IDB Deposit) were not appropriate and were entitled
inappropriately in 2002 and that accounting staff had indicated the Fund titles could not be changed.
Strack noted tax increments received from Stearns County and applicable to TIF 1-4 were budgeted in
line 156-31050.
Motion by Skahen, second by Gohman to approve April financial reports. Motion carried 5-0.
Update: River Bats.
Chairperson Rieke introduced the item. Strack noted River Bats owner Mr. Joel Sutherland entered into a
purchase agreement for the proposed site. EDA/City staff/consulting staff are currently working to
address ordinance issues which may need to be resolved relating to a commercial recreation use in the
B-2 Highway District, signage, special events and parking.
Sutherland has invited City residents/leaders/officials to attend a Northwoods League game in Madison,
WI to take in the ambiance/events associated with a Madison Mallards game at Warner Field. Madison is
approximately 350 miles from St. Joseph.
Commissioners were intrigued with the idea of a trip to an opposing team's field and requested MDG
bring dates for a potential bus trip to the next meeting.
EDA Minutes -May 18, 2005 Page 1
Update: Southern Collector Corridor Study
Rieke introduced the agenda item. Strack informed the Board that the technical advisory committee
(TAC) meeting scheduled for Wednesday, May 11~h was cancelled in order to allow Corridor Study
Consultant WSB Engineering an opportunity to compile comments received at a public open house held
on April 28'h. Strack noted a few hundred persons attended the public open house held at the Fire Hall.
Those attending were able to speak directly with WSB consultants regarding alternatives identified up to
this point.
Carlbom asked other Board Members if they had received a copy of an alternative route which was being
circulated by a group within the community. The alternative route which was not identified within the Field
Street Corridor Study as a potential alternative, reportedly involved the use of Jade Avenue to route traffic
to the frontage road on the southern side of 1-94 and back to CSAH 2. Some other Commissioners
commented that they had received a copy.
Strack stated the proposed purpose of the Field Street extension was to provide a collector street function
in the southern portion of the community. Collector streets are typically spaced at'/2 mile increments so
as to collect traffic from local streets and funnel them to other collector and/or arterial roadways. Strack
stated the southern collector was to relieve congestion on Minnesota Street and service anticipated
commercial and industrial developments in the expanded annexation area between CSAH 2, CSAH 75
and I-94. Carlbom expressed a concern that property owners adjacent to CSAH 2 and within the
expanded annexation area would likely not sell any property.
Mn. Design Team Follow-Up.
Rieke introduced the topic. Strack reminded the Board that at the previous EDA meeting they discussed
a development group's inquiry regarding a market study for downtown. The market study would detail the
demand for mixed use facilities (retail street level, professional office space, housing component) along
with the types of retail venues which may be preferable for the downtown. At the April meeting, the EDA
concurred the concept of a market study should be discussed by a newly formed downtown committee.
Strack also noted the Board requested EDA staff review historic files and report on goals identified during
the downtown visit and resulting progress made toward said goals. MDG has pulled laminated
sketches/plans created by the Design Team and offered them for Commissioner review. The Design
Team visit was over one decade ago and shows signs of being well implemented in certain aspects but
somewhat outdated in other aspects.
Director's Report.
Strack referred to the prospect list/activity report outlining communication with various contacts that was
included in the EDA packet. Carlbom asked about the status of updating the Dehler/Linneman building.
Strack noted the new property owners had secured an architectural advisor and were expected to
proceed with facade enhancements and interior remodeling.
Board Member Announcements.
Rieke informed the Board of City Council discussions regarding City membership in the St. Cloud Area
Chamber of Commerce. Rieke noted he intended to request the City join the St. Cloud Area Chamber.
Adjournment
Motion by Gohman, s/e/conded`b~y CaCrl/bom to adjourn. Motion carried 5:0. Meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m.
EDA Minutes -May 18, 2005 Page 2