HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005 [06] Jun 15CITY OF ST. JOSEPH
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Meeting Minutes -Wednesday, June 15, 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 3:05 p.m.
Agenda.
Chairperson Rieke introduced the agenda. Moved by Skahen seconded by Jacobson to approve the
agenda as presented. Motion carried 5-0.
Approval of Minutes.
EDA Chair Rieke noted the minutes from the May meeting were included in the packet.
Motion Skahen, seconded by Jacobson to approve the June 15, 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 June 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 May. Gohman
requested clarification regarding Fund 156 (TIF 1-4). Strack noted the City had not received the first half
property tax payment and subsequent statement at this time. The City had until July 7th to take receipt of
the full payment. Strack noted she would follow up on TIF payment.
Motion by Skahen, second by Carlbom to approve May financial reports. Motion carried 5-0.
Preliminary TIF Application: Midnight Haulers.
Chairperson Rieke introduced the item. Strack noted the applicant had withdrew the request due to a
desire to move ahead with project construction immediately. Strack noted if TIF is being considered, the
project must not commence until after the TIF agreement is executed, otherwise the tax increment is not
captured. Strack also stated that she and the applicant's representative had discussed changing the
request from TIF to tax abatement. The applicant had indicated tax abatement was not of interest.
The arrival of Mr. Jerry Hettwer of Hettwer Real Estate Services was noted. Mr. Hettwer was informed of
the applicant's withdrawal of the request. Mr. Hettwer departed the meeting.
Update: Southern Collector Corridor Study
Rieke introduced the agenda item. Strack noted the technical advisory committee (TAC) met on
Wednesday May 25th and Thursday June 2"d. The meeting on May 25th focused on feedback received
from a public open house held in April. In addition TAC members approved the distribution/publication of
a 'frequently asked questions' sheet related to the study a copy of which was included in the EDA packet.
On June 2"d the TAC began rating individual alternatives as a group, a process which was to continue at
the next meeting scheduled for June 21 ~t.
EDA Minutes -June 15, 2005 Page 1
Strack stated the meetings on June 2"d and June 21St were outside of the typical Wednesday meeting
schedule and that she was unable to attend on those dates. The EDA discussed the potential of ensuring
EDA's views were represented at the meetings. Carlbom noted the presence of a representative from the
Chamber of Commerce at the TAC meeting. Strack noted the TAC would revert to the Wednesday
meeting schedule in July and that she would be able to comment on the alternative evaluations at that
time.
Director's Report.
Strack referred to the prospect list/activity report outlining communication with various contacts that was
included in the EDA packet. Rieke inquired as to the status of the Riverbats project. Strack noted a
meeting with the developer and associated representatives to discuss a project timeline was tentatively
scheduled for June 29th. Strack also noted that Mr. Sutherland had repeated his invitation to attend a
Riverbats game at LaCrosse or Madison. The Board briefly discussed coordinating a bus tour and
requested additional information to gauge interest in such a tour along with potential costs. It was noted
August 1, 2005 will be St. Joseph night at the Riverbats game.
Board Member Announcements.
Gohman voiced concerns regarding the City of St. Joseph Zoning Ordinance. Gohman commented on
standards regulating maximum square footage of signage being too restrictive. Gohman also commented
on procedures that seemingly make variances difficult to attain. Gohman noted the zoning ordinance
standards directly impact economic development efforts. Strack stated the 'hardship' standards relating
to variances were prescribed by state law. Rieke asked whether Gohman had a specific example of a
project that was impacted by variance request. Gohman noted he did not have a specific example for
variance requests but did have history with signage adjacent to CSAH 75. Carlbom noted a joint
Planning Commission/City Council meeting was scheduled for June 22"d to discuss processing of land
use requests.
Carlbom stated he had attended the St. Cloud Area Economic Development Partnership meeting earlier
in the day. The Partnership had acted to approve the concept of "Associate Memberships" which will
allow private businesses to join the partnership for a membership fee of $2,500. "Associate Members"
will not be voting members of the Partnership. Carlbom noted the City of St. Joseph was not eligible to
join at the $2,500 level. Carlbom noted the membership for the City was slated to increase for the first
time in several years to an estimated $8,000 in 2006.
Gohman stated the Partnership is attempting to generate an estimated additional $200,000/year to
support promotional/marketing efforts for Central Minnesota. Gohman indicated biotechnology was a
market sector the Partnership wished market/expand. Strack inquired as to financial incentives from the
Partnership to directly support biotechnology/bioscience. Gohman noted no financial incentives from the
Partnership available at this time, but that could be possible in the future.
Adjournment
Motion by Skahen, seconded by Ja-c~obpson to adjourn. Motion carried 5:0. Meeting adjourned at 4:00 p. m.
EDA Minutes -June 15, 2005 Page 2