HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005 [08] Aug 03CITY OF ST. JOSEPH
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Meeting Minutes -Wednesday, August 3, 2005
Present: EDA Board Members Bruce Gohman, Ross Rieke and Tom Skahen. Board Member Ken
Jacobson arrived at 3:12 p.m.; Board Member Richard Carlbom arrived at 3:14 p.m.
Also present: City Administrator Judy Weyrens (3:19 p.m.) and Cynthia Smith-Strack of Municipal
Development Group.
Chairperson Rieke called the August 3, 2005 meeting of the St. Joseph EDA to order at 3:05 p.m.
Agenda.
Chairperson Rieke introduced the agenda. Discussion followed with Strack noting item 6(b) relating to a
request for financing relative to land acquisition for a water treatment plant should be deleted from the
agenda as the request had been withdrawn. Moved by Gohman seconded by Skahen to approve the
agenda as presented minus item 6(b).
Motion carried 3-0.
Approval of Minutes.
EDA Chairperson Rieke noted the minutes from the July meeting were included in the packet.
Motion Gohman, seconded by Skahen to approve the July 21, 2005 Regular EDA minutes subject to a
change in the time that Board Member Rieke arrived from the five o'clock hour as printed in the draft
minutes to the three o'clock hour as the event actually occurred. Motion approved 3-0.
EDA Accounts Payable.
Rieke introduced the topic. Strack noted that the Regular Meeting of the St. Joseph EDA had been
moved to the first Wednesday of the month from the third Wednesday of the month as a means of
allowing the Board to further discuss the 2006 preliminary budget. Therefore, the information packet was
assembled prior to the close of the month and the accounts payable were not finalized.
Motion by Gohman, second by Skahen to table EDA accounts payable for the month ending July 315 until
the September regular EDA meeting. Motion carried 3-0.
Financial Report.
Rieke introduced the agenda item. Strack noted that the Regular Meeting of the St. Joseph EDA had
been moved to the first Wednesday of the month from the third Wednesday of the month as a means of
allowing the Board to further discuss the 2006 preliminary budget. Therefore, the information packet was
assembled prior to the close of the month and the financial reports were not available.
Motion by Gohman, second by Skahen to table EDA 2005 accounts payable for the month ending July
315f until the September regular EDA meeting. Motion carried 3-0.
Board Member Jacobson arrived at the meeting (3:12 p.m.). Board Member Carlbom arrived at the
meeting (3:14 p.m.).
2006 Budget.
Rieke introduced the agenda item. Strack noted The City is in the process of reviewing the budget for
2006 and would be conducting budget workshop(s) in the next few weeks. Therefore, the EDA was to
present its preliminary budget do the Council for consideration during the budget workshop(s).
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Strack stated that Board Members requested MDG, Inc. provide additional information within the August
3`d meeting packet regarding financial impacts of potential projects for the year 2006 to ensure adequate
budget requests were reviewed.
The first item addressed in the applicable packet memo was the conversion of the EDA Director Position
from consulting services to municipal staff (i.e. Community Development Director). The MN. League of
Cities Salary Survey for Greater MN. cities indicates that it is likely an entry level CDD wage would be
approximately $43,000. Amore seasoned/experienced CDD approximately $56,889 and a high end CDD
approximately $65,000. In addition benefits/taxes/insurance, which are typically estimated at 30% of
salary, would also apply. Strack noted the draft EDA budget included $26,000 for professional services of
which an estimated $22,500 would be for EDA consulting staff. The draft 2006 budget did not include a
line item for City employee salary, benefits, etc. The $26,000 in the professional services line item could
be removed and placed in a salary line item.
City Administrator Judy Weyrens joined the meeting at 3:19 p.m.
Gohman inquired as to the whether or not the EDA was successfully completing its function and what was
the best means of achieving goals/purpose. Gohman noted if more work was to be done then additional
funds should be included in the budget to reflect the need for additional service. Rieke expressed a
concern for maintaining a status quo rather than continuing to grow. Carlbom noted the City of St.
Joseph and another area community had discussed a cooperative arrangement for the sharing of a
Community Development Director. Carlbom noted he was concerned a shared staff member would not
be able to actively pursue development projects on behalf of both cities.
Weyrens noted that she had considered the need for a Community Development Director who would
function both as the City Planner and the Economic Development Director. Weyrens noted if that option
were exercised, the EDA would note need to bear the entire cost of a staff member. Rieke questioned
Weyrens as to whether or not a sufficient volume of work was present to warrant the addition of a staff
member. Weyrens noted planning duties alone could likely sustain a work volume sufficient for a full time
employee. Rieke asked whether or not Weyrens thought the planning duties would be addressed prior to
economic development activities. Weyrens noted additional discussion and consideration was likely.
Jacobson expressed a concern that if a staff position was added to fulfill EDA Director duties that the
individual be required to have a significant level of experience/proficiency in the realm of economic
development and redevelopment. Jacobson also expressed a concern that projects that were on-going
be transferred seamlessly. Carlbom noted the Downtown Committee also needed continued leadership.
Gohman inquired as to whether or not the EDA would consider focusing on the dollar amount included in
the 2006 budget as opposed to an ultimate immediate recommendation regarding 2006 staffing. The
EDA concurred that many factors would shape staffing needs for 2006 and that extenuating
circumstances indicated assigning a dollar amount within the 2006 budget proposal would be more
prudent than determining staffing needs at this time.
Carlbom noted that increasing the professional services line item within the 2006 budget would provide
additional flexibility in that if a shared employee was to be added sufficient dollars would be available for
salary/benefits and/or the continuation of consultant services.
MOTION Carlbom, second Skahen to increase line item 300 (Professional Services) in Fund 150 (EDA)
by $13, 000 to a total of $40, 000. Motion carried 5: 0.
Strack noted another item the EDA wished to discuss in conjunction with the 2006 budget was budgeting
for industrial land acquisition and/or the purchase of real estate options as a means of eventually securing
additional industrial acreage with full urban services. The EDA had rated the provision and/or
encouragement of the development of industrial lots with urban services as a priority within its one and
five year work plan.
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Strack noted the City/EDA had joined the Minnesota Community Capital Foundation (MCCF) in 2002 and
was eligible to opt out of the fund as of January 1, 2006. If the City/EDA opted out of the MCCF the City's
investment could be transferred into a new line item in Fund 150 for the purpose of industrial land
acquisition.
MOTION Carlbom, second Skahen to add line item 500 (Land Acquisition) to Fund 150 (EDA) and
include a maximum of $20, 000 within the line item in the 2006 budget. Motion carried 5:0.
Strack noted the final item identified for additional discussion in conjunction with the 2006 budget request
was the possibility of conducting a market study within the Downtown to determine the estimated
absorption capacity for retail, office and residential use within the Central Business District. Strack noted
the market study, if conducted by a professional agency, was expected to cost $5,00 to $7,500. The EDA
discussed the matter and noted they would prefer at this time that the market study be conducted by a
private developer.
Vision for "Stadium Village".
Rieke introduced the agenda item. Strack noted the City has received conceptual plans fora 3,700 seat
ball park proposed for a parcel adjacent to 20'h Avenue. The total site is comprised of approximately 33
acres. The site is proposed to be split with approximately nine acres directly south of CSAH 75
developed as a commercial center to be called "Stadium Village."
Strack stated the property owners are interested in EDA input regarding potential uses for the nine acres
within 'Stadium Village'. A copy of the concept plan was distributed for Board Member reference.
The EDA discussed the Stadium Village concept and noted uses including commercial retail and food
services would likely best compliment other uses in the area. In addition the EDA recommended creating
a commercial node which was pedestrian-friendly and focused on the attributes of the adjacent
commercial recreation property if/when developed.
Board Member Announcements.
Jacobson noted he had been approached by a member of the business community who expressed
concerns regarding the equal application of and adherence to covenants within the Buettner Business
Park. Jacobson inquired as to whether the City had a role in enforcing covenants. Strack noted the
covenants are an agreement between property owners and not issued or enforced by the City. Strack
noted the EDA was a party to the Buettner Business Park covenants but the EDA's participation after the
year 2008 would be dependent upon the property owners wishing to continue the EDA's participation.
Rieke suggested the EDA send 'thank you' cards upon the issuance of a certificate of occupancy to all
businesses pulling commercial building permits.
Adjournment
Motion by Jacobson, seconded by Carlbom to adjourn. Motion carried 5:0. Meeting adjourned at 4:22
m.
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