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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005 [11] Nov 16CITY OF ST. JOSEPH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Meeting Minutes -Wednesday, November 16, 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. Chairperson Rieke called the November 16, 2005 meeting of the St. Joseph EDA to order at 3:00 p.m. Agenda. Chairperson Rieke introduced the agenda. Moved by Skahen seconded by Jacobson to approve the agenda as presented with the following additions: item 6(e) Future annexation expansion and item 8(a) EDA vacancy . Motion carried 5-0. Approval of Minutes. EDA Chairperson Rieke noted the minutes from the October 19, 2005 meeting were included in the packet. Motion by Gohman, seconded by Skahen to approve the October 19, 2005 regular EDA minutes as presented. Motion approved 5-0. EDA Accounts Payable. Rieke introduced the topic. Strack noted accounts payable for the month included MDG contract. Motion by Gohman, second by Carlbom to approve EDA accounts payable for the month of October 2005 in the amount of $2, 315.17. Motion carried 5-0. Financial Report. Rieke introduced the agenda item. Strack noted the October financial reports were included in the packet. Reports presented included: revenue, expense, check register and fund balance. Motion by Skahen, second by Carlbom to approve the October financial report. Rieke inquired as to where the $25,000 the City had pledged to the Minnesota Community Capital Foundation and was now getting back would be reflected in the 2006 budget. Strack noted the EDA's desire to increase the amount of the line item applicable to professional services in the event a community development director city staff member was hired. In addition, remaining monies could be used to establish a capital fund for the purchase of property for the creation of an industrial park. Strack stated the EDA is able to take receipt of the $25,000 on May 5, 2006, which is 3 years from the date of deposit of funds in the MCCF Loan Fund Escrow Account. Motion carried 5-0. Update: SCAEDP Boot Camp for Site Selection. Rieke introduced the agenda item. Strack noted the response to the site selection request for information had been completed and submitted via postal mail to Mr. Jeff Wagoner for review by Lockwood Greene. Strack noted a December conference call to review the submission was scheduled for the EDA meeting on December 215`. The City of St. Joseph EDA wants to send top quality bound stuff to all those requesting information. What makes it cool is the City's GIS system. The EDA Minutes -November 21, 2005 Page 1 stuff that I did for review by Lockwood Greene (LG) was reviewed and graded by the LG site selection staff at the consulting firm. We completed a conference call yesterday re: the information presented. The EDA and I asked a lot of questions not related to the preparation of the material but more about site selection. A few noteworthy items: 1. The LG consultant suggested listing industrial sites on www.sitesacrossamerica.com but not advertising in printed journals. 2. The LG consultant indicated another thing that he's seen become successful is the targeting of a specific type of company (e.g. privately held industrial businesses in older urban neighborhoods with 50 - 100 employees whose owners have rural ties) rather than a specific field (e.g. medical device manufacturing, biotech, etc) since the specific fields usually need a support structure including education (e.g. U of M research, Mayo Clinic research), access to air transportation and/or an established 'anchor' (e.g. 3-M) industry which needs parts provided by vendors (spin off). 3. When site visits are held he suggests getting to know background info on who is attending and what interest/position they have with the company. For example, if a person on the site visit is going to have to relocate to the area then pair him/her with someone who can talk about quality of life (e.g. cultural events, schools, rec. opportunities, etc.) whereas if someone in charge of logistics is visiting they should be paired with an engineer who can answer questions about roadways, etc. 4. "shovel ready" (ready to build) sites are essential. 5. When no realtor is involved on the sellers part, purchase options are usually required as opposed to indicating the property owner is ready to sell (i.e. The City has executed an option agreement with the property owner and the land is for sale for $xxxxx the number specified in the option). 6. Finally (and best I thought) was working to give industrial REALTORS incentives for locating businesses in the community. The LG consultant said a commission that's perhaps done over a period of years and is tied to number of jobs created. Recap: EDA Guest Lecture - Dr. Kent Robertson Rieke introduced the topic. Strack referenced a summary of comments received at the event held October 26, 2005. Approximately 25 people attended the event at which Dr. Robertson reviewed seven key elements underlying a strong sense of place within the downtown. Those attending evaluated how St. Joseph faired with regard to the seven elements. Update: Southern Corridor TAC Rieke introduced the to~ic. Strack stated that the technical advisory committee (TAC) met on Wednesday, November 9 h for the 13th time. At the meeting the TAC reviewed a few charts regarding 'critical gap analysis' and 'safety rates' for Minnesota Street and College Avenue. The TAC also discussed two alternatives for two portions of the so-called "Alternative C" which is the extension of Field Street from 20th Avenue to CSAH 2. The TAC has now recessed until the completion of an Environmental Assessment for the project. EDA Minutes -November 21, 2005 Page 2 MDG Contract Renewal Rieke introduced the agenda item. Strack stated that MDG, Inc. has been pleased to provide economic development consulting services to the City of St. Joseph since August of 2001. MDG, Inc. is interested in continuing to provide these services and work with the EDA and community to further commercial and industrial development. Strack noted that as of today it appears 2006 may be a transitional year in regard to continuing to contract for professional economic development services and providing said services at a municipal staff level or some combination thereof. Strack presented an offer to the EDA based on three different contract lengths as follows: • A three (3) month contract at an hourly rate of $60/hour or $2,100/month (based on 35 hours/month), or • A six (6) month contract at an hourly rate of $55/hour or $1,925/month (based on 35 hours/month), or • A twelve (12) month contract at an hourly rate of $52/hour or $1,820/month (based on 35 hours/month). The EDA discussed contract lengths and noted additional study by the City was needed prior to embracing a particular length of contract. Therefore, the EDA proposed a twelve (12) month contract which included a compensation clause in the event early termination of the contract is initiated by the City. Future Annexation Area Expansion Rieke introduced the topic. Strack noted the City Council and the St. Joseph Township Board had met to discuss finalization of the expanded joint annexation agreement which now includes areas between CSAH 2, CSAH 75 and I-94. At the meeting the Council and Board further discussed development within the township and especially pressures for subdivision south of I-94. The Council and the Board agreed to review the potential to expand the annexation agreement to encompass areas south of I-94. Director's Report Rieke introduced the topic and Strack referenced the report included in the packet. Board Member Announcements Gohman noted his term as EDA Board Member was due to expire in January of 2006. Gohman noted he thought the by-laws included term limits which would preclude him from serving a third term. Rieke noted the EDA would need to address continued membership in the St. Cloud Area Economic Development Partnership within the next few meetings. Adjournment Motion by Skahen, seconded by Gohman to ad~ourn. Motion carried 5:0. Meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m. EDA Minutes -November 21, 2005 Page 3