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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006 [08] Aug 16CITY OF ST. JOSEPH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Meeting Minutes -Wednesday, August 16, 2006 Chairperson Rieke called the August 16, 2006 meeting of the St. Joseph Economic Development Authority to order at 3:05 p.m. Present: EDA Board Members Ross Rieke, Richard Carlbom, Ken Jacobson and Tom Skahen. Absent: Carolyn Yaggie-Heinen. Also present: Cynthia Smith-Strack of Municipal Development Group. Introduction of Guests Rieke introduced Mr. Henry Fischer, Economic Development Coordinator from The St. Cloud Area Economic Development Partnership and Ms. Mai Yang an intern with the City/EDA. Agenda. Chairperson Rieke introduced the agenda. Moved by Skahen seconded by Jacobson to approve the agenda to approve as presented. Motion carried 4-0. Approval of Minutes. EDA Chairperson Rieke noted the minutes from the July 19, 2006 meetin~ were included in the packet. Jacobson and Carlbom noted they were not present at the July 19 meeting and wished to abstain from any motion to approve. Motion by Skahen, seconded by Rieke to table approval of the July 19th, 2006 regular EDA minutes to the September regular EDA meeting. Motion carried 4-0. EDA Accounts Payable. Rieke introduced the topic. Strack noted accounts payable for the month included invoice for contract services in the amount of $2,152.86. The total hours provided through July 31St equal 236.50, on target for the projected 420 hours of service for the year. Motion by Carlbom, second by Skahen to approve EDA accounts payable for the month of August 2006 in the amount of $2,152.86. Motion carried 4-0. Financial Report. Rieke introduced the agenda item. Strack noted the July financial reports were contained in the packet. Reports presented included: revenue, expense, check register and fund balance. Motion by Carlbom, second by Skahen to approve the July financial reports. Motion carried ~0. CSAH 75 Renewal Priorities Rieke introduced the agenda topic and noted that at the June EDA meeting, the Board discussed a draft corridor renewal plan for the first tier of lots adjacent to CSAH 75 between 2nd Avenue NW and 3~d Avenue NE. Following thorough review of the draft plan, the EDA members agreed to individually survey the corridor to choose areas which could be identified as priorities for redevelopment. The agenda item was tabled at the July meeting. Jacobson alluded to the area south of CSAH 75 as being most likely to require active participation by the EDA to generate redevelopment. Jacobson noted redevelopment on properties north of CSAH 75 was more likely to proceed on its own. Other Board Members concurred. EDA Minutes: August 16, 2006 Page 1 The EDA Board then focused on the block at the southeast quadrant of the CSAH 75 and College Avenue North intersection. There are eight parcels in the first tier of lots abutting Birch Street East. The second tier of lots abuts Ash Street. Carlbom suggested seeking rights of first refusal for the first tier of lots abutting Birch Street between College Avenue and First Avenue NE and/or purchase options as a means of establishing control of the properties. Rieke noted that budget management should be a consideration of the EDA when examining alternatives. Rieke inquired as to whether EDA financial resources should be devoted to decreasing impediments to development or offering financial assistance to potential developers. Jacobson suggested starting the renewal process with a survey of property owners in the tier abutting CSAH 75/Birch Street East east of College Avenue. Other Board Members indicated a need to be proactive in the renewal project but questioned what would be the best first step. Strack stated that access to College Avenue could be problematic and that alternative access to College may be needed via the east/west alley and/or Ash Street. Strack noted the EDA had a number of alternative strategies to consider. One method would be to remove potential impediments to redevelopment and seek a construction partner to actualize a project. Another method would be to master plan the area and seek proposals from developers to accommodate redevelopment. A third would be to work with property owners and local financial incentives to accommodate redevelopment on a parcel by parcel basis. Strack requested direction from the EDA. Rieke suggested the EDA focus on removing potential obstacles to redevelopment. Jacobson concurred adding that the removal of potential redevelopment obstacles on the south side of CSAH 75 could be complimented by the development of a written incentive package for distribution to property owners north of CSAH 75. Strack offered to prepare for EDA consideration at the September meeting: (1) Potential obstacles to redevelopment south of CSAH 75 including: costs, land use challenges, redevelopment alternatives, potential resale value and methods to bridge gaps in project financing; and, (2) real world examples of how TIF/tax abatement have affected previous projects since incentive packages are likely to vary from project to project. Business Retention and Expansion Program (BRE) Rieke introduced the agenda topic and requested an overview of the program from Yang. Yang noted the objectives of the BRE are to demonstrate to local business that the EDAICity appreciate their contribution to local economy, to remove local obstacles that prevent existing firms from remaining in operation in St. Joseph, to help develop a strategic plan for long term business retention and expansion activities and to collaborate with local businesses so as to strengthen and sustain operations locally. Yang reviewed the four step proposed BRE program and a draft survey to be completed during site visits. Jacobson suggested Yang introduce the BRE program at the September Chamber of Commerce meeting. Skahen suggested the survey be limited to a maximum completion time of fifteen minutes. Fischer stated the SCA Partnership has an on-going BRE program would be willing attend site visits with St. Joseph EDA representatives. Yang will coordinate the release of BRE surveys and establishment of site visits with the Chamber of Commerce if possible. Information regarding the BRE will also be sent to the Newsleader for publication consideration and a link to the program will be added to the City of St. Joseph website. EDA Minutes: August 16, 2006 Page 2 TIF Reports. Rieke introduced the agenda item. Strack stated the City is required to report annually to the State Auditor's Office on activity within active TIF Districts which in St. Joseph include TIF 1-3 Borgert Products and TIF 1-4 St. Joe Development, LLC. The TIF reports for the year ending December 31, 2005 have been completed by EDA staff. A copy of the reports and an annual disclosure statement published in the Newsleader and mailed to the County Auditor and School District Superintendent were included in the information packet distributed to Board Members prior to the EDA meeting. Board Member Announcements. Rieke again introduced Mr. Henry Fischer from the SCAEDP and invited Mr. Fischer to address the EDA. Fischer provided the EDA with a summary of his background in Economic Development, his participation in the SCAEDP and his interest in working with the City of St. Joseph and the St. Joseph EDA. EDA members thanked Fischer for attending the meeting. Rieke updated Board Members on the SCAEDP meeting held earlier in the day including a report by the College of St. Benedict which will be constructing a new dinning hall and convention center. Adjournment Motion by Skahen, seconded by Jacobson to adjourn. Motion carried 4:0. Meeting adjourned at 5:05 p. m. ~i 6//~ EDA Minutes: August 16, 2006 Page 3