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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006 [11] Nov 15CITY OF ST. JOSEPH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AURTHORITY Meeting Minutes -Wednesday, October 18, 2006 Present: EDA Board Members Richard Carlbom, Carolyn Yaggie -Heinen, Ken Jacobson, and Tom Skahen. Absent: Ross Rieke. Also present: Mai Yang, SCSU Intern and Cynthia Smith -Strack of Municipal Development Group. Vice Chairperson Carlbom called the November 15, 2006 meeting of the St. Joseph EDA to order at 3:05PM. Agenda. Vice Chairperson Carlbom introduced the agenda and requested the addition of a discussion regarding the 2007 appointment. Moved by Skahen seconded by Jacobson to approve the agenda, with the addition of item 5 (e) regarding appointing members in 2007. Motion carried 4-0. Approval of Minutes. EDA chairperson Carlbom noted the minutes from the October 18, 2006 meeting were included in the packet. Motion by Jacobson, seconded by Heinen to approve the October 18, 2006 regular EDA minutes as presented. Motion carried 4-0. EDA Accounts Payable. Carlbom introduced the topic. Strack noted accounts payable for the month an included invoice for contracted services in the amount of $2,236.08. The total hours provided by MDG, Inc. through October 30'h equaled 340, on target for the contracted 420 hours of services for the year. Strack added that mileage reimbursement in the month of October is higher than usual due to downtown revitalization meetings. Motion by Jacobson, second by Heinen to approve the EDA accounts payable for the month of October 2006 in the amount of $2,236.08. Motion carried 4-0. Financial Report. Carlbom introduced the agenda item. Strack noted the October financial reports were contained in the packet. Reports presented included: revenue, expense, check register and fund balance. Strack noted the balance of the Revolving Loan Fund is $23,000. Motion by Jacobson, second by Heinen to approve the October financial reports. Motion Carried 4-0. CSAH 75 Renewal Project. Vice Chairperson Carlbom introduced the topic. Strack noted the October EDA meeting, the EDA, City Council and Planning Commission held a joint meeting to discuss a potential urban renewal project on the corner of CSAH 75 and College Avenue. During the meeting the EDA received input from members of the City Council and Planning Commission. Carlbom noted that some Council and Commission members appeared to support moving forward with potential renewal plans. Skahen agreed with Carlbom stating the EDA received some positive feedback, EDA Minutes -November 15, 2006 but at the same time advice such as a suggestion to talk to property owners prior to investing too much time in the project. The EDA members suggested getting more in-depth information from business owners, seeing if business owners are interested in relocating and getting some feed back from residents. After the initial asking stage the EDA would likely have a better understanding of what the next step should be. Carlbom requested that for December EDA meeting, staff should bring in contact numbers of business owners/residents and names of resident within the specified area. Business Retention and Expansion Update. Carlbom noted the topic on the agenda. Yang reported on the progress of the BRE and noted the businesses visited were included in the EDA packet. Yang indicated the two possible approaches to solving businesses issues regarding a perception of increasing property tax rates after short- term projects, architectural designs, redevelopment and concerns regarding available incentives through the EDA. A potential approach to solving issues regarding potential increases in property taxes due to building enhancements would be to provide a property tax calculator on the City of St. Joseph website or to provide a link to the property tax calculator located on the League of Minnesota Cities website. The tax calculator will allow business owners and residents to figure out how much their tax could be after construction and/or redevelopment. The second approach is to post bi-monthly or quarterly economic development activities regarding incentives, new development, and projects in the Newsleader. Members of the EDA also asked staff to contact Janelle Von Pinnon from the Newsleaders about adding an EDA column. Bioscience Zone Acreage Allocation Application. Carlbom noted the topic on the agenda. Strack summarized the joint application for bioscience zone acreage allocation submitted by the cities of St. Augusta, St. Cloud, St. Joseph, Sartell, Sauk Rapids and Waite Park. The acreage allocation should be completed by March 2007, but at this time there was not a State budget allocation to fund the tax free bioscience zone. Strack noted the application submitted included a development plan, complete with goals and objectives designed to mobilize local efforts and resources to assist science-based companies that seek to locate or expand in St. Joseph. The bioscience zone acreage allocation application required local cities establish potential minimum quantitative measures to evaluate the effectiveness of outreach measures. Strack noted the initial application defined a successful program as generating 15 to 18 jobs within the City annually. The EDA discussed the bioscience job creation/retention goal and a second bioscience goal to increase the market commercial/industrial tax base by 1.3% annually. 2007 Municipal Development Group Contract. Vice Chairperson Carlbom introduced the topic. Strack stated it was a pleasure working for the City of St. Joseph since August 2001. The one-year contract with the city will be over and MDG, Inc is interested in providing economic development consulting services for the year of 2007. A total of $28,000 was included in the preliminary budget of EDA staffing services. The current MDG, Inc contract rate is $1,820 for 35 hours of service each month (420 hours per year). If the EDA wishes to continue with MDG, Inc professional consultant, MDG proposes a five and a half percent increase in the hourly compensation rate, bringing the compensation to a flat rate of $55 per hour or a monthly contract rate of $1,925 per month or 35 hours of service. Motion by Skahen, second by Jacobson to approve MDG contract for 2007. Motion carried: 4-0 EDA Minutes -November 15, 2006 2007 Appointment Carlbom noted the topic on the agenda and stated that Skahen and Rieke terms will be expired 2007. Skahen will remain on the EDA Board if the EDA and Carlbom so desire. EDA member Rieke membership will expire with his Council term meaning a new representative from the Council will be appointed to the EDA Board. Board Member Announcements. Vice Chairperson Carlbom introduced the topic. Jacobson reported he is considering adding a second shift at CMS Auto. Adjourment. Motion by Jacobson, second by Heinen to adjourn. Motion carried 4-0. Meeting adjourned at 4:37PM EDA Minutes -November 15, 2006