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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007 [06] Jun 20CITY OF ST. JOSEPH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AURTHORITY Meeting Minutes -Wednesday, June 20, 2007 Present: EDA Board Members Ken Jacobson, Tom Skahen, Dale Wick and Carolyn Yaggie- Heinen. Also present: Chris Schellinger and Wendy Haselbus with Remodeling Professionals, Traci Ryan with David Drown Associates, St. Joseph Finance Director Lori Bartlett, City Administrator Judy Weyrens and Cynthia Smith -Strack of Municipal Development Group. Vice Chairperson Jacobson called the June 20, 2007 meeting of the St. Joseph EDA to order at 3:00 p.m. Agenda. Vice Chairperson Jacobson introduced the agenda. Moved by Wick seconded by Skahen to approve the agenda as presented except for moving agenda item 5a up to just before agenda item 4. Motion carried 4-0. Approval of Minutes. Vice Chairperson Jacobson introduced the minutes from the May 16, 2007 meeting. Motion Skahen, Seconded Heinen to approve minutes from the previous meeting. Motion carried 4-0. Preliminary TIF Application: Schellinger Vice Chairperson Jacobson introduced the agenda item. Strack noted that developer Chris Schellinger and consultant Wendy Haslebus were present to answer any questions regarding the proposed project. In addition Traci Ryan was present to address any questions the EDA had regarding the use of redevelopment TIF in conjunction with the project. Strack noted that Chris Schellinger had submitted apre-application for Tax Increment Financing assistance for the construction of an 8,000 to 9,000 square foot commercial (retail/office) facility at 24 College Avenue North in Downtown St. Joseph. A summary of the proposed project was included in the EDA packet. Pay-as-you-go redevelopment TIF assistance is requested in order to help the project move forward. Staff has requested the Company provide the EDA with preliminary source/use statements illustrating a gap (net present value) in funding. The applicant had not as of the time of the meeting submitted a source and use statement and a sufficient concept plan although the developer had initial source/use statements and concept sketches with him at this time. Strack noted the developer wanted to seek approval of the use of TIF to assist the project prior to closing on the property. Construction was expected to be at the earliest this fall or the latest the Spring of 2008. The developer is representing the completed value of the project to be $1.2 to $1.4 million. Strack noted Ms. Ryan had prepared preliminary TIF projections based on the estimated completion value. The projections indicated a net present value of TIF of $325,560 (25 years) or $230,772 over a 15-year term. Ryan reviewed the projections in detail and described a proposed method to modify TIF District 2-1. Ryan suggested including additional parcels within the modification as a means of simplifying additional development that could occur near the proposed development. The EDA discussed the potential project and noted support for the concept of a new commercial facility at the subject location. However, the EDA noted additional information regarding project sources/uses and a more detailed site plan would be needed prior to the EDA making a recommendation to the City Council regarding the use of redevelopment TIF. If the required information is submitted prior to the joint CC/EDA meeting on July 11`h the preliminary application could be acted on at that time. EDA Minutes -June 20, 2007 The EDA thanked Schellinger for his interest in redevelopment in downtown St. Joseph EDA Accounts Payable. Jacobson introduced the topic. Strack noted accounts payable for the month totaled $10,383.26 including $2,249.17 for MDG and $8,000 in dues to the St. Cloud Area Economic Development Partnership. Strack noted Administrator Weyrens had envisioned a transfer from the fund balance covering the dues to the Partnership. Motion by Wick, second by Heinen to approve the EDA accounts payable for the month of May 2007 in the amount of $10,383.26. Motion carried 4-0. Financial Report. Jacobson introduced the agenda item. Strack noted the City's new Finance Director, Lori Bartlett was present at the meeting. Bartlett would be instrumental in assisting the EDA through the budget process and would also be available to advise the EDA on municipal finance matters and the results of the 2006 audit. Reports presented included: revenue, expense, check register and fund balance. Motion by Wick, second by Heinen to approve the May financial reports as presented. Motion carried 4-0. 2006 Audit Jacobson introduced the topic. Bartlett reviewed reports contained in the 2006 audit including a combining balance sheet and revenues, expenditures and changes in fund balances as they related to the EDA. EDA members thanked Bartlett for presenting the information. Southwest Beltway Transportation Corridor Study CAC Jacobson introduced the agenda item. Strack noted the St. Cloud APO, Stearns County, Waite Park, St. Joseph and St. Joseph Township agreed to initiate a corridor study for a regional arterial roadway commonly referred to as the 'Southwest Beltway'. This arterial roadway is an extension of 33rd Street from St. Cloud to Highway 15 to Highway 75 somewhere in the vicinity of CR 134. The initial portion of the Southwest Beltway corridor from 33rd Street in St. Cloud (including an at- grade intersection with Hwy 15) to the western. boundary of Quarry Park in Waite Park has been mapped. The remaining portion is the subject of the proposed study. A consulting engineering firm has been selected to lead the corridor study. As part of the scope of the study a 'corridor advisory committee' (CAC) will be convened to provide input on the study and various alternatives. The CAC group is to include a representative from the EDA. The CAC group is scheduled to meet twice although the date, location, time of those meetings has not yet been established. It is expected the initial CAC meeting will be held within the next month. Weyrens joined the meeting and noted the initial meeting date was Wednesday, August 8th from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at Waite Park City Hall. Motion Skahen, Second Heinen to appoint Ken Jacobson and Dale Wick as co-representatives to the CAC. Motion carried 4-0. 20th Avenue North Design Services Jacobson introduced the agenda item. Strack noted the transportation plan completed by the City of St. Joseph last year illustrated a collector street projecting north from existing 20th Avenue in the vicinity of Ridgewood Road. Since completion of the transportation study, City staff have been meeting with property owners potentially affected by the roadway extension. In the course of meeting with some property owners it became apparent that special design services were needed to properly evaluate the impact a potential roadway could have on efficient operation at an existing facility. Staff had located a specialized engineering consultant to assist with site evaluation. The cost of a site visit and report preparation was not to exceed $1,500. The potential EDA Minutes -June 20, 2007 roadway extension will impact commercial/industrial property presently and in the future. The EDA had budgeted $2,000 for engineering expense related to economic development for the year 2007. The $1,500 study was proposed to be paid by the EDA from the Engineering line item. Motion Heinen, second Wick to approve the $1,500 study. Motion carried 4-0. Downtown Work Group Urban Environs Draft Design Guidelines Jacobson introduced the agenda item. Strack noted that at the previous EDA meeting Board Members directed the draft guidelines be mailed to all business/property owners within Downtown along with information on financial/technical resources available from the EDA and answers to questions which were likely to arise. The cover memo, FAQ's and financial/technical resource listings that were mailed to property owners along with the draft guidelines were included in the packet along with a listing of those receiving the mailing. Strack noted the guidelines were mailed three weeks prior to the EDA meeting and that she had not be contacted by anyone regarding the standards. The EDA noted the next step should be to bring the guidelines to public hearing at the next Planning Commission meeting. Weyrens noted she have the item added to the agenda, the hearing notice mailed to business owners and the draft guidelines put on the City website. McComb Group Market Research Study -Preliminary Tables Jacobson introduced the topic and noted Complete Electronics and City Hall should be added to the list of businesses. Heinen noted GMS Autobody should be changed to CMS Autobody. Wick noted Tam Photography should be changed to Tamm Photography. Weyrens noted Joseph's Hair Care and Floral Arts should be added to the list of businesses. Strack noted she and Weyrens were concerned with the classification of Sals, the LaPlayette and Loso's as full service food establishments within the downtown. The EDA agreed and recommended reclassification of the three facilities. Strack noted the final study is due out by the end of June. A joint City Council and EDA meeting is proposed for July 11`h to review the study results. Next Meeting Date: Change from July 18th to July 11th (proposed) Jacobson introduced the agenda topic. Motion Heinen, second Skahen to hold the July EDA meeting on July 11`h versus the 18`h. The meeting will be a joint meeting with the City Council. Adjournment. Motion Ska ~n, second Heinen to adjourn the DA meeting. Meeting adjourned at 4:45 PM. EDA Minutes -June 20, 2007