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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 [03] Mar 25CITY OF ST. JOSEPH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AURTHORITY Meeting Minutes -Wednesday, March 25, 2009 Present: EDA Board Members Carolyn Yaggie-Heinen, Ken Jacobson, AI Rassier, Tom Skahen, and Dale Wick. Absent: None. Also present: Brian Schoenborn and Kip Cameron from GTI Properties. EDA Consultant Cynthia Smith -Strack of Municipal Development Group. Chairperson Wick called the March 25, 2009 regular meeting of the St. Joseph EDA to order at 3:01 p.m. Agenda. Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda and requested item 3 (Approval of Agenda) be moved to prior to item 2 (Guests) resulting in the re-ordering of items two & three. Moved by Rassier, seconded by Heinen to approve the agenda subject to the change requested by Chairperson Wick. Motion carried 5-0. Guests: Brian Schoenborn and Kip Cameron Wick introduced the guests. The EDA in January requested the developers be invited to an EDA meeting to discuss their plans for the property adjacent to Lake Sarah. The purpose of the invitation is to discuss project concepts and talk about the possibility of working together to initiate a master planning process. A map illustrating the proposed route for CSAH 2 realignment was available for reference. Strack noted that a concept plan or development plan would be needed to drive the consideration of access points. Strack reviewed the outcome of a City Council workshop held earlier this year, specifically that the general consensus of the City Council is to focus on the area impacted by the CSAH 2 realignment, including resolving annexation issues, promoting the development of a master concept plan, and studying potential utility service extension options. At this time the Planning Commission is working with the Township regarding annexation. In addition, the City Council has approved a Comprehensive Sanitary Sewer Master Plan Update which will provide information regarding the best location and sizing of sanitary sewer mains in the area west of the current city limits. This includes the "Gateway Property." Strack noted discussion with Joe Walz and Brian Anderson at the February EDA meeting revealed ongoing negotiations between family members regarding property ownership. In addition she reminded EDA Members of a discussion at the February meeting about the scope of a Master Plan which could be purely conceptual or very detailed. The price varies widely depending on the scope of the plan and the level of detail included in the plan. The Developers and EDA discussed timing of the CSAH 2 construction, the area involved, and the potential points of access. The Developers will attempt to meet with representatives from the Walz family and Stearns County Highway Department. Strack will contact Highway Department regarding status of triangular parcel between proposed/existing CSAH 2 and when/how unused portion of CSAH 2 will be abandoned. Approval of Minutes. Chairperson Wick introduced the minutes from the February 25, 2009 regular meeting. Motion by Jacobson, second by Skahen to approve the minutes from the February 25, 2009 regular meeting. Motion carried 5-0. EDA Accounts Payable. Wick introduced the topic. Wick noted accounts payable for the month which totaled $2,545.68. Motion by Rassier, second by Skahen to approve the EDA accounts payable for the month of March 2009 in the amount of $2, 545.68. Motion carried 5-0. Financial Report. Wick introduced the agenda item. Wick noted the packet included financial reports. Strack referenced the Treasurer's Report which illustrated year to date expenses of $14,082.23 and a year-end (unaudited) fund balance of $19,713.20 equating to an estimated current balance in Fund 150 of $5,762.18. Motion Skahen, Second Heinen to approve the February 2009 financial reports as presented. Motion carried 5-0. 2009 Business Retention & Expansion Program Wick introduced the topic. Strack noted the EDA last completed a Business Retention and Expansion Program in 2006-07. The BRE program is meant to be repeated on a regular basis, including this year. The EDA packet includes: 1. A BRE Program Summary 2. A Draft BRE Survey 3. A News Release 4. A Business Listing Strack noted she was seeking direction regarding program administration, survey administration, persons conducting the survey, notification of business owners, approval of the survey instrument, and distribution list. Wick presented an alternative survey form based on a template used by the St. Cloud Area Economic Development Partnership. The EDA discussed both sample surveys. Each Board Member agreed to review both surveys and highlight important questions and/or where improvements could be made. EDA Board Members will also review the distribution list to address who should be invited.to join in the process. The EDA directed the program outreach to include a mailed notice, email notice, and individual survey completion with facilitation by an EDA representative. BFA Grant Program Modification Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda item. Strack stated the EDA established the Business Facade Architectural (BFA) Grant Program in late 2007. In 2008, five BFA applications were approved: Daisy a Day Floral, Gohman Construction, Bo Diddleys, Kurt Schneider and Scenic Specialties. The Gohman Construction and Bo Diddleys projects have been closed out. Scenic Specialties is pending. . One of the EDA's goals for 2009 is to examine the potential for modifying the BFA `program guidelines so as to accommodate actual design expenses plus facade updates at a match of 50% but not to exceed $1,000. Randy Schmitz has requested an update of progress on program guideline review. Potential guideline modifications were included in the information packet. Strack EDA Minutes -March 25, 2009 noted the City Council is anticipating a freeze on new capital improvement project spending due to reductions in local government aid. EDA Board Members suggested a slight change in proposed modified language. The language change helps the narrative flow more fluently than as originally presented. Motion Heinen, second Jacobson to recommend the City Council approve the program modification. Motion carried 5:0. Project Updates Wick introduced the topic. Strack provided the following updates: 1. SCSU study surveys are ready for distribution. Dr. Edwards hopes to complete the project by May 10tH You may have heard that several Minnesota non-profit agencies were awarded $6.3 million in grants from the Federal Home Loan Bank. The grants and forgivable loans are for rehabbing foreclosed homes and helping new owners with a down payment. The Stearns County HRA had applied for the assistance and asked member communities to submit information on foreclosed homes. In St. Joseph a few clusters of foreclosed properties in the Liberty Point development and the Sunrise Cottage CIC were specifically mentioned to the Stearns County HRA. We are awaiting additional information regarding grant status. 3. The article in the February 18tH edition of the St. Cloud Daily Times is correct in stating the only transportation project in the St. Cloud area that received funding from the federal economic stimulus package was the extension of 28tH Avenue in Waite Park. The St. Cloud APO had assembled/submitted a number of potential projects to MnDOT which selected priorities. 4. The City has received site plans for review by the Planning Commission for the construction of a new member-owned financial institution. The building will go up next to the new CentraCare clinic. Construction will begin this Spring. The City has received a proposed plat to split Lot One, Block One of the Buettner Business Park into four 1.2 acre commercial lots. This site is just to the west of the CentraCare/Coborns site. Construction of a new professional building is proposed for April 2009 in conjunction with the new plat. Board Member Reports Jacobson reported he and other members of the Fire Department have been researching, authoring, and submitting grant requests. Adjournment. Meeting adjourned by consensus at 5:05 PM. Cynthia Smith-Strack EDA Director EDA Minutes -March 25, 2009 3