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HomeMy WebLinkAbout[03] MinutesCITY OF ST. JOSEPH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AURTHORITY Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, March 24, 2010 Present: EDA Board Members Carolyn Yaggie-Heinen, Ken Jacobson, Al Rassier, Tom Skahen, and Dale Wick. Absent: None. Also present: EDA Director Cynthia Smith-Strack. Chairperson Wick called the March 24, 2010 regular meeting of the St. Joseph EDA to order at 3:00 p.m. Agenda. Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda. Strack requested item 5(c) be added to the agenda to discuss a landscape plan for the intersection of CSAH 75 and College Avenue. . Moved by Skahen and second by Rassier to approve the agenda with the addition of item 5(c) relating to landscaping plans for CSAH 75/College Avenue intersection. Motion carried 5-0. Approval of Minutes. Chairperson Wick introduced the minutes from the February 24, 2010 regular EDA meeting. Motion by Jacobson, second by Skahen to approve the minutes from the February 24, 2010 regular meeting as presented. Motion carried 5-0. EDA Accounts Payable. Wick introduced the topic. Wick noted accounts payable for the month which totaled $2,529.50 and included monthly contract services. Motion by Jacobson, second by Skahen to approve the EDA accounts payable for the month of February 2010 in the amount of $2,574. Motion carried 5-0. Financial Report. Wick introduced the agenda item. Strack noted the Finance Director indicates the 2009 accruals have not been reversed out of the 2010 budget at this time. This will be done once the audit has been completed. . Motion Skahen, second by Heinen to approve the financial reports as presented. Motion carried 5-0 Participation in Gateway Common’s Master Plan Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda item. Strack noted that approximately eighteen months ago she met with Michelle Allen from JLG Architects at the request of the Gateway Commons Developers. At that time the EDA had discussed participation (financial) in assisting with the master planning process. Since transportation issues were not resolved, the project was extended. Strack said she recently met with the Gateway developers and met again with a representative from JLG Architects regarding development of a master plan. She also reached out to the Walz family regarding Subject joining forces in a master plan process. The Gateway Developers are requesting consideration by the Property EDA of participation in the master planning effort. The Walz representatives would like to know if the EDA will participate. It was noted EDA’s Capital Improvement allocation for budget year 2010 was set at $20,000. The EDA assigned the capital funds for ‘revitalization’ projects including the BFA grant, land/streetscaping, rental п¹» î conversion, and projects applicable to the construction of new CSAH 2. Given proposed unallotment of local government aid is seems logical to expect the capital improvement allocation will be reduced. At this time the EDA has approved an expenditure of $1,000 for participation in finalizing the “St. Joseph Professional Plat”. This expenditure is from the Fund 150 “engineering” line item and not from the capital fund. Participation in a master planning effort could further the 2010 EDA goal of: “Continue to work with property owners seeking development of land adjacent to proposed CSAH 2 including, but not limited to, seeking federal EDA funds to install utilities in said areas.” The EDA discussed the delay in moving forward with CSAH 2 construction and the fact the subject property was within the orderly annexation area but had not yet been annexed. The EDA also discussed the potential of the new CSAH 2 construction not moving forward in the future. The EDA discussed a desire to move the Gateway project forward as it had been the subject of discussion since 2001. An EDA offer to participate in the project would indicate to the developers that the master planning process and the project were supported by the Authority. Motion Skahen, second Heinen to authorize/direct the EDA Director to offer to participate in a master planning effort for Gateway Commons in an amount up to $1,000 with a note that further participation by the EDA in the future would be considered. Motion carried 5:0. Update: Economic Development Director Staff Position Council Member Wick introduced the agenda item. Strack noted that the City Council reviewed a th during an annual work session. presentation highlighting the 2009 Annual EDA Report on March 10 Following the presentation the City Council discussed level of staffing for the EDA in St. Joseph. The Council has directed the EDA to meet with other area economic development professionals to discuss alternate models for economic development outreach. The Council would like to use input from other area economic development professionals when deciding what level of staffing is appropriate and what type of service delivery is expected. The Council requests the EDA consider the recommendation and establish potential meeting dates. The EDA discussed potential meeting dates and times and requested a joint meeting be scheduled in the afternoon on a Wednesday. Landscaping CSAH 75/County Road 2: Kay’s Kitchen Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda topic. Strack presented a landscape schematic for the Kay’s Kitchen property at the intersection of CSAH 75 and College Avenue. The schematic includes ideas incorporated into the City’s streetscape/landscape plan being developed by Scenic Specialties. The EDA discussed participation in the project noting the quality of the schematic and the potential to meld two projects as a means of maximizing results. The EDA noted estimates for a portion of the schematic that included a community welcome monument were needed. The EDA further noted the property owner was encouraged to apply for both the Business Façade Architectural Grant Program and the Revolving Loan Fund in conjunction with the project. Board Member Announcements Chairperson Wick noted the availability of Representative Larry Hosch to address the EDA and local business owners on March 31, 2010. Motion Rassier, second Jacobson to authorize/direct the EDA Director to mail notices to business owners, release information to local newspapers/radio stations, and to organize the event for March 31, 2010 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Adjournment. Meeting adjourned by consensus at 4:05 PM. EDA Minutes – March 24, 2010 2 п¹» í Cynthia Smith-Strack EDA Director EDA Minutes – March 24, 2010 3 п¹» ì