HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 [01] Jan 27CITY OF ST. JOSEPH
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AURTHORITY
Meeting Minutes — Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Present: EDA Board Members Carolyn Yaggie- Heinen, Ken Jacobson, Al Rassier, Tom Skahen, and
Dale Wick.
Absent: None.
Also present: City Administrator Judy Weyrens and EDA Director Cynthia Smith - Strack.
Chairperson Wick called the January 27, 2010 regular meeting of the St. Joseph EDA to order at 3:00
p.m.
Agenda.
Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda. The addition of agenda item 6(e) relating to a study by SCSU
was requested. In addition, movement of agenda item 6(d) relating to a staff Economic Development
Director up on the agenda to follow approval of the agenda was requested.
Moved by Heinen and second by Wick to approve the agenda with the aforementioned changes. Motion
carried 5-0.
Economic Development Director Staff Position
Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda item. Strack excused herself from the meeting. Weyrens agreed
to keep minutes.
The EDA discussed the merits of an EDA consultant, a part-time EDA staff member, and a full time
Community Development Director. The EDA reviewed potential job descriptions and outcomes desired.
The EDA recommends the City Council hire a full time Community Development Director. If a full time
CDD is not an option at this time, the EDA recommends retaining consulting services.
Approval of Minutes.
Chairperson Wick introduced the minutes from the December 23, 2009 regular EDA meeting.
Motion by Skahen, second by Wick to approve the minutes from the December 23, 2009 regular meeting
as presented. Motion carried 4 -0, with Rassier abstaining.
EDA Accounts Payable.
Wick introduced the topic. Wick noted accounts payable for the month which totaled $2,714.25 and
included monthly contract services.
Motion by Rassier, second by Jacobson to approve the EDA accounts payable for the month of January
2010 in the amount of $2,714.25. Motion carried 5-0.
Financial Report.
Wick introduced the agenda item and noted the December 2009 year to date Treasurer's Report was
included in the packet. Strack shared information from the Finance Director who noted the final financial
report numbers will change once accruals are booked. A transfer request of $7,500 from the general fund
to the EDA fund to cover operational costs was approved by the City Council. Final audited reports for
year -end 2009 will be available in May.
Motion Skahen, second by Wick to approve the financial reports as presented. Motion carried 5-0.
Revision of BFA Guidelines.
Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda illustrating revisions BFA
guidelines was contained in the ED oormat on packet. Wick stated the proposed adjustments to the
guidelines were based on experience from previous applicants.
ents" in addition
Proposed alterations would allow expand i a I are (visible (from public right of way. The
to exterior building and landscape improvements provided
text adjustment proposes specifically ti starting prior final u grant
considered by the EDA. proposed changes allow existing photographs to be submitted upon the
request of the for Dan architectural/owner agreeme t t each application. submitted with the application. ustmen removes
a requirement
Motion Rassier, second Heinen to recommend the City Council approve minor changes to the BFA grant
program guidelines. Motion carried 5-0.
EDA Goals for 2010.
Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda item. Strack stated that at the December meeting the Board
discussed potential goals for 2010. The Board opted to further consider potential goals at the January
meeting. Strack reviewed potential goals /work items for 2010:
I . Induce development within the "Parkway Business Center" by proactive involvement with property
owners(hip), encouragement of plat approval, installation of improvements, and sale of lots within
the proposed commercial /industrial plat. The property is currently in default with a foreclosure
redemption period expiring in March of 2010. The estimated market value is significantly lower
than the mortgage due. 2009 taxes are delinquent for the entire site. The property consists of four
separate parcels and although preliminary plat approval was received, the final plat approval was
not achieved. Secondary liens on the property for services provided by private contractors in
association with platting /design services provided may complicate the issue.
2. Assist in plat approval for "St. Joseph Professional Plat'. This property is located in the northwest
quadrant of the CSAH 75 /CR 133 intersection. Preliminary/final plat documents were drafted and
readied for approval last year due to interest by a local business owner. The process was
abandoned when the business lead evaporated. Platting the property into small lots will facilitate
'shovel ready' status and define internal improvements.
3. Identify /prioritize projects which may qualify for federal EDA funding including potential business
development adjacent to proposed CSAH 2. Property owners are willing partners.
4. Host at least two events for business owners similar to the successful "Business Builder
Breakfast' in 2009. The Board could host a luncheon and invite local legislators to address area
legislative priorities.
The EDA discussed the potential goals and requested adding goals relating to:
1. Work with those participating in development of a Comprehensive Economic Development
Strategy for the St. Cloud Area to identify potential qualifying projects.
2. Website updating /maintaining.
3. Continue downtown revitalization including streettlandscape plan being developed for the
downtown by Scenic Specialties.
4. Continue to address rental conversion as directed by City Council.
5. Continue on -going efforts as addressed in the annual report.
EDA Minutes — January 27, 2010
Motion Skahen, second Rassier to include goals for 2010 as discussed above in the 2009 Annual EDA
Report to the Council. Motion carried 5:0.
Motion Skahen, second Rassier to authorize up to $1,000 expenditure from 2010 EDA Budget line item
for Engineering Services to assist with processing St. Joseph Professional Plat. Motion carried 5:0.
Draft Annual EDA Report
Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda item and noted the goals just approved will be incorporated into
the final document. Wick requested the phrase "diversifying the tax base" in the final sentence on Page 8
be changed to "enhancing the commercial /industrial tax base" to better represent information contained in
the table and chart on Page 9. Wick also noticed a typographical error on Page 20 of the report.
Strack distributed a spreadsheet containing historical (2001 -2009) information for the City of St. Joseph
compiled by the League of Minnesota Cities relating to tax capacity composition and market value
composition. Wick requested information be compiled for EDA review in conjunction with this agenda
item.
Strack noted the statistics were provided with a number of caveats including, but not limited to: the tax
capacity figures did not include TIF increments, JOBZ, fiscal disparities or powerline tax capacity; the
market value composition did not the previous items and was primarily included in the report for those
jurisdictions using market value to calculate levy amounts; tax capacity or market value numbers do not
acknowledge tax exempt properties; the information does not account for decreases in market values by
sector; the value of new construction is not added the year the construction project is initiated.
The EDA Board noted the information was interesting but given the degree of variance was not a
particular indicator of the success of the EDA efforts over previous years. The EDA opted not to include
the information in the Annual Report draft.
EDA Board Members noted the list of accomplishments was very satisfying to review.
Motion by Heinen to authorize submittal of the report to the City Council. Second by Jacobson. Motion
carried 5:0.
SCSU Study
Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda topic. Strack noted Dr. Edwards had finalized the study earlier
in the day. Copies of the study narrative were emailed earlier in the day and distributed at the meeting.
The revised study addressed the economic impact of the college /university on the City of St. Joseph and
the impact of 208 students moving back to campus.
Strack also distributed a copy of an email received from a resident regarding existing vacancies at
CSB /SJU at this time. EDA Members reviewed the email.
Motion Skahen, Second Heinen to forward the SCSU Study to the City Council. Motion carried 3:1 with
Rassier voting nay and Jacobson abstaining.
Board Member Announcements
Skahen mentioned the pharmacy in Cold Spring had closed but the EDA there had secured an alternate
provider for the site.
Adjournment.
Meeting adjourned b consensus at 4:50 PM.
Cynthia Smith - Strack
EDA Director
EDA Minutes —January 27, 2010