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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 [02] Feb 24CITY OF ST. JOSEPH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AURTHORITY Meeting Minutes — Wednesday, February 24, 2010 Present: EDA Board Members Carolyn Yaggie- Heinen, Ken Jacobson, AI Rassier, Tom Skahen, and Dale Wick. Absent: None. Also present: Randy Schmitz and Clarissa Cooper representing Scenic Specialties and EDA Director Cynthia Smith - Strack. Chairperson Wick called the February 24, 2010 regular meeting of the St. Joseph EDA to order at 3:05 p.m. Agenda. Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda. No changes were requested. Moved by Rassier and second by Skahen to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 5-0. Guests: Randy Schmitz and Clarissa Cooper Scenic Specialties Wick introduced Randy Schmitz and Clarissa Cooper representing Scenic Specialties. Wick noted the EDA had contracted with Scenic Specialties for the purposes of creating a land /streetscaping plan for the downtown area. Goals of the planning (and eventual construction) are to tie the following areas together with meaningful visual linkages: Wobegon Trail Center, College Avenue, Minnesota Street, and Minnesota Street to the west toward new CSAH 2 area. Strack noted Schmitz and Cooper have developed "themes" to tie the design work together as well as target 9 -10 areas where design work could be done to connect the downtown and the Wobegon Trail. Schmitz and Cooper were invited to present conceptual ideas to the EDA and are requesting input from the Board prior to creating a more detailed final design. Schmitz and Cooper distributed a booklet to members of the EDA containing information regarding the project, sample sketches, and pictures of areas where some 'greening up' could occur. Potential design concepts included: 1. Replicating the City 'skyline' logo throughout the study area. 2. Creating visual interest at the intersection of College and Minnesota Street via pavers or street painting. 3. Adding vegetative plantings such as low maintenance plantings such as ornamental grasses and perennials in the CSAH 75 median near the intersection with College Avenue and near the intersection with CR 133. The purpose of the plantings would be to slow thru traffic and provide a definitive entrance to the heart of the highway business district. 4. Adding a landscaped connection from the Wobegon Trail Center through the City property (water tower) and to College Avenue North. 5. Adding interest to the quadrant of the CSAH 75 /College Avenue intersection occupied by Kay's Kitchen. 6. Replication of themes /styles chosen so as to tie all areas together. 7. Provide sponsorship and vendor list opportunities. 8. Repeat corner planting themes throughout the study area so as to reinforce image characteristics. The EDA was then asked to comment on specifically on five spaces within the downtown. The EDA recommended the following: 1. Incorporation of benches, a bike rack and pavers near the Legion site. 2. Incorporation of a bench and possibly some type of vegetative wall or columns near the Business Center site. 3. Incorporation of a water feature near the Concrete Plus site. 4. Accommodation for sitting, dining, and /or courtyard type development for site near Bo Diddley's. 5. Incorporation of a kiosk, monument sign, bike racks, and perhaps an expanded presence at the City Hall site. Schmitz and Cooper recommended the City finalize a font for the "City of St. Joseph" logo and a color palette. Scenic Specialties shall now create more detailed plans /renderings for specific sites. Said renderings will be presented at the April EDA meeting. Approval of Minutes. Chairperson Wick introduced the minutes from the January 27, 2010 regular EDA meeting. Motion by Wick, second by Heinen to approve the minutes from the January 27, 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 Heinen to approve the EDA accounts payable for the month of February 2010 in the amount of $2,529.50. Motion carried 5-0. Financial Report. Wick introduced the agenda item and noted the January 2010 year to date Treasurer's Report was included in the packet. Motion Heinen, second by Wick to approve the financial reports as presented. Motion carried 5-0. Update: St. Joseph Professional Plat Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda item. Strack noted that at the January meeting the EDA reviewed goals for 2010. One such goal contemplated assisting with the filing of final plat the parcel at the northeastern quadrant of CR 133 and Elm Street. At the January meeting Board Members directed Strack to reach out to the property owner regarding participation in platting. Strack stated that EDA and City EDA Minutes — February 24, 2010 2 representatives had met with the property owner regarding updating the plat. As a result, cost estimates were being sought on behalf of the property owner. Update: Economic Development Director Staff Position Chairperson Wick introduced the topic. Strack noted that since the previous EDA meeting two factors impacting City Council discussion on a full -time Community Development Director had emerged: 1. The annual City Council, staff, consulting staff workshop was rescheduled from February 24 to March 10th 2. Governor Pawlenty unveiled his proposed budget which includes a projected cut in local government aid of $217,000 to the City of St. Joseph Both items mean action on the EDA recommendation from the January 27th meeting regarding this topic will be postponed until March. Wick inquired as to why the City Council had not yet received the EDA's Annual Report. Strack noted the item was on the agenda for the Council /Department Head /Consultant workshop on March 10th. Rassier suggested a letter or a note from the EDA be incorporated into a prepared powerpoint presentation which would be reviewed at the workshop. The Board suggested a statement from the EDA and bearing the EDA Board Member names be included in the final presentation slide. The statement is to reference a successful 2009, the fact many projects are on- going, and the knowledge that increasing business tax base can help the City in difficult times. Board Member Announcements Chairperson Wick provided a schedule of Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) meeting times and locations to the Board. The closest meeting will be held on April 29th in Waite Park. Adjournment. Meeting adjourned by consensus at 4:50 PM. Cynthia Smith - Strack EDA Director EDA Minutes — February 24, 2010 3