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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 [06] Jun 23CITY OF ST. JOSEPH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AURTHORITY Meeting Minutes — Wednesday, June 23, 2010 Present: EDA Board Members Carolyn Yaggie- Heinen, Ken Jacobson, Al Rassier, and Tom Skahen. Absent: Dale Wick. Also present: Maureen Forsythe, Ken Heimenz, Michael McDonald, Kurt and Joanne Schneider, and EDA Director Cynthia Smith - Strack. Vice Vice Chairperson Jacobson called the June 23, 2010 regular meeting of the St. Joseph EDA to order at 3:01 p.m. Agenda. Vice Chairperson Jacobson introduced the agenda. Moved by Rassier and second by Skahen to approve the agenda while moving item 5A (informational Meeting on the Land/streetscape Plan) immediately following approval of agenda. Motion carried 4 -0. Informational Meeting: Land /Streetscape Plan Vice Chairperson Jacobson introduced the agenda item. Strack thanked those in attendance and invited them to introduce themselves. Strack stated the purpose of the meeting was strictly informational and intended to be informative not prescriptive. Comments and opinions were being sought by the EDA relating to land /streetscaping plans for several public and private properties. Strack noted the EDA/staff continues implementing its goal to promote downtown revitalization. In late 2009 the EDA commissioned a land- streetscape plan to be completed by Clarissa Cooper and Randy Schmitz from Scenic Specialties. Goals of the planning exercise 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. The concepts and illustrations included in the plan are intended to spur discussion and give potential donors and land owners an idea of what 'could be'. Outcomes expected are to give pedestrians /bicyclists visual 'cues' as to how to get to downtown, to soften hardscapes at specific intersections (i.e. CSAH 75 /College Ave, Minnesota St/College Ave.), to promote lingering in downtown, and to use as a tool to induce private investment and initiate fundraising related to street/landscape plan for Downtown. Scenic Specialties developed "themes" to tie the design work together as well as targeting areas where design work could be done to accomplish expected project outcomes. Schmitz and Cooper presented conceptual ideas to the EDA at their February 24th meeting and final concepts at the EDA's April 28th meeting. Strack distributed components of the plan to individuals attending the meeting for review /comment. Private property owners /representatives were then asked to comment on the themes provided. One property owner inquired as to the potential to provide shade, even if seasonal in nature, shared concerns about how to keep the area clean, and expressed an interest in looking at more non - permanent amenities such that they could be removed in the event a building was expanded. Another property representative described discontent with previous City leader's decisions but noted if something isn't accomplished the downtown would likely not survive. The property representative noted the north side of Minnesota Street generates a great deal of pedestrian traffic, however, that traffic seems to reach a fence or playground and then turn around versus crossing Minnesota Street. To those ends it was imperative to get persons from CSB to the other side of Minnesota Street. Another property owner commented that he was unsure of whether he wanted to spend money on creating something that may or may not benefit his business but added he liked the concepts presented. A fourth property owner noted that more people in the area downtown could help all business owners. Strack inquired about CSB /monastery updating Minnesota Street entrance to campus. Heinen noted the focus on that entry may have shifted since CSB had plans for a new academic building elsewhere on campus. Heinen opined that human nature suggests people buy before the use something, for example buy a sandwich before sitting in a dining area. She added the land /streetscape plan softens the entire area and attempts to brand the downtown area. Rassier stated the land /streetscape plan was intertwined with downtown parking opportunities and subsequent discussions. Strack noted a vibrant downtown has a variety of uses and activities from retail to office to residential with activity close to twenty four hours per day. Strack inquired from property owners whether or not they would be at all interested in pursuing a project jointly. If so was it maybe or definitely, if not was it absolutely not or was wiggle room available. A property owner's representative asked those present to keep in mind that something should be done in the area before the Millstream Shops /Lofts looks outdated. Others present commented they like designs for the property owners downtown. Strack inquired as to the next step in the process which could include sharing the information and design concepts with the City Council and then making the information public. A property owner expressed concern about raising the public's expectations if /when information was released. The EDA Board noted the public and Council must be told the concepts provided are for informational purposes and not intended to be considered as pending or imminent. The EDA requested the information be presented to the City Council in July. Strack to work with a property owner to downsize potential project. Another property owner noted canopies or shade in front of buildings to get shelter from weather was also important as were standards for dumpsters in the rear of buildings downtown. Approval of Minutes. Vice Chairperson Jacobson introduced the minutes from the May 26, 2010 regular EDA meeting. Motion by Rassier, second by Skahen to approve the minutes from the May 26, 2010 regular meeting as presented. Motion carried 4 -0. EDA Accounts Payable and Approval of Financial Reports. Jacobson introduced the topic. Accounts payable for the month totaled $2,574 and included monthly contract services. Jacobson then introduced the monthly financial reports. Motion Rassier, second by Skahen to approve the accounts payable and financial reports as presented. Motion carried 4 -0. Jacobson then introduced the 2009 TIF reports. Motion Rassier, second Skahen to authorize submittal of the TIF reports to the State Auditor's Office. EDA Minutes — June 23, 2010 2 BFA Disbursement - Nadine Hollerud Jacobson introduced the agenda item. Strack noted the EDA approved a BFA grant for Nadine Eller - Hollerud of Silver's Equestrian Outlet on May 26th. The BFA grant was a in the amount of $1,000 matching. The EDA had received an invoice from Ms. Hollerud illustrating invoices totaling $2,017.40. Motion Skahen, Second Heinen to approve disbursement of a BFA grant in the amount of $1,000 to Nadine Eller - Hollerud d. b. a. Silver's Equestrian Outlet. Motion carried 4:0. 2011 Budget Vice Chairperson Jacobson introduced the agenda item. Strack noted the City's Finance Director, Lori Bartlett has convened the 2011 budget process. The EDA must submit a preliminary budget to the City Council for consideration at budget workshop(s) in August. A preliminary budget will be adopted and certified to the County in September and a final budget to be adopted in December, 2010. Strack referenced a worksheet illustrating a preliminary budget for the EDA Fund 150, TIF Funds, and the Revolving Loan Fund. Strack noted the budget illustrates expenses only and not revenue and that the budgets for the TIF funds and the Revolving Loan Fund do not feature itemized expenses as they budgets are simply 'pass through' and not capitalized by transfers from the General Government Fund. Finally, Strack noted the line item for staff and /or professional services in Fund 150 mimics that of last year. As Board Members are aware copious amounts of time have been spent in the previous year discussing the merits of staffing and the EDA. It's likely this discussion will again be on -going as the budget approval process is followed. Strack also reference an attached worksheet relating to the EDA's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for 2011 as well as a copy of the 2011 CIP itemized workplan created in 2009. The Board discussed the proposed budget and CIP. The Board asked for an itemized account of CIP projects for 2011. Strack listed the following: $35,000 streettlandscaping projects, $10,000 BFA grant program, and $15,000 for purchase of property within the CBD for public parking purposes for a total of $60,000. The Board agreed the CIP line item request should include what the EDA feels it needs to be successful, in this case $60,000. Motion Skahen, second Heinen to approve submission of the preliminary budget to the City Council providing the amount in line item 588 (EDA Programs) was changed from $20, 000 to $60, 000 to reflect CIP needs of the EDA. Motion carried 4:0. Next Meeting Date Vice Chairperson Jacobson introduced the agenda item. EDA Board Members noted the next EDA meeting would be moved to July 21, 2010 at 3 p.m. Board Member Announcements None. Adjournment. Meeting adjourned by consensus at 4:45 PM. Cynthia Smith - Strack EDA Director EDA Minutes - June 23, 2010 3