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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 [10] Oct 27CITY OF ST. JOSEPH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AURTHORITY Meeting Minutes — Wednesday, October 27, 2010 Present: EDA Board Members, Carolyn Yaggie- Heinen, Ken Jacobson, Al Rassier, Tom Skahen, and Dale Wick. Absent: None. Also present: Colleen Hollinger Petters (Millstream Shops/Lofts), Jon Petters (Millstream Shops /Lofts), and EDA Director Cynthia Smith - Strack. Chairperson Wick called the October 27, 2010 regular meeting of the St. Joseph EDA to order at 3:05 p.m. Agenda. Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda and proposed adding Hollinger- Petters and Petters to the agenda as item 2(a) and the addition to the agenda of item 3(b) minutes from the October 13th Special EDA meeting. Motion by Skahen, second by Jacobson to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 5-0. Guests. Chairperson Wick introduced Colleen Hollinger -Petters and Jon Petters from Millstream Shops/Lofts. Strack noted the EDA had directed her to contact the guests regarding the potential need for equipment to move the end -cap toward occupancy by a restaurant. The discussion resulted from a review of the Minnesota Jobs Bill approved by Governor Pawlenty earlier this year which allows use of excess TIF revenues for economic development purposes. Mr. Petters provided a summary of previous efforts to attract a restaurateur to the Millstream building's end -cap. Petters stated requests for use of the end -cap as office and retail space, a sub shop, and a Chinese restaurant had been turned down due to a desire to reserve the end -cap for a full - service restaurant that would fully utilize the outdoor dining venue. Petters noted a wine /beer license would likely be needed to attract a suitable restaurateur. In addition to the end -cap Petters noted a small retail /office space remained available. The space included 550 square feet, however, to make the space available a new front door was needed. The estimated cost of cutting plate glass storefront window and installation of a glass door is $6,000. Petters said several items could help attract a suitable restaurateur to the end -cap. Items included: permanent flooring, a hood, grill, food prep area(s), a freezer /cooler, and a refrigerator. The market for restaurant equipment appears to be favorable at this time. Petters noted an option is to find investors and then hire a manager and chefs. The building owners have also been meeting with restaurant brokers. Jacobson recommended Petters consult with Eric Weisser as he is a commercial kitchen designer for national chain restaurateurs whose office is located in St. Joseph. Others suggested reaching out to Craig Hiltner as well. Hollinger- Petters asked about the incentives available through the jobs bill. Strack noted City has for a limited time, the ability to re- distribute excess revenues from a TIF District to a qualifying project within the City regardless of whether or not the end -user is located within the established district. In addition the City could establish a 'compact development district' or economic development district with considerable ease and latitude. The EDA has previously discussed and been working toward the clustering of projects possibly included within a single new TIF district. Excess TIF revenues are estimated at $30,000. Rassier noted the BFA grant program could assist the Developers with up to a $1,000 grant for the installation of a door into the available 550 s.f. office /retail space. Strack noted the Revolving Loan Fund has a balance of approximately $25,000 at the moment which could be available for a Millstream Project. The RLF was used by The Local Blend for storefront and signage updates last winter. Mr. Petters noted grants are more welcome than loans. Heinen inquired as to what should be the next steps for the two potential projects. Rassier invited Petters to file a BFA application for the small retail space at their earliest convenience. The BFA program is administered by the EDA. Strack requested Petters create for the EDA's information /consideration an inventory/pricing of items related to the restaurant end -cap that have the potential to increase outreach to restaurateurs. The Board thanked Hollinger- Petters and Petters for their commitment to St. Joseph. The Petters' noted they appreciated the support the EDA has provided over the previous several years stating without the EDA's assistance the Millstream project would not have happened. Approval of Minutes. Chairperson Wick introduced the minutes from the September 22, 2010 regular EDA meeting and the October 13, 2010 special meeting. Motion by Jacobson, second by Skahen to approve the minutes from the September 22, 2010 regular EDA meeting and the October 13, 2010 special EDA meeting. Motion carried 4 -0 with Rassier abstaining. EDA Accounts Payable and Approval of Financial Reports. Wick introduced the topic. Accounts payable for the month totaled $2,714.25 and included monthly contract services. Wick then introduced the monthly financial reports. Motion Skahen, second by Jacobson to approve the accounts payable. Motion carried 5:0. Motion Wick, second Rassier to approve the financial reports as presented. Motion carried 5-0. Rental Housing Working Group Wick introduced the agenda item and noted the Rental Housing Working Group has continued to meet. At a meeting in September those present participated in a brainstorming session. Scores of ideas were shared in an environment that precluded passing judgment or editing ideas. The brainstorming ideas were then grouped together by general subject. Strack noted that between the September and October meeting an 'evaluation matrix' was developed as a means of weeding out ideas and prioritizing actions. Those attending a Working Group meeting earlier in the day reviewed the matrix and brainstorming ideas. The matrix had been emailed to all committee members and was available for review at the EDA meeting. The Working Group will next meet on November 17th. All participants are asked to complete the evaluation matrix and return to City Hall either electronically or on paper by November 10tH Farm to School Program — Facilitation Wick introduced the agenda item. Strack noted that over the past several months EDA members have on occasion received copies of emails which mentioned "Farm to School" initiatives and programs. Several variables that seem to lend themselves toward exploring a farm to school program; such as: presence of local farmers involved in everything from production of mushrooms to apples to honey to beef, movement toward establishing a local food cooperative that would involve locally produced products for sale within a St. Joseph store front, presence of St. Joseph Meat Market as a processing facility within the City of St. Joseph, presence of Kennedy Community School within community, proximity to CSB /SJU as potential outlet for locally produced food products as well, hiring of Sustainability Director at CSB, emphasis on reducing childhood obesity, available resources for farm to school programs and examples from Winona and Morris. EDA Minutes — October 27, 2010 2 Additional information regarding FTS programs was included in the packet. Strack noted the EDA's envisioned role would be as a facilitator bringing various stakeholders together to initiate a program and get stakeholders organized. Strack requested authorization to spend office hours on planning an organizing event. The EDA discussed the merits of FTS and a symposium bringing various stakeholders together. The EDA authorized staff time to further investigate the issues. Adjournment. Motion Skahen, second Heinen to adjourn the EDA meeting. Meeting adjourned by consensus at 4:15 PM. Cynthia Smith - Strack EDA Director EDA Minutes — October 27, 2010