HomeMy WebLinkAbout[02] MinutesMeeting Notes
JOINT AREA CITIES MEETING
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Hosted by the City of St. Cloud
A social/dinner gathering was held at 5:30 p.m. at the St. Cloud Police Headquarters.
CALL TO ORDER:
St. Cloud Mayor, Dave Kleis, called the St. Cloud Area Joint Cities meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
ATTENDANCE:
The following individuals were in attendance and introduced themselves:
Members:
Rockville: No Representatives Present
St. Augusta: Mayor Bob Kroll, Council Members Jim Diehl, Donna Schulzetenberg, Mike Zenzen,
and City Administrator Bill McCabe.
St. Cloud: Mayor Dave Kleis, Council Members John Libert, Dave Masters, Sonja Berg, Jeff
Goerger, Nancy Gohman, and City Administrator Michael Williams.
St. Joseph: Council Members Dale Wick, Renee Symanietz, Steve Frank, and City Administrator
Judy Weyrens.
Sartell: Mayor Joe Perske, Council Members Steve Hennes, Sandy Cordie, Sarah Jane Nicoll,
and City Administrator Patti Gartland.
Sauk Rapids: Council Member Brad Gunderson and City Administrator Ross Olson.
Waite Park: Mayor Rick Miller, Council Members Chuck Schneider, Mike Linquist, Frank Thiesen,
and City Administrator Shaunna Johnson.
Guests/Presenters: Dave Gruenes (Stearns Electric) for the Regional Economic Development Initiative,
Earl Potter (SCSU) for Community Priorities, Scott Johnson (St. Cloud Times) for Community Priorities,
Jane DeAustin (CMBA), and Emily Hawkins (St. Joseph Newsleaders).
MEETING NOTES OF NOVEMBER 30, 2010 (ST. AUGUSTA):
Motion by Council Member Steve Frank seconded by Council Member Dave Masters unanimously passed
approving the meeting notes for the November, 2010 meeting.
NEw REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ENTITY:
Mr. Gruenes reminded the group about the process leading to the creation of a new regional economic
development organization. The process included a Task Force formed in 2009 to, in part, make recommendations
about regional economic development efforts. The Partnership formed a second task force to analyze best
practices and possible improvements to the region's entity and processes. The Partnership Board approved the
creation of a new entity funded primarily with private sector investment (70 %) and the abandonment of the
membership driven Partnership. The new entity has 40 private sector investors pledging $7,500 for the first year.
The investment will be used to create the new entity, hire a new CEO, employ NCDS to create a funding plan and
secure funding, and create a strategic plan for the future.
Mr. Gruenes explained that the investment model, as opposed to a membership model, will be governed by a
Board of Directors elected by the membership. Investors will have many opportunities to be involved in the
organization's activities and processes. Investors should evaluate the organization based on results. The new
group is uncertain how the private sector will be represented on the new Board and is looking for ideas and input.
There were questions and discussion about the composition of the new Board.
COMMUNITY PRIORITIES:
Mr. Johnson and Dr. Potter presented "a set of community priorities that defines a vision and direction for the
greater St. Cloud area ". The ten priorities were created through a community process that included a gathering of
priorities from many governments and organizations, two community meetings to further prioritize, and a large
community meeting to provide a focus on the resulting ten priorities.
The priorities are not complete or refined into final form. There were some questions and comments.
CITY UPDATES:
A representative from each city reported significant activities in their respective city.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:30 PM.
TOURS OF THE POLICE HEAD UARTERS:
Mayor Kleis and City Administrator Williams provided a tour of the new Police Headquarters for those interested.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Williams, City Administrator
City of St. Cloud