Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011 [11] Nov 30 CITY OF ST. JOSEPH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AURTHORITY Meeting Minutes — Wednesday, November 30, 2011 Present: EDA Board Members Steve Frank (3:14), Carolyn Yaggie- Heinen, Tom Skahen, and Dale Wick. Absent: Chad Davey. Also present: Katie Foley, Minnesota Street Market; Jeff Engholm, Andy Dirksen, Ellie McCann, Jared Smith, and Mary Johnson from the St. Joseph Food Co -op; Nick Moe and Dave Schoenberg from SJU; and Lindsay Wimmer and Kim Poganski from CSB, Randy Schmitz with Scenic Specialties, City Administrator Judy Weyrens, John Meyer of DM Building Corp., and EDA Director Cynthia Smith - Strack. CaII to Order. Chairperson Wick Called the November 30, 2011 regular meeting of the St. Joseph EDA to order at 3:00 p.m. at Minnesota Street Market, 15 West Minnesota Street and invited everyone present to introduce themselves. Agenda. Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda. Motion by Skahen, second by Heinen to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 3 -0. Guests: Katie Foley, Manager St. Joseph Food Cooperative, Nick Moe, Dave Schoenberg (SJU), and Lindsay Wimmer, Kim Poganski (CSB). Chairperson Wick introduced a discussion of a local producer to institution initiative (NFFTE) and asked Strack to provide a synopsis of the effort. Strack noted that at the October regular meeting the EDA Board heard from Ms. Katie Foley, the Mn. Street Market Manager. Foley and the EDA discussed efforts to facilitate links between local farm producers and institutions. The EDA continues to plan an event which would bring farm producers and end users together to discuss needs vs. resources and to allow an opportunity for networking. The EDA is very intent on making such a meeting beneficial and meaningful to all those attending. During the discussion with Ms. Foley, the EDA Board requested a pre -farm producers /end user event discussion with stakeholders from end -user groups. The EDA directed the discussion occur at the next regular meeting (November, 2011). The EDA directed Strack to work with Foley to organize an off-site EDA meeting at the Minnesota Street Market on November 30 at 3 p.m. Officials from environmental offices and sustainability directors in addition to food service providers were to be invited. To those ends, we have reached out to local institutions with representatives present at the meeting. The purpose of the discussion is to establish rapport between stakeholders, gauge support for NFFTE concept, and to outline pdtential obstacles /hurdles /barriers to a successful NFFTE program from institutions' perspectives. Strack invited Moe and Wimmer to comment on their efforts relating to sustainability and food resources. Moe noted that students at St. Johns University continue to express interest in sustainability. Locally produced food is only a part of sustainability efforts which at SJU have included: lighting retrofits, conversion to natural gas, energy competitions, and the installation of hydration stations on campus. Wimmer noted that the College of St. Benedict has also installed hydration stations, composting sites, hired a Director of Sustainability (Judy Purman) and pursued trayless food service. November 30, 2011 EDA Meeting Page 11 Kim Poganski from CSB Dining Services noted they are operating under a policy which seeks to purchase twenty percent of their food locally. Locally was defined at within the state of Minnesota. Poganski added that a challenge to local producers is to provide adequate supply in off seasons. Strack noted a cooperative in southern Minnesota received a grant to study food preservation as related to similar efforts. Dave Schoenberg noted that greenhouses or high towers can also extend the growing season and could be placed on campus. Schoenberg reiterated that supply needed to be consistent. He also noted that local producers are not corporations and may not be ready to make a commitment or an investment in their operation that would get them to a level where service needed could be provided. Members of the St. Joseph Food Cooperative noted that they Mn. Market could perhaps assist in procuring items from the producers on an on -going basis, providing insurance coverage, and defining a schedule of what was needed at what quantity throughout the year. The Co -Op, CSB representatives, and SJU representatives agreed that they could work together to reach the stated goals of the NFFTE project. The EDA agreed by consensus that their role in NFFTE was completed and the Co -Op would assume project. The meeting was temporarily recessed at 4:10 to provide for travel to City Hall. The meeting reopened at 4:15 at City Hall. Approval of Minutes. Chairperson Wick introduced the minutes of the October 26, 2011 EDA meeting. Motion Frank, Second Skahen to approve the minutes from the October 26, 2011 regular EDA meeting as presented. Motion approved 4:0. Accounts Payable and Monthly Report. Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda items and reviewed accounts payable in the amount of $2,581.48 for MDG services, plus $375.81 to Joe's Signs for a sign produced for the EDA by Joe Pfannenstein. Total Accounts Payable $2,957.29. Wick introduced the October financial reports. Motion Wick, Second Heinen to approve accounts payable and the Octoberr financial report as presented. Motion carried 4:0. BFA Grant — Scenic Specialties. Wick introduced the agenda item and Mr. Randy Schmitz, owner of Scenic Specialties. Strack noted the EDA packet contained an application to the BFA Grant Program by Mr. Schmitz. The purpose of the grant is to add a decorative fence and wildflower plantings on his property which fronts on CR 133. The BFA Program covers design and construction costs associated with improvements to a property that are visible from a public right of way. The installation of landscaping is specifically allowed as a use under the BFA guidelines. Strack stated the EDA's 2011 Capital allocatin included funding for the BFA Program and a sufficient balance remains to cover the proposed use. Schmitz addressed the EDA noting the fence was installed a week prior to the EDA meeting so as to allow construction prior to the ground freezing. He had submitted the grant on November 10, 2011 prior to conducting the work. Frank questioned whether or not the fence could be installed and paid for by the matching grant and whether or not the proposed 'project' could be completed prior to approval by the EDA. Strack noted the use of funds is provided for in the BFA guidelines and the rules also state that the Applicant can proceed with the project if a compelling reason is present. November 30, 2011 EDA Meeting Page 12 Motion Frank, second Heinen to approve the BFA Grant Application and disbursement for Randy Schmitz d.b.a. Scenic Specialties in a matching amount up to $1,000 provided appropriate expense documentation is provided to the City. Motion carried 4:0. EDA Budget 2012. Wick introduced the agenda item. Strack noted the EDA has been asked to again review its 2012 operations budget and capital program requests. The proposed revised 2012 operations budget and CIP are included in the EDA packet. Strack noted the 2012 budget includes $8,000 that had been in past years dedicated to the St. Cloud Area Economic Development Partnership. The majority of the $8,000 was redistributed in the preliminary 2012 EDA budget to cover marketing efforts. Some members of the City Council favor keeping the $8,000 in the 2012 budget but using it specifically for participation in the Greater St. Cloud Economic Development Corporation rather than for marketing purposes. In addition the EDA's revised CIP request was reduced by the City Council on September 15, 2011 from $56,000 to $44,000. Strack invited Council Members Wick and Frank to address the issue from a Council standpoint. Wick suggested cutting $1,500 from the Producer /Processor line item since the Co -Op was going to lead the effort, and to cut $15,000 from the Downtown revitalization line item since there was an accrued balance present. Frank stated the cuts proposed by the EDA seemed to be reasonable and indicative of a good faith effort on the part of the EDA. Motion Wick, Second Frank to decrease the CIP line item for Producer /Process by $1,500 and to reduce the line item for Let's Go Downtown by $15, 000 for a total reduction of $16,500. Motion carried 4:0. Requests for Proposals: Economic Development Consultant Wick introduced the agenda item. Strack noted that when she presented the 2011 EDA Annual Report to the Council, Council Member Loso requested that City seek requests for proposals from firms providing economic development consulting services. Loso indicated the City reviews rfp's for other services and this effort would follow suit. The City Council reaffirmed the request at a meeting in November. To those ends, a RFP solicitation had been developed. Specific review /discussion regarding the Description of Services and the Required Content for Proposals was kindly requested. Skahen stated he was concerned about what the EDA would do if a low -ball bid was received and services were to be provided as they are today but that was not possible. Wick noted the EDA will be sending out the solicitation and that the EDA is responsible for interviewing candidates and making a recommendation to the City Council. Weyrens noted the process will be similar to that included in a solicitation for architectural firms. Motion Frank to send our RFP solicitation on Friday, December 2, 2011 subject to Council approval of solicitation on December 1, 2011. Motion seconded by Skahen, carried 4:0. Property Offered for Sale: John Meyer Wick introduced John Meyer of DM Building Corporation. Strack noted Mr. Meyer contacted her regarding any potential interest the EDA may have in purchasing a four acre parcel at 708 Elm Street East. Strack noted Mr. Meyer was present. Meyer thanked the EDA Board for listening. He noted the price on the subject property has been reduced due to his business partner's illness. He noted the sale of the property will assist the Company in processing estate planning. Meyer noted a church is potentially interested in the property at $1.25/sf. He noted the Federal Government purchased the former River Bat Stadium site for $1.65/sf and that was without municipal utilities. Meyer inquired as to whether or not the EDA would be interested in purchasing the property for $217,800. Meyer noted a 10 to 20 year contract for deed would be welcomed. November 30, 2011 EDA Meeting Page 13 Frank inquired as to whether or not the property would be tax exempt if owned by the EDA. Strack noted it depended on the use of the property by the EDA. For example, if the EDA would lease the property for display of automobiles or rent it to a farmer, then taxes would be payable. Skahen asked how long a contract for deed term could be; Meyer noted 10 -20 years. Wick noted the parcel required more fill and was platted all as one lot which could mean re- subdivision. Skahen inquired as to interest rate; Meyer noted it would be 'reasonable'. Skahen asked for clarification of 'reasonable'. Meyer noted a three percent rate for the first four or five years and then an adjustment to market rate. Frank inquired as to what Meyer envisioned the property being used for; Meyer responded that he thought the EDA could use the parcel as a tool to stimulate the retail market through land at a reduced cost. Frank asked Meyer to be more specific. Meyer noted end users could include fast food, convenience food and gas. Strack noted DM Builders owned the property and inquired as to whether there would be a contingency requiring DM to be the Builder. Meyer stated there would be no contingency. Meyer left the meeting to allow the EDA to review the issue. Weyrens noted that DM has been marketing the parcel for several years without success. Strack suggested the discuss be postponed and perhaps addressed at the time of 2012 EDA goal setting. Frank noted the 2012 budget was very slim. The EDA by consensus postponed the discussion to a later date. Board Member Announcements. Skahen noted he had spoke with Strack earlier in the day regarding an effort to market the former Campus Villas apartments to students at SCSU. Strack noted she spoke with a representative from SCSU student life who stated the College doesn't post off - campus apartments or keep a database related thereto. Adjournment. Meeting adjourned by consens s at 5:10 following a Motion by Skahen and a Second by Heinen. Cynthia Smith - Strack EDA Director November 30, 2011 EDA Meeting Page 14