HomeMy WebLinkAbout[05] Approval of Minutes CITY OF ST. JOSEPH
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Meeting Minutes — Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Present: EDA Board Members Steve Frank, Tom Skahen, and Dale Wick.
Absent: Chad Davey and EDA Appointee Larry Hosch.
Also present: City Administrator Judy Weyrens, Mayor Rick Schultz
CaII to Order.
Chairperson Wick called the April 25, 2012 regular meeting of the St. Joseph EDA to order at 5:00 p.m.
Agenda
Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda. Motion by Skahen, second by Wick to approve the agenda with
the following changes:
Delete Oath of Office: Larry Hosch
Delete Chris Rice, Rice Builders Motion carried 4 -0.
Approval of Minutes.
Wick introduced the minutes from the March 28, 2012 regular EDA minutes. Motion Frank, Second
Skahen to approve the March 28, 2012 minutes. Motion carried 4:0.
Accounts Payable and Monthly Report.
Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda items and reviewed accounts payable for April 2012 in the
amount of $2,563.25 for MDG services.
Wick introduced the March financial reports.
Motion Skahen, Second Frank to approve accounts payable and the March financial reports as
presented. Motion carried 4:0.
Downtown "Footprint" Discussion.
Wick introduced the agenda item and referred to the illustrations included in the packet. He noted that at
the March meeting the EDA requested maps previously produced in conjunction with the Mn. Design
Team visit and the rental housing work group be available for the April EDA meeting. The maps were to
be updated with ideas that other groups had developed over the course of time. The maps included in the
EDA packet were (a) illustration of the downtown and the central business district; (b) plans for areas
west of Central Business District that were previously discussed; and (c) plans for areas within the CBD
that had been previously discussed. The EDA wished to discuss the idea of a 'downtown footprint' and
associated renderings in greater detail at this meeting.
Mayor Schultz discussed the importance of visioning the downtown area, creating a footprint for future
development. Schultz also discussed the need to have a plan for marketing and branding, what image is
St. Joseph sending? EDA Members discussed the recent developments in the downtown area and
continuous comments on the need to increase parking. It becomes more difficult looking at projects when
funding is limited. Frank stated that hopefully the newest EDA Member, former representative Larry
Hosch, can provide some avenue or ideas for financing or available programs.
Members agreed that continued discussion is required, but for the EDA to be successful whatever
footprint or design is desired must be a common vision that shared by the City Council and subsidiary
boards and commissions. The EDA does not want to develop and implement goals that are not
supported or consistent with the community. Frank questioned a community visioning session could be
scheduled or solicit information from the property owners in the downtown area. Wick stated that he is
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not opposed to hosting a community visioning session, but the EDA, Council and subsidiary boards must
have a common vision before such a meeting is conducted. The EDA in the past has hosted business
meetings with success.
In discussing a potential joint meeting, Wick stated that the next EDA meeting agenda would not
accommodate a joint meeting due to a scheduled speaker. A speaker from the University of Minnesota
will be present to discuss strategies when conducting business retention. The EDA requested Weyrens
schedule a joint session inviting the City Council, Planning Commission and Park Board to participate in a
downtown visioning session. Due to the large number of invitees, it is not possible to have 100%
attendance, so a date should be established and hopefully the majority of the members can attend.
Board Member Announcements.
Wick introduced the agenda item and there were no announcements.
Adjournment.
Motion Skahen, second Frank to adjourn. Motion carried 4:0 meeting adjoumed at 6 p.m..
Cynthia Smith - Strack
EDA Director
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