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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012 [10] Oct 24CITY OF ST. JOSEPH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Meeting Minutes — Wednesday October 24, 2012 Present: Chair Dale Wick; Board Members Tom Skahen, Larry Hosch (5:23 pm), Doug Danielson and Steve Frank. Absent: none. Also present: Economic Development Consultant Joanne Foust, Michael McDonald, Randy Schmitz, Colleen Hollinger Petter - Collegeville Comp., Jason Mueller -Bello Cucina, and Students in Free Enterprise (SIF) from the College of St. Benedict and St. John's: Abel Salazar Jr., Ana Nugent, Erika Rodby, Shannon Kennedy, Michael Pierce and Thalia Thurson. Call to Order. Chairperson Wick called the October 24, 2012 meeting of the St. Joseph EDA to order at 5:02 p.m. Agenda. Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda. Motion by Frank seconded by Skahen to approve the agenda with the addition of Business BFA Grant Request —Mill Stream Villages. Motion carried 4 -0. Public Comment. Students in Free Enterprise (SIF) from the College of St. Benedict and St. John's: Abel Salazar Jr., Ana Nugent, Erika Rodby, Shannon Kennedy, Michael Pierce and Thalia Thurson introduced themselves. They noted they would like to assist a business in the community with planning, web design, marketing, etc. The EDA welcomed the group and noted a couple of business representatives will be present at the EDA meeting. It was suggested they also contact the Chamber of Commerce to offer their services. Approval of Minutes. Wick introduced the minutes from the September 26, 2012 regular EDA meeting. Motion by Skahen, Second Danielson to approve the September 26, 2012 minutes as presented. Motion carried 4 -0. Accounts Payable and Monthly Report. Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda items and reviewed accounts payable for October 2012 in the amount of $2,738.91(MDG contract and mileage). Motion by Danielson, Seconded by Wick to approve the accounts payable and the October financial reports as presented. Motion carried 4 -0. BFA Bello Cuina Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda item noting Bello Cucina's has submitted an application for consideration of a BFA Grant for a $1200 project which includes a $1000 sign and $200 for rope lighting at their restaurant in Mill Street Shops. Jason Mueller was present. He noted the rope lighting has been installed but has not yet been paid for. Commissioners discussed the intent of the program and applicability of the lighting. Motion by Danielson, Seconded by Frank to approve 50% of the cost of the sign, for an estimated grant of $500 for Bello Cucina's restaurant, contingent upon the approval of the sign permit and copy of the invoice being supplied. Motion carried 4 -0. October 24, 2012 EDA Meeting Page 1 BFA — Scenic Specialties. Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda item noting Scenic Specialties, at 31101 County Road 133, submitted an application for a BFA Grant in the amount of $1000 for the installation of faux windows and an exterior fireplace. The EDA reviewed the application in August and approved $550 or one -half the estimated $1,160 for faux windows. Randy Schmitz was present and noted he has changed the scope of the project. Rather than request the funds for the proposed outdoor fireplace he noted he is proposing to add 5 %" wide flower boxes below the faux windows. He will have seasonal plants in these. The estimated cost of the flower boxes is $900. He asked the EDA to reconsider funding for the revised project scope of the faux windows and window boxes, which has a total project cost of $2,060. The Commission concurred this modification was more in line with the goals and policies of the BFA program. Motion by Skahen, Seconded by Frank to amend the approval of the BFA request from August, 2012 to approve up to $1000 for the proposed faux windows and window planters for the side of Scenic Specialties' building at 31101 County Road 133. Motion carried 4 -0. Commissioner Hosch arrived at 5:23 p.m. BFA- Mill Stream Villages. Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda item noting Mill Stream Cottages has applied for a BFA Grant to a proposed free standing sign, with a total estimated cost of $1080. Colleen Hollinger Petters, Collegeville Comp. was present. She noted that she had reviewed the BFA Guidelines and noted that projects must be commercial in nature. She indicated that the cottages will be a cluster of eight homes with on -site services 24 hours per day and is commercial in nature. The cottages constitute 1/3 of the project. The Commission discussed the location of the project. Wick noted another BFA grant was awarded outside the downtown in the past. The Commission also discussed the project and its mixed use, noting the BFA guidelines do not currently address mixed use projects. Hosch inquired how the proposed project goes above and beyond the normal requirements for a sign, as the purpose of the grant program is to enhance projects. Hollinger Petters stated the style of the sign and the landscaping are above basic requirements. There will not be additional sign lighting as it is under a streetlight. Motion by Skahen, seconded by Frank to approve up to $554 or 50% of the cost of the sign for Mill Stream Cottages, contingent upon the issuance of a sign permit and copy of the invoice. Motion carried 5 -0. BFA— Kay's Kitchen. Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda item noting Kay's Kitchen, 303 College Avenue North has submitted an application for a BFA Grant in the amount of $1000 for a mural estimated to cost $2,950. It was noted Kay's Kitchen's sign does meet the City's sign ordinance requirements. Commissioners agreed it would enhance the side of the building, which is visible from the Wobegon Trail route. October 24, 2012 EDA Meeting Page 2 Motion by Danielson, Seconded by Wick to approve $1,000 from the BFA Grant Fund for the proposed mural on the side of the building of Kay's Kitchen at 303 College Avenue North, contingent upon the issuance of the City's sign permit. Motion carried 5 -0. Business Retention and Expansion Surveys. Wick introduced the agenda item. Foust reported that as of October 24, 2012 22% or 34 businesses have responded to the on -line survey. A list of businesses that have not yet responded was included in the packet with the intention of developing a call or visit list. Commissioners asked MDG, Inc. staff to prioritize the list with larger businesses first and home based businesses last. Commissioners Wick and Hosch offered to assist with calling the remaining businesses. Three Chamber of Commerce members have also offered to assist. Commissioners asked if City staff could also place calls. Michael McDonald noted he will send another email reminder to their membership, reminding them of the October 29, 2012 deadline to be eligible for the $50 drawing. Small Cities Development Grant. Wick introduced the agenda item and reported that Jason Kresbach and Laurie Ziebel of CMHP have conducted a windshield survey of the commercial areas in St. Joseph. While two target areas have been identified, they have noted that there is a significant need with a total of 21 buildings in the target area with 9 in need of 3 or more repairs. It is the opinion of staff at CMHP that due to the limited impact, the Small Cities Development Grant application would be more competitive if it is a single - purpose housing rehabilitation application. Motion by Skahen, Seconded by Hosch to direct Central Minnesota Housing Partnership (CMHP) to proceed with a single - purpose housing rehabilitation grant application and exclude the commercial rehabilitation component for this year. Motion carried. 5 -0. Downtown Master Plan. Wick introduced the agenda item. Foust distributed sections of the proposed draft Downtown Master Plan with the history, geographic boundary, purpose, goals and mission as well as demographics. She asked Commissioners to review the information and submit any suggestions to her or Cynthia Smith - Strack. Commissioners noted they will continue work sessions at the EDA level to define specific (re) uses of sites, parking, etc. at upcoming meetings. Business Development Report Foust referenced a business development report which was included in the packet. She noted McDonald's construction has started. A music store is moving into Northland Plaza. A 40,000 square foot army facility is planned for construction in the spring of 2013. City staff and the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation continue to work with the prospect that is looking at the former Safe Shred building. Board Member Announcements. It was recommended that Cone Castle be contacted with the suggestion that their sign be modified to read "closed for the winter season" versus "Closed ", which has given some people the impression they are no longer in business. October 24, 2012 EDA Meeting Page 3 Adjournment. Motion by Skahen, Seconded by Danielson to adjourn the EDA meeting at 6:05 pm. Motion carried 5 -0. Cynthia Smith- tS rack EDA Director October 24, 2012 EDA Meeting Page 4