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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 [06] Jun 26CITY OF ST. JOSEPH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Meeting Minutes — Wednesday June 26, 2013 Present: Board Members Doug Danielson, Steve Frank, Larry Hosch (5:15), Gary Osberg, and Dale Wick. Absent: None. Also present resident Michael McDonald and EDA Director Cynthia Smith - Strack. Call to Order. Chairperson Wick called the June 26, 2013 meeting of the St. Joseph EDA to order at 5:00 p.m. Agenda. Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda. The following changes were requested: delete item 3, Guest: Bradley Brzezinski, West Central Regional Office DEED; add item 7(d) relating to membership in the Greater St. Cloud Economic Development Corporation; and, add item 7(e) consideration of a retreat/workshop with City Council regarding goals. Motion by Danielson, second by Frank to approve the agenda with the changes requested. Motion carried 4 -0. Public Comment. None. Approval of Minutes. Chairperson Wick introduced the minutes from the May 22, 2013 regular EDA meeting. Motion by Wick, Second Frank to approve the May 22, 2013 minutes as presented. Motion carried 2 -0 with Osberg and Danielson abstaining as they were absent from the May 2e meeting. Accounts Payable and Monthly Report. Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda items and reviewed accounts payable for June 2013. Included in the amount was $2,833.93 (MDG contract and mileage) and the check register. Wick also alluded to the financial reports included in the packet. Motion by Frank, Seconded by Danielson to approve the accounts payable and financial reports as presented. Motion carried 4 -0. 2014 Proposed Budget. Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda item noting the EDA would be initially reviewing forecasts at this meeting with final review at the July meeting. Wick also noted materials included in the packet related to fees, capital projects, and 2014 operating budgets. Wick suggested the EDA start with review of fees for applications related to economic development. Strack noted the current fee schedule includes two items applicable to the EDA. The fee to apply for tax increment financing is $2,500 plus an escrow of either $12,500 or $7,500 depending on the projected cost of the development. The fee to apply for tax abatement is $2,500 plus a $7,500 escrow. The EDA discussed both fees and felt they were adequate as currently listed and no changes were needed. Wick then requested the EDA discuss capital project items. Wick noted in previous years the EDA had requested a larger allocation than what the Council had approved. This year is anticipated to be a hold - the -line budget year across the board. June 26, 2013 EDA Meeting Page 1 Strack referenced items included in the packet and relating to capital project planning including the current approved EDA CIP, the EDA's 2013 goals, and items discussed at the May meeting at the request of Mayor Rick Schultz. Strack recommended prioritizing projects in conjunction with discussion of capital projects. The EDA addressed individual goal and project items discussed over previous months. The EDA will discuss downtown master planning as part of the next agenda item. The EDA reached consensus that extension of utilities to 1- 94 /CSAH 2 remains a top priority, pursuant to utility extension attraction of commercial /industrial uses to the corridor is also a priority. The EDA reached consensus that movement of the St. Joseph Farmer's Market to the Downtown was a priority. The EDA reached consensus that they would investigate the purchase of the former Kennedy Elementary School and /or its use as a commercial incubator facility as directed or requested by the full City Council. The EDA reached consensus that a concerted effort to increase the volume of available parking in the Downtown was not a priority. However, the EDA would like to ensure handicap parking is available. It was noted most accessible entrances are located in the rear of stores adjacent to Minnesota Street. The EDA reached consensus to recommend any examination of land uses for existing and future development or redevelopment areas should be led by the Planning Commission versus the EDA. The EDA noted the City was awarded a Small Cities Development Program grant for owner occupied residential rehabilitation. Since the grant was awarded any secondary application for single family rental conversion was not a priority as resources dedicated to DEED housing projects were pledged to the Small Cities Development Program effort. Frank suggested the EDA seek an intern to assist with programming. Wick questioned what potential intern duties would include. Frank suggested an intern could do many things including putting statistical data together and /or creating systems to contact and follow up with developers. Following discussion on priorities the EDA addressed the various line items included in the current capital projects list. It was noted project number EDA -1409 was established to apply for Small Cities Development Program grant funds and that project number EDA -1404 was used when the EDA investigated the impact of a residency requirement change at the local college /university. Both items remained listed in as capital projects but were thought to be complete for the moment. The EDA discussed existing BFA and Demolition balances and projects for which funding was pledged but not yet disbursed. The EDA reached consensus that the BFA and demolition grant programs were quite well capitalized at the present time. The EDA addressed line item EDA -1405 which is a proposed future collector street with CSAH 2 about midway between Minnesota Street and CSAH 75. A collector street of approximately a quarter mile is needed to access property owned by development investors. It is noted access to a portion of the Walz property north /west of new CSAH 2 is accessible by Leaf Road at this time. The EDA discussed items relating to downtown and business development. General consensus to focus on these areas. The EDA discussed the appropriate level of capital requests noting the $70,000 included in the current printout was not realistic. The EDA also discussed past practices of asking for a higher capital project allocation and then refining the request as directed by the City Council during preliminary budget review. June 26, 2013 EDA Meeting Page 2 The EDA directed Strack to bring suggestions for capital projects to the July EDA meeting based on the discussion. Wick directed the EDA's attention to the operating budgets for the General Fund (150), the TIF Funds (157, 158), and the Revolving Loan Fund (250). Strack noted TIF funds were pass through commitments from previous projects and to those ends were a function of actual dollars in versus budgeting. She also noted the loan fund was capitalized from loan repayments with proceeds re- loaned as requested. The EDA discussed the expense budget for general operations (Fund 150). Discussion regarding staffing and a paid internship ensued. Frank expressed continued interest in securing an intern. Frank inquired of Strack as to how she would use an increased budget allocation. Strack suggested investing in infrastructure so as to create shovel ready commercial and industrial lots verses increasing staff expenses. The EDA reached consensus to entertain additional discussion on the general expense budget for 2014 at the July meeting. Downtown Master Plan Wick introduced the agenda item and alluded to discussion during the previous agenda item requesting the EDA decide what to do with this effort. Frank provided potential options for moving forward including hiring a contractor to create a rendering of what Downtown could be based on all of the information compiled through past efforts. Another option could be to meet with the public. Hosch opined visions aren't concrete and perhaps a definite action would be more appropriate. Strack suggested meeting with property owners who had expressed an interest in selling their property in the Downtown and /or those who anticipated a change in use within the next ten years as revealed by a survey earlier in the year. The EDA reached consensus that the development of renderings or drawings of the Downtown was not a priority. Instead the EDA would like to meet with individual property owners that expressed an interest or intent in changing their property when surveyed earlier in the year. Owners of property abutting Minnesota Street and indicating a change in property status will be priority. Strack is to compile a list of names. Business Development Report. The report was acknowledged. Meeting with Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation. Osberg requested Patti Gartland from the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation be invited to the July EDA meeting to discuss membership opportunities. The EDA agreed. Board Member Announcements. Danielson noted preparations for the St. Joseph Parish's annual 4th of July event were culminating in advance of the event next week. He also noted the construction of the parish center is very near completion. Wick noted the City Council and the St. Joseph Township Board had met regarding annexation. Additional discussion was anticipated. June 26, 2013 EDA Meeting Page 3 Adjournment. Motion by Osberg, Seconded by Frank to adjourn the EDA meeting at 6:15 pm. Motion carried 4 -0. r' Cynthia Smith - Strack EDA Director June 26, 2013 EDA Meeting Page 4