Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 [10] Oct 23CITY OF ST. JOSEPH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Meeting Minutes - Wednesday October 23, 2013 Present: Board Members Doug Danielson, Steve Frank, Larry Hosch (5:15), and Gary Osberg. Absent: Dale Wick. Also present: Mayor Rick Schultz, City Administrator Judy Weyrens, and EDA Director Cynthia Smith - Strack. Call to Order. Vice Chairperson Danielson called the October 23, 2013 meeting of the St. Joseph EDA to order at 5:00 p.m. Agenda. Vice Chairperson Danielson introduced the agenda. Motion by Osberg, second by Frank to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 4 -0. Public Comment. Frank referenced an email a resident. Frank noted a desire to be transparent and open in conducting EDA business. Osberg suggested staff ask business contacts about whether or not they wish to be confidential as a matter of course when initially discussing projects. In addition, the process for requesting information was mentioned, including the data practices officer and process form. Approval of Minutes. Vice Chairperson Danielson introduced the minutes from the September 25, 2013 regular EDA meeting. Motion by Osberg, Second Hosch to approve the September 25, 2013 minutes as presented. Motion carried 3 -1 with Frank abstaining citing delay in receipt of EDA packet. Accounts Payable and Monthly Report. Vice Chairperson Danielson introduced the agenda items. Strack reviewed accounts payable for September 2013. Included in the amount were $2,622.62 (MDG contract and mileage) and the check register. Strack noted pass- through income in Fund 150 for the Small Cities Development Program grant and existing balances in the 'marketing' line item of Fund 150 and the 'business development' line item in the capital projects budget. Motion by Frank, Seconded by Osberg to approve the accounts payable and financial reports as presented. Motion carried 4 -0. Hotel Study RFP. Danielson introduced the agenda item. Strack noted that two proposals were received in response to a request for proposals (RFP) sent to selected hospitality research firms. Copies of both were included in the packet. Strack noted the RFP's did not guarantee the acceptance of any proposal, as requested by the EDA. Osberg stated he would support moving ahead with selecting a firm to complete the feasibility study. In addition he offered to approach other entities regarding funding participation but opined representatives from the City would perhaps be better suited to solicit participation. Hosch opined authoring a feasibility study at this juncture was premature and that demonstrated participation by project stakeholders including property owners should be evident first. He further stated additional entities should be approached to fund the study. October 23, 2013 EDA Meeting Page 1 Schultz commented his initial thought to move a hotel project forward was to contact hotel groups. He noted Council Member Symanietz spoke with a hotel representative at a conference inJune and that led to the discussion of a hotel feasibility study. He noted he didn't have a specific site in mind. Strack clarified the request for proposals did include a specific site at 1 -94 as a means of localizing the study. She requested input from Hosch regarding what level of stakeholder participation he was seeking. She noted a meeting with land owners and City representatives was scheduled for November I3 h. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the timing of utilities, the need to annex/plat, and the potential to defer assessments. Osberg questioned what EDA's purpose was if not to encourage development. Hosch stated he was looking for demonstrated buy -in from the land developers Danielson noted he could appreciate both viewpoints. Strack inquired of Hosch whether or not the meeting applying for annexation and platting of the property by the developers as a product of the meeting on November I3 hwould constitute participation. Hosch agreed. Frank opined the feasibility study would be a waste of time. Frank referenced materials included in the packet for a previous meeting stating hospitality industry was enduring difficult times during the down economy. Frank stated that if St. Joseph was a good location for a hotel, the franchisee would be conducting the feasibility study, not the EDA. He stated the feasibility study was akin to socialism for the rich and a misuse of tax payer dollars. Motion Osberg to postpone action of the feasibility study until the next regular EDA meeting. Second Hosch. Motion carried 3 -0. Frank did not render a vote. Real Estate Round Table Event. Danielson introduced the agenda item. Strack noted 15 people had RSVP'd for the event to be held October 301h at 8 a.m. at the Fire Hall. The purpose of the meeting was to learn what motivates people to move to St. Joseph and what their interests were in moving to and /or leaving town. The information gained will presumably be beneficial to retail /service establishments. A number of realtors, loan officers, and contractors were to attend the meeting. Strack noted announcements for "Best Neighbor" and "Face of Business" concepts were included in the City newsletter. Finally she noted the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation's "Innovation Corps" is looking forward to meeting with GSCDC representative Dale Wick regarding a "Bring Your Business Ideas "event. Billboard Proposition. Danielson introduced the agenda item. Strack reported on her outreach to Lamar and Franklin Outdoor Advertising. Neither company had any billboard space adjacent to west bound 1 -94 between Clearwater and Highway 23. Both companies had billboards available in St. Cloud next to CSAH 75. Franklin reported lease rates between $395 - $1,095 per month depending on sign type and length of lease. Lamar reported lease rates between $550 - $2,000 per month. In addition a set -up fee of $150 - $1,400 was applicable. Strack also noted she had met with Jim Degiovanni from the Farmer's Market who expresses some interest in billboard advertising. October 23, 2013 EDA Meeting Page 2 Hosch noted the concept of a billboard being leased by multiple local merchants would lead to increased set up fees. Osberg suggested charging a local real estate language for use of a current sign owned by the City. Frank asked Board Members what they thought of the City building its own sign. Weyrens noted the City has investigated operating a community sign with advertising revenue possible. Estimates for such a sign range from $50,000 to $100,000. Placement of a sign near CSAH 2 could be possible. Danielson requested direction from the Board regarding a next step. Osberg stated he didn't see a billboard being a project with which the EDA should be involved. Hosch noted hewas biased against billboards. Frank stated he didn't like visual pollution and preferred the City Council focus on a municipal sign. Danielson agreed billboards could be a problematic issue. Consensus of EDA to drop the idea of shared billboard rental in an area outside of the corporate limits. Business Development Report. The report was acknowledged. A brief discussion on the Farmer's Market being located in Downtown occurred. Board Member Announcements. None. Adjournment. Motion by Hosch, Seconded by Frank to adjourn the EDA meeting at 6:00 pm. Motion ca 'tied 4 -0. Cynthia Smith - Strack October 23, 2013 EDA Meeting Page 3 THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK