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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 [12] Dec 18 CITY OF ST.JOSEPH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Meeting Minutes—Wednesday December 18, 2013 Present: Board Members Steve Frank, Gary Osberg, and Dale Wick. Absent: Danielson, Hosch. Also present: Mayor Rick Schultz, Derek Villnow Russell Eyecare and Associates, City Administrator Judy Weyrens and EDA Director Cynthia Smith-Strack. Call to Order. Chairperson Wick called the December 18, 2013 meeting of the St. Joseph EDA to order at 5:05 p.m. Agenda. Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda. Motion by Frank, second by Osberg to approve the agenda with request by Frank to add three items as follows: Item 6(g) Sidewalk Maintenance, Item 6(h) Review of Rules/Regulations, and Item 6(i) EDA's Review of Sign Regulations. Motion carried 3-0. Public Comment. None. Approval of Minutes. Chairperson Wick introduced the minutes from the November 27, 2013 regular EDA meeting. Motion by Osberg, Second Wick to approve the November 27, 2013 minutes as presented. Motion carried 3-0. Accounts Payable and Monthly Report. Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda items noting accounts payable and presence of financial reports. Motion by Osberg, Seconded by Wick to approve the accounts payable and financial reports as presented. Motion carried 3-0. Approval of TIF Disbursements. Wick introduced the agenda item requesting disbursement of TIF payments in the amount of$14,317.81 for TIF 2-1 Millstream Shops/Lofts and$1,767.49 for TIF 2-2 St. Joe Meat Market. Motion Frank, Second Osberg to approve TIF disbursements as read into the record. Motion carried 3-0. Approval of Tax Abatement Disbursement. Wick introduced the agenda item noting a proposed disbursement of $50,000 to Coborns Realty as provided for in a abatement agreement. This is the third of six annual payments. Over $17,000 in additional tax revenue was generated by the project in 2013. Motion Osberg, Second Wick to approve abatement disbursement of$50,000 to Coborns. Motion carried 3-0. Approval of BFA Disbursement. Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda item. Strack noted the request from Retail Therapy for reimbursement of 50% of the cost for an outdoor speaker. The total request was for $22.39. The EDA approved a BFA grant at the July 24th EDA meeting. A total reimbursement of up to $1,000 in matching December 18, 2013 EDA Meeting Page 1 funds was awarded. Prior to consideration of the current request a total disbursement of $202.79 had occurred. Motion Osberg, Second Frank to approve BFA disbursement of$22.39 to Retail Therapy. Motion carried 3-0. Hotel Study—1-94 Development. Wick introduced the agenda item. Strack stated that at the previous EDA meeting the EDA requested representatives from Walz Properties, LLC and GTI be asked to assist in funding a hotel feasibility study. Strack reported the meeting held on December 2nd was not as productive as originally desired. As a matter of fact the property owners would not commit to moving forward with sewer main extension to the property in 2014. Instead the representatives requested additional time to review costs associated with the sanitary extension. Strack noted she didn't feel it appropriate to raise cost participation in a hotel study at the meeting since the property owners would not even commit to utility extension. Osberg opined the hotel study would drive development at 1-94 and not utility extension. Strack stated she made a judgment call on the request that day.Wick noted the property owners were not prepared to commit to anything at this time. Osberg questioned of what we have asked them to commit. Wick stated sanitary sewer extension. Wick stated it was something City representatives could talk with the property owners about at future meetings. Strack noted a representative from Americlnn was scheduled to be a guest at the January 22nd EDA meeting. One topic of discussion was to be feasibility of a hotel at the 194 site. Americlnn did note an investor has contacted them regarding the site. Frank stated he may be willing to support a feasibility study but only if other entities participate. Wick restated an ability to discuss the study with property owners at future meetings. Study on-hold indefinitely by consensus. Best Neighbor Recognition. Wick introduced the agenda item. Strack stated that at the September EDA meeting the Board discussed several potential market outreach activities. The Board by consensus agreed to move forward with several activities. One of the activities was a"Best Neighbor" recognition effort. The goal of this marketing strategy is to grow community spirit and through pictures of actual residents and written nomination of good deeds we will create a very real, personal image of community &visual representation of high quality of life. The November City newsletter carried an article soliciting written descriptions of good deeds that'best neighbors' had undertaken. Three responses were received. The written descriptions are posted on the City website at this time and the names of the 'good neighbors' we've heard about will be included in the January city newsletter; as will a request for additional nominations. Strack requested discussion on how to use the nominations we've received and how to proceed with this effort. She noted the EDA had talked about publishing the good neighbor name/photo in the Newsleader as well as the Record. In addition, the EDA could possibly reward good neighbors with an official acknowledgement of some type. Frank suggested the EDA may need to consider the issue a bit further. Osberg opined the 'best neighbor' recognition was not an EDA item. Frank noted it was part of several market outreach activities which included the real estate round table. Frank noted the goal was to feature good people who lived in St. Joseph. Part of the feedback from the round table discussion was to promote positive aspects of St. Joseph and this would include friendly December 18, 2013 EDA Meeting Page 2 people and good neighbors. Frank noted those nominated could be featured on cable television, on the City website, in the Newleader/Record, and so on thereby putting a `face'to the community. Schulz noted he wasn't aware of the program and inquired as to how it was introduced. Strack stated the November "In the Know in St. Joseph" newsletter included an article regarding the effort. Wick suggested contacting the nominees and those who nominated neighbors, gathering pictures provided consent was given. The pictures should be placed on cable television and quotes for costs to publish the pictures in the Newsleader and the Record should be obtained. Motion Frank, second Osberg to table the measure to the next meeting. Motion carried 2-1 with Wick dissenting. Business Development Report. The report was acknowledged. Downtown Sidewalk Maintenance. Frank noted he was recently at Retail Therapy where he spoke with the owner regarding sidewalk maintenance. Welz-Schultzenburg had inquired about what if any chemicals could be put on the sidewalk for ice control and who was responsible for shoveling sidewalks in the Downtown. Weyrens noted property owners are responsible for caring for sidewalks through all weather conditions. She noted the City occasionally clears sidewalks in the downtown when major snow events occur. However, the property owners were still responsible for clearing their own sidewalks. Frank suggested reminding business owners and residents of their responsibility. He inquired as to who would be responsible if ice melt damaged concrete sidewalks. Weyrens noted property owners would be responsible for any damage caused by use of ice melt products. She offered to ask Terry Thene to stop in for a discussion with Schultzenburg regarding sidewalks. Osberg suggested the City put sidewalk maintenance criteria in writing for distribution city-wide. Rules and Regulations Review. Frank spoke to the EDA's role in ordinance and procedure review if it impacted the business community. Osberg stated that the EDA should be consulted if/when an economic impact is thought to exist. Wick noted a joint meeting is being scheduled for January 6th with the Planning Commission and EDA to discuss sign language changes. The Planning Commission is seeking EDA input regarding impacts to commercial establishments if/when sign ordinance is updated. Sign Ordinance Review. Wick introduced the agenda topic. Frank noted he has been researching sign ordinances from several communities. He suggested the League of Minnesota Cities be a resource for the Planning Commission to consider. The Board briefly examined handouts illustrating freestanding signs at various locations throughout the City. The handouts will be redistributed at the joint meeting January 6th. Strack to send email to EDA members as a reminder of the meeting. Board Member Announcements. December 18, 2013 EDA Meeting Page 3 Comments from Mayor Schultz ensued. Schultz inquired as to what follow up the EDA planned as a result of the real estate roundtable discussion at the close of October. He noted listings of tax forfeited properties were distributed. He further noted interest in offering incentives for new home construction remained on the part of local real estate agents. Schultz specifically mentioned fee reduction and/or development partnering. Osberg requested a break out of fees charged for new residential units in 2013 be provided for the January EDA meeting as a means of discussing potential fee reduction. Schultz inquired as to where the EDA stood on the purchase of property adjacent to Ash Street and 1st Avenue NW. He asked about a downtown footprint rendering. Strack noted the EDA hadn't discussed the Zimmer property as it was not an initiative of the EDA nor was financing by the EDA being requested. She noted the focus of downtown efforts rests solidly on redevelopment of 117 West Mn. and 121 West Mn. Wick noted progress had been made by the EDA and that progress continues to be made by the EDA in regard to moving projects forward. Adjournment. Motion by Osberg, Seconded by Frank to adjourn the EDA meeting at 6:07 pm. Motion carried 3-0. fi "�r- /(/` fr. • - Cynthia Smith-Strack December 18, 2013 EDA Meeting Page 4