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HomeMy WebLinkAbout[04a] Minutes CITY OF ST.JOSEPH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Meeting Minutes—Wednesday March 26,2014 Present: Board Members Doug Danielson, Steve Frank, and Dale Wick. Absent: Larry Hosch and Gary Osberg. Also present: City Administrator Judy Weyrens, Jon Petters, Carol Theisen, Chris Wilhelmi, Jodi Brinkman, Cory Ehlert, and EDA Director Cynthia Smith-Strack. Call to Order. Chairperson Wick called the March 26, 2014 meeting of the St.Joseph EDA to order at 5:00 p.m. Agenda. Wick introduced the agenda. Motion by Frank, second by Danielson to approve as presented. Motion carried 3-0. Public Comment. Chairperson Wick introduced Jon Petters from Collegeville Companies. Petters requested an opportunity to present a series of illustrations relating to a potential project names "Bayou Blues" and "Alley Flats". The conceptual development includes 6,000 to 8,500 square feet of restaurant and retail space in"Bayou Blues"and five three story attached residential units to the east of the commercial development. Additional residential units on top of the commercial structure are a possibility. Petters noted he wanted to present the concept to the EDA as he would likely be proposing redevelopment TIF for the project if it moves forward. Frank voiced interest in the concept but also noted potential hurdles to the project included use of an existing alley, parking availability, and bar-b-que grills on residential roof-tops. Frank inquired as what type of exterior materials would be featured in the project. Petters envisioned materials that complimented those existing at Millstream Shops/Lofts. Wick thanked Petters for the information and invited him back to future meetings as necessary if the project moves forward. Approval of Minutes. Chairperson Wick introduced the minutes from the February 12, 2014 EDA meeting. Motion by Frank, Second Danielson to approve the February 12, 2014 meeting minutes. Frank requested a change on page three of the minutes. He noted it was not necessary to notate the City Administrator left the meeting as she was not a member of the EDA Board. Motion carried 3-0 with the change noted. Accounts Payable and Monthly Report. Chair Wick introduced the agenda items noting accounts payable and presence of financial reports. Motion by Frank, Seconded by Wick to approve the accounts payable and financial reports as presented. Motion carried 3-0. Funding Request—Carol Theisen. March 26,2014 EDA Meeting Page 1 Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda item and Carol Theisen. Theisen provided an overview of the request noting that in previous years the EDA had provided funding for the purchase of brackets for hanging baskets in the downtown.Theisen was requesting $1,207.97 for the purchase of brackets and a 'donation'to her organization bringing the total request to$1,500. Wick supported the purchase of brackets but not a donation to the St. Joe Action Group.Wick noted the Action Group was not a civic organization. Frank opined the donation may be lawful as the group has non-profit status. Wick noted the EDA had approved the purchase of brackets in years with funding from the downtown revitalization project. He confirmed with Theisen this year's purchase of brackets would complete the project. Theisen noted that was the case. Motion Frank, Second Danielson to approve a request for$1,207.97 for the purchase of brackets for hanging baskets in the downtown. Motion carried 3:0. BFA Grant Request: Sisters&Co. Wick introduced the agenda item. He thanked Cheryl Wilhelmi and Jodi Brinkman d.b.a. Sisters&Co.for attending the EDA meeting.Wilhelmi and Brinkman presented virtual pictures of the site and indicated where the storefront window would be located. Frank stated the proposed activity was exactly what the BFA Grant Program was designed to support. Wick noted the window replacement was to cost approximately$2,500. Wick inquired as to whether or not a signature from the property owner was necessary. Strack confirmed the property owner would need to sign the application. Wilhelmi and Brinkman stated they were aware of the stipulation and were working on securing the signature. Motion Danielson, Second Frank to approve a matching grant up to$1,000 to Sisters& Co. for the installation of a storefront window at 31 Minnesota Street West. Motion carried 3:0. Hotel Feasibility Study. Wick introduced the agenda item. Strack stated the hotel investor the EDA is partnering with to conduct a market/feasibility study has respectfully requested the EDA consider adding a second site to the study. The proposed second site is adjacent to Boulder Ridge Apartments at the intersection of CSAH 75 and 4th Avenue. LHR has indicated the scope of the study can easily be expanded to include the second area at a cost of$1,000. Split evenly with the hotel investor the EDA's cost would be$500. Strack recommended approving the second location as it could result in more competitive pricing for the end user. Motion Danielson, second Wick to approve an additional$500 for a hotel feasibility study by LHR to accommodate the addition of a second study location. Motion carried 3:0. Intern Program. Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda item. Strack noted that the EDA Board requested she develop a list of potential tasks/project(s)for an intern program. Strack alluded to four potential project areas, including: downtown revitalization, active aging in place policy development, establishment of an expanded social media presence, and promotions development. The work areas and subsequent projects were in no particular order or prioritized in any fashion. The various project areas would reasonably require students with different skill sets/majors. March 26,2014 EDA Meeting Page 2 Frank supported an internship which would assist the EDA in working with the Farmer's Market to find a permanent place for operation in the Downtown. Wick and Danielson concurred. Danielson opined a specific project was necessary to create a successful internship program. The EDA by consensus directed Strack to work with area post-secondary education institutions to secure an intern to assist with relocation of the Farmer's Market. Establishment of Economic Development District Wick introduced the agenda item. Strack noted the Council and a Facilities Task Force have been studying administrative and police department space needs. In April the City Council is expected to vote on the construction of a new government center which would replace the current facility at 25 College Avenue North. If approved the government center would be financed through a lease revenue bond issued by the EDA.This is the same financing mechanism used for the initial purchase of the current city offices and construction of the public works building on Elm Street. In order to issue lease revenue bonds an economic development district must be created. Creation of such a district requires a public hearing. The EDA is asked to call for a special meeting,a joint session with the City Council, at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 17`n Motion Danielson, second Frank to call for a public hearing on the proposed establishment of economic development district#1. Motion carried 3:0. Business Development Report. The report was acknowledged. Board Member Announcements. None. Adjournment. Motion by Frank, Seconded by Danielson to adjourn the EDA meeting at 6:00 p.m. Motion carried 3-0. March 26,2014 EDA Meeting Page 3 THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK March 26,2014 EDA Meeting Page 4