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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 [07] Jul 23 CITY OF ST.JOSEPH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Meeting Minutes—Wednesday July 23, 2014 Present: Board Members Doug Danielson, Steve Frank, Larry Hosch, Gary Osberg, and Dale Wick. Absent: None. Also present: St. Joseph City Administrator Judy Weyrens and EDA Director Cynthia Smith-Strack. Call to Order. Chairperson Wick called the July 23, 2014 meeting of the St. Joseph EDA to order at 5:00 p.m. Agenda. Wick introduced the agenda. Frank motioned approval and requested an item be added regarding reflection from the previous meeting. Wick suggested adding the item as 4.5 on the agenda. Motion seconded by Osberg. Motion carried 4-0. Public Comment. None. Approval of Minutes. Chairperson Wick introduced the minutes from the June 25, 2014 EDA meeting. Motion by Danielson, Second Osberg to approve the June 25, 2014 meeting minutes. Motion carried 5:0 Reflection from Previous Meeting. Frank stated he wanted to follow up with the Board regarding information presented at the June meeting in relation to a hotel study and preliminary TIF application review of the Bayou Blues project. Frank inquired as to what Americlnn corporate representatives thought of the hotel study and what next steps would be appropriate. Strack noted she had contacted the Vice President of Franchise Development& Operations, Nasir Raja with regard to his reaction to the public report. Raja indicated overall, LHR has done a good job of explaining the case for building a hotel in St Joseph but he did have some concerns regarding their representation of Cobblestone versus that of Americlnn. He noted several pieces of information reported by LHR about Americlnn were not completely accurate. Other than that Raja noted the demand analysis was well thought out, the information seemed to align with Americlnn and the performance indicators were very encouraging. Frank inquired as to what the EDA could do to advance a hotel construction project. Strack noted the problem was land owners were not willing to move forward with the sale of property and/or improvements at this time unless three end-users are committed. She opined that would not seemingly happen any time in the near future as shovel ready lots were widely recognized as necessary for most national, franchise, or chain-type retailers/service providers. Frank noted the City Council accepted the preliminary TIF application for Bayou Blues/Alley Flats with an understanding the project contained several moving parts at this point in time. Frank noted the concept needed to be finalized and plans drafted. Strack stated Administrator Weyrens had drafted a zoning review schedule for the project which included a submittal deadline of July 28th for the September July 23, 2014 EDA Meeting Page 1 Planning Commission meeting. By July 28th the Developer would need to have PUD Plat/Plan completed and determine the need for rezoning and easement vacation prior to the deadline. Accounts Payable and Monthly Report. Chair Wick introduced the agenda items noting accounts payable and presence of financial reports. Motion Danielson, second Wick to approve accounts payable as presented. Motion carried 5:0. Wick inquired as to status of Small Cities Development Program grant project. Strack to bring an update to the next EDA meeting. TIF Disbursement: Millstream Shops/Lofts and St. Joe Meat Market Wick introduced the agenda item. Strack noted the City has received the initial settlement for 2014 property taxes. The initial settlement includes revenue for TIF 2-1 Millstream Shops/Lofts and TIF 2-2 St. Joe Meat Market. Action to approve disbursements for TIF 2-1 in the amount of$19,912.75 and TIF 2-2 in the amount of$1,911.07 was requested. Motion Frank, second Wick to approve TIF disbursements in the amount of$19,912.75 for TIF 2-1 and $1,911.07 for TIF 2-2. Motion carried 5:0. 2015 Budget and Capital Projects Wick introduced the agenda noting the 2015 budget process had been convened. Strack referenced materials in the information packet and stated the Finance Director had indicated budget should be hold- the-line. Strack presented a budget that reflected the hold-the-line approach and a capital projects list that included a $10,000 reduction from 2014 budgeted amount. Osberg voiced opposition to a reduction in the capital projects request stating if truly hold-the-line then a reduction should not be entertained. Hosch agreed. Wick suggested adding $7,000 back into the 'Let's Go Downtown' line item and adding $3,000 for BFA grant activities. This brings the total of capital projects to$35,000, the same as in 2014. The Board concurred and noted they would re-visit the item at the August meeting at which time initial feedback from the City Council was anticipated to be available. Intern Program Wick introduced the agenda item. Strack stated the EDA included a paid intern position in the 2014 annual budget. Subsequently a position description was developed and distributed to SCSU, U of M — Mpls, CSB, and Mankato State University. The EDA has not received a single response to the intern posting at this point in time. The career development centers at each of the four institutions are recommending posting the internship on their internal, password accessed sites. Most often, but not always posting is free of charge. In addition the institutions recommend recruiting on site during job fairs. Strack requested input regarding future activities relating to securing an intern. Osberg and Frank requested a copy of the intern position posting be emailed to them for potential distribution. The Board suggested the position posting be redistributed to the four institutions and that the EDA Director not attend job fairs on campus, unless it was convenient and timely. Business Development Report. Wick referenced the business development update noting: Cedar Street Salon/Spa was undergoing a $20,000 update. July 23, 2014 EDA Meeting Page 2 Rezoning of property south of CSAH 2 was approved June 24th Real estate round table will be scheduled for a Wednesday morning in September. Hotel study reviewed favorably by Americlnn. Bayou Blues/Alley Flats project materials were being developed in advance of consideration by the Planning Commission. Little Saints Academy was notified by ISD742 of the Districts intent to terminate the lease. Active discussion with the local business owners is ongoing. Board Member Announcements. Danielson expressed gratitude to the City leaders and staff for support of the annual 4th of July festival. Danielson noted the event continues to grow in popularity each year. Adjournment. Motion by Frank, Seconded by Osberg to adjourn the EDA meeting at 5:55 p.m. Motion carried 5-0. Cyn�hia Smith-Strack EDA Director July 23, 2014 EDA Meeting Page 3