Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 [08] Aug 27 CITY OF ST. JOSEPH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Meeting Minutes—Wednesday August 27, 2014 Present: Board Members Doug Danielson, Steve Frank, Larry Hosch, Gary Osberg, and Dale Wick. Absent: None. Also present: Joel Vogel of Rengel Printing, Pat Benson Manager Minnesota Street Market, St. Joseph City Administrator Judy Weyrens and EDA Director Cynthia Smith-Strack. Call to Order. Chairperson Wick called the August 27, 2014 meeting of the St. Joseph EDA to order at 5:00 p.m. Agenda. Wick introduced the agenda. Motion Frank to approve the agenda as presented with allowance to move guests up on the agenda. Motion seconded by Wick. Motion carried 4-0. Public Comment. None. Approval of Minutes. Chairperson Wick introduced the minutes from the July 23, 2014 EDA meeting. Motion by Wick, Second Frank to approve the July 23, 2014 meeting minutes as presented. Motion carried 4:0 , Print Marketing Materials. Wick introduced the agenda item. Strack noted that while discussing the annual budget at the July meeting, the EDA expressed an interest in updating a printed map produced several years ago which she refers to it as the "Where's Waldo". Joel Vogel from Rengel Printing and she had subsequently met about updating the map. Vogel recommends creating tear-off map pads that could be placed around town at various businesses and used to direct consumers to points of interest. She noted the 2014 budget contains a marketing line item with a balance of$3,000. Strack introduced Vogel and requested input. Vogel reviewed several marketing samples which he brought to the meeting. He noted estimates for printing costs to create new artwork and print 250 pads each containing 50 maps sized 14" X 20" was $2,370; for 500 pads with 50 maps each the cost was$3,677.15. The EDA reviewed the sample pieces Vogel had brought to the meeting. The Board discussed in broad terms what to include in an updated 'map' and advertising sale to local businesses. The EDA reached consensus that attractions should be identified in general terms by type but individual commercial advertising was not appropriate. The purpose of the map is first to provide direction to visitors and others interested in the City, the map is not intended to advertise specific businesses. The Board also considered what the reverse side of the map could include. Consensus is to reach out to the College of St. Benedict to discuss partnering with the map by having a printed map of the College on the reverse side. Motion Frank, Second Osberg to move forward with updating the marketing piece and direct Strack to reach out to CSB regarding map or illustration on the reverse side. Motion carried 4:0. August 27, 2014 EDA Meeting Page 1 Alley/Parking North of Minnesota Street. Wick introduced the agenda item. Strack noted she had an opportunity to meet with Pat Benson, the Manager of Minnesota Street Market. Benson expressed significant concern regarding the condition of the east/west alley north of Minnesota Street between College Avenue and 1st Ave NW. The availability of parking, directional signage, and condition of parking areas were also of concern. Earlier in the year downtown property owner Jeff Engholm echoed Benson's concern regarding the condition of the alley as well and suggested another property owner shared his concerns. In addition City Administrator Weyrens has suggested the EDA could consider participating in an alley improvement project and/or parking lot project through proceeds from the"Let's Go Downtown" effort. As indicated during our capital project discussion at the July meeting we have a balance exceeding $25,000 in our"Let's Go Downtown" at this time. We have requested inclusion of an additional $18,000 in the 2015 budget for the same line item. This would bring us to a total of over $43,000 available for projects in the Downtown. Strack noted she had invited Benson to the EDA meeting. IN addition to discussing concerns regarding parking and alley issues Strack asked Benson to talk a bit about use of the Co-Op building continuing to grow/diversify (e.g. Naan bakery being added, possibility of commercial canning, produce washing shared space, flour grinding stations as well). Benson spoke of issues regarding parking, alley access, and safety in the rear lot of the Co-Op building. She also spoke of plans for cooperative and the building. She noted Minnesota Street Market has recently become a profitable venture. The EDA Board discussed various design elements and approaches to work in public alleys. The Board ultimately directed Strack and Weyrens to meet with property/business owners in the 100 Block of West Minnesota. Accounts Payable and Monthly Report. Chair,Wick introduced the agenda items noting accounts payable and presence of financial reports. Frank inquired as to whether any anomalies existed in the report. Strack noted an update regarding the Small Cities Development Program grant was included. At this time roughly half of the $600,000 grant remains available. Additional advertising will be conducted throughout the fall. In the event additional interest is not secured, the grant administrator may request expansion of the project area. Motion Osberg, second Frank to approve accounts payable as presented. Motion carried 4:0. 2015 Budget and Capital Projects Wick introduced the agenda item. Strack referenced changes incorporated into the draft budget and capital projects planned as recommended by the EDA at the July meeting. Specifically, requests for $18,500 for Let's Go Downtown, $12,000 for Business Development/TIF, and $3,000 for BFA program. Osberg inquired as to whether or not the capital projects outlay request was consistent with the 2014 budget. Strack concurred, it represented a hold-the-line approach. Wick reviewed the budgeting process undertaken by the City Council including preliminary approval by mid-September, final adjustment(could only decrease) and final approval by mid-December. The EDA accepted the revised budget/capital project request for 2015. No changes were requested since the previous conditional motion to approve submittal at the July meeting. Business Development Report. Wick referenced the business development update noting: August 27, 2014 EDA Meeting Page 2 Invitations have been emailed to those interested in attending a real estate round table on September 17th at 8:30 a.m. The focus of the meeting will be changes in the housing market over the previous year and forecasts for the year to come. The individual who co-funded our hotel study has decided not to proceed. Americlnn representatives are very satisfied with the information contained in the study as relates to viability of a project adjacent to 1-94. However, they are concerned about the volume people who hold interest in the property south of CSAH 2 and their lack of interest in improving the property at this time. City and consulting staff met with Bayou Blues/Alley Flats stakeholders on Aug. 20th regarding materials needed for a complete submittal. Follow up with two regional businesses (i.e. not in St. Joseph at this time)who walked through an industrial facility that is for sale occurred Aug. 20th. Marketing materials prepared for insertion into regional 'take-away' delivered to site selector hosted by GSCDC. Site selector Michael Pangborn with Ernst&Young LLP visited St. Joseph on August 12th. Informal discussion was organized/held at Bello Cucina with: Joyce Brenny (Co-Founder Brenny Transport—also former Chair and current member of the Minnesota Trucker's Association Board of Directors), Greg Reinhart(President, Sentry Bank), Sean Skahen (CEO Sunset Manufacturing), Susan Palmer(CSB Vice President of Finance and Administration; Member of the President's Cabinet), Cory Ehlert(Edina Realty), Bob Swanberg (Stearns County HRA), Mayor Schultz, Bill Kemp (Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation), and I participating. Mr. Pangborn noted he appreciated meeting with community members. Announcements. None. Adjournment. Motion by Frank, Seconded by Wick to adjourn the EDA meeting at 6:15 p.m. Motion carried 4-0. Cynthia Smith-Stract EDA Director August 27, 2014 EDA Meeting Page 3