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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998 [09] Sep 14 - Unofficial Minutes · Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Economic Development Authority for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on Monday, September 14, 1998 at 8:00 am. in the St. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Chair Kenneth 1. Hiemenz. Board Members Ken Twit, Bruce Gohman, Ross Rieke, Mike Deutz. EDA Director Chad Carlson. Recording Secretary Judy Weyrens. Others Present: Approval of Minutes: Gohman made a motion to approve the minutes of August 10, 1998 as presented; seconded by Rieke and passed unanimously by those present. Old Business Sunset Manufacturing: Carlson stated that the expansion for Sunset Manufacturing has begun. The EDA has provided technical assistance for the expansion with financial assistance from the Steams County Revolving Loan Fund. The application for funds is the first for the St. Joseph area and it is anticipated to be approved by the Board of Commissioners the week of September 14, 1998. Governor's Conference: Carlson stated that he attended the Governor's Conference September 10 - 11 and it was extremely informative. New Business · Manufacturer's Week: Manufacturer's Week is scheduled for October 12 through October 17, 1998. Carlson stated he is working in cooperation with the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce and hopes to have two or three businesses participate in the event. Gohman questioned if preparations were time burdensome to the businesses and if there was enough participation to make it cost effective. Carlson stated that the participating businesses did not expend much time or money. While the tours last year did not have great participation, Carlson hopes that through advertising more interest can be created. St. Joseph Chamber - Map Request: Carlson reported that he received a request from the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce to contribute to the local maps being produced. All participating businesses will be advertised on the map. Weyrens stated that the City distributed approximately 2,000 of the last 6,000 maps that were printed, without making any contribution. Twit questioned if the map would be a useful marketing tool for the Economic Development Authority. Carlson discussed the cost of producing a marketing brochure versus contributing to the Chamber project. The Chamber is requesting funds in the amount of$500.00, which can be split over a two year budget period. Rieke made a motion to contribute $ 500.00 to the St. Joseph Chamber as it is a cost effective way to produce a marketing brochure for St. Joseph. The motion also clarifies that the EDA will be supplied with maps to distribute as well as being listed on the business directory. The motion was seconded by Gohman and passed unanimously by those present. Joseph Street Feasibility & Cost Estimates: Carlson presented a cost estimate as prepared by the City Engineer for the improvements of Joseph Street to include water, sewer, storm sewer, pond and street. Based on the figures presented probable assessments would be $ 24,768 per lot with the City absorbing $ 60,000 in oversizing. · Board Members discussed the cost of the improvement and if it would be manageable for the property owners, While the City has received requests to repair Joseph Street, the property owners may be of a different opinion if the assessment is cost prohibitive. September 14, 1998 , Unofficial Minutes · In Twit's opinion residents are more willing to accept probable assessments if they are involved from the beginning of the project, It is his recommendation to request the Council conduct an information meeting with all affected property owners to discuss the scope of the project, need and cost. Rieke concurred and stated that residents need to be aware of the value they are receiving before an improvement is assessed; Twit made a motion to recommend the City Council conduct an information meeting for the proposed improvement of Joseph Street. The proposed improvement will include street, storm sewer, pond, sewer and watermain, The motion was seconded by Rieke and passed unanimously by those present. Borgert Proiect: Borgert Products will begin an expansion project and have requested assistance from the EDA. The project includes a building expansion of approximately $ 800,000 and an equipment addition of3,8 million. Borgert's are requesting financing assistance through Tax Increment Financing. The following is a summary of activities and actions required: Extension of Municipal District Boundary: As the Borgert Product's parcel of property has recently been annexed to the City, it needs to be included in the Municipal District for Tax Increment purposes. The Planning Commission met on September 11, 1998 and approved the extension. TIF Application & Requested Assistance: Borgert Products is requesting the EDA provide financial assistance through TIF. The proposed increment is in the amount of $ 121,000 with an annual City contribution of$ 3,000. The TIF hearing is scheduled for September 22, 1998 and both the School District and County have waived the 30 day notification requirement. · Rieke made a motion to recommend the City Council approve the Tax Increment Financing Plan to assist Borgert Products with their expansion. The motion was seconded by Twit and passed unanimously, Advanced Resource Contract for Services: Carlson stated that Advanced Resources has been providing technical assistance with the TIF Plan and the EDA needs to enter into an agreement for their services. These fees will be recaptured with the required development deposit. Twit made a motion authorizing the EDA to enter into an agreement with Advanced Resources for services performed. The motion was seconded by Deutz and passed unanimously by those present. Buettner Plat: Leo Buettner is in the process of finalizing the preliminary plat for his property along with property secured from Robert Koenig and Borgert Products and is anticipated to be heard before the Planning Commission in November. After reviewing the plat, Gohman made a motion to recommend the Planning Commission and City Council approve the preliminary plat of Buettner with the following corrections: 1. The plat should not be titled Buettner Industrial Park 2. Industrial Boulevard is to be changed to County Road 133 3, Scott A venue is to changed to the street name as designated on the approved street numbering grid, The motion was seconded by Twit and passed unanimously by those present. · September 14, 1998 ~ Unofficial Minutes . Board Members discussed the request of Buettner to rezone a portion of the property as General Business. It was the opinion of the Board that either Industrial or General Business would be an appropriate zoning classification and the Planning Commission should determine the best zoning classification for the parcel in question. October Meeting~Carlson stated that the next meeting of the Economic Development Authority will be October 14, 1998 at 8:00 a.m. in the St. Joseph City Hall. Adiourn: Twit made a motion to adjourn at 9: 10 a.m.; seconded by Deutz and passed unanimously by those present. Judy Weyrens Recording Secretary . . September 14,1998