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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001 [05] May 30 ~ '? · ity of St~ Joseph 25 College Avenue NW P.O. Box 668, S1. Joseph, MN 56374 (320) 363-7201 Fax: 363-0342 CLERK! ADMINISTRATOR 81. Joseph Economic Development Authority Judy Weyrens Wednesday, May 30,2001 4:00 p.m. MAYOR City Hall Conference Room Larry J. Hosch COUNCILORS 4:00 p.m. Call to Order Bob Loso Cory Ehlert Approval of Agenda Kyle Schneider Alan Rassier Approval of Minutes · May 16, 2001 New Business: · Strategic Planning Session - JeffSchlingman . Identifying how to complete work items · · Review and acceptance - First Quarter Financial Statement Adjourn · . . · Unofficial Minutes- EDA Board Pursuant to due call and notice thereof: the Economic Development Authority for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on Wednesday, May 30, 2001 at 4:00 p.m. in the St. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Board Members Larry Hosch, Mike Deutz, Bob Loso and Bruce Gohman. EDA Director Chad A. Carlson. Members Absent: Ross Rieke Others Present: JeffSchlingman, The Partnership Approval of the A2enda: Loso made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Hosch The motion passed unanimously by those present. Approval of Minutes: Loso made a motion to approve the minutes of Aprilll, 200 1 meeting, seconded by Hosch Discussion: Hosch suggested that the minutes clarify the creation of a 'fund" is a creation of a "revolving loan fund". The motion passed unanimously by those present with the correction. Strate2Íc Plannin2 Session · Schlingman facilitated the final planning session of the EDA Board. Schlingman stated the purpose of the meeting is to identify ''who'' will complete the work items for commercial and community development. Schlingman further summarized the planning sessions that have occurred to date as a review for the Board members. INDUSTRIAL Goal: Retain existing businesses and promote the means and opportunities for expansion. Work Items 1) Establish a business retention program, including commercial business. Discussion: Gohman stated that there is a benefit to meeting with the business community one-on-one on a periodic basis. Hosch questioned how often the visits would be made and Loso added that the use of postcards to initiate the contact would be effective. Schlingman stated that the Partnership has used a retention program effectively for years. The most important aspect of the program is acknowledging the business and listening to their concerns. Schlingman stated that the EDA Director and Board Members should conduct the visits on a confidential basis. The program should have a format and ask questions that target areas, which will create a data base of information. A retention program does require a significant amount of time ftom staff. Who a) EDA Director · b) EDA Board Members . . 2) Establish a local revolving loan fund and utilize other agency's funding sources · Who a) EDA Director b) Mayor c) City Administrator d) Financial advisors 3) Complete a comprehensive plan for economic development. Discussion: Carlson stated that the EOA must be involved in the process of creating a comprehensive plan for the City of St. Joseph. Future planning for economic development should be a component of the new comprehensive plan. The EOA Board Members agreed. Who a) EOA Board b) City Council c) EOA Director d) Planning Commission Commercial Developntent Goals Go~I: Assist and promote commercial development tbat wiD enhance the vitaUty and tax base of St. Joseph. Work Items: 1) Identify specific Commercial growth areas. Discussion: · Carlson again stated that this work item will be part of the comprehensive planning process. Who: a) EOA Board b) City Council c) EOA Director d) Planning Commission 2) Establish a data base of area information for commercial developers and prospects. Who: a) EDA Director 3) Establish a commercial revolving loan fund Discussion: Schlingman stated that a commercial revolving loan fund is much different then an industrial fund The criteria and amount would be determined by the size of the project and may be more open to different types of projects. Carlson stated that he has had discussions with the local bank regarding the establishment of a fund to assist the downtown businesses. Carlson would like to expand the use of the funds by having the City contribute funds to the program. Again, the EDA would not support a project unless a financial institution was behind the project first Risk is much greater. Loso stated that any criteria must be in writing and a procedure followed for each project. · Hosch agreed and requested that Carlson continue is discussions with the local bank to get a revolving loan fund capitalized. " Who a) EDA Director . b) Mayor c) City Administrator d) Financial advisors e) Banks 4) Identify the commercial needs and wants of the community. Discussion: Schlingman suggested that the EDA Board create focus groups of the commooity to determine the needs of the community. He further suggested that a question during retention visits focus on commercial needs of the business and its employees. Gohman suggested that the EDA Board needs to determine what the wants and needs of the commooity are prior to research areas for commercial development. The process of identifying areas for commercial growth should include the types of commercial activity. Learning from the businesses what their employees want is a good idea. Hosch suggested getting input by utilizing the back ofthe utility bills for an infonnal surveyor use the Newsleader to solicit a response. Who a) EDA Director b) EDA Board c) Comprehensive Planners Community Development Goals Goal: Strengthen the physical components of the City to enhance the quality of community values. . Work Items: 1) Work with the City Council and Planning Commission to promote orderly growth. Discussion: Schlingman stated that the EDA Board must be involved in the comprehensive planning process and have input on future land use of the commooity. The EDA must be aware of road blocks and protect what makes the City of St. Joseph a special place to live and work. Who: a) Planning Commission b) EDA Board c) EDA Director . d) City Council 2) Utilize the EDA statutory tools for community based projects. Discussion: Loso stated that the City Hall project is a recent example of how the EDA can assist the community. The City Council needs to be aware of the EDA's authority. Carlson stated that the EDA should provide a summary oftheir powers to the City Council. Carlson gave each new council member a copy of the "EDA Handbook for Local Official". The handbook should be revisited. Schlingman suggested contacting Mary Ipple to get additional infonnation. . Who: a) EDA Board b) City Council c) EDA Director d) Planning Commission 3) Work to enhance the communications with the business community regarding City actions and priorities. · Discussion: Schlingman suggested the creation of a community newsletter where the EDA could include an economic development update. Loso stated that the City has looked into a newsletter in the past and it has been cost prohibitive. Gohman stated that the City of Clearwater has a newsletter that they include with the water bill. The EDA should also start having a article in the Newsleader on a regular basis. Schlingman stated that the EDA could focus on community development and economic development projects, but be sensitive to confidential information. Gohman stated that once the planning session has been completed and the EDA has identified work items, an article should be completed. Hosch further added that the EDA Board should suggest a news item each time they meet since the Board only meets every other month. Who a) EDA Director b) Newsleader c) St. Cloud Times d) Planning Commission The EDA Board members thanked Mr. Schlingman for his assistance in facilitating the four planning sessions. Other Business Carlson presented the quarterly financial statement of the EDA. Deutz questioned if Carlson had any concerns regarding any specific line items. Carlson stated that the 2001 budget is very healthy and does not · anticipate any shortfalls. 1oso made a motion to apprave the first quarterly financial statement as presented; Seconded by Hosch. The motion passed unanimously by those present. Gohman requested the EDA research the EDA levy capability to entertain the idea of levying funds for a revolving loan fund or other EDA activities. Carlson stated he would provide information regarding an EDA levy to the Board members at the next meeting. Adjourn The EDA Board meeting adjourned by consensus at 5:55 p.m. Chad Carlson EDA Director ·