HomeMy WebLinkAbout[04a] January Minutes
January 18, 2017
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the St. Joseph Economic Development Authority met on
Wednesday January 18, 2017 at 5:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall.
Members Present: Chair Dale Wick. Board Members Doug Danielson (arrived at 5:07 PM), Larry Hosch,
Gary Osberg, Rick Schultz, EDA Director/Administrator Judy Weyrens
City Representatives Present: Community Development Director Therese Haffner
Others Present: None
Chair Dale Wick called the St. Joseph Economic Development Authority meeting to order at 5:04 PM
Public Comments: No one present wished to speak.
Agenda Approval: Osberg made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Schultz and passed
unanimously by those present.
Consent Agenda: Schultz made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows; seconded by
Wick and passed unanimously by those present.
a. Minutes - Approved the minutes of December 14, 2016.
b. Financial Report - Accepted the December 2016 Financial Report as presented.
Election of Officers: Osberg made a motion to re-elect the current EDA officers for the calendar
year 2017. The motion was seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously by those present.
Officers for 2017 are: Chair - Dale Wick; Vice Chair Doug Danielson; Secretary/Treasurer Larry Hosch.
EDA Director Reports
Marketing/Lodging Tax: Weyrens reported that since collection began on June 1, 2016, the City, as of
December 31, had an unaudited balance of $7,676.50. Weyrens discussed participation in the St. Cloud
Visitor Bureau (CVB) and the presentation by Executive Director Julie Lunning. The lodging tax can only
be used for marketing. Weyrens shared that she had discussed the proposed mapping project with the
area city administrators and will continue to pursue the project as a cooperative effort. Weyrens
questioned the Board if they were interested in pursuing membership with the CVB. Schultz questioned if
we would suggest CVB partner with Kohlab in the mapping project, maximizing the funds received by the
City. Weyrens stated we could reach out to see if they were interested. However, if EDA recommends
partnership with the CVB, the City would not have control over how funds are expended. Sartell for
example, has an advisory board that makes recommendations to the CVB, but they are not obligated to
accept their recommendation.
Osberg stated he was not ready to make a decision on joining the CVB and questioned if we have a
marketing packet. Weyrens shared that material is customized based on the inquiry the City receives.
Haffner shared that the business leads that come in from the Department of Employment and Economic
Development (DEED) and Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation (GSDC) are specific to what the
user is looking for, such as square footage, overhead doors, and so forth. Material is sent out
electronically as requested. Hosch agreed that the material is sent out electronically and that businesses
have specific criteria as Haffner shared. Osberg questioned about using lodging tax funds to create
packets for those interested in locating in St. Joseph. There was further discussion on electronic versus
paper. Consensus was to bring back the discussion on marketing and the lodging tax at a future meeting.
Goals and Financial Incentives: Weyrens provided background on the EDA Capital Improvement Plan,
including the programs: Let’s Go Downtown, Business Development/TIF, Business Demolition, Business
Façade Grant and Revolving Loan Fund. Staff recently met with DEED Representative David Heyer to
discuss state financing opportunities, including assistance for infrastructure costs for the Parkway
Business Center. Staff is waiting to hear back from Mr. Heyer on whether a business was needed from
January 18, 2017
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the start of the project in order to be eligible to apply for Business Development Public Infrastructure
(BDPI) funding. Weyrens reported that engineering is doing a feasibility study on extending infrastructure
to the Parkway Business Center and further east to the industrial park in the orderly annexation area.
There was discussion on the orderly annexation area and agreement. Weyrens questioned for input on
goals. Goals discussed were attracting a hotel and extending infrastructure to the Parkway Business Park
and further east into the future growth area. Wick suggested leaving the funds as is within the various
programs for now. Osberg suggested moving funds into the Parkway Business Park. Weyrens shared an
email from resident Amanda Lopau regarding purchasing her property for downtown parking. The lot
would provide 16 parking spaces at the most as verified by the city engineer. Consensus was to not
pursue purchasing lot for parking.
Adjourn: Danielson made a motion to adjourn at 6:02 PM; seconded by Schultz and passed
unanimously.
Therese Haffner
Community Development Director