HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018 [01] Jan 16 January 16, 2018
Page 1 of 2
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the St. Joseph Economic Development Authority met on
Tuesday, January 16, 2418 at 5:00 PM in the St. Joseph Government Center.
Members Present: Chair Dale Wick. Board Members Doug Danielson, Larry Hosch, Gary Osberg, EDA
Director/Administrator Judy Weyrens
Members Absent: Rick Schultz
Citv Representatives Present: Community Development Director Therese Haffner
Others Present: Jenn Russell, Central MN Jobs &Training Services
Chair Dale Wick called the St.Joseph Economic Development Authority meeting to order at 5:00 PM
Public Comments: No one present wished to speak.
Aaenda Approval: Danielson made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Wick and passed
unanimously by those present.
Consent Agenda: Wick made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows; seconded by
Osberg and passed unanimously by those present.
a. Minutes-Approved the minutes of November 22, 2017.
b. Financial Report-Accepted the NovemberlDecember 2017 Financial Report as
presented.
Election of Officers: Osberg made a motion to re-elect the current EDA officers for calendar year
2018. The motion was seconded by Hosch and passed unanimously by those present.
Officers for 2018 are: Chair-Dale W ick; Vice Chair poug Danielson; Secretary/Treasurer Larry Hosch.
Recaion 7W CEDS update: Jenn Russell, Economic Development Coordinator with the Central MN Jobs
and Training Services(CMJTS)introduced herself. Russell provided an overview of the Comprehensive
Economic Development Strategy(CEDS)for Region 7W, which includes the counties of Benton, Stearns,
Sherburne and Wright. The CEDS was completed in the fall of 2017 and allows jurisdictions to apply to
the U.S. Economic Development Administration for federal funding for economic development projects.
CMJTS will manage the CEDS for Central MN and has applied to federal EDA to be an economic
development district. Grant awards are competitive and require a match from the jurisdiction.Weyrens
questioned what federal EDA looks for to fund. Russell indicated they look at how it impacts the city,
including job creation, and the economic benefit. Danielson questioned the type of jobs. Russell shared
there is criteria, including wages. Russell said that CMJTS is available to provide technical assistance,
including preparing a grant application on behalf of the city. Osberg questioned where funds come from.
Russell indicated that her position is funded by CMJTS and they are a non-profit and receive state
funding.The grants are federal EDA funds. Russell said it usually takes about a month to complete a
grant application. Osberg questioned what the next steps were. Russell said if the city has a potential
project to reach out to her and she would have a conference call with the city and federal EDA to discuss.
Hosch questioned where the local match could come from. Russell said it could be local EDA, state, and
private funds.
EDA Director Reports
Proposed Industrial Park: Weyrens reported that staff met with Sue Borgert on the Elm Street extension
who will share with her staff and respond back to the City in a couple of weeks. The potential developer is
looking at options for layout of the land.Weyrens recommended having a cap on city engineering
services and having a formal agreement with the developer similar to the Buettner Industrial Park
agreement.The EDA budget has$50,000 allocated for engineering. Osberg questioned if the developer
had a user. Weyrens said they have one potential user.
January 16, 2018
Page 2 of 2
Osberg made a motion approving up to$40,000 for engineering services for the Parkway
Business Park Industrial Park project.The motion was seconded by Danielson and passed
unanimously by those present.
Development Updates:Weyrens shared that she, Haffner, and Hosch met with a hotel developer. Hosch
reported that he has a meeting with a potential hotel investor.
There was discussion on acquiring the JR Auto property for redevelopment.
Osberg questioned interest in former city hall building. Weyrens said that she spoke with an interested
party last week.
Hospitalitv Tax Update—Creation of CVB:Wick said the CVB Board discussion would be brought back at
the February meeting.Weyrens questioned if the agreed upon seven member CVB board would include
the EDA member. Consensus was it would. Osberg volunteered to serve as the EDA representative.
Weyrens suggested Aaron Rieland and Jeff Engholm representing downtown. Hosch suggested Heidi
Pieper Olson representing the College of St. Benedict.
Baard Member Announcements:
• Weyrens reported that CSB athletic facility is close to being complete.The financial policy will be
discussed at the next meeting, along with the marketing agreement for the proposed industrial
park.
Adiourn: Hosch made a motion to adjourn at 5:49 PM; seconded by Danielson and passed
unanimously.
Therese Haffner
Community Development Director