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HomeMy WebLinkAbout[04a] Minutes October 16, 2018 Page 1 of 2 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the St. Joseph Economic Development Authority met on Tuesday, October 16, 2018 at 5:00 PM in the St. Joseph Government Center. Members Present: Chair Dale Wick, Board Members Doug Danielson, Gary Osberg, Rick Schultz, EDA Director/Administrator Judy Weyrens Members Absent: Larry Hosch City Representatives Present: Community Development Director Therese Haffner 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. Agenda Approval: Schultz made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Danielson and passed unanimously by those present. Consent Agenda: Danielson 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 September 18, 2018. b. September Financial Report-Accepted the September 2018 Financial Report as presented. EDA Director Reports CVB Update: Weyrens reported that the St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) met twice. They want to attract people to come to the shop small day in St. Joseph this fall. They are proposing to advertise on billboards at two locations to market St. Joseph. Schultz commented that they need to determine what their brand is yet. The shop small day is the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Weyrens shared that the EDA funds the CVB so any funding expenditures come before the EDA for approval. Wick questioned who would design the billboards. Weyrens said it would be CVB member Mary Bruno. The CVB also discussed having the annual tree lighting event tied to the shop local event and having a lighted parade. Osberg questioned if there was a St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce member on the CVB. Weyrens responded yes, it is Leslie Lane. Osberg made a motion to approve up to$1,800.00 for billboard expenditures,seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously by those present. Osberg suggested advertising on 1-94.Weyrens reported that Ann and Shawn Riesner with the La Playette Bar would like to be a CVB member. Danielson made a motion to approve the appointment of Ann and Shawn Riesner to the CVB Advisory Board,seconded by Wick and passed unanimously by those present. Industrial Parks: Weyrens reported that Rice Companies plans to submit an application for Tax Increment Financing (TIF)for the St. Joseph Distribution Center(DC) project proposed west of CR 2 near 1-94. A joint meeting between the EDA and City Council is scheduled on October 29 at 5 PM. Recently, a meeting with DC representatives, MN DEED, Stearns Electric, Great River Energy, Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation, the city's TIF consultant, and city staff was held to discuss the TIF application process, along with various financial assistance programs. The proposed project is planned for three phases with warehousing and a commissary totaling 749,000 square feet. The Job Creation Fund provides assistance for job creation provided they have business options outside of Minnesota and the Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF) is a loan program where MN DEED awards funds to the City who in turn loans to eligible businesses. The City may be able to keep the loan payments for their revolving loan fund or forgive a part of the loan. Great River Energy provides loans and grants to the Rural Electric Cooperative, meaning Stearns Electric who in turn loan or grant to a City. The program is the USDA Rural Economic Development loan and grant program to promote rural economic development and job creation projects. A loan of up to one million at zero percent interest for 10 years may be provided to the City. October 16, 2018 Page 2 of 2 Osberg questioned the impact to neighboring residents. Weyrens responded it would bring more traffic to the area. There was further discussion on the transportation system, including access. There was discussion on the jobs. Weyrens reported there would be 80-100 jobs to start with and up to 200 at full build out. Wick questioned other businesses that could be attracted. Weyrens said the EAW was underway. Haffner reported the public comment period on the EAW was open until October 31. Weyrens reported that the City Council approved proceeding with the eminent domain process for access for the industrial park near CR 133. Weyrens commented that they have attempted to meet with the property owner to negotiate but have been unsuccessful. Danielson questioned the process. Weyrens shared that the City would hire an appraiser to complete an appraisal and present to the property owner. The property owner may hire their own appraiser. Weyrens said they would continue to try to schedule a meeting with the property owner. Development Updates: • Haffner reported that the City had received an application for a preliminary and final plat, along with site plan approval for the former Delwin site for two apartment buildings. Wick questioned the access. Haffner responded that the plat proposes two lots and an outlot for storm ponding. Each apartment would be on its own lot and the buildings would be fully sprinkled meeting the MN State Fire Code. Osberg questioned a sidewalk. Haffner shared that futuristically when 20th Avenue SE is redone to an urban style street, a sidewalk or trail would be added. The applicant is proposing to grant the city a trail easement along the northerly boundary of the property to connect to an existing trail on the west and to 20th Avenue SE. Schultz questioned if there was the ability to apply for a workforce housing grant for more housing opportunities. • Weyrens shared the email from Charlie Kyte, the hotel developer, who would not be pursuing a hotel at this time based on the hotel market study. • Weyrens shared that Bad Habit's renovation was underway with a planned opening in spring 2019. Adjourn: Schultz made a motion to adjourn at 5:38 PM; seconded by Danielson and passed unanimously. Therese Haffner Community Development Director