HomeMy WebLinkAbout[04a] Minutes, December 17thDecember 17, 2019
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the St. Joseph Economic Development Authority met on
Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at 6:00 PM in the St. Joseph Government Center.
Members Present: Chair Rick Schultz, Board Members Doug Danielson, Troy Goracke, Larry Hosch,
Administrator/EDA Director Kris Ambuehl
Members Absent: Dale Wick
City Representatives Present: Community Development Director Therese Haffner
Public Comments: No one present wished to speak.
Agenda Approval: Hosch made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Danielson and
passed unanimously.
Consent Agenda: Schultz made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows; seconded by
Danielson and passed unanimously.
a. Approved the minutes of November 19, 2019.
b. Accepted the November 2019 Financial Report as presented.
St. Joseph Convention and Visitor Bureau (CVB): Bruno provided an overview of the 2019 CVB budget
and their marketing efforts, such as establishing a logo, social media presence, including having a
Facebook page, and videos. A meet the CVB event was held where representatives from the College of
St. Benedict (CSB) attended and shared they were using their videos for recruitment. Further marketing
efforts include an ad in the newcomer packet, and advertising in the 2020 St. Cloud Area Visitor Guide,
and the sale of t-shirts, and hats. Bruno shared that she had applied to Minnesota Monthly for the Best
MN Town of 2019. Ambuehl applied to host the 2020 Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities in
Minnesota conference.
Ambuehl presented the proposed 2020 CVB budget and information on a new website by Naturally Wired
SiteWorks proposed by the CVB. Ambuehl asked how the budget should be managed moving forward.
There was discussion on the website proposal and quote provided. Consensus was to get multiple
proposals with estimates for a new CVB website. Hosch recommended approving budget items but
suggested the ability for Ambuehl to authorize a certain dollar amount above. Discussion and consensus
was to add an operating line item of $3,500 and evaluate the budget in June.
Schultz made a motion to approve the 2020 CVB Budget with the addition of an operating line item
not to exceed $3,500; seconded by Goracke and passed unanimously.
Development Updates: Haffner reported the Dollar General Store and Strack Construction Facility were
complete. Krewe Restaurant and Flour to Flower Bakery were now planned to be open in the spring. Staff
met with Sand Companies on their affordable housing apartment building project proposed southeast of
the Army Reserve Facility. Haffner shared that she contacted a representative from Cobblestone and
GrandStay Hotels as directed by the EDA at the meeting in November. The representative from
GrandStay responded and will schedule a time to meet in January.
2020 Business Retention and Expansion (BR &E) Visits: Haffner presented the proposed BR & E
schedule and asked for input. Consensus was to approve as presented with the addition of Gohman
Construction, Collegeville Properties, and Country Manor.
Meeting Times for 2020: Ambuehl asked what time EDA meetings should be held. Consensus was to
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hold meetings on the 3 Tuesday of the month at 12 PM.
Adjourn: Schultz made a motion to adjourn at 7:05 PM; seconded by Goracke and passed
unanimously.
Therese Haffner
Community Development Director