HomeMy WebLinkAbout[04a] Minutes, February 18February 18, 2020
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the St. Joseph Economic Development Authority met on
Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at 12:00 PM in the St. Joseph Government Center.
Members Present: Board Members Rick Schultz, Doug Danielson, Troy Goracke, Larry Hosch, Dale Wick
City Administrator Kris Ambuehl
Members Absent: None
City Representatives Present: Community Development Director Therese Haffner
Schultz called the St. Joseph Economic Development Authority meeting to order at 12:00 PM
Public Comments: No one present wished to speak.
Agenda Approval: Ambuehl added 3.1 Election of Officers 2020 a. Chair, b. Vice Chair, c.
Secretary/Treasurer. Wick made a motion to approve the agenda as amended, seconded by
Danielson and passed unanimously by those present.
Election of Officers: Danielson made a motion to nominate Rick Schultz as Chair, Dale Wick as Vice
Chair and Larry Hosch as Secretary/Treasurer for calendar year 2020. The motion was seconded
by Goracke and passed unanimously by those present.
Consent Agenda: Wick made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows; seconded by
Schultz and passed unanimously by those present.
a. Minutes - Approved the minutes of December 17, 2019.
b. November Financial Report - Accepted the November 2019 Financial Report as
presented.
MNCAR Expo: Ambuehl provided an overview on the MN Commercial Real Estate Expo held in October
and discussed the City participating by having a booth. Haffner suggested participating to actively market
St. Joseph. Danielson asked who attends the event. Haffner responded brokers, developers, and
bankers. Hosch agreed that participating would be beneficial. Registration information and cost is not yet
available but Ambuehl will bring that back at a future meeting.
Ordinance 615 Amendment Request: Ambuehl reported that the City received a request from Lily's Wing
to amend the City's mobile food vendors ordinance to allow a mobile restaurant with seating for onboard
dining up to 40 feet in length. Currently, city ordinance allows mobile food truck up to 25 feet in length.
Ambuehl said that items that should be considered would be how it impacts other restaurants that pay
taxes. Danielson asked where they would park. Hosch asked about limiting number of days. Wick was not
supportive of changing the ordinance for one user. Ambuehl discussed the option of allowing for a special
event through a permit. Hosch said there should be safeguards in place, limited times and approval
beforehand.
Wick made a motion to recommend to the City Council to not change the ordinance; seconded by
Goracke and passed unanimously by those present.
Schultz said we need more research on this.
2020 Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference: Ambuehl reported that the City was not
selected to host the 2020 Connecting Communities Conference and shared the scoring matrix. St.
Joseph scored good overall but hotel and walkability were areas that were not conveyed well.
CVB
a. CVB Update: The CVB met and discussed marketing St. Joseph businesses through the MN trail
system. Ambuehl reported that the CVB will have website pages on the city's website for now.
February 18, 2020
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Wick shared that a free website through Weebly could be set up at some point. Ambuehl reported
that Deputy City Clerk Kayla Klein is working on the city website and mobile app.
b. Explore MN Conference: Ambuehl reached out to the Little Falls CVB Executive Director for input
who recommended attending the Explore MN Conference. Ambuehl said due to the registration
deadline he proceeded with registering St. Joseph CVB Director Mary Bruno. Danielson made a
motion to approve up to $500 expenditure from the EDA Budget for Bruno to attend the
Explore MN Conference; seconded by Wick and passed unanimously by those present.
c. Chamber Representative: Ambuehl shared that Leslie Lane with the Central MN Credit Union will
be relocating to their branch office in Sartell so she will be stepping down from the St. Joseph
CVB Board. Jude DuHoux volunteered to serve on the CVB as the Chamber representative.
There was discussion on the Chamber's Mission. Consensus was to share with the CVB for input.
Development Updates: Haffner reported the following:
x City staff met with Sand Companies at the end of January on their Vista Apartment Building
proposal to discuss the development process and site layout.
x The planned 2020 office building on the corner of Elm St. E and CR 133, north of the Central MN
Credit Union is now planned for 2021.
x Staff will tentatively meet with a hotel developer next week on Tuesday, February 25tH
x A new business is considering locating in the former Newsleader building, north of St. Joe Meat
Market.
Board Member Announcements: None
Adjourn: Goracke made a motion to adjourn at 12:44 PM; seconded by Wick and passed
unanimously by those present.
Therese Haffner
Community Development Director