HomeMy WebLinkAbout[03b] Minutes, April 21April 21, 2020
Page 1 of 2
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the St. Joseph Economic Development Authority met on
Tuesday, April 21, 2020 at 12:00 PM via video conference.
Members Present: Board Members Rick Schultz, Troy Goracke, Larry Hosch, Dale Wick City
Administrator Kris Ambuehl
Members Absent: Doug Danielson
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: Wick made a motion to approve the agenda as presented, seconded by Goracke
and passed unanimously by those present.
Consent Agenda: Wick questioned the Election of Officers' vote. Haffner suggested removing the item
from the Consent Agenda to allow her the opportunity to review notes from the last meeting. Goracke
made a motion to approve the consent agenda as amended as follows; seconded by Schultz and
passed unanimously by those present.
a- Minutes ApPFOVe.d theminutes of February 18, 2020
b. March Financial Report - Accepted the March 2020 Financial Report as
presented.
Hanging Flower Brackets: Haffner presented the request from the Finance Department to utilize EDA
funds for replacement of 30 brackets for the hangers for flowers downtown in the amount of $1,120. In
2019, the EDA funded the replacement of 12. There was discussion and questions on how many total
hanging baskets there are and if staff anticipates replacement of brackets annually. Haffner said she
would report back at the next meeting with answers to those questions.
Wick made a motion to approve funding replacement of hanging flower brackets in the amount of
$1,120; seconded by Goracke and passed unanimously by those present.
Development Updates: Haffner reported the following:
x Vista Apartment Building proposal is under review.
x A new business named The Perfect Fit has located in the former Newsleader building, north of St.
Joe Meat Market.
x Email updates have been sent to local business on COVID-19 information and resources. The
City website has information as well.
There was discussion on assistance the EDA could provide and concerns were voiced on the impact to
small businesses. Ambuehl discussed resources available through the Initiative Foundation and the ability
for the City to waive fees, such as the liquor license fee and lend out funds from the EDA Revolving Loan
Fund program. Hosch discussed loan programs available and that the City Revolving Loan Fund was
likely the last resort.
Schultz suggested the City determine the needs of our local businesses. Ambuehl suggested drafting an
application for funding and sending it out to EDA members.
Wick asked if there was anything the City could offer residents. Ambuehl shared that the City would waive
late fees for utilities and there would be no disconnects at this time.
Hosch discussed determining the loan terms, forgivable, or deferred. Goracke asked if individual business
owners could apply. Ambuehl responded yes. Hosch discussed looking at offering a forgivable or a 1 %
interest rate and to determine what would trigger the loan to be forgivable. Hosch would like to see what
April 21, 2020
Page 2 of 2
others are doing. There was discussion on offering a 0% interest rate. Hosch recommended being
creative and to consider having the business do fagade improvements as a condition. Ambuehl said staff
would work on a draft application and terms and bring back to the EDA.
Board Member Announcements: Wick asked about improvement projects. Ambuehl reported that last
year's public improvement projects would be finished this year.
Adjourn: Wick made a motion to adjourn at 12:55 PM; seconded by Schultz and passed
unanimously by those present.
Therese Haffner
Community Development Director