Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-27-16 MINUTES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Regular Meeting October 27, 2016 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair Larson at 6:30 p.m. Members Present: Larson, Bonar, Cordes, Corraro,Jolley, Simmons, Wilson Members Absent: None Also Present: Adam Kienberger, Community Development Director Audience: Jackie Dooley 2. PLEDGE OFALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL 4. APPROVEAGENDA MOTION by Cordes, second by Simmons to approve the Agenda. APIF,MOTION CARRIED. 5. CITIZEN COMMENTS/PRESENTATIONS Ms.Jackie Dooley, 313 Walnut Street,has been an artist/craftsman since 1972. She was one of the founding members of the Dakota Valley Arts Council. They have not met in five years, so no longer exist. The original intent of the DVAC was to have art shows and sales venues. Surrounding cities have a thriving art community. She asked if the EDA would be interested in sponsorship of art shows. The library declined sponsorship. Member Jolley agreed the city is richly endowed with professional artists. Because of the art sales venues,that takes them out of the Dakota County Fair category. Ms. Dooley suggested if there was an area in City Hall where artists could display their work, that would be a show,not a sales event. The arts are a huge hole in our community. Arts are the bread and butter to any downtown. They bring in color and creativity. If the city can provide support for the arts,Ms. Dooley would contact former members of the DVAC and local artists. The EDA will discuss the use of City Hall for art shows. 6. CONSENT AGENDA MOTION by Jolley, second by Corraro to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: a) Approved Meeting Minutes(8/25/16 Regular Meeting) b) Received Monthly Statements APIF,MOTION CARRIED. 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS EDA Minutes(Regular) October 27,2016 Page 2 8. DISCUSSION ITEMS a) Downtown Facade Improvement Grant Program Proposal One of the components of the Downtown Development Plan is to develop a grant or low interest loan program targeted for refurbishing the exterior and interior of downtown commercial buildings. Community Development Director Kienberger proposed a small grant program for businesses in the downtown commercial core for making improvements to the exterior of their buildings. There would be an annual contribution by the EDA of up to $5,000 that would be divided into$1,000 grants. A matching contribution of$1,000 is required. This is for exterior improvements. A larger component of the downtown redevelopment plan is creating a public open space in the Rambling River Center parking lot. This area faces the rear of many of the businesses on that block. This grant program would be very beneficial to those businesses to make the back of their buildings more appealing, but it is not restricted to just those businesses. Member Bonar suggested increasing the annual EDA contribution amount to $20,000 and making the grants$2,500 with a$2,500 match. That could provide a more noticeable facade improvement. These funds would be reviewed annually. The building owner would make a presentation to the EDA with the proposed improvements for approval. The public open space proposal will be brought to Council on November 21, 2016. The grant program information will be brought to the FBA. MOTION by Simmons, second by Bonar to approve an EDA annual contribution of$20,000 for$2,500 matching grants for downtown façade improvements and to immediately start the program. APIF,MOTION CARRIED. b) Decertification of the City Center TIF District All obligations have been met for the City Center TIF district. Staff is requesting approval for decertification of this district and having the district become fully taxable. MOTION by Bonar, second by Wilson to adopt RESOLUTION R16- 01 decertifying tax increment financing redevelopment district 2. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. c) Tax Abatement Policy Part of the EDA's Strategic Plan is to develop more comprehensive policies for new and existing financial assistance tools. The Business Subsidy Policy was updated in April 2015. This policy is used when looking at a request for financial assistance for an expanding business. From there,there would be policies for specific programs. Earlier this year the EDA discussed a TIF policy and it was approved by the City Council. Another popular program is tax abatement. Information from Ehlers and Associates was provided on TIF and tax abatement. Community Development Director Kienberger discussed the basics of tax EDA Minutes(Regular) October 27,2016 Page 3 abatement and the requirements. EDA members agreed a policy should be in place. MOTION by Wilson,second by Corraro to adopt the Farmington Tax Abatement policy and have it sent to the city attorney for review. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. d) Farmington Mall Discussion The investment group for purchasing the Farmington Mall contacted Mayor Larson asking about businesses that are missed in the Farmington Mall. The dry cleaners left because of required permits. The new mall owners felt an auto parts store would be good. The new owners will be remodeling the mall. The EDA discussed other ideas for businesses. 9. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Community Development Director Kienberger highlighted recent business developments. The Met Council approved the city's grant application for assistance with the comprehensive plan update. Staff is working on an RFP so work can begin in early 2017. Mayor Larson received a call from the Fair Board that they want to make the Mopar Exhibition the biggest in the country. They would like to blacktop their entrance off Highway 3 to do time trials for Mopar cars. This event will bring 50,000 to 60,000 people into the community for that weekend. Member Jolley asked to place the arts discussion on the November EDA agenda. The regular November and December meetings will be cancelled and a special EDA meeting will be held December 1, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. 9. ADJOURN MOTION by Cordes, second by Corraro to adjourn at 7:55 p.m. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, Cynthia Muller Administrative Assistant