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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-01-16 MINUTES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Special Meeting December 1, 2016 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair Larson at 6:30 p.m. Members Present: Larson, Cordes, Jolley, Simmons, Wilson Members Absent: Bonar, Corraro Also Present: Adam Kienberger, Community Development Director; Tim Pitcher, Councilmember 2. PLEDGE OFALLEGL4NCE 3. ROLL CALL 4. APPROVE AGENDA MOTION by Jolley, second by Cordes to approve the Agenda. APIF,MOTION CARRIED. 5. CITIZEN COMMENTS/PRESENTATIONS 6. CONSENT AGENDA MOTION by Wilson, second by Simmons to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: a) Approved Meeting Minutes (10/27/16 Regular Meeting) b) Received Monthly Statements APIF,MOTION CARRIED. 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS 8. DISCUSSION ITEMS a) Downtown Facade Improvement Grant Program Application—Top Notch Properties Top Notch Properties located at 300 Oak Street, has requested a grant to assist with several improvements to the outside of their building including: Remove lower sheeting to expose brick Bead blast glue off brick Tuck point as needed Replace south awning Repair/replace entry door to 405 3rd Street The owner asked that the EDA approve the application pending receipt of bids. The program is a$2,500 matching grant, so any project must be at least$5,000. The applicant is reimbursed once the project is completed. EDA members felt they should discuss the dollar amount further as to whether it should be up to $5,000,rather than no less than$5,000. The owner anticipates these improvements having a cost of$6,000. EDA Minutes(Special) December 1,2016 Page 2 Members further discussed the grant program as far as having input in design standards, the dollar amount being up to $5,000 for a project that comes in under that amount, etc. This will be discussed at a future meeting. MOTION by Jolley, second by Wilson to approve the Downtown Façade Improvement Grant application and contract for Top Notch Properties subject to submittal of a bid for the project that is at least$5,000. Voting for: Larson, Cordes, Jolley, Wilson. Voting against: Simmons. MOTION CARRIED. Member Jolley brought up the Rambling River Center Plaza item that was on the previous Council meeting agenda and the parking concerns. Members of the downtown redevelopment committee discussed the parking issue and there were a lot of contingencies which included doing something with the Second Street parking lot and other areas. That wasn't communicated at the Council meeting. She was concerned that we had something good that was moving along and now it is tabled again. Mayor Larson stated that will be brought back to a Council work session so the Council is more comfortable before spending$7,000. Member Jolley fully supported this grant program the EDA has started. That green space would be great for community gatherings. She was concerned it would get stuck because of parking issues which can be resolved. EDA members would like to discuss this at a future meeting. b) Farmington Arts Discussion Ms. Jackie Dooley attended the last EDA meeting to obtain support for the arts. Mayor Larson had no problem with art being displayed in the lobby at City Hall, but not selling art from City Hall. Member Wilson stated Lakeville supports the arts much more substantially than Farmington does. They turned a church into an arts center. The arts are definitely an economic development tool. If the arts group comes to the EDA with a proposal we should be receptive to it. Member Simmons agreed the arts should be supported once they have formed a group. Member Jolley felt the arts can add to the vitality of any community. Towns that have arts centers are very alive because there is change and artistic vitality. We are a little bit behind in doing that in Farmington. As far as funding, it depends on what they are doing. If we do a green space, an artist might have a way to make it beautiful and there would be a subsidy for that. Sales are important to the artists. Several businesses in town sell items from local artists. This may not be a city role. Member Jolley would like to communicate to the arts community that the EDA values that philosophy; of making the arts a more important part of our community. We are very rich with artists that are going elsewhere. The arts community has to come to the EDA with a plan of what they want. The next step is for the EDA to communicate to the arts group that they are open to the arts,but the arts group has to come up with a plan of what they want. Community Development Director Kienberger will contact Ms. Dooley. c) December Director's Report Community Development Director Kienberger provided the EDA with an article about the Rambling River Center Plaza discussion. EDA Minutes(Special) December 1,2016 Page 3 The FBA has cancelled Dazzle Day for this year. The EDA was also provided with a copy of the EDA's Strategic Plan. In January, the EDA will approve an application for the 2017 Community Development Block Grant funding. Several businesses have benefitted from this program. As part of the 2017 allocation,the CDA has retooled how they distribute the funds to each community. They are projecting a$10,000 decrease for Farmington from what we have received in previous years. Mayor Larson noted the larger cities receive more money and the cities that are struggling receive less. The CDBG application will be brought to the EDA in January for approval. Bourbon Butcher has been receiving a lot of positive press. A ribbon cutting has been scheduled for December 7, 2016. Member Simmons asked that we discuss the facade improvement program at the next meeting, as far as design standards and extending the grant to businesses on highway 3. 9. ADJOURN MOTION by Wilson, second by Jolley to adjourn at 7:21 p.m. APIF,MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, Cynthia Muller Administrative Assistant