Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-27-17 MINUTES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Special Meeting June 27, 2017 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair Larson at 6:30 p.m. Members Present: Larson, Craig, Cordes, Corraro, Jolley, Wilson Members Absent: Simmons Also Present: Adam Kienberger, Community Development Director; Gary Van Erp, owner of Advance Auto Parts 2. PLEDGE OFALLEGL4NCE 3. ROLL CALL 4. APPROVE AGENDA MOTION by Jolley, second by Wilson to approve the Agenda. APIF,MOTION CARRIED. 5. CITIZEN COMMENTS 6. CONSENT AGENDA MOTION by Cordes, second by Wilson to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: a) Approved Meeting Minutes (April 27, 2017 Regular Meeting) b) Received Monthly Financial Statements APIF,MOTION CARRIED. 7. DISCUSSION ITEMS a) Downtown Facade Improvement Grant Program Application—Advance Auto Parts Mr. Gary Van Erp, owner of Advance Auto Parts, submitted an application for a façade improvement grant. The project will consist of removing 80%of the brick on east half of the building front. Any damage will be repaired and replaced with stucco. The requested grant amount is $2500. The total project cost is $11,500. Member Wilson asked how Mr. Van Erp became aware of the grant program. Mr. Van Erp heard about it from other business owners and then spoke with city staff. He was very pleased with how simple the process was. MOTION by Corraro, second by Jolley to approve the downtown façade improvement grant for Advance Auto Parts. APIF,MOTION CARRIED. b) Approve Last Hope Closing Date Extension EDA Minutes(Regular) June 27,2017 Page 2 On March 23, 2017, the EDA approved a Contract for Private Development with Last Hope for construction of a building on the Riste Lot, 209 Oak Street. Last Hope is still working on plans and costs with the contractor and needs more time. Staff presented an amendment to the contract extending the closing date from June 30, 2017, to August 31, 2017, or sooner if possible. Site plans will be presented to the EDA on or before August 24, 2017. The date to begin construction has also been moved to on or before April 30, 2018. Member Wilson asked about a deposit. Last Hope did provide a$5,000 deposit with their application. Member Jolley asked about the legal description. Staff will check with the City Attorney. MOTION by Wilson, second by Craig to approve the Amendment to Contract for Private Development with Last Hope, Inc. APIF,MOTION CARRIED. c) 2018 Business Climate DEED Ad Staff proposed to place an ad in Business Climate magazine, an economic development publication. An ad was also placed last year. The magazine is used by trade partners in Minnesota as well as regional economic development partners to promote Minnesota as a place to do business. Cost of the ad would be $2,875 for print and online placement. Chair Larson noted in the past the EDA asked staff to get Farmington out there as many ways as possible and this is a good way to do it. EDA members would like to place an ad, but perhaps something more creative. Member Wilson asked how this fits into the overall marketing plan. Staff explained the 2013 Marketing Plan had a number of different initiatives. One of the strongest was building relationships with local property owners and brokers or site selection groups. Staff will bring ideas to the communications specialist. MOTION by Wilson, second by Cordes to approve the 2018 ad placement in Business Climate. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 8. DIRECTOR'S REPORT a) June Director's Report Rambling River Center Plaza—the Parks and Recreation Commission recommended approval of the preferred concept. The plaza discussion is scheduled for the July 10, 2017, City Council work session. Information is on the city website. Member Craig asked about the cost and that will be discussed on July 10, 2017. EDA Minutes(Regular) June 27,2017 Page 3 2040 Comp Plan—the City Council was provided with an overview of the process at their June 12, 2017,work session. The Planning Commission began their work and reviewed the plan on June 13, 2017. The consultant team finalized the website to gather public input and that went live on the city's website today as well as social media. Staff will also have information available at the library. Strategic Plan for Economic Development—this is brought to each meeting as a reminder of priorities. This plan runs from 2016 to 2018. At the end of 2018 we will look at EDA priorities to redefine this plan. The next EDA meeting is July 27, 2017. Member Jolley asked about the status of E Z Auto and the façade grant funds that were awarded to him. No work had started on the building façade. This business had a fire last week. The owner will be renting temporary space for now. Member Wilson commented that the EDA has struggled to find good feelings about the city. The comment earlier by Mr. Van Erp is golden. He hoped we were figuring out how to package these thoughts about the city and turn that into what we want to see for marketing and strategy ideas. Chair Larson noted Hy- Vee had the same comments that they had never worked with a city that was so easy to work with. Member Wilson suggested creating an ad for our website with these comments. Chair Larson suggested the new YouTube channel. Staff noted the new cable coordinator has been very active with communities to do short film pieces. They are currently working on one for our new code enforcement process. The easiest way is as people engage with other people, relay those comments as much as you can. 9. ADJOURN MOTION by Cordes, second by Corraro to adjourn at 7:16 p.m. APIF,MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, Cynthia Muller Administrative Assistant