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Home My WebLink About02-22-18 MINUTES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Regular Meeting February 22, 2018 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair Larson at 6:30 p.m. Members Present: Larson, Craig, Cordes, Jolley, Simmons, Wilson Members Absent: Corraro Also Present: Adam Kienberger, Community Development Director, Jeff Miller, HKGi 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL 4. APPROVE AGENDA MOTION by Wilson, second by Cordes to approve the Agenda. APIF,MOTION CARRIED. 5. CITIZEN COMMENTS/PRESENTATIONS 6. CONSENT AGENDA MOTION by Jolley, second by Simmons to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: a) Approved Meeting Minutes (February 22, 2018, Regular Meeting) b) Received Monthly Financial Statements APIF,MOTION CARRIED. 7. DISCUSSION ITEMS a) 2018 EDA Organizational Items Election of Officers—MOTION by Cordes, second by Wilson to appoint Mayor Larson as Chair and Member Jolley as Vice-Chair. Voting for: Jolley, Craig, Wilson, Simmons, Cordes. Abstain: Larson. MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Wilson, second by Simmons to appoint Community Development Director Kienberger as Secretary/Treasurer. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Meeting Schedule—MOTION by Craig, second by Simmons to set EDA meetings for the fourth Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. or the following Thursday in case of a holiday. APIF,MOTION CARRIED. Acknowledge Official Newspaper—MOTION by Wilson, second by Craig to acknowledge the City Council's designation of the Farmington Independent as the official newspaper. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. EDA Minutes(Regular) February 22,2018 Page 2 b) 2040 Comp Plan Update—Economic Development Chapter Mr. Jeff Miller with HKGi was in attendance to discuss the update to the economic development chapter of the 2040 Comp Plan. The 2040 economic development chapter will be more of a summary chapter. The 2013 marketing plan talked about relationship strategies and goals such as a relationship with business owners through an aggressive business retention and expansion program, getting closer to land owners and developers in order to be better prepared for future industrial development within the city, connecting with site selectors and business owners who conduct site searches in the area and get smarter about what economic development is in the industry through active participation in trade groups including the Economic Development Association of MN and the MN Commercial Association of Realtors. The EDA adopted five strategic priorities including develop tools for promoting growth and development in Farmington, develop strong incentive policies to ensure proper use of tools, explore plans for acquiring land for new industrial development, complete the development of Vermillion River Crossings, define and utilize the existing or future resources of the EDA. All cities have to do a comprehensive plan, it is not required for a city to have an economic development chapter, but most cities do. Regarding workforce training and development, is there a good match between the workforce and the type of employers we are trying to draw in and if not,how do we fill that gap? Regionally, workforce is the number one topic in economic development. Any business in town has a hard time finding qualified applicants. Our technical colleges have training programs. Marketing this could be a focus in the three-year strategic plan. Workforce data is available through DEED. Mr. Miller reviewed the responses to the comp plan questionnaire. Farmington has enough land guided for residential development to accommodate the growth projected for 2040. Ag preserve land along Flagstaff is coming out in 2020 totaling 650 acres. The comp plan update focuses on growth where there are major corridors and utilities such as the area of 195th Street and Flagstaff Avenue. It shows mostly residential with a small commercial area. The update shows extending industrial further west along Highway 50. The intersection of Pilot Knob and Highway 50 is designated for a new mixed-use category, commercial- industrial. Mr. Miller and the EDA discussed the proposed goals. The first one is helping to excite growth in existing and new businesses that achieves the projections for 2030 and 2040. The second involves attracting more businesses to town including filling downtown storefronts. The third is redevelopment downtown and along Highway 3. The fourth is about training and readiness of the workforce for new businesses. The fifth is housing for future workforce. Number six is using the goals for short term. EDA Minutes(Regular) February 22,2018 Page 3 Members discussed how the city or EDA could be more proactive when hearing of businesses leaving the city. The majority of time, staff finds out too late. It was suggested that if the banks hear of a business leaving,that with the business owner's permission, the city be informed. A member suggested the EDA do more with retaining businesses. It was suggested to grade the goals the EDA has had and see where we are at. Late summer that will be done when the EDA sets goals for the 2019—2021 strategic plan. These are short term goals. The comp plan is a long term document that looks out to 2040. A member suggested having annual objectives tied to the three-year strategic plan. At the end of the year we create an easy to read annual report for the website so everyone can see what the EDA has done. It was suggested having a goal around the relationship between economic development and our parks and recreation; especially for drawing people to town. Why besides affordability would people want to live here? Staff noted language could be added to one of the goals related to quality of life component. Members continued to discuss the comp plan goals and provided changes. Regarding the business retention discussion, it was suggested to talk to the top seven businesses and ask what is keeping them here. Staff suggested a seventh goal around connectivity between the city and businesses and what that relationship can look and feel like and how that creates more retention. The relationship could also include the FBA. It was suggested to have more follow-up after a ribbon cutting, such as a note or a visit. Invite a couple businesses to come to a City Council meeting or spotlight a business or two in the City News and Recreation Guide. c) Open to Business Joint Powers Agreement The CDA has provided an agreement with the MCCD for three years at no cost increase over those three years for the Open to Business Program. Farmington's cost is $5,513 per year. This program is widely used in the city. Staff will invite Laurie Crow to an EDA meeting to provide an update on activities. More frequent updates will be provided to the EDA by staff. The EDA can opt out of the program at any time. MOTION by Simmons, second by Cordes to authorize execution of the Open to Business Joint Powers Agreement. APIF,MOTION CARRIED. d) Downtown Facade Improvement Program Guidelines Staff provided information on what the program has done for the first year. There is $20,000 budgeted for 2018 for grant amounts ranging from $1,500 up to $2,500 each. It was suggested to leave an option open for more money without giving one business the entire amount. There are some businesses that have a wider storefront with multi tenants, so is there an option for more funds for that type of business. Staff will make some changes to the program to provide a scale of more options and bring it back to the March meeting. EDA Minutes(Regular) February 22,2018 Page 4 8. DIRECTOR'S REPORT a) February Director's Report Staff was at the Community Expo to promote the 2040 Comp Plan. The City Council adopted their 2018 priorities. The new finance director will be at the March EDA meeting to provide a financial update. Staff will also invite Laurie Crow for an Open to Business update and staff will provide revisions to the downtown façade grant program. 9. ADJOURN MOTION by Simmons, second by Wilson to adjourn at 8:20 p.m. APIF,MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, Cynthia Muller Administrative Assistant