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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-24-19 MINUTES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Regular Meeting January 24, 2019 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: None Also Present: Adam Kienberger, Community Development Director; Rusty Fifield, Kara Hildreth 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL 4. APPROVE AGENDA MOTION by Wilson, second by Jolley to approve the Agenda. APIF,MOTION CARRIED. 5. CITIZEN COMMENTS/PRESENTATIONS 6. CONSENT AGENDA MOTION by Cordes, second by Simmons to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: a) Approved Meeting Minutes (December 20, 2018, Regular Meeting) b) Received Monthly Financial Statements APIF,MOTION CARRIED. 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS 8. DISCUSSION ITEMS a) Draft 2019-2021 Strategic Plan for Economic Development Mr. Rusty Fifield,Northland Public Finance,presented the strategic plan which was developed from the November 29, 2018, workshop and input from staff. There was a lot of discussion about communication and explaining to people what the EDA does. That drove a lot of the plan. The strategic plan has sections on context, objectives,tactics and a 2019 action plan. Member Craig suggested having something in the vision statement about business growth. She was very pleased with the overall document. Member Simmons complimented the consultant on the work they did and felt it is a very impressive document. Member Wilson suggested having a document with action items that we want to accomplish in the next three years. He noted the taxable market value chart points out something about neighboring cities. There must be something we can get from that info on how larger cities survive. Mr. Fifield noted the chart is a good indicator of objectives for the EDA in trying to attract development. The more parallel cities are Hastings and Rosemount. Member Simmons pointed out this is where the communication comes in to help residents understand how Farmington looks different than Lakeville. Member Jolley was very satisfied with the plan. We need to have people who work here, live here. In doing visits to EDA Minutes(Regular) January 24,2019 Page 2 industrial companies, the biggest complaint was we don't have the kind of housing our employees want. We need to remember a strategic plan is a guideline and maybe re-evaluate each year. Member Cordes noted the school board will have one seat on the EDA. He was also very pleased with the plan. Member Simmons agreed with adding something to the vision statement about retaining businesses. In the mission statement, she suggested replacing"market" with "position" and in the last line to open, grow, expand a business. Member Simmons noted a joint work session with the planning commission was mentioned, but would also like one added with the city council. MOTION by Simmons, second by Cordes to approve the 2019-2021 strategic plan for economic development. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. b) Facade Improvement Grant Program Analysis Staff provided a summary on the last two years of this program. The EDA has paid out$31,000 and leveraged $90,000. Right now, the EDA allocates $20,000 to this program. Adjustments can be made as needed. 9. DIRECTOR'S REPORT a) January Director's Report The Community Expo is Saturday, January 26, 2019. WSB will be there to provide information on the highway 3 corridor plan. Staff has received a letter of intent for$20,000 from the church to purchase the Riste lot. An updated appraisal will be ready next week and staff is working with the city attorney on a purchase agreement. CDBG dollars come from HUD. The CDA has enough funding for 2018, but due to the government shutdown, the 2019 funding may be impacted. Regarding the EDA composition, Mayor Larson has resigned from the EDA and the council appointed Councilmember Katie Bernhj elm to fill his seat on the EDA. Steve Corraro's seat expired on the EDA and no school board applications were received. At the February 4 council meeting, it will be proposed to change one school board seat to a resident seat. During the board and commission interviews a resident was selected to fill that seat. Mayor Larson mentioned he was leaving the EDA to provide for staggered councilmember terms on the EDA. 10. ADJOURN MOTION by Wilson, second by Craig to adjourn at 7:31 p.m. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, au ti tki-Gl M4Ler Cynthia Muller Administrative Assistant