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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-25-20 MINUTES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Regular Meeting June 25, 2020 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair Simmons at 6:00 p.m. Members Present: Simmons, Bernhjelm, Butterfield, Cordes, Craig, Hudlemeyer, Wilson Members Absent: None Also Present: Adam Kienberger, Community Development Director; Kalley Swift, Community Development Specialist 2. PLEDGE OFALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL 4. APPROVE AGENDA MOTION by Bernhjelm, second by Hudlemeyer to approve the Agenda. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 5. CITIZEN COMMENTSITRESENTA TIONS 6. CONSENT AGENDA MOTION by Bernhjelm, second by Hudlemeyer to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: a) Approved Meeting Minutes (May 28, 2020, Regular Meeting) b) Received Monthly Financial Statements APIF,MOTION CARRIED. 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS 8. DISCUSSION ITEMS a) EDA Financing Program Updates The Utility Fee Program provides a grant up to $500 towards their water bill for businesses with less than 100 employees. The EDA set a fund balance for this program of$10,000. So far we have issued four grants totaling $1,708, leaving a fund balance of$8,300. Another email will be sent to FBA businesses for this program. Those that have applied for the grant, have found it very helpful during this time. Regarding the Public Space Improvement Program,the EDA has focused on signage throughout the city. The main focus is the EDA sign on Elm Street. A sign plan has been prepared and focuses on the downtown for this update. Portions can be funded through the EDA as a starting point. We can still move forward with the EDA Elm Street sign while moving forward with an overall EDA Minutes(Regular) June 25,2020 Page 2 plan. A sign to replace this would be $20,000 - $30,000 and would be based on our city logo, colors and design standards. Other signage could include wayfinding signs and light pole banner signs. Members discussed the cost of the signs which could be $80,000 for all signs, not including city entrance signs. With entrance signs it would be more than $80,000. Lakeville has a dynamic sign for$80,000. The Elm Street sign would not be dynamic. Signage is on the City Council's list to do, but not a high priority. We have to start and the EDA can support the effort with a few pieces each year. The Elm Street sign does not bring in businesses,but it does make the area more attractive. To improve the appearance and for a low cost, light pole signs like Northfield and Hastings would be attractive. Member Butterfield asked if this will have the intended effect for the EDA's purpose? Is the EDA funding something to fix an older investment? Chair Simmons stated if we have $20,000- $30,000,we could use it for another program to revitalize buildings such as Dakota Motors and fill store fronts. The EDA sign still needs to come down. The wayfinding signs in Northfield can be changed out. Staff noted we don't need outside approval to change a sign. What value does this group see in pushing this forward to make an impact? Member Hudlemeyer asked with the EDA sign being owned by the EDA, is the EDA responsible for upkeep? Staff stated the EDA's initiative is to highlight businesses through panels switched out by city staff. As far as maintenance, the EDA and city work closely. The EDA owns the sign so we should take the initiative to update the sign. Member Bernhjelm stated we should tear down the sign and look at Northfield and Hastings. We have to be careful what we list on wayfinding signs. We should call out City Hall, the Library,prominent structures. There should be a sign on TH3 with an arrow to downtown. Member Hudlemeyer felt Third and Elm should be the location for a wayfinding sign. Staff stated the EDA sign is on Second and Elm because we own that piece of property. At TH3 and Highway 50 there is sufficient right-of-way on the northwest corner. We should reconfigure the current MnDOT TH3 business district sign. Staff is working on estimates for removal of the current EDA sign. Member Bernhjelm would like a dynamic sign to replace it even though it is $80,000. It can drive messaging to businesses and events. She would also like direction signs throughout the city. We could do smaller signs now or wait a year for a dynamic sign. Chair Simmons also liked a dynamic sign at Second and Elm. She asked if we should start small or go bigger? Member Hudlemeyer felt we should start small. With a dynamic sign,the EDA would be in a support function to complete the EDA Minutes(Regular) June 25,2020 Page 3 goal. Member Wilson stated the EDA's focus is to draw people to downtown. The Second and Elm sign has to be demolished. The Dakota Motors building can't be refurbished. We should demolish the building and put out an RFP. That might drive the value of the dynamic sign. A high priority should be new monument signs at city entrances. We could have wayfinding signs for$20,000 - $30,000 to the Vermillion River and Veteran's Memorial. Member Bernhjelm would like to move forward with demolition of the EDA sign and use $20,000 - $30,000 for downtown signs. Member Cordes would like small signs downtown while putting together a long term plan. On entrance signs,perhaps we could partner with CEEF or the FBA. Member Bernhjelm liked the idea for a dynamic sign. We could sell advertising to cover the cost. Member Wilson stated if we have a dynamic sign and advertise for businesses, they should contribute. Earlier we had a question, is it valuable to spend money on signs. Member Butterfield wrestles with that question. Wayfinding signs give a much needed facelift and are well received for$10,000 - $20,000. They will add value. This should be a secondary EDA budget function. After that we should direct funds to drive businesses. Chair Simmons summarized the group likes the Northfield wayfinding signs with directions towards downtown, Vermillion River and Veteran's Memorial. MOTION by Wilson, second by Bernhjelm to invest $20,000 - $30,000 for signage and bring examples to the EDA for recommendation. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 9. DIRECTOR'S REPORT a) June Director's Report The state is still under an Executive Order for the pandemic and staff is keeping track of state offerings. DEED is holding webinars for their grant programs. It was decided to cancel the July 23 and August 27 EDA meetings and hold the next meeting on August 13 in person. Everyone should wear masks. Member Wilson asked the City Council to consider having a business or organization come to a Council meeting once a month to spotlight them. Member Bernhjelm will bring this to the Council for discussion. Staff noted this is part of the EDA's business retention and expansion program. 10. ADJOURN MOTION by Wilson, second by Cordes to adjourn at 7:06 p.m. APIF,MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, Cly utk of Mu.LLer Cynthia Muller Administrative Assistant