HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-15-21 CITY OF FARMINGTON
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
November 15, 2021
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by EDA Chair Wilson at 6:15 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OFALLEGIANCE
Chair Wilson led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ROLL CALL
Members Present: Hoyt,Pearson,Porter,Wilson
Members Absent: Bernhjelm
Staff Present: David McKnight,City Administrator; Samantha DiMaggio,
Community Development Director; Kalley Swift,Community
Development Specialist
Others Present: Kara Hildreth,Journalist
4. APPROVEAGENDA
MOTION by Pearson,second by Hoyt to approve the Agenda.APIF,MOTION CARRIED.
S. CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION by Hoyt,second by Porter to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
a) Approve Meeting Minutes (September 20,2021 Regular Meeting)
b) Monthly Financial Statement
APIF,MOTION CARRIED.
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
7. DISCUSSION ITEMS
a)Downtown Banners
City staff has received design patterns and bids from three banner providers for new
downtown banners.These new banners are intended to be up year-round on 60 light poles
downtown on Elm,Third,Oak and Spruce Street.There will be two different banner designs
that alternate on the light poles.Staff brought forward the banner vendor options to the
September 23rd Coffee&Connections which hosted our downtown businesses.The
participating downtown businesses voted on their preferred design(s).The EDA will decide
the final design tonight based off of those votes.The funding for this project would come
from the cash reserve available within the EDA budget.City staff has previously proposed to
the EDA to set aside$5,000 for banners.Both options fall within that budget allotment.City
staff presented the top two banner options.
EDA Members asked clarification questions on the vendors,life expectancy of the banners,
and adding the word"historic" onto the banners.There was an overall consensus that
Vendor B was the preferred downtown banner design option due to the quality of the
banner and the top design provided.
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MOTION by Porter,second by Pearson to select Vendor B for the new downtown banner
design with the addition of the word"historic"to design#2.APIF,MOTION CARRIED.
MOTION by Hoyt,second by Pearson to allocate$5,000 of the EDA budget to purchase the
new downtown banners from Vendor B.APIF,MOTION CARRIED.
b) EDA Funded Programs: 2022
Historically,the EDA has created and funded various programs with numerous objectives.
City staff is recommending a thorough review,removal or revision of all EDA funded
programs at this time so clearer direction can be provided to the EDA and the community
for 2022.With a$50,000 allocation from the City Council for 2022,the EDA will need to
allocate funds from their cash reserve if they wish to fund any program in addition to the
Fagade Improvement Program for 2022.Director Regis believes there is an estimated
$220,000 in reserves within the EDA.City staff is recommending the EDA pull$40,000 from
their reserves to use in the 2022 budget in addition to the$50,000 annual allocation.
City staff outlined previously funded programs through the EDA including the Downtown
Facade Improvement Program,the Redevelopment and Property Reinvestment Program,
the Site Readiness Program,the Public Space Improvement Program and the Utility Fee
Program.
Staff recommends the EDA fund the following programs in 2022:
• Facade Improvement Program-$30,000
• Redevelopment and Property Reinvestment Program-$30,000
Staff recommends the EDA pause or cancel the following programs which means there will
be no dedicated funding for the following programs in 2022:
• Site Readiness Program (Could be revived after large property owner input in 2021 and
2022).
• Public Space Improvement Program (No funding necessary in 2022 due to multiple
public sector improvements in 2021).
• Utility Fee Program (No longer relevant).
Member Hoyt had concerns about striking programs.City staff clarified that if the EDA
doesn't fund a certain program in 2022 that it would still like to see implemented,staff can
work on bringing forward revised guidelines for the program in future years.Staff is trying
to set up 2022 for a successful year of grant programs while taking a step back to review
and edit programs like site readiness in order to have a successful relaunch in the coming
years.
MOTION by Pearson,second by Porter to approve the EDA funded programs for 2022 to be
the Facade Improvement Program and the Redevelopment and Property Reinvestment
Program with an annual allocation of$30,000 each. APIF,MOTION CARRIED.
c) 2021 Review and 2022 Work Plan&Calendar
City staff reviewed completed 2021 activities which included two successful grant
programs,the sale of the Riste Lot,implementing a CRM with city staff and purchasing
holiday lights for the downtown.City staff then reviewed the 2022 Work Plan which will
guide all EDA actions,discussions and activities in 2022.Chair Wilson asked if staff could
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connect each item in 2022 with what goal it is working towards or accomplishing within the
2022 Work Plan.
MOTION by Hoyt,second by Porter to adopt the 2022 Work Plan and Calendar as
presented.APIF,MOTION CARRIED.
8. DIRECTOR'S REPORT&OTHER BUSINESS
a) SourceLink Activity Report
City staff reviewed the September and October SourceLink Activity Report which included
over 100 interactions exchanged between city staff and our businesses,prospects and large
land owners.
9. ADJOURN
MOTION by Porter,second by Hoyt to adjourn at 6:47 p.m. APIF,MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully submitted,
Kalley Swift
Community Development Specialist
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