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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-25-14CITY OF LAKEVILLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES November 25, 2014 Chair Starfield called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. in the Marion Conference Room at City Hall. Members Present: Comms. Starfield, Julius, Smith, Matasosky, Emond, Collman, Ex - officio member Lakeville Area Chamber of Commerce President Tim Roche, Mayor Matt Little Members Absent: Comms. Longie , Tushie, Vlasak and Interim City Administrator Allyn Kuennen Others Present: David Olson, Community & Economic Development Director; Rick Howden, Economic Development Specialist. 2. Approval of October 7, 2014 meeting minutes Motion Comms. Emond/Matasosky moved to approve the minutes of the October 7, 2014 meeting as presented. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Review of Proposed Dakota County Tax Increment Policy Amendments Mr. Olson stated Dakota County staff has recently distributed the attached proposed revisions to the County's Policy on Tax Increment Financing (TIF). The proposed policy revisions were discussed at the City Council Work Session on November 24th. The proposed policy revisions were discussed at a meeting of Community and Economic Development Directors from Dakota County cities and Dakota County Deputy Director of Property and Records Amy Koethe on August 21 st and with the City/County Administrators group and Ms. Koethe on October 24th The EDC also previously discussed this issue at the August EDC meeting. The most significant policy change is the elimination of the County supporting any TIF projects that: "Provide a net increase in livable wage jobs". This change is contained in the Policy Statement in the first paragraph of the Policy. This policy was the basis for resolutions being adopted by the County Board indicating that both the Menasha Packaging and BTD Manufacturing Economic Development TIF projects were not consistent with the County's Tax Increment Financing Policy. The Administration Finance and Policy Committee of the County Board is scheduled to consider the proposed TIF Policy Changes on Tuesday, December 16th Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes, November 25, 2014 Page 2 In addition, Commissioner -elect Holberg has previously made comments during a candidate forum as well as in the attached Sun This Week article on the subject in opposition to the County's current practice as well as the proposed changes. Mayor Little stated that his approach has been to reach out to the other Mayors in the County to explain Lakeville's position that the County is taking a step backward in Economic Development with the proposed changes. Mayor Little also invited all EDC members to attend the meeting on December 16th to discuss impacts in their respective industries. Mr. Olson requested the EDC authorize the submittal of the attached letter to the County Board requesting that any significant changes to the County's Policy on Tax Increment Financing be delayed until the County Strategic Plan for Economic Development has been completed. Motion Comms. Smith/Julius moved to authorize the submittal of the attached letter to the County Board requesting that any significant changes to the County's Policy on Tax Increment Financing be delayed until the County Strategic Plan for Economic Development has been completed. Motion carried unanimously. 4. Overview of 2014 Manufactures Event Mr. Howden stated that the annual Manufacturers Appreciation Reception was held on Tuesday, October 21St at Brackett's Crossing Country Club. This year approximately 90 people representing 32 Lakeville businesses attended the event. Turnout was relatively close to where it has been the last few years. The staff of Brackett's was very accommodating and the layout of the space seemed to help the flow of attendees navigate the vendor tables. In addition to the Manufactures Reception and in partnership with the Lakeville Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Tourism Bureau, staff visited 11 industrial park businesses, often time accompanied by members of the Economic Development Commission, City Council and Mayor. Mr. Howden then highlighted some of the visits and the information that was gathered. 5. Review of EDC's Role and Responsibilities Chair Starfield stated that he asked the Community and Economic Development Director to place an item on the agenda to discuss an item at the November 17th City Council meeting regarding increases to fees. Chair Starfield explained that he would like to see the EDC have input into the discussion of increasing fees for development as was done for the Park Dedication fee previously. Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes, November 25, 2014 Page 3 Mr. Olson stated that the Park Dedication fee was brought through the EDC due to a change in the policy that affected the formula for determining the amount. This change was due to the recession and the decreases in land values. Prior to that, fees were adjusted on an annual basis without input from the EDC or other commissions. That practice and increases were paused for 5 years during the recession. Chair Starfield expressed that the City Council appoints the Economic Development Commission and when an issue arises that has an impact on economic development that the EDC should weigh in on the issues. Mayor Little stated that the City Council seeks advice from different commissions when there are policy changes and that this formula was established and the changes made were standard inflationary changes which is why the Council did not seek advice. Mayor Little also reiterated that if there are items before the City Council that members of the EDC would like to comment on, that they can contact the Mayor and Council Members to provide input. 6. Director's Report Mr. Olson reviewed the Director's Report. He commented that Mr. Howden attended the 2014 MNCAR Expo. Mr. Otto Schmidt, a Re -Max realtor from Edina won the Garmin Fish Finder, donated by Lakeville Liquors. Even more importantly is that a meeting was held recently with representatives from Duke Realty as a result of conversations at the MNCAR Expo. Mr. Olson noted that The City and Dakota County have retained the Planning Consultant Hoisington Koegler Group who has partnered with SRF and Springsted to analyze options for the reconstruction of County Road 50 between Ipava Avenue and Dodd Blvd. The goal of this study is work with property owners to develop a four -lane roadway design that allows the businesses to continue to operate in this area while still providing the necessary roadway improvements. The study will also evaluate redevelopment options in this area of the corridor. The first neighborhood meeting on this project was held on Thursday, November 13t". Individual meetings will be taking place during the next month. Mr. Olson also noted that the City is currently reviewing a 62 unit Senior Housing project from the Dakota County CDA. The project is proposed on a site behind the Argonne Village Shopping Center where the former Rainbow (now Cub) Store is located. The CDA is also seeking final approval of a 36 unit Workforce Housing project in the Morgan Square Townhome Development located behind Lakeville Theater. Mr. Olson mentioned that United Properties has submitted plans for a proposed Allina Clinic along Keokuk Avenue, north of County Road 70. Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes, November 25, 2014 Page 4 Mr. Olson mentioned that the Downtown Lakeville Business Association will have their lighting ceremony on Tuesday, November 25th at 6:00 p.m. (following the EDC meeting) at Pioneer Plaza in Downtown Lakeville. EDC members are invited and encouraged to attend this event. 7. Adjourn Meeting adjourned at 5:48 p.m. Respectfully submitted by: Ri Howd n, Ec nomic Development Specialist