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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-28-17 CITY OF LAKEVILLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES November 28, 2017 1. Acting Chair Matasosky called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. in the Marion Conference Room at City Hall. Members Present: Comms. Collman, Emond, Gillen, Matasosky, Rajavuori, Smith, Vlasak Ex-officio members: Mayor Anderson, City Administrator Miller, Chamber President Roche Members Absent: Comms. Longie, Scherer, Seiler, Starfield Others Present: David Olson, Community & Economic Development Director and Kati Bachmayer, Economic Development Specialist 2. Approval of October 24, 2017 meeting minutes Comms. Lowell/Emond moved to approve the minutes of the October 24, 2017 meeting as presented. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Discussion of Downtown Development Guide Update Mr. Olson provided an update to EDC members on the Downtown Development Guide (DDG) process. The city council approved hiring HKGi on October 16, 2017 to complete the DDG work. Redevelopment Incentive Grant (RIG) and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding has been secured to pay for this planning project. Included in the DDG update process will be individual meetings with Downtown stakeholders, joint meetings with the Planning Commission, EDC, and City Council as well as public meetings or open houses. Also included in the scope of work is a market analysis of the Downtown area. The finished DDG information will be included in the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Preliminary feedback was requested from EDC members and is as follows:  Having a historic downtown is a unique feature to Lakeville - not many south metro suburbs have one. This fact should continue to be emphasized and built upon.  It is important to create gathering opportunities to draw people to the downtown area to keep it vibrant. Pan O Prog and Farmers’ Markets are examples of existing events – what more can be done to add to what’s already working?  Participants in the update process need to “rethink” what a downtown can be and what will bring success to the area. Economic Development Commission Minutes October 24, 2017 Page | 2  Focus on what makes the area unique and capitalize on the existing culture. Remain flexible to opportunities that are a good fit.  The Arts Center is a downtown anchor – how can we build upon its success? The DDG update is a chance to explore what the community wants Downtown to be, and provide a vision for the next 10-20 years. 4. Review of Current Job Openings in Lakeville In response to a question at the October EDC meeting, Ms. Bachmayer updated EDC members about Lakeville’s employment numbers and recent job listings. According to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Lakeville is home to 1,126 businesses that employ 17,173 workers. The top three employing industries are Trade, Transportation and Utilities, Leisure and Hospitality and Manufacturing. In October 2017, RealTime Talent MN reported that 1,591 Lakeville jobs were posted and 481 of those jobs were newly posted. 5. Director’s Report / Development Update Mr. Olson reviewed the Director’s Report and highlighted a few items that the City Council approved in November:  A PUD Amendment for the Lakeville Target Store that will include new materials on the exterior of the building to include simulated wood panels and new exterior signage. Target will be investing $4.5 million to “refresh” the Lakeville store in 2018.  The termination of the TIF Contract for Private Development with Mendell Machine and Manufacturing. This action was requested by Mendell.  Scheduling a public hearing to consider the annexation of 188 acres of Airlake Airport. This annexation is being requested by the Metropolitan Airports Commission and would make it possible to extend City water and sewer service to the south runway area to facilitate the development of additional aircraft hangers. County Road 50 construction has been completed for the season. This portion of the project required a significant amount of cooperation on the part of the existing businesses, City and County transportation staff and the County’s contractor. The next EDC meeting is a joint session with the City Council and is scheduled for December 11, 2017. Adjourn Meeting adjourned at 5:42 p.m. Respectively submitted by: Kati Bachmayer, Economic Development Specialist