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CITY OF LAKEVILLE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
April 28, 2020
1. Chair Scherer called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. via teleconference.
Members Present via Amazon Chime: Comms. Christiansen, Collman, Dautel,
Emond, Matasosky, Scherer, Stone, Starfield
Ex-officio Members Present via Amazon Chime: Mayor Anderson, City
Administrator Miller, Chamber President Jech
Members Absent: Comm. Gillen, Seiler
Staff Present in City Hall: David Olson, Community & Economic Development
Director
Staff Present via Amazon Chime: Kati Bachmayer, Economic Development
Coordinator
2. Approval of February 25, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Comms. Dautel / Scherer moved to approve the minutes of the February 25
meeting minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Introduction of new EDC Alternate Jessica Christiansen
Mr. Olson introduced Jessica Christiansen, the new EDC Alternate Member
appointed by the City Council. Ms. Christiansen is an electrical engineer and has
lived in Lakeville for the past eight years. Following her introduction, the EDC
members shared information about their backgrounds with Ms. Christiansen.
4. Election of Officers
Mr. Olson explained that an election of officers for the EDC takes place during the
April meeting, following the City Council’s board and commission appointments
approved during the April 1 council meeting. In 2019, EDC members elected
Quenton Scherer as Chair, Glenn Starfield as Vice Chair, and Lowell Collman as
Secretary.
Comms. Dautel / Matasosky moved to reappoint the 2019 slate of officers in 2020,
which would re-elect Comm. Scherer as Chair, Comm. Starfield as Vice Chair, and
Comm. Collman as Secretary for 2020. Motion carried unanimously by roll call
vote.
5. Roundtable Discussion of COVID-19 Impacts on Lakeville Businesses
Economic Development Commission Minutes April 28, 20 20 Page | 2
Mr. Olson provided information regarding the Community & Economic Development
(CED) Department’s response thus far to the COVID-19 pandemic. City staff have
been attending the MN Department of Employment and Economic Development
weekly calls to stay abreast of state and federal programs. Helpful resources are
being provided on the City’s website, the CED webpage, and in the Thrive! Special
Edition Newsletters. There is also a form on the City’s website that allows the
business community to ask COVID-19 related questions. Chamber President Jech
told the group that the Chamber has been receiving questions about the Paycheck
Protection Program (PPP) and Unemployment Insurance (UI). The Chamber’s
Access & Issues Committee has been meeting every other week during the
pandemic to discuss issues of importance and coordinate local efforts. Mayor
Anderson informed the EDC that the City Council would be voting on May 4 to
approve changes to the 2020 liquor license renewals in June, including a 20%
discount to make up for lost revenue during the MN Stay at Home order and the
option to pay in two installments. Comm. Matasosky complimented the City on its
responsiveness to development projects during the pandemic, calling the transition
to remote plan review and building inspections “almost seamless.” City Administrator
Miller told the group that Dakota County has approved a delay in property tax
payment penalties through July 15, but plan to pay the City its portion in multiple
installments to help with general fund revenue needs. Mr. Olson noted that at this
time, Lakeville has not seen a slowdown in residential or commercial/industrial
development. 52 single family home permits were issued so far this month
(compared to 33 in 2019) and year-to -date the total building permit valuation is $108
million (compared to $58 million in 2019). Comm. Collman shared that his employer,
Citizens Bank, has been working diligently to process PPP loans and upload them to
the SBA’s online portal. There have been challenges with that process, especially
with the second round of funding because the SBA system has not had capacity to
handle the amount of applications being uploaded simultaneously across the
country. Citizens Bank was able to process $25 million in PPP loans during the first
round of funding and continue to work to submit the remaining applications. There is
concern among the EDC members that the current UI benefit will hinder hiring in the
manufacturing sector. The additional $600 in federal benefits is set to expire in July,
so this may only be a temporary issue.
The next EDC meeting is scheduled for May 26, 2020.
Adjourn
Meeting adjourned at 5:21 p.m.
Respectively submitted by:
Kati Bachmayer, Economic Development Coordinator