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CITY OF LAKEVILLE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
August 25, 2020
1. Vice Chair Starfield called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
Members Present: Comms. Dautel, Emond, Gillen, Seiler, Stone
Ex-officio Members Present: Mayor Anderson
Members Absent: Comm. Christiansen, Collman, Matasosky, Scherer, Starfield
Staff Present: David Olson, Community & Economic Development Director; Kati
Bachmayer, Economic Development Coordinator
2. Approval of June 23, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Comms. Emond / Dautel moved to approve the minutes of the June 23 meeting
minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Status Update on Implementation Small Business Emergency Grant Program
Mr. Olson updated EDC members on the City of Lakeville’s Small Business Emergency
Grant Program. A total number of 78 applications were received from July 27 – August
7. During staff review, 19 of those applications were deemed ineligible based on
program guidelines. The number of grant approvals thus far is at 33 businesses, totaling
$319,183 out of the $484,694 allocated for the program. Fifteen additional applications
are currently under review. The approved businesses represent a comprehensive cross-
section of Lakeville businesses, including (but not limited to) beauty salons, dance
studios, fitness centers, dentist offices and hospitality businesses.
Mr. Olson informed the EDC that the City Council had proposed adding additional
dollars to the grant program in order to fund the remaining eligible Lakeville applicants.
Mayor Anderson asked the members for feedback on the possibility of the City holding a
second grant round with new eligibility guidelines and how best to support the business
community with the CARES Act dollars. Discussion was held on the merits and logistics
of a second grant program. Members agreed that a second grant round was a good idea
and thought the City should use the same guidelines that were used by DEED and
Dakota County’s grant programs. This includes changing the eligibility requirements to
allow approval of businesses with 1) no employees and up to 50 full-time equivalent
employees, 2) no annual revenue cap, and 3) no restriction on business owners
collecting MN Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). There was discussion about
raising the current grant total to more than $10,000 (and allowing the existing applicants
first access to that increase), but it was ultimately decided to maintain the $10,000 grant
amount in order to help as many Lakeville businesses as possible. A question was
raised about whether to fund the Lakeville businesses who applied to DEED but were
not selected for a state grant, but it was decided that new city program applications
would be of benefit.
Economic Development Commission Minutes August 25, 2020 Page | 2
4. Discussion of Manufacturers Appreciation Event and Urban Land Institute (ULI)
Retail Development Forum
Discussion was held on the Urban Land Institute Retail Development Forum. This event
was originally scheduled to take place in April 2020. EDC members supported the
postponement of this event until 2021, as the retail landscape has been drastically
affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and remains in flux. EDC members supported the
City hosting its annual Manufacturers Appreciation Event this year in a socially
distanced format. Members stated that they found value in previous panel discussions
and therefore were in favor of continuing to offer that type of content to business leaders
in a safe setting.
5. Continued Roundtable Discussion of COVID-19 Impacts on Lakeville Businesses
Concerns were expressed about the state of the restaurant community when cold
weather takes hold in Minnesota. Mayor Anderson informed EDC members of his
weekly participation in a mayors’ conference call with MN DEED Commissioner Steve
Grove. This group has been sharing thoughts, ideas, and suggestions with
Commissioner Grove to proactively try to help their local food establishments and other
businesses. EDC members stated that both restaurant staff and customer compliance
were crucial to maintaining a safe retail environment. Mr. Olson informed the EDC that
the City has regularly received complaints related to businesses not following
Minnesota’s COVID-19 guidelines. When this happens, city staff or Mayor Anderson
contact the business to remind them of proper safety procedures.
6. Director’s Report
Mr. Olson informed EDC members that Interstate South Logistics Park 3rd Addition was
reviewed during the Planning Commission meeting on August 20th and will go to the City
Council special meeting on August 31st. This development will see the construction of a
750,000-square-foot building on the site and the estimated building permit valuation is
approximately $40 million.
Mr. Olson also shared that a building permit will be issued this week for the first hangar
in the newly annexed portion of Airlake Airport.
Adjourn
Meeting adjourned at 5:59 p.m.
Respectively submitted by:
Kati Bachmayer, Economic Development Coordinator