HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2 EDC minutes 12.8.20 DRAFT
CITY OF LAKEVILLE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
December 8, 2020
1. Chair Scherer cal led the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m. via teleconference.
Members Present: Comms. Collman, Dautel, Emond, Gillen, Matasosky, Scherer,
Starfield
Ex-officio Members Present: Mayor Anderson, City Administrator Miller, Chamber
President Jech
Guests Present: Jeffrey Rainey, Economic Development Director for Dakota Electric
Association
Members Absent: Comm. Christiansen, Seiler, Stone
Staff Present: David Olson, Community & Economic Development Director; Kati
Bachmayer, Economic Development Coordinator
2. Approval of October 27, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Comms. Starfield / Emond moved to approve the minutes of the October 27 meeting.
Motion carried unanimously.
3. Introduction of Jeffrey Rainey, Economic Development Director for Dakota
Electric Association
Mr. Olson introduced Jeffrey Rainey, Dakota Electric Association’s Economic
Development Director. Mr. Rainey has been working in his role since December 2019.
Mr. Rainey works with local cities, businesses and organizations to help promote
economic development efforts within Dakota County and portions of Rice, Scott and
Goodhue counties. Mr. Rainey told the group that his role at Dakota Electric Association
(DEA) focused on net new job creation, capital investments, business attraction,
business retention and community relations. DEA works with commercial and industrial
users to identify rebates and energy credits. A short question and answer session was
held with Mr. Rainey following his presentation.
4. Update on Small Business Emergency Grant Program
Mr. Olson informed the EDC that the City Council recently discussed the idea of
additional small business relief programs to assist businesses impacted by Executive
Order 20-99 that closed restaurants, gyms, and dance studios for four weeks through
December 18. It was the consensus of the City Council to wait and see what Dakota
County and the State of Minnesota decided to do prior to funding any additional
business relief or grant programs with City funds. During that same November 23rd work
session, the City Council elected to forgive (or refund) the second half payments for
current liquor license holders for licenses that run through June 30, 2021.
Economic Development Commission Minutes December 8, 2020 Page | 2
Mayor Anderson shared with the EDC that the MN Mayors Together group (of which he
is a member) will be sending a letter to Governor Walz and MN legislative leaders to
encourage movement on a small business relief package as soon as possible. Mayor
Anderson asked for recommendations and feedback from the EDC members on how
the City could continue to help during this challenging time. Comm. Matasosky
recommended tapping into the information the City obtained during its grant review
process. Staff will contact Northland Securities to get a finalized list of revenue losses to
share with the council. Comm. Collman advised the City to focus on supporting the
federal and state relief efforts. Comm. Gillen expressed concern and frustration with the
recent federal programs, like the Paycheck Protection Program, as the businesses who
received funds will now have to pay income tax on that relief assistance. He is hopeful
the tax implications will be adjusted in the near future by Congress.
5. Continued Roundtable Discussion of COVID-29 Impacts on Lakeville Businesses
Ms. Jech updated the EDC members on the Chamber’s marketing campaign to support
Lakeville’s local dining establishments. The campaign is designed to keep take-out and
curbside pickup top of mind for residents during the indoor dining closure imposed by
MN Executive Order 20-99. Comm. Gillen shared his and other’s restaurant experiences
during the latest shut down. He said this month the take-out ordering is not as strong as
it was during the first shut down in March. Unfortunately, many indoor dining
establishments have had to furlough or lay off staff right before the holidays, but there
are several community efforts underway to support the servers who are in financial
need.
6. Director’s Report
Mr. Olson informed the EDC that 2020 will be a record year for development. As of
November, the City’s building permit valuation total exceeds the previous 2019 record
total by over $70 million. Single family building permits year-to-date are at 579.
Construction has begun on the new Amazon facility and the expansion of FedEx
Freight.
Adjourn
Meeting adjourned at 5:25 p.m.
Respectively submitted by:
Kati Bachmayer, Economic Development Coordinator