HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.25.21
CITY OF LAKEVILLE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
May 25, 2021
1. Chair Seiler called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. via teleconference.
Members Present: Comms. Bjorklund, Christiansen, Collman, Emond, Gillen, Phillips,
Seiler, Starfield
Ex-officio Members Present: Mayor Anderson, Chamber President Jech, City
Administrator Miller
Members Absent: Comm. Matasosky, Stone
Staff Present: David Olson, Community & Economic Development Director; Kati
Bachmayer, Economic Development Coordinator
Guests: Gerry Shimek, Outdoor GreatRoom Company; Renee Schmitz, Outdoor
GreatRoom Company; Lucas Long, Carlson Partners
2. Approval of April 27, 2021 Meeting Minutes
Comms. Emond / Gillen moved to approve the minutes of the April 27 meeting. Motion
carried unanimously.
3. Job Creation Fund Application for The Outdoor GreatRoom Company LLC
Ms. Bachmayer informed the EDC that The Outdoor GreatRoom Company LLC (OGC)
contacted city staff earlier this year with an interest in relocating and expanding the
business into the City of Lakeville. OGC is currently located in Burnsville, MN and
manufactures unique, upscale outdoor living products including gas fire pit tables, outdoor
kitchen islands, outdoor fireplaces. The proposed OGC project would occupy 95,000
square feet in the new 158,000-square-foot Interstate South Logistics Park spec building
developed by Scannell Properties to be located at 9583 217th Street West. The multi-
tenant light industrial building is valued at $6.55 million and a building permit was issued
on May 18, 2021. Tenant improvements for the project are valued at $1.2 million. OGC’s
proposed project would result in 49 full-time existing jobs transferring to Lakeville and the
creation of an additional 16 full-time jobs over the next three years. An application has
been submitted to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
(DEED) for the Job Creation Fund (JCF) program. The JCF program requires a resolution
of support from the City; therefore, city staff is seeking recommendation to the City Council
regarding this project.
Ms. Schmitz and Mr. Shimek presented information on OGC and answered questions
from the EDC members. It was noted that OGC is also eligible to receive up to $400,000
from the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership program, which partners eligible employers with
a technical college to provide employee training.
Comms. Collman / Emond moved to recommend approval of the Resolution of Support
for The Outdoor GreatRoom Company LLC’s Job Creation Fund Application. A roll call
Economic Development Commission Minutes May 25, 2021 Page | 2
vote was taken. Ayes: Bjorklund, Christiansen, Collman, Emond, Gillen, Phillips, Seiler.
Abstain: Starfield. Motion carried.
4. Envision Lakeville Community Conversations on Race Update
Mayor Anderson explained that over the past year, a working group approved by the
Lakeville City Council has held a series of three public Envision Lakeville Community
Conversations on Race. He also provided information about the recent discussion held
during the May 24 City Council Work Session.
5. Roundtable Discussion of COVID-19 Impacts on Lakeville Businesses
Comm. Gillen and Seiler shared that the restaurant business has been coming back
strong and many customers are dining out for the first time in over a year. However, supply
chain issues are a problem for businesses right now, along with hiring challenges.
Chamber President Jech said the Chamber is hearing about similar pain points across
industries and will be hosting a webinar discussing employer rights on May 26.
6. Director’s Report
Mr. Olson highlighted several items from the Director’s Report, including several new
outdoor restaurant patio applications, Launch Park Third Addition (proposed to be
occupied by Old Dominion Freight Line) and the potential Royal Milc property acquisition
(as was discussed during the City Council Work Session on May 24).
Adjourn
Meeting adjourned at 5:16 p.m.
Respectively submitted by:
Kati Bachmayer, Economic Development Coordinator