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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-22-01-01 Y ~ Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes May 22, 2001 City of Lakeville Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes May 22, 2001 5:00 p.m. Water Treatment Facility Conference Room Members Present: Vogel, Emond, Tushie, Pogatchnik, Brantly, Matasosky, Schubert, Miller, Erickson, ex-officio member Bornhauser. Members Absent: None. Others Present: Robert Erickson, City Administrator; Arlyn trussing, Community & Economic Development Director; Ann Flad, Economic Development Coordinator; Jeff Lueders, Cable Coordinator; and LaDonna Boyd, Dakota Electric. 1. Call Meeting to Order. Chair Vogel called the meeting to order at 5:06 p.m. in the conference room of the Water Treatment Facility, 18400 Ipava Avenue, Lakeville. 2. Approve April 24, 2001 meeting minutes. . Motion 01.17 Comms. Emond/Miller moved to approve the minutes of the April 24, 2001 meeting. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Strategic Planning: Chair Vogel indicated that Mayor Johnson provided information on the Council's priorities and a SWOT analysis was conducted at the last meeting. Anew mission statement was also developed as follows: MISSION: The Economic Development Commission is committed to innovative economic growth which enhances the quality of and provides balance to the business and residential community. Chair Vogel also indicated that each EDC member provided a list of his or her critical issues for the EDC to address. Fifty-seven critical issues were submitted as follows: • Interchange priorities for 60-70-50 • Need for major transportation arteries both city and regionally • How to provide adequate access to commercial/retail areas lie: roads) • Interchange Upgrades (70, 60, 50) • I-35 Corridor enhancements • Need to upgrade 70&35 asap to provide better access to Airlake -costs may • prevent this. • Follow plans for major east-west corridor -strategic placement 1 G:1AFIadlEcondev projectslEDC~2001mtgsl5May1052201 minutes.doc Y Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes May 22, 2001 • Affordability of land and major local road upgrades • • Once east-west corridor has been identified 6y county we need to revisit proposed adjacent land uses. • Transportation - I-35 Interchanges/East/West Corridor • Infrastructure needs relative to resources • Commercial/retail property tax base growth may no be accomplished because of infrastructure costs. • Infrastructure needs relative to resources • Encourage investigation of all potential upgrade opportunities available in critical "business infrastructure" elements required -phone, data, etc. and promote positive outcomes for long term! • High Tech Infrastructure: sooner or later this will be an issue • High Tech {nfrastructure • Technology Infrastructure • Support efforts for additional low cost housing • Shortage of affordable housing • Affordable housing -being able to finance it and provide enough • Where and who can help the City develop more affordable housing • Implementation of gateway corridor plan: no defined plan for implementation • Continue to partner with Lakeville Chamber and DLBA for promoting Lakeville's identification ie: "Where we are located" • Proximity to both metro areas • Make use of "Southern Gateway" opportunities • Financial Planning for Community -encourage community partners -schools, city, county, state, etc. to provide input to create basic financial models that can be used to visualize and measure potential threats, outcomes and overall impacts of our efforts to improve financial position of the City in the future. • What if scenario for each $ spent in Lakeville retail vs. residential vs. industrial, etc. • Partner with schools to minimize adverse levy impacts • Working with the school district(s) • Our (EDC) budget for projects (cost vs. benefit) • Downtown viability • Long term viability of downtown - no one or entity is taking lead role • Work to retain the historical flavor of downtown area, yet develop it into a vibrant business community • Help residential population appreciate C/l residents - "P.R." for business • community • Create and use aggressive innovations to build relationship between business Page 2 of 8 Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes May 22, 2001 and residents . Keeping the citizens informed and accounted for on growth issues • Gaining community support for future retail/office/industrial growth • Use media tools to spur commercial growth • New Growth • The need to encourage creative financial options to develop affordable housing and to encourage new commercial/industrial/retail growth • Remain committed to the philosophy of quality strategic growth • New growth • Continue to promote Lakeville's growth rather than be a policy maker • Ability to control growth like Heritage Commons. Ordinance does not provide for this in other critical areas ie: 35 W Corridor. • Urban sprawl: pressure to get additional tax base may allow commercial development that we do not want in the long term. • The need to initiate and develop projects that will generate a healthy tax base • Current lack of retail • Pace growth -Allow commercial/industrial sector to keep pace with residential • Balance between C/l and residential tax base • How to increase the retail/commercial tax base • Impact of property tax needs for school, city and county • Promote new growth of industrial and commercial development to enhance tax base • Tax base growth outplaced by development • Investigate/encourage expansion of Airport and rail opportunities and their impact on C/l community • Ability to upgrade airport to accommodate corporate aircraft -MAC is roadblock • Anticipate difficult city issues and develop proactive solution • Identify city issues before they become a problem CONSOLIDATED CRITICAL ISSUES The full list of critical issues was reviewed and it was noted that many of the critical issues had similar themes. Therefore the critical issues were consolidated into the following twenty-one critical issues: • Interchange priorities for 60-70-50 • Need for major transportation arteries in city and provide adequate access to commercial/retail/industrial areas • I-35 Corridor enhancements Page 3 of 8 Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes May 22, 2001 • Affordability of land • • Explore issues related to East-West Corridor • Encourage investigation of all potential upgrade opportunities available in critical "business infrastructure" elements required -phone, data, and other infrastructure, to promote positive outcomes for long term. • Identify solutions for affordable housing • Implementation of Gateway Corridor Plan -need defined plan for implementation • Continue to partner with Lakeville Chamber and DLBA for promoting Lakeville's identification - "Where we are located." • Make use of Southern Gateway opportunities and proximity to the metro area • Financial planning for community -encourage community partners -schools, city, county, state, etc. to provide input to create basic financial- models that can be used to visualize and measure potential threats, outcomes, and overall impacts of our efforts to improve financial position of city in future. • Need to have a proactive budgeting process for EDC • Work to retain the historical flavor of downtown area, developing it into a vibrant business community and ensuring its long term viability • Inform and educate residents on benefits of C/I base to gain community support and appreciation for business growth • Develop specific marketing for commercial growth • Remain committed to policies of "quality" strategic growth • Current lack of retail • • Promote growth of industrial and commercial development to encourage balance between C/I and residential tax base • Investigate/encourage expansion of airport and rail opportunities and their impact on the C/l community • Anticipate emerging/future city economic development issues and develop a proactive solution • Encourage the use of development tools, e.g.: PUD's to integrate city design standards with new developments to achieve overall consistencies. Chair Vogel suggested a break so the EDC photograph could be taken for the State of the City address. Chair Vogel also suggested resuming the meeting with agenda item five as LaDonna Boyd of Dakota Electric was present to speak on the issue. 5. Review and make recommendation to the City Council regarding the City of Lakeville's participation in the Dakota County Economic Development Partnership China Trade Committee. LaDonna Boyd of Dakota Electric presented information on the Dakota County Economic Development Partnership (DCEDP) China Trade Committee. Ms. Boyd indicated that DCEDP was formed to work collaboratively on economic development issues. The China Trade Committee was formed in the fall of 2000 after a trade group from China visited Dakota County. The International Friendship City organization then pursued establishing a formal relationship with Dakota County. The County Board • issued a proclamation to support the issue and to pursue trade with China. Ms. Boyd indicated that the Chinese do business with those they have relationships with, Page 4 of S Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes May 22, 2001 therefore creating a Sister City relationship between Dakota County and a Chinese . jurisdiction could be beneficial to Dakota County businesses. The China Trade Committee is requesting each city designate a representative to serve on the China Trade Committee and also commit $500 to support the development of a Dakota County booklet highlighting each community, which would be distributed during the China Trade Committee's visit to China. Ms. Boyd also indicated that $1000 has been committed for each city from Dakota Electric's Economic Development budget to support this effort. Ex-officio member Bob Erickson indicated that the EDC would review. the request and make a recommendation to the City Council. Ms. Boyd concluded by thanking the EDC for their consideration of this request. Ex-officio member Todd Bornhauser indicated that the Lakeville Area Chamber of Commerce did not feel that Lakeville was in a position to pursue trade relations independently, therefore the Chamber has participated in the collaborative efforts of the China Trade Committee. Chair Vogel expressed his personal concerns regarding implications of encouraging trade relations with a country that has a controversial human rights and political record. Comm. Tushie questioned why the businesses in Dakota County have not committed funds to this activity. Comm. Matasosky concurred and asked why only three Lakeville businesses were • listed as potential participants in this endeavor. He also questioned how business interest and participation was solicited. Ex-officio member Bornhauser indicated that one letter has been sent to the businesses and the three listed had responded with interest. He also indicated that as the City of Lakeville grows there might be additional businesses that could benefit from the China Trade Committee activities. Comm. Brantly suggested that developing relationships with foreign entities is necessary in order to access their trade opportunities. He also indicated that businesses would need to see a return on their investment as quickly as possible. Businesses may not have committed funds at this time because laying the foundation for these relationships may not be perceived by as a timely return on their investment. Chair Vogel reported that Mayor Johnson shared his views on global trade and the China Trade Committee. According to Chair Vogel, the Mayor is very supportive of global trade efforts, however he questioned encouraging trade with one specific country without knowledge of our local business's needs and desires to pursue such trade. Chair Vogel also indicated that the Mayor echoes the concerns voiced about the human rights and political issues in China. Ex-officio member Erickson suggested that the Chamber determine the level of interest and/or concern about this endeavor from its members prior to the City committing any support. • Page 5 of 8 Economic f]evelopment Commission Meeting Minutes May 22, 20D1 Motion 01.18 Comms. Brantly/Matasosky moved to indicate that the EDC • supports exploring international trade concepts, however the EDC would like to identify the interests and needs of Lakeville businesses relevant to international trade activities prior to City participation in specific activities. 3. Strategic Planning (continued) Chair Vogel asked those present to categorize the twenty-one critical issues into several strategic work areas. These strategic work areas and their respective critical issues will form the foundation for developing a work plan. STRATEGIC WORK AREAS The twenty-one critical issues were categorized into four strategic work areas as follows: Infrastructure • Interchange priorities for 60-70-50 • Need for major transportation arteries in the city including the need to provide adequate access to commercial/retail/industrial areas • I-35 Corridor enhancements • Explore issues related to East-West Corridor • Implementation of Gateway and Corridor Plan -need defined plan for • implementation • Investigate/encourage expansion of airport and rail opportunities and their impact on the C/I community Communication • Continue to partner with Lakeville Chamber and DLBA for promoting Lakeville's identification - "Where we are located." • Inform and educate residents on benefits of C/I base to gain community support and appreciation for business growth • Anticipate emerginglfuture city economic development issues and develop a proactive solution Financial • Financial planning for community -encourage community partners -schools, city, county, state, etc. to provide input to crate basic financial models that can be used to visualize and measure potential threats, outcomes, and overall impacts of our efforts to improve financial position of city in future. • Need to have a proactive budgeting process for EDC • Promote growth of industrial and commercial development to encourage balance between C/l and residential tax base • Page 6 of 8 Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes May 22, 2001 • Growth/development • Affordability of land • Encourage investigation of all potential upgrade opportunities in critical "business infrastructure" elements -phone, data, and other infrastructure, to promote positive outcomes for long term. • Identify solutions for affordable housing • Make use of Southern Gateway opportunities and proximity to both metro areas Work to retain the historical flavor of downtown area, developing it into a vibrant business community and ensuring its long term viability • Develop specific marketing for commercial growth • .Remain committed to policies of quality strategic growth • Current lack of retail Encourage the use of development tools, e.g.: PUD's to integrate city design standards with new developments to achieve overall consistencies. Chair Vogel indicated that the strategic work areas will be reviewed at the next EDC meeting and will be taken to the City Council in July. 6. Status Update on Strategic Plan Items: A.) HRILabor Force Committee Ms. Flad indicated that the HR/Labor Force Committee met on Thursday, May 17, 2001 at Ryt-Way Industries at 7:30 a.m. Present were representatives from Ryt-Way, • Menasha, and Parker Hannifin as well as Jennifer Petersen from the new Optimal Performance Chiropractic downtown, Todd Bornhauser from the Lakeville Area Chamber of Commerce and Ann Flad from the City of Lakeville. The Committee reviewed the merits and drawbacks of Manufacturing Technology of MN's web site. The primary drawback is that it does not list job openings but rather lists all manufacturer's and provides a link to their web site. An additional concern is that companies that are not manufacturing in nature would be precluded from using this site. The committee members determined that NationJobs.com is the most appropriate job posting web site to pursue. According to NationJobs, at least 10 companies need to participate in order for them to justify creating a specific Lakeville page on the NationJobs site. Without a critical mass of ten companies, each company could subscribe to NationJobs individually but the Labor Force/HR Committee would not have the ability to direct people to a site specifically on Lakeville jobs. The committee members also determined that a budget for advertising the jobs web site must be created. Each committee member is responsible for researching the costs involved for a portion of the advertising. This figure would be incorporated, along with the NationJobs fee, into a total fee for Lakeville businesses to subscribe to participate. Once the total cost for advertising and for NationJobs has been established, the • committee members will create a promotional piece that identifies the benefits to a business for participating in the program. This promotional material will be distributed Page 7 of 8 Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes May 22, 2001 to all businesses in Lakeville and subscriptions will be solicited at this time. If at least ten businesses do not subscribe, the feasibility of this project will be re-evaluated. The Labor Force/HR Committee will convene in mid-June to evaluate the status of this project and determine next steps. B.) High Tech Subcommittee Ms. Flad reported that the High Tech Subcommittee is beginning the process of surveying Airlake, Fairtield, McStop and the Lakeville Commerce Center area businesses to determine their existing and future telecommunications needs. The High Tech Subcommittee experienced a delay in getting the survey re-formatted so that it could be e- mailed and completed via computer. This delay was due to the unfortunate death of David MacKenzie, the consultant who was working with the subcommittee on the survey development and interpretation. This delay has necessitated a revision of the survey project timeline. The Subcommittee anticipates preliminary survey results by the end of June. C.) Incentives Subcommittee Mr. trussing reported that Springsted is in the process of preparing the Financial Incentives Matrix including background information. Lakeville staff and the city attorney have reviewed a preliminary copy of the document and suggested several clarifications and additions. The new document is to include changes resulting from the current legislative session (depending on timing and special session). The document is • proposed to be completed in early June and the Financial Incentives Subcommittee will meet prior to the next EDC meeting to review the Matrix. Ex-officio member Erickson provided an overview of the recent decision by the Dakota County Board and City Council regarding the financing of upgrades to the County Road 60 interchange. The City will pay for the portion of the upgrades not covered by state funding in order to accomplish the upgrades to the County Road 60 Interchange in a more timely fashion than the County had originally proposed. 7. Adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted by: Attested to: Ann Flad, Recording Secretary .T. Brantly, Secretary • Page 8 of 8