Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-27-00-00 CITY OF LAKEVILLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES June 27, 2000 Members Present: Brantly, Erickson, Matasosky, Miller, Schubert, Tushie, and Ex-officio member Erickson. Members Absent: Detjen, Emond, Pogatchnik, and Vogel Staff Present: Rita Erpelding, Economic Development Coordinator 1. Call to Order. Comm. Matasosky called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. in the Administration Conference Room at Lakeville City Hall. 2. Approval of the April 18, 2000 Meeting Minutes MOTION 00.15 Comms. Erickson/Miller moved to approve the April 18, 2000 meeting minutes. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Update of Strategic Work Plan Activities • a. South Creek Trout Stream Subcommittee Update The EDC adjourned to the City Council Chambers to meet with the Environmental Affairs Committee. Environmental Resources Coordinator Tim Brown introduced himself and indicated that three of the South Creek subcommittee members were present for questions and comments. Mr. Brown provided a brief overview of the South Creek Management Plan. He indicated that the primary best management practice (BMP) recommended was the construction of infiltration basins. Mr. Brown also indicated that the Management Plan also includes a recommendation for long-term monitoring of the trout stream. Monitoring will ensure that the practices implemented have the desired affect and that changes can 6e made as deemed necessary. EAC member Rosselit stated that continual positive feedback was received throughout the process from both agencies and landowners. He stated that the trout stream designation brought together efforts of both the EAC and EDC to achieve economic development and environmental goals. EAC member Rosselit indicated that on-going monitoring is an important part of the plan process. EAC member Goodwin concurred and stated he believes the plan represents a viable approach for both development and protection of the trout stream. Comm. Matasosky agreed and indicated that the task of the subcommittee was to develop new criteria based on sound data provided by Barr Engineering. He thanked everyone involved in • the process. Lakeville Economic Development Commission June 27, 200D Meeting Minutes Page 2 • EAC Chair Kline asked for clarification on the letter from John Hunt of Trout Unlimited, which stated that under full development conditions, a 35% reduction in base flow is predicted. Comm. Matasosky indicated that the primary design motivation was to preserve the current flow and temperature of the stream. He stated that the reason for monitoring is to make sure that infiltration does not decrease the base flow of the stream. Mr. Brown indicated that Task 3 of the Barr study addressed the groundwater flow and water balance. Barr's modeling showed that base flow during dry periods would be sufficient to maintain trout. Mr. Brown stated that there have been discussions with the DNR, and they are comfortable with Barr's conclusions. He explained other measures discussed such as a rifFle pool and DNR stocking. EAC member Goodwin asked if there is an element of the plan in place to address decreases in base flow. Mr. Brown responded that City staff plans to continually monitor conditions as part of the management of the stream. Should any danger be detected, the DNR Fisheries would be contacted immediately. EAC member McManus asked if any additional hazardous response training is planned for the fire department. Mr. Brown stated that the fire department has indicated that they are trained in hazardous waste spills, and that the Management Plan calls for raising awareness of local businesses on this issue. There being no further discussion, the joint meeting was adjourned to allow each • committee to independently consider a recommendation to the City Council. MOTION 00.16 Comms. Brantly/Tushie moved to adopt Resolution 00.01 which recommends the City Council receive and adopt the South Creek Management Plan. Motion carried unanimously. b. Commercialllndustrial Park Dedication Fees Comm. Tushie stated that the subcommittee continues to meet and will have a recommendation for the next EDC meeting. c. Labor Force Subcommittee Ms. Erpelding stated that a Request for Proposal for a Labor Force Survey was distributed on May 22nd based on the recommendation of the EDC. The City received three proposals and the subcommittee interviewed two consultants. Based on the proposals and interviews, the subcommittee unanimously recommended the firm of Anderson, Niebuhr, & Associates. The recommendation was based on their understanding of the EDC's objective and the experience of the staff and the firm. Comm. Tushie asked the purpose and objectives of the survey. Comm. Matasosky stated that through the survey the EDC will be able to identify what employment opportunities currently exist in Airlake and market those opportunities to residents of Lakeville and neighboring communities. Comm. Matasosky added that the inventory of employment opportunities would also assist the EDC in other ways. An inventory would help the EDC and City staff decide Lakeville Economic Development Commission June 27, 2000 Meeting Minutes Page 3 • whether a prospect would complement or compete with existing companies. It may also help in deciding whether tc offer incentives when promoting the community. In addition, the EDC may be able to utilize the information to recruit employees of companies that are closing. Comm. Tushie expressed concern that the survey will not provide a complete picture. He recommended that the EDC should also be surveying residents as to why they are working in neighboring communities. Mr. Erickson stated that the City has much more demographic information about residents than businesses. Mr. Erickson concurred with Comm. Matasosky, stating that the City receives three to five inquiries a week and it is sometimes challenging to decide how that company may impact the future growth of Airlake. Comm. Tushie asked how confident the subcommittee members felt about the value of the services the consultant will provide. Comm. Schubert stated that she felt very confident that the consultant will listen to the subcommittee and provide direction that will ensure that the survey will provide the information the EDC is seeking. Comm. Matasosky recommended that some representatives of Airlake businesses be invited to provide input on the survey. Comm. Brantly stated that it would be a good idea to ensure that the right questions are asked. It was recommended that staff invite three to four business representatives which would represent across-section of business size and employee skill level. • MOTION 00.17 Comms. Schubert/Matasosky recommended that the City Council approve the contract for a labor force survey with Anderson, Niebuhr, & Associates. Motion carried unanimously. Ms. Erpelding stated that City staff has prepared the enclosed application for submittal to the UtiliCorp United Community Marketing Program. Mr. Cal Clark of UtiliCorp United has indicated an interest in assisting the EDC with the labor force survey. The EDC unanimously agreed that City staff should submit the application. d. Establish Affordable Housing Subcommittee Ms. Erpelding stated that in January of 2000, the City of Lakeville submitted an application to the Dakota County Community Development Agency (CDA) for Community Development Block Grant Funding. The City of Lakeville recommended that a portion of the funding be utilized for the development of an affordable housing strategy. Since the funds will be available beginning on July 151, staff is recommending that the affordable housing subcommittee be established. The subcommittee will not begin meeting until after the new Community and Economic Development Director begins employment. Comm. Erickson asked what is considered affordable housing. Mr. Erickson stated that one common definition is that affordable is a $30,000 annual household income. Comm. Tushie added that Metropolitan Council's definition is a house with a value of • $130,000. However, many cities have decided that the definition is not accurate for their community. For example, Minnetonka established a housing value of $100,000. Comm. Tushie stated that Lakeville may want to develop its own definition. Lakeville Economic Development Commission June 27, 2000 Meeting Minutes Page 4 • The EDC unanimously recommended that the subcommittee members be Comms. Tushie, Emond, and Pogatchnik. Comm. Matasosky added that it may be helpful for representatives of the Dakota County CDA to be a part of the subcommittee. 4. Discussion regarding future TIF Incentives Mr. Erickson stated that there have been several challenges encountered by staff regarding offering incentives to business prospects. Staff recognizes that if a large facility were to be constructed in Lakeville, it would most likely compete with existing companies for employees. However, staff would like to continue to be proactive with business opportunities. Staff is therefore requesting some feedback from the EDC. Comm. Tushie stated that one criteria in offering incentives is whether the company is committed to community over the long-term. One possible solution would 6e to include requirements in the development agreement which would penalize a firm if it left prior to an agreed time. tf a firm is planning to remain over the long-term than such an agreement would be acceptable to the company. Comm. Matasosky added that this issue is one reason why the EDC's subcommittee to explore incentives remains important. He recommended that the EDC consider convening the subcommittee in the future. Mr. Erickson also stated that based on the discussion for the labor force survey, he would • recommend that a question in the survey address the City's use of incentives in light of the tight labor market. The question would assist the EDC and City staff in making decisions regarding incentives. 5. Staff Activities Report Mr. Erickson stated that the Zoning Ordinance and Map are nearly completed. It will be considered by the City Council at a three-hour work session on July 10`h and then at the City Council meeting on July 17`". Mr. Erickson stated that in his discussions with other communities he was surprised to learn that Lakeville is one of the firsf to update its Zoning Ordinance/Map. Mr. Erickson stated that City staff has worked with Frontier Communications regarding their services to Fairfield Business Campus and Airlake Industrial Park. In response to the discussions with the City, Frontier has sent out a survey to Airlake and Fairfield Businesses. Comm. Schubert stated that she had received the survey, but is still struggling with representatives regarding DSL. It is still unclear whether or not her company will be able to get DSL service. In addition, it was frustrating that they expected her to pay for them to determine whether DSL service is possible. Comm. Matasosky stated that he has worked with a number of firms that have also have difficulty with Frontier stating that service is available and then not providing it. Mr. Erickson stated that in the near future companies may have additional choices for telecommunications. Hickory Tech, an independent telephone company from Mankato, is interesting in providing service to Lakeville. It is anticipated that HickoryTech could be in • Lakeville by the end of the year. In addition, Charter will be placing fiber-optics along Cedar Avenue during construction this summer. This would enable Charter to provide additional Lakeville Economic Development Commission June 27, 2000 Meeting Minutes Page 5 • services by November 2000. Mr. Erickson stated that Welsh Companies has optioned all of the land along Kenrick Avenue from County Road 70 to Terra Products. Preliminary discussions with City staff have indicated that they are considering construction of 500,000 square feet of retail. One benefit of the project may be the reconstruction of the County Road 70 interchange. Comm. Tushie expressed concern that the proposed concept plan shows the buildings facing the freeway. 6. Other Business Ms. Erpelding announced that she had tendered her resignation with the City and has accepted a position with the Community Action Council. Comm. Erickson announced that he will be retiring as of July 1, 2000 and that two pharmacists have purchased Erickson Drug. 7. Adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 8:02 p.m. RespecGtfully submitted by: Attested to: ~'~U u~~~ ,~J Rita Erpel ing, Rec ng Secretary .T. Bran ly, Secretary / • •