Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-25-03-03 • City of Lakeville Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes March 25, 2003 Marion Conference Room, City Hail Members Present: Brantly, Emond, J. Erickson, Gehrke, Matasosky, Schubert, Ex- Officio member Robert Erickson -City Administrator. Members Absent: Miller, Pogatchnik, Smith, Tushie, Ex-Officio member Todd Bornhauser. Others Present: Staff present: David Olson, Community & Economic Development Director; Penny Brevig, Recording Secretary. 1. Call Meeting to Order. Chair Matasosky called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Marion • Conference Room of City Hall, 20195 Holyoke Avenue, Lakeville, Minnesota. 2. Approve February 25, 2003 Meeting Minutes. Motion 03.06 Comms. Erickson/Emond moved to approve the minutes of the February 25, 2003 meeting. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Introduction of New EDC Member Steve Gehrke. Chair Matasosky welcomed Steve Gehrke to the EDC. The EDC members introduced themselves. Mr. Gehrke provided the members information on his background and why he sought appointment to the EDC. 4. Presentation of Himle Horner's Review of Communication Strategies for Economic Development by Todd Rapp. Mr. Olson introduced Todd Rapp of Himle Horner to present his firm's recommendations regarding possible new methods of communicating uniform messages about economic development in Lakeville and to respond to questions and comments from the EDC members. Mr. Rapp identified three items that could be improved on in the City's current written communications with residents and the community. More visuals and not • as much text, repeat key themes in all communication materials, and make it Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes March 25, 2003 • personal and interesting to the specific group that the information is being delivered to. Mr. Rapp summarized the reasons economic development will continue to be a key issue for residents, businesses and city leaders in Lakeville. He indicated that Himle Horner felt that the City and the EDC should utilize as many opportunities to communicate economic development plans to their residents and the general public as possible. But, he also indicated that residents want to know more about the impact of economic development projects and planning on their lives. We need to link economic development goals and projects to core values of our community and its residents. Mr. Rapp indicated that the city's web site is an excellent way to communicate to the general public visually and suggested using more links and downloads of the city's publications. He stated that the city needs to keep looking for creative new venues to communicate our messages to the public. Mr. Erickson stated that Mr. Rapp's in depth review of the city's communication strategies far exceeded the City's expectations. Chair Matasosky agreed that the review was excellent and correct in stating that it • is not the credibility, but the communicating that needed improvement. Mr. Erickson stated that there is a common thread that goes beyond the EDC and that this information needs to be distributed to every department head in City Hall where everyone will benefit. Comm. Brantly stated that putting on a seminar presenting this information would be very beneficial. Mr. Erickson agreed that this approach would be invaluable. He indicated that a number of community groups should be invited, including the Chamber of Commerce, Service Clubs, the school district, etc. Mr. Rapp agreed that this was a good idea. He indicated that the directors of the departments should be first on the list to attend the seminar, along with similar major groups in the City that need to communicate economic development. The first seminars could be given by the consultant and after that, start building a network. Chair Matasosky suggested that the Communications Committee should be reconvened to develop some recommendations and create policies for the City Council to consider. Mr. Erickson indicated that Mr. Olson would request a proposal and cost estimate • from Himle Horner before the Communications Committee meets. G:\Ecoaomic Development\EDC\EDC Mee[ings12003mtgs\03 MarchMinutes march 25.dce 2 Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes March 25, 2003 • Motion 03.07 Comms. Brantly/Emond moved to reconvene the Communications Committee to develop recommendations for City Council and create policies regarding a proposal from Himle Horner to conduct a seminar on Communication Strategies for Economic Development. The Committee would include Brantly, Emond, Matasosky. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Olson thanked Mr. Rapp for attending tonight's EDC meeting and for his thorough review of communication strategies for economic development. 5. Review of Partners in Progress Report prepared by Dakota Electric Association Mr. Olson stated that the Partners in Progress report is prepared annually by Dakota Electric Association and highlights the economic development achievements of the cities in Dakota County that are seared by Dakota Electric. He indicated that it provides a brief summary of the development achievements in the other developing cities in Dakota County and allows Lakeville to benchmark itself with the other communities in Dakota County. Mr. Olson stated that it's important to provide this information to Dakota Electric Association for this report. It doesn't cost the Ciry anything and it's invaluable publicity. • Mr. Olson presented a brief comparative analysis of the information contained in this report. He indicated that this report confirms that Lakeville is continuing to experience some of the highest levels of growth for both residential and commercial/industrial development in the County. 6. Director's Report Mr. Olson was asked by the EDC to provide an update on the Dakota County East-West Corridor Study. Mr. Olson explained the different corridor options being considered and which proposed corridors the City of Lakeville and the City of Farmington have agreed upon. Comm. Emond asked if Dakota County or the City of Lakeville is trying to acquire all of the road options. Mr. Olson indicated that the purpose of this study is to preserve the corridors when a development comes in. He stated that they hope to have the study completed by June of 2003. The purpose of the joint agreement with the City of Farmington is to demonstrate and document the consensus of the two cities regarding the proposed corridors. Mr. Olson stated that the City received approximately 25 applications for the initial posting of the Economic Development Coordinator Position. He indicated that six • applicants were interviewed and two of those six were brought in for second interviews. Unfortunately, Mr. Olson indicated that none of the finalists possessed G:\Economic Developrnea[\EDC\EDC Meelings\2003m[gs\03 MarchNdnutes march 25.doc 3 Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes March 25, 2003 • the right combination of skills in both communications and marketing as well as economic development. As a result, the City has re-advertised the position and have modified the job posting so as not to place as much emphasis on communication and more on economic development experience and background and extended the advertising of the position to include neighboring states. Mr. Olson stated that Scruples Salon Products, Inc. was the featured business at the March 3, 2003 City Council meeting and was introduced by EDC Member Barry Pogatchnik. Mr. Olson indicated that Despatch Industries and Alcorn Beverages will be featured at the April 7 and April 21 City Council meetings respectively. Mr. Olson circulated a sign up sheet for presenters for the Spotlight on Business. Mr. Olson stated that he presented the 2003 Strategic Plan Work Program as well as the 2002 accomplishments to the City Council at their March 17 meeting. Vice-Chair Pogatchnik was also in attendance at the meeting and provided comments on behalf of the EDC. Mr. Olson indicated that the City Council extended their appreciation to the EDC for its efforts in 2002 and approved the Strategic Plan Work Program for 2003. • Mr. Olson stated that at the March 13, 2003 meeting of the Airlake Airport Advisory Commission meeting, staff from the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) introduced Ron Hansen, owner of Aircraft Resource Center. Mr. Olson indicated that Mr. Hansen recently received lease approval from MAC to operate the main Fixed Based Operations building at the airport. Mr. Hansen recently purchased this part of the commercial operations at the airport from Steve Wentworth. Mr. Wentworth will still own and operate a commercial hanger at Airlake Airport and retain a lease with MAC. Mr. Olson stated that Mr. Hansen's lease will allow him to sell fuel, new and used aircraft and parts, offer aircraft maintenance and flight lessons. Mr. Hansen also plans to focus more on corporate aircraft sales and service that Mr. Wentworth was able to. Mr. Olson indicated that staff is hoping that Mr. Hansen will build on the improvements in facilities and service that were started last year by Mr. Wentworth and make Airlake Airport more attractive for corporate aircraft use. Mr. Olson stated that Mr. Hansen was willing to host a future EDC meeting or attend one of our regular meetings in City Hall. Mr. Olson stated that the Dakota County CDA prepared a survey on new housing units constructed in Dakota County cities in 2002. He indicated that some of the • same information is also contained in the Partners in Progress Report, however, the CDA provides more detailed analysis and comparisons to the previous year. G:~Economic DevelopmenriEDCIEDC Meetingsi2003mtgs103 MazchUninutes march 25.doc 4 Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes March 25, 2003 • Mr. Olson stated that this report also contains new affordability information, housing and community development grants/loans that were received by Dakota County cities in 2002 and affordable housing units owned by the CDA throughout the County. The EDC had some discussion regarding getting up-to-date information on current projects/concerns/issues each month. Mr. Erickson stated that updates of ongoing development issues will be included in Mr. Olson's Director's Report each month so that the EDC members will be aware of the challenges that the City is faced with currently and perhaps be advocates for the City. Comm. Schubert asked if anyone had seen the excellent article in the March 21, 2003 Business Journal regarding Progressive Rail. Mr. Erickson indicated that a copy of the article will be included in the next EDC packet. 7. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted by: Attested to: Penny ig, Recordin cretary R. T. Brantly, Secret G:~Econorttic Developmen[~EDC~EDC Meetings~2003m[gsW3 Match~minuu:s march 25.doc 5