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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-22-02-02 • City of Lakeville Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2002 Marion Conference Room, City Hall Members Present: Vogel, Brantly, Emond, Matasosky, Pogatchnik, Ex-Officio members Robert Erickson and Todd Bornhauser. Members Absent: Erickson, Miller, Schubert and Tushie. Others Present: Staff present: David Olson, Community & Economic Development Director; Karla Hartmann, Engineering Secretary. 1. Call Meeting to Order. Chair Vogel called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. in the Marion Conference Room of City Hall, 20195 Holyoke Avenue, Lakeville, Minnesota. 2. Approve December 11, 2001 Meeting Minutes. • Motion 02.01 Comms. Matasosky/Pogatchnik moved to approve the minutes of the December 11, 2001 meeting. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Election of Officers. Commissioners discussed maintaining the current officers for another term. There being no objections, Chair Vogel called for a motion. Motion 02.02 Comms. Emond/Pogatchnik moved to reelect Bob Vogel as Chair, Jack Matasosky as Vice Chair, and Bob Brantly as Secretary of the Economic Development Commission. Motion carried unanimously. 4. Presentation of Survey Results. Robert Erickson, City Administrator, presented the Community Survey Results conducted by Decision Resources, Ltd. Mr. Erickson stated that the results have been presented to senior staff members and the presentation will be replayed on Channel 16 for Lakeville residents. He gave the commissioners the highlights of the survey results related to Economic Development and stated that the executive summary along with a letter from the Mayor will be mailed to the development community. Overall, Lakeville residents graded the city very positively and ratings were extremely impressive in comparison with other "high growth" areas. Mr. Erickson noted that the high marks were not only earned by City staff, but also by the advisory committees, citizens and the development community. • Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2001 Discussion occurred regarding the median household yearly income being higher than the current Metro Area suburban norm. Mr. Brantly asked if there was any • information on where Lakeville residents work. Mr. Erickson responded that 15% of residents work in Mpls/St. Paul, 22% telecommute, and 78% commute to other communities. Mr. Emond commented that the telecommuters often times are sales positions working out of their home offices. Mr. Pogatchnik stated he was surprised to see only 6% of residents indicated schools as the thing they liked most about the city. Mr. Erickson stated that staff could present a history of the survey results with regard to school ratings at the next EDC meeting. Mr. Erickson indicated that citizens had a high level of comfort in the community with regard to development, and stated the neighborhood meetings and live telecasting of the Planning Commission meetings have been helpful. He noted that a need for more restaurants was expressed, but feels that TimberCrest should help address this issue. Lastly, Mr. Erickson stated that the EDC should consider engaging someone to market the information in this survey. The Commissioners agreed with utilizing outside help to help market the data. Chair Vogel suggested running an ad in a restaurant magazine as a marketing strategy. Mr. Pogatchnik expressed concern about the low percentage of residents (9%) • that stated Channel 16 was their primary source of information. Mr. Erickson responded that Lakeville Government Channel has the highest viewership and compared it to the survey results of 1 to 2% in other cities surveyed by Decision Resources, Ltd. He also noted that a high percentage of residents read the Messages page on the City's website. Chair Vogel asked how city management plans to keep employees motivated. Mr. Erickson stated that the City has and plans to continue to sponsor a successful customer service seminar for employees entitled "Treat Our Citizens Like Gold" at which a motivational speaker came and spoke to all city employees. In addition the City Administrator plans to showcase departments utilizing group pictures and specific achievements to recognize employees. 5. Presentation of Proposal to Feature Local Businesses. Mr. Erickson presented a proposal to feature local businesses at each council meeting beginning with the first meeting in February. The purpose would be to help educate people on the importance of the businesses in our community. A schedule would have to be arranged in order to have one EDC member present at each of the council meetings to introduce the featured business. Mr. Matasosky liked the idea and suggested linking it to the survey results, i.e. 80% of our residents indicated they want more businesses in Lakeville. G:1KHartmann\EDC minutes Jan D2.doc 2 Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2001 Chair Vogel asked how to go about selecting which businesses to feature without • offending anyone. Mr. Bornhauser suggested the approach the Chamber of Commerce uses of having one of each type of business: manufacturer, retail and service at each meeting. Mr. Matasosky stated it would be a good idea to keep in mind some business owners are shy and may not want to come to City Hall, and stressed the importance of using personal contact to invite them. Mr. Erickson suggested selecting the ones we know would enjoy it to "break the ice." He also suggested introducing the program in Airlake News as a good first step. Chair Vogel indicated that some business owners might appreciate some help with writing the script. Mr. Brantly suggested videotaping those who may be uncomfortable presenting to a live television audience. Motion 02.03 Comms. Brantly/Emond moved to recommend to the City Council that they showcase a different business or businesses at each council meeting beginning in February of 2002. Motion carried unanimously. 6. 2002-2004 Strategic Plan. 6A) Comparable Cll Analysis Chair Vogel indicated that the data would be useful if the percentages could be • converted into real numbers for stating goals, i.e., give a specific dollar amount as a goal for commercial development per year. Mr. Olson stated the next step is to schedule a meeting for the subcommittee that was created at the December meeting to begin putting together information to be used to inform residents of the benefits of C/l development in Lakeville. Mr. Emond commented that 32% non-taxable land seems like an inefficient use of prime commercial land. Mr. Olson indicated that in addition to churches this also includes parks, wetlands, schools, and city, county and state facilities. Chair Vogel stated the subcommittee could work on placing values on each commercial category to give more focus and to help set attainable goals that people can be accountable for. Chair Vogel directed the subcommittee members to check schedules for a possible meeting date. Chair Vogel noted that the guest from Advanced Wireless Project was now in attendance and suggested skipping ahead in the agenda to Item 7. 7. Proposed Advanced Wireless Project. Mr. Olson introduced Mr. Ben Coons, President of Advanced Wireless. He reviewed the staff report, and displayed a • G:1KHartmann\EDC minutes Jan 02.doc 3 Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2001 concept plan drawing of the proposed building. Discussion took place regarding the Tax Increment Financing Assistance. • The EDC is requested to recommend to the City Council that a public hearing be held to consider a Business Subsidy Agreement for the proposed Advance Wireless Communications Project. Mr. Olson stated that other inquiries have come forth because the option agreement has been released between the City and the owners of the Itron Building. Because Advanced Wireless originally pursued the release, other inquiries will not be considered unless Advanced Wireless decides not to proceed with the development. Mr. Coons reviewed the nature of his business and indicated the need to move into a new facility to provide for expansion of the business. Member Matasosky indicated a need to abstain from voting. Motion 02.04 Comms. Pogatchnik/Emond moved to recommend to the City Council that a public hearing be scheduled to consider a Business Subsidy Agreement for the proposed Advanced Wireless Communications project subject to City being provided with the additional required information. Motion carried unanimously. Chair Vogel called for a recess at 7:30 p.m. to allow Mr. Olson to be excused to the Council meeting briefly. • 6B) Financial Planning with School, County, State, Etc. Mr. Olson stated a meeting is in the process of being scheduled with staff and Superintendent Amoroso to discuss goals and needs of both the City and School District. 6C) Encourage investigation of critical business infrastructure Mr. Olson reviewed the staff report and noted that Mr. Brantly is serving on the High Tech Subcommittee, and that another meeting will be scheduled for February. Mr. Emond asked what staff commitment is required for the E-commerce certification. Mr. Olson responded that Frontier Communications has offered to assist Lakeville in obtaining certification and so staff commitment would be minimal. Motion 02.05 Comms. Emond/Matasosky moved to direct staff to pursue "E- commerce certification" with the assistance of Frontier on the basis that it is consistent with Goal #3 of the City's 2002-2004 Strategic Plan for Economic Development. Motion carried unanimously. • G:\KHartmann\EDC minutes Jan 02.doc 4 Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2001 • 8. Notice of Temporary Plant Closure -Crown Cork and Seal. Mr. Olson reviewed the staff report and stated that the loss of business is due in part to a trend towards the use of more plastic containers in the beverage industry. 9. Update on Wren Property Acquisition. Mr. Olson stated that Dakota County CDA has been in negotiations with the owner of the Wren property as a site for affordable housing for approximately one year and that they are close to reaching conclusion on the sale. Discussion took place regarding the environmental testing required on the site and the amount of additional work involved. 10. Director's Report. Mr. Olson reviewed the January Director's Report, indicating that this will be a regular monthly update provided to the EDC in order to help keep them up to date on current projects. 11.Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted by: Attested to: K la Hartmann, Recording Secretary R. T. Brantly, Secretary ~ • G:WiarlmannlEDC minutes Jan D2.doc 5