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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-26-02-02 City of Lakeville Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes November 26, 2002 Marion Conference Room, Lakeville City Hall 20195 Holyoke Avenue Members Present: Comms. Emond, J. Erickson, Schubert, Smith, Brantly, Ex-Officio member Todd Bornhauser -Executive Director of the Lakeville Area Chamber of Commerce, Ex-Officio member Robert Erickson -City Administrator. Members Absent: Comms. Miller, Matasosky, Tushie, Pogatchnik. Others Present: Staff: David Olson, Community & Economic Development Director; Ann Flad, Economic Development Coordinator. 1. Call Meeting to Order. Secretary Brantly called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. • in the Marion Conference Room of City Hall at 20195 Holyoke Avenue, Lakeville, MN. 2. Approve October 29, 2002 Meeting Minutes. Motion 02.19 Comms. Emond/J. Erickson moved to approve the minutes of the October 29, 2002 meeting. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Strategic Plan progress and update. Ms. Flad provided an update of the progress made to date on the three goals identified in the 2002 Work Plan as incorporated into the 2002-2004 Strategic Plan for Economic Development. Significant progress has been made on the goal of educating the residents on the benefits of the commercial and industrial tax base. The success of the new Spotlight on Business program and the Strategic Engagement Plan developed by Himle Horner are two initiatives that have resulted from the efforts to achieve this goal. . Significant progress has also been made on investigation of critical business infrastructure, as evidenced by obtaining E-Commerce Certification, creation of a Technology Center Task Force, and the detailed examination of financing alternatives to achieve the interchange upgrades needed in the community. • A meeting was held on November 30, 2001 with Bob Vogel, Jack Matasosky, David Olson, Ann Flad and Superintendent Amoroso to begin a dialog with iSD 194, consistent with the EDC's goal #o enhance relationships with community partners in order to create a model Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes • November 26, 2002 that will preserve the financial position of the city. The school district's focus, however, has been on their recent referendum, the design of the -new high school, and school board elections. Ms. Flad did point out that the relationship with the school district has been strengfhened as a result of efforts to achieve other goals, including the participation of the school district on the Technology Center Task Force. Ms. Flad also provided the Commissioners with a copy of the four Strategic Work Areas outlined in the 2002-2004 Strategic Plan for Economic Development. A draft 2003 Work Plan will be brought to the EDC for review at the January meeting. Pending approval, the 2003 Work Plan will be presented to the City Council at the first meeting in February. 4. Strategic Work Plan Item: Educate residents on the benefits of Cfl -update on engagement of Himle Horner. Mr. Olson reported that the City Council, at their November 4, 2002 meeting, postponed the discussion of the EDC's recommendation to engage Himle Horner Incorporated to develop a communications plan. The Council discussed the cost-benefit of the Himle Horner proposal at a Council Work Session on November 25, 2002. Discussion by Council members ensued regarding their belief that the Crossroads development generated less resident controversy than the Timbercrest project had. The City Council indicated that the minimal controversy around the Crossroads project suggests that a • major communications plan may no longer be necessary. The Council indicated interest in engaging Himle Horner to review and make recommendations about existing print publications used to inform residents. Comm. Brantly questioned whether Himle Horner had been engaged to work with the EDC yet. Mr. Olson indicated that Himle Horner has been paid for the time they have spent at EDC meetings and developing the Strategic Engagement Plan, however they have not been formally engaged to continue their efforts with the EDC. City Administrator Erickson indicated that the Spotlight on Business program that was initiated to address the goal of informing residents has been very successful. The City Council felt that expending a considerably lesser amount with Himle Horner to assist in ensuring the existing communications tools convey an economic development message may be appropriate. Comm. Brantly indicated that new developments that are in close proximity to other residential areas might still generate controversy in the future. Comm. Brantly noted that professional advice could be very valuable to City staff when preparing communications materials. Comm. Smith inquired whether a review of the communications tools could be • accomplished for a lesser amount, and whether the City's web site is an EDC guided communications tool. City Administrator Erickson indicated the Economic Development staff has worked to ensure that commercial and industrial development is a significant 2 Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes • November 26, 2002 component of the web site therefore it is a relevant tool to be reviewed. Mr. Olson reported that Himle Horner has indicated the firm would be wilting to undertake a review of communications tools for a cost not to exceed $4,000. Further, Comm. Tom Smith commented on the value this process would bring to the Economic Development Report to Lakeville residents planned for 2003. Motion 02.20 Comms. Emond/Smith moved to support the City Council's pared back and refocused mission for the engagement of the PR Firm Himle Horner to review and make recommendations on communications tools used to inform residents about the benefits of commercial and industrial development. Motion carried unanimously. 5. 2003 CDBG Update Mr. Olson reported on the 2003 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Every year the Dakota County Community Development Agency (CDA) receives Community CDBG funding from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These funds are to be used by communities for projects that either benefit low-to-moderate income people or projects that eliminate slums and blight. • Mr. Olson reviewed Lakeville's use of CDBG funds. in recent years. In 2000, $70,000 was allocated to the newly created Downtown Code Improvement program and the City subsequently used those. funds to assist the Smith Dental renovation. The remainder of the City's allocation ($34,819) was reprogrammed into 2001 and combined with the entire allocation of 2001 ($109,316) to support the CDA's acquisition of the Wren property for future development of an affordable rental townhome project. In 2002, $75,000 was again allocated to the Downtown Code Improvement Program and subsequently used to assist the Ben. Franklin renovation. The remainder of the funds ($25,000} are anticipated to be used to offset costs of the clearance, contaminated soil clean-up, and demolition of the car-wash/drycleaner property. Mr. Olson indicated that the CDA uses a formula to determine the amount of funds to allocate to each community in Dakota County. The CDA has indicated that Lakeville can expect approximately $105,000 in 2003, which is similar to the level of funding the City received in 2002. An application outlining the proposed uses for 2003 funds must be approved by the City Council and submitted to the CDA by the end of January. Discussion ensued regarding the proposed demolition and clean-up of the car wash/drycleaner in downtown. Mr. Olson reported that all title issues have been resolved and the City now owns the property. Wells Fargo Bank has not committed to purchasing the property from the City due to the contamination on the site. The City is receiving cost • estimates for the clean-up of the property. Comm. Schubert suggested that a restriction be placed on the deed, which would require any future owner of the property to maintain it as a parking lot. 3 Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes • November 26, 2002 Comm. Bomhauser questioned what the City would do with the property if Wells Fargo did not aquire the property. Mr. Olson indicated that had not been determined at this time. Motion 02.21 Comms. Emond/Schubert moved to recommend the City Council authorize an application to obtain 2003 CDBG funds far the Downtown Code Improvement Program at levels similar to previous years' funding, and that the remainder of the allocation be requested to offset costs of vacant building demolition, clearance and/or cleanup in the downtown Special Service District. Motion carried unanimously. S. Business Retention Program Mr. Dlson indicated that a fundamental component of economic development- is the retention of existing businesses in the community. A business retention program that includes visits with existing businesses helps to identify businesses' issues, .provides businesses with a point of contact within the city, and can direct them to additional. resources if needed. Mr. Olson suggested that staff incorporate Business Retention Visits into the EDC's 2003 • Strategic Work Plan. Both commercial and industrial businesses would be targeted for visits without regard to size. Visits would be pre-arranged, and Commissioners would be invited to participate as well. Follow-up to the business visits would take place as needed, and the results of visits would be reported to the EDC quarterly. Commissioners expressed support for Business Retention Visits as have been done in the past and recommended including them into the EDC's 2003 Workplan. 7. Bi-annual Report to Residents on Economic Development Ms. Flad reported that previous Strategic Plans for Economic Development have included the goal to distribute a report on economic development to the residents of Lakeville on a regular basis. The 2002-2004 Strategic Plan for Economic Development also includes a goal to educate the residents on the benefits of commercial/industrial development.. The last annual report on Economic Development was prepared in 1997, when the EDG distributed "Lakeville: Right on Track. An Economic Development Report to Lakeville Residents." This document was distributed to every household in Lakeville. EDC and staff members prepared the report content, a Graphic Designer developed the layout, and Custom Color Printing printed the report. Preparation of a new Annual Report on Economic Development would assist in achieving the goal of educating the residents on the benefits of C/I development. The 2003 • Economic Development Department budget includes sufficient funds for the preparation and distribution of an annual report. For comparison purposes, the City's recent Water Quality Report was mailed to all residents, and the total project cost was approximately a Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes • November 26, 2002 $5,600. Ms. Flad indicated that staff will work with Himle Horner and the C/I Subcommittee to determine report content and project costs. Director's Repor[ Mr. Olson reported that the Spotlight on Business Program continues to be well received. Comm. Emond introduced Kim Dresselhaus of Menasha Packaging Corporation at the November 18th City Council meeting. Ms. Dresselhaus has been with Menasha Packaging for over 20 years and started with the company when she was a student at Lakeville High School. Technical Methods is scheduled to be featured at the December 2nd meeting. Because the December 16th meeting falls during the holiday season, no business will be scheduled for that meeting. Mr. Olson also indicated that Ms. Flad, along with representatives of Dakota County Technical College and ISD 194, visited and toured the Technology Plus facility in Mankato on November 6th. The Technology Plus facility and program is considered by many to be one of the more successful Technology Centers in the State of Minnesota. Mr. Olson also reported that Dakota County Technical College continues to explore • opportunities to develop a greater presence in Lakeville. They completed the first part of a Strategic Planning process on November 7th. Further information on the conclusions. of this effort will be provided to the EDC when it becomes available. Mr. Olson provided the EDC with an election recap as prepared by Kathy Hahne with the firm of Faegre and Benson. Ms. Hahne is contracted by the Economic Development Association of MN (EDAM), of which the City of Lakeville is a member, to monitor and lobby on economic development issues at the State Legislature. A copy of the DRAFT "2003 Legislative Policy Positions" was provided. These policy positions will become the basis by which EDAM monitor these issues and programs during the Legislature Session. Mr. Olson also reminded Commissioners to RSVP to Judi Hawkins for the Annual Advisory Committee Appreciation Event to be held on December 4, 2002 at Lakeville Area Arts Center. Mr. Olson also distributed a list of proposed 2003 EDC Meeting Dates. Meetings are proposed to be held on the fourth Tuesday of each month except for the month of December, when the proposed meeting date the third Tuesday -Tuesday, December 16, 2003. All meetings begin at 6:00 p.m. in the Marion Conference Room at City Hall unless official notification is given otherwise. • 5 Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes November 26, 2002 • Motion 02.22 Comms. Emond/Erickson moved to adopt the following meeting schedule for 2003: January 28, 2003 February 25, 2003 March 25, 2003 April 22, 2003 May 27, 2003 June 24, 2003 July 22, 2003 August 26, 2003 September 23, 2003 October 28, 2003 November 25, 2003 December 16, 2003 Motion carried unanimously 6. Secretary Srantly adjourned the meeting at 7:15 p.m. • Respectfully submitted by: Attested to: r n Flad, Recording Secretary R.T. Brantly, Secretary • 6