HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-23-97 CITY OF LAKEVILLE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
September 23, 1997
Members Present: Brantly, Emond, Erickson (Alternate), Matasosky, Miller,
Pogatchnik, Tushie and Vogel
Members Absent: Detjen and Krejci
Staff Present: Robert Erickson, City Administrator; Michael Sobota, Community &
Economic Development Director; and Nicole Bennett, Economic
Development Specialist.
Also Present: Cheryl Jacobson, Dakota County Housing & Redevelopment
Authority (HRA).
• 1. Call to Order. Chair Vogel called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. in the
Administration Conference Room at City Hall.
2. Approval of the August 26, 1997 Meeting Minutes.
97.17 MOTION: Comms. Matasosky/Miller moved to approve the August 26,
1997 meeting minutes as written. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Presentation by Cheryl Jacobson, Dakota County HRA, to Provide an Update
on the 1993 CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Program in Lakeville and an Update
on Affordable Housing Projects. Ms. Cheryl Jacobson, Communications
Coordinator for the Dakota County HRA, provided a brief overview of affordable
housing programs administered by the HRA. Ms. Jacobson discussed affordable
housing project financing, eligibility requirements, building features and amenities, and
the number of units located in each city. She noted that a new senior housing project
is being developed in Eagan, and a new 30-unit rental townhome project to be located
north of Dodd Boulevard and east of Cedar Avenue was recently approved by the
Lakeville City Council.
Chair Vogel inquired if the townhouse projects provide daycare on-site or easily
accessible to assist single-parent households and low-income residents. Ms. Jacobson
responded that the HRA does not directly provide on-site daycare, but the projects are
located adjacent to commercial services such as daycare or along transit routes, when
possible, to allow residents easy access to services such as daycare.
Economic Development Commission September 23,1997
Meeting Minutes Page 2
Ms. Jacobson next provided an update regarding the 1993 CDBG Housing
Rehabilitation Program in Lakeville. She provided copies of a project summary that
illustrated rehabilitation activity from 1993 to the present, including 33 completed
projects and 7 new projects on manufactured homes currently in progress. She stated
that the types of repairs completed through the program include: roof replacements,
exterior siding, window and door replacements, electricaUheating/plumbing repairs and
upgrades, and interior work such as kitchen remodeling.
Ms. Jacobson briefly summarized other rehabilitation and home-owner loan programs
offered by the HRA. Comm. Brantly inquired as to the loan default rate, and whether
or not there is a waiting list for these programs. Ms. Jacobson replied that the loan
repayment rate is fairly good as HRA loans are recorded as a lien against the property,
and she noted that there are no current waiting lists for rehabilitation programs.
Comm. Matasosky inquired if the HRA advertises its programs through local
employers such as the businesses in Airlake Industrial Park. Ms. Jacobson responded
that the HRA typically uses local newspapers to advertise its programs, but would be
very willing to provide printed materials for companies to distribute to their
employees. Comm. Matasosky noted that advertising the new affordable townhouse
project to Airlake employees would be a great opportunity. Chair Vogel thanked Ms.
• Jacobson for her informative presentation.
Mr. Sobota stated that copies of a draft housing maintenance code were provided in
the packets for the EDC to review. He noted that the draft is based on a similar code
in the City of Rosemount and a revised version is being drafted by the City Attorney
and City Staff. Mr. Erickson noted that approximately 30 citations per month for
various code violations are issued in the Valley Park area under the city's current
ordinance. He stated that the age of the housing stock in certain areas of Lakeville
indicates the need for additional building and property maintenance requirements to
ensure that these neighborhoods stay strong. Mr. Erickson stated that the City
Council members have placed a priority on the creation of a building and property
maintenance code in 1998 to address these issues.
Comm. Brantly inquired if there are any legal issues regarding adoption of a new
property maintenance code. Mr. Erickson replied that the new code is well within the
city's legal rights. Comm. Erickson inquired if the violations are based on the property
owners' lack of care or lack of money to pay for property maintenance. Mr. Erickson
responded that it depends on the individual circumstances, but it is often a combination
of both. He noted that other factors include the number of absentee landlords, and
single-parent or elderly households who lack the resources and the time to keep up
with property maintenance. Comm. Brantly noted that he feels that the code
amendment is a great idea, but may depend upon the skills of the property owner in
• being able to provide property maintenance to meet the required standards.
Economic Development Commission September 23,1997
Meeting Minutes Page 3
EDC Members requested that discussion of the draft building and property
maintenance code be placed on the October 28th meeting agenda to allow adequate
time for review. Staff was also directed to add an item to the Strategic Plan regarding
affordable housing, and strategies to inform Lakeville residents and employees about
affordable housing options and other HRA programs.
4. Strategic Work Plan Project Activities Update. Chair Vogel asked Ms. Bennett to
update the EDC regazding Strategic Work Plan projects. Ms. Bennett stated that a
handout was included in the packet materials to generate a list of potential CEO's and
CFO's to assist Team 1 with the study of TIF and other financial incentives per
Strategic Plan Action 1-1C. EDC Members suggested the following as potential
committee members: John Gambell, Imperial Plastics; Cary Richman, New Morning
Windows; Russ Defauw, Performance Computer Forms; Jeannie Schubert, Atlas
Specialized Transport; Ken Owen or JeffIGngsriter, DHY, Inc.; a representative from
Airlake Development, Inc.; a representative from ISD 194; a bank representative with
expertise in SBA financing; and a representative from the Minnesota Department of
Trade and Economic Development. EDC Members and City Staff agreed that
organizing the Team 1 committee meetings to focus on specific topics such as tax
increment, SBA financing, etc., and requesting the attendance of those listed above at
a limited number of meetings as applicable to their skills and knowledge would be the
best way to obtain the time commitment and input of those listed above.
. Mr. Sobota provided a brief update regarding "Town Square". He noted that grading
is underway for the Wensmann townhomes project; the Dakota County Board recently
approved the name "Heritage Drive" for the new street and library branch; a draft
Joint Powers Agreement with Dakota County regarding the library will be finalized
later this week; city staff plan to meet with Mazk Zweber, developer of Heritage Links
Golf Course, regarding the development of concept plans for a proposed golf course
to be located east of Holyoke Avenue and north of C.R. 50; Perkins Restaurant is
pursuing a location within the northwest quadrant of Iberia Avenue and C.R. 50; and
Provincial Bank held its grand opening on September 4th. Mr. Sobota also noted that
staff received a letter from Aurora Investments stating their interest in developing the
commercial/retail center for "Town Square."
Ms. Bennett stated that city staff would like to schedule a meeting with the members
of Team 3 to review all city development handouts and applications for clarity per
Strategic Plan Action 3-lA. Comms. Miller, Pogatchnik and Vogel indicated that Ms.
Bennett should contact them to set up a meeting date. Ms. Bennett indicated that she
would send out the materials for review prior to the scheduled meeting.
Mr. Sobota stated that staff is working with the Chamber of Commerce to survey
Lakeville businesses regazding mail collection services. Ms. Bennett noted that over
200 businesses were faxed the survey and the results will be compiled into a summary
• report once all of the responses are received.
' Economic Development Commission September 23,1997
Meeting Minutes Page 4
Ms. Bennett noted that staff is working with the new Cable Coordinator, Jeff Lueders,
and Video Producer, Jim Schiffman, to complete the three remaining marketing videos
starting with the distribution-targeted video.
Ms. Bennett stated that a new business, QAl in Burnsville, has submitted plans to
renovate and occupy the former Theradyne building located at 21730 Hanover Avenue
in Airlake Industrial Park.
Ms. Bennett noted that the City Council has reviewed the Economic Development
Annual Report and provided comments to staff, and revised copies are available for
the EDC to take home and review for any final revisions. Staff is planning to send the
report to the printer early next week, and it should be mailed by mid-October.
S. Other Business. Ms. Bennett stated that a letter to the EDC from the Downtown
Lakeville Business Association (DLBA) was received on September 22, 1997, stating
that the DLBA plans to hire a replacement for Intern Ryan Kraft to continue the
pwsuit of a special assessment district. The letter stated that Ryan was unable to
extend his internship with the DLBA as he has secured a fixll-time position in
Rushford, MN. EDC Members requested that the DLBA provide an update of their
progress at the October 28th meeting.
Comm. Tushie inquired about the school bond referendum, and EDC Members briefly
discussed the proposed referendum for ISD 194.
Comm. Matasosky stated concerns regarding the EAC's approach to the oversight and
review of development projects. He indicated that the EAC's review is important;
however, he felt that the review process should include clear policies and procedures.
6. Adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted: ATTEST TO:
G~~ -d Gl.~,~_ (mot'
tcole E. Bennett, Recording Secretary J n Krejci, Se ret
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