HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-25-95 y
CITY OF LAKEVII.LE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 25, 1995
The meeting was called to order at 6:12 P.M. in the North Meeting Room at City Hall.
Roll call of members was taken. Present: Brantly, Detjen, Emond, Erickson, Krejci, Matasosky,
Pogatchnik, Vogel. Absent: Tushie.
Also present: Michael Sobota, Director of Community and Economic Development; Carol
Hymel, Economic Development Specialist.
95.09 Motion was made by Matasosky, seconded by Emond to approve the minutes of the Mazch 28,
1995 meeting. Roll call was taken on the motion. Ayes: Unanimous.
Project Activities Undate
Hymel gave an update on the Commercial Real Estate Trade Show where the City was
represented. Joined by representatives from Airlake Development, Inc., Hymel stated that many
inquiries were made at the booth regazding commercial and industrial land development
opportunities. Interest was high regarding available land in Airlake Industrial Park.
. Hymel brought the commission up-to-date regarding the Spring Job Fair that will be held May 2
at the Lakeville Sr. High School. Businesses were contacted by mail to participate in the job fair.
Latest count shows 15 businesses will be participating. It was pointed out that more businesses
could be expected next year when more time will be available for planning and sign-up
Sobota referred to the letter received from Asset Management, Inc., a company which chose to
relocate their new facility in Burnsville. Emond commented that the letter expresses appreciation
of the fine quality and amount of work staff performed in order to encourage the business to
move to Lakeville. Emond asked if incentives were the main issue when a business looks at
Lakeville as a potential site. Sobota replied sometimes incentives aze critical but that in many
cases incentives were not the driving force behind what the city does. He spoke of the recent
meeting with a business client who wished to build a 10,000 squaze foot office and showroom
facility and was interested in the Fairfield Business Campus location. The business was referred
to staff by EDC member Barry Pogatchnik. Staff conveyed the importance of synergy between
businesses as an important consideration for location and recommended that the business locate at
a site where incentives were not available. Pogatchnik related to the commission that the business
was convinced that the new location recommended by staff was better and was pursuing
development options at that site.
Strategic Plan Undate
A. Transportation & Infrastructure, Team 6, (Brantly, Detjen), Action Plan B, Capital
Improvement Plans Affecting Business Districts. Hymel and Sobota reviewed for the commission
.
the capital improvement plans scheduled by Dakota County, MNDOT, and the City in 1995.
Many of the improvements will affect business districts at some time over the next 18 months.
The Commission felt that the improvements, though temporarily painful for business, were
positive and necessary for long term development.
B. Transportation & Infrastructure, Team 6, (Brantly, Detjen), Action Plan B, Capital
Improvements Affecting Business Districts. As part of the growing importance of attracting
businesses to locate in Lakeville is having state-of--the-art telecommunication systems readily
available. Discussion by the Commission centered on availability of new technology, competitive
costs and the effects on business. The Commission directed staff to research rate structures of
several telecommunications suppliers based on current and expected usage by businesses.
Upon obtaining the information, staff is directed to schedule a meeting between Brantly, Detjen
and Vogel, city staff and a representative from Frontier Communications regarding technologies
available and time frames.
C. Marketing, Team 2, (Tushie, Brandy, Emond), Action Plan A, Marketing Program.
Sobota gave an update of the action plan. A meeting has been scheduled for May 4 with
members of the team and a marketing consultant, Ken Wilson, who has experience developing
mazketing programs for non-profit and for-profit businesses. Sobota outlined a plan of action
which would includes a FAB (features, assets, benefits) exercise by the commission and possible
Chamber of Commerce members. The EDC would use the FAB results to give direction to the
marketing plan to be developed by the consultant. Brantly stated that he was impressed by Mr.
Wilson's credentials and his background in working with corporate entities. Erickson asked if
other consultants had been considered. Sobota stated that staff was aware of other consultants
but felt that Mr. Wilson's background was well suited to the project. He added that if the EDC
desired, staffwould contact other consultants. Emond stated that getting a proposal from another
marketing consultant would be beneficial. Brantly agreed. Vogel added that it was important to
carefully check references of the consultants. The EDC directed staff to contact another
marketing consultant for a proposal.
D. Business Enhancement & Retention, Team 5, (Krejci, Erickson), Action Plan B,
maintaining an inventory of commercial and industrial land. Hymel and Sobota provided the EDC
with an update on Dakota County Partnership GIS Committee recently selecting a consultant who
will be computerizing databases for Lakeville. Sobota discussed Dakota County's efforts to
update the aerial photography by using new technology that updates existing information, saving
money and expediting the process.
New Business
The EDC reviewed past actions taken by the City Council. Sobota addressed the upcoming
Planning Commission action on off-street parking requirements for churches, theaters and
auditoriums.
Old Business
Brantly and Emond are meeting Gordon Grasse, owner of Granse & Associates. The meeting
was arranged as a retention contact. Mr. Grasse has operated a number of businesses in Airlake.
Brantly gave the Commission members a report on the feedback survey results. Of 28 surveys
sent, 7 responses have been returned to-date. Results of the survey show that while staff has done
a good job in areas of the development process, there is room for improvement. The EDC
recommended that staff send afollow-up letter if a response has not been received from the
remaining contacts after two weeks.
Meeting adjourned at 7:35 P.M.
Respectfully submitted:
Carol Hymel, R ording Secretary
Attest to:
L-.-~
an Krejci, ec
i