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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-26-94 CITY OF LAKEVILLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES APRIL 26, 1994 The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chair Erickson at 7:05 P.M. in the Administration Conference Room of City Hall. Roll call of members was taken. Present: Erickson, Detjen, Brantly, Matasosky, Vogel, Krejci, Pogatchnik. Member Tushie arrived at 7:20; Member Emond arrived at 7:45. Also present: Scott Beckman, Executive Director of the Dakota County Economic Development Partnership; Council Member Bob Johnson; Robert Erickson, City Administrator; Michael Sobota, Director of Community & Economic Development; Cindy Johnson, Executive Director of the Lakeville Chamber of Commerce; Carol Graff, Economic Development Specialist. 94.03 Motion was made by Matasosky, seconded by Pogatchnik to approve the minutes of the January 25, 1994 EDC meeting. Roll call was taken on the motion. Ayes: Unanimous. Introduction of Dakota County Partnership Director Sobota introduced Scott Beckman, newly hired director of the Dakota County Economic Development Partnership. Beckman discussed the history of the partnership and gave an overview of the six focus areas of the partnership. Beckman stated that he will act as a liaison and one-stop service that businesses can contact regarding opportunities in Dakota County. He stated that he will focus on making Dakota County "our community." Beckman has been meeting with many businesses who weren't aware of the partnership and its role in assisting business growth. City Administrator Erickson suggested that the City obtain a copy of the video of the formal introduction of Beckman at Burnsville City Hall, held recently, and broadcast it to residents on Lakeville cable. Tushie agreed. Staff will obtain a copy of the video for broadcast in Lakeville. The EDC members indicated support for the Partnership. Beckman encouraged their participation in future Partnership activities. Project Update -Rainbow Play Svstems i Discussion regarding the Rainbow Play Systems proposal took place. Tushie stated that Rainbow was being heavily courted by Brookings, S.D. The company has not made a final decision at the time of this meeting. He went onto explain his perspective on South Dakota and how they recruit a business by mazketing to the clients needs and viewpoint. He went on to comment that between Brookings, Farmington, and Lakeville, the Lakeville staff was the most professional and cooperative during the process. City Administrator Erickson spoke on specific legislation regarding tax increment financing that could affect development of land in Airlake Industrial Park. Strategic Workplans Sobota provided an overview of the strategy planning process up to this point. Discussion of each team's proposed workplan was necessary to obtain feedback from the commission. The EDC would be able to determine its focus for 1994 and set priorities after discussions take place on all the proposed workplans. Team 1 -Retail/Commercial - Emond. Tushie • Tushie spoke about the recent tour of the downtown district of Eden Prairie and how the city changed from a bedroom community to a retail-commercial- industrial employment center. He stressed that Eden Prairie specifically planned their roadways to ring the downtown retail center. The City also has a policy of designating specific users for development of city-owned land within the area. Landscape and design criteria are an integral part of Eden Prairie's development framework. Discussion continued on the team's workplan. Tushie discussed the B-4 zoned areas that are large enough to create a central town/high usage area. Brantly stated that Lakeville residents encompassed multiple lifestyles and location of residence. City Administrator Erickson added that the All Saints Church, downtown Lakeville, was proposing a move to an area north of City Hall. One possible reuse of the current church site could be for a library which would bring foot traffic to the downtown area. Using the Park Bond Task Force map, Sobota showed the areas of current residential development and explained the development of the planned parkways (Ipava Avenue and Holyoke/Highview) that would intersect with many of the residential developments. Tushie stressed that Eden Prairie had focused commercial growth on one location. Vogel suggested that Team 1 add a critical success factor and action plan to the team's workplan of . "Retail/Commercial:' The critical success factor would be (e) institutional development is critical to retail and the corresponding action plan would be (4) identify central downtown location. City Administrator Erickson noted that institutional uses such as churches, libraries and schools would strengthen the downtown business district. Tushie pointed out that between the proposed pazkways would seem the most logical location for a downtown business district. This would also compliment the existing downtown. Emond added that if such a development took place, the City should not be rigid but flexible in allowing for different types of retailing concepts within an area. beam 2 -Marketing Plan - Brantly Vogel Tushie Discussion began regarding the marketing workplan with the statement that perception is important to accomplishing the workplan objective. The need to establish a specialized team to handle commercial/industrial development projects was stressed. Tushie referred to the process that South Dakota used in recruiting businesses. J. Erickson stated the importance of having auser- friendly, step by step process for business development. Tushie discussed the concept of creating a special zone for distribution- warehouse centers within the I-1 zoning district outside the MUSA boundary for the following reasons: low numbers of employees, no processing, addresses the current land use problems in the azea south of C.R. 70, and could be • considered as an interim use. The distribution-warehouses could be built without extending utilities to the site. Emond questioned whether the fire insurance rating would diminish the positive aspect of this type of development. Tushie stated that low cost of land would negate any negative cost of higher insurance rates. Other Business Pogatchnik provided the commission with an update on the Park Bond Task Force meetings. There is enormous stress on existing parks and natural resources and the demand is growing while the supply is unable to keep up. The task force has presented a preliminary plan to the City Council for $3.6 million bond issue. The EDC agreed that the park system is good for the community and adds to the quality of life. The commission suggested that the review of the Park Bond Issue be a part of the agenda at the next scheduled meeting of the EDC. Sobota provided an update on the proposed New Morning Windows project in the Fairfield Business Campus. Staff met with the company's bank and is awaiting a letter from the bank. . It was noted that the Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC) sold the Sheriff's Certificate of Sale to a new group of investors. Over $800,000 in back taxes had been paid by the new investors on Airlake Group land. The redemption period is expected to end in mid-September. The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 P.M. Respectfully submitted: Cazol Graff, Recordi Secretazy ATTEST: Robert Brantly, Secretary