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• CITY OF LAKEVILLE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
JANUARY 28, 1992
The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. in the City Hall conference
room.
Members present: Berg, Matasosky, Emond, Erickson, Tushie, Brandy,
Detjen, Hanlon.
Others present: Robert Erickson, City Administrator and Michael Sobota,
Community and Economic Development Duector.
Chairman Emond noted that the procedures for selection of officers were
based on an action of the EDC at their February 5,1991 meeting. The Vice
Chair will become Chair, the Secretary will become the Vice Chair, and a
new Secretary must be selected on an annual basis.
92.01 Motion was made by Tushie, seconded by Berg to appoint Jerry Erickson
Secretary for 1992.
Motion passed unanimously.
Bob Brandy indicated an interest in becoming Secretary in 1993.
• 92.02 Motion was made by Berg, seconded by Matasosky to approve the minutes of
the November 26, 1991 meeting.
Motion passed unanimously.
The Commission discussed the Business Retention Surveys and interviews with
industries as a part of the annual visitation program. Mr. Sobota
indicated that he had met with International Food Products Vice President
John Haggerty and reviewed the business plans and operation. The company
has 25 fiill time employees. Mr. Sobota indicated that the compatry was
generally pleased with the Lakeville location. Mr. Haggerty indicated some
concern over the quality of drinlriiig water. Mr. Sobota indicated to Mr.
Haggerty that the City is currently conducting a comprehensive water
utility plan and will be looking at the possibility of improving water
quality. Mr. Haggerty also indicated a problem with obtaining hourly
workers because of the high turn over rate within his business. Commission
members indicated that that is a common problem within the food industry.
Bob Brandy met with Bernco, Inc., a company with 34 employees. He also
met with Walter Schmitt of Stampings of Minnesota, custom stamping company
primarily in the aircraft industry with 65 employees. Mr. Brandy also met
with Gary Tholkes of Menasha Co oration, a company with 163 employees and
with Dennis Anderson of National Polymers, a plastics company with 150
employees. Mr. Brandy indicated that all the businesses appreciated the
calls. They do not have definite plans for expansion. He indicated that
• National Polymers was contemplating expansion at some time in the future
and indicated the compan~s expansion would be in South Dakota because of
the Minnesota business climate.
• ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MIND'TES
JANUARY 28,1992
The Commission discussed future contacts with National Polymers and other
issues identified including traffic problems at Hamburg Avenue and County
Road 70, improvements to Cedar Avenue south of Dodd Road and other issues.
Mr. Tushie and Mr. Matasosky had met with Toro Manager Mike Thurston. A
major issue was identified regarding the property taxes for Toro. There
was an appazent oversight by the County on one of the Toro pazcels which
increases Toro property taxes by $50,000. Staff will be reviewutg the
information with the County Assessors Office and Treasurers Office. It was
felt that this information should be provided directly to Toro as soon as
possible.
The Commission reviewed the proposed amendments for the Old Station and
grain elevator acquisition. The Commission reviewed the funding available
through the Tff district for other projects, particularly for downtown
redevelopwent. A concern was that adequate TIF funding be available from
the T1F district to assist in the Post Office expansion or relocation in
the downtown.
92.03 Motion was made by Tushie, seconded by Erickson to recommend approval of
the T1F district amendment provided adequate funding for additional land
for the post office would not be jeopardized.
• Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Sobota presented a program project report on economic development
activities during the past month. Discussion included the Farmington Ford,
Wahnart, and Fairfield Business Campus projects.
Robert Erickson updated the Commission on the Strategic Growth Management
Task Force and the City Council's approval of membership in the Municipal
Legislative Commission lobbying orgamzation of growing cites. The EDC
was very supportive of these efforts. Mr. Sobota noted a joint meeting of
the EDC with the City Council in a work session to review the
transportation plan was coming up in March. Commission members indicated a
strong interest m reviewing the Transportation Plan.
The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
/
- r ~ e~ -C
'chael Sobota, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
•
Jerry Erickson, Secretary