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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-05-91 CITY OF LAKEVrr.r.F ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 5, 1991 The meeting was called to order at 7:08 p.m. in the City Hall conference room. Members present: Berg, Meledandri, Matasosky, Emond, Erickson, Tushie, Brantly, Detlen, Hanlon. Others present: Bob Erickson, City Administrator; Michael Sobota, Community and Economic Development Director; Elizabeth Halbach, Executive Director Chamber of Commerce. The election of officers for 1991 was held. Tushie nominated Randy Berg for Chair. 91.01 Motion was made by Meledandri, seconded by Erickson that nominations cease and cast a unanimous ballot for Randy Berg as Chair. Motion approved unaniously. Erickson nominated Jim Emond as Vice Chair. 91.02 Motion was made by Tushie, seconded by Meledandri to cast a unanimous ballot for Jim Emond as Vice Chair. Motion approved unaniously. Meledandri nominated Gary Tushie as Secretary. 91.03 Motion was made by Erickson, seconded by Emond to cast a unanimous ballot for Tushie for Secretary. Motion approved unaniously. A discussion was held regarding the officer selection process. 91.04 Motion was made by Meledandri, seconded by Erickson that the process for selection of officers be as follows: The Vice Chair will become the Chair, the Secretary will become the Vice Chair and a new Secretary be selected on an annual basis. Motion approved unanimously. 91.05 Motion was made by Emond, seconded by Brantly to approve the minutes of the November 27, 1990 EDC meeting. Motion approved unanimously. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 5, 1991 Page 2 NEW MEMBER Chair Berg introduced newly appointed member Dan Hanlon. Mr. Hanlon explained his financial background and new business venture, Evergreen Solutions. Bob Erickson stated the City Council was impressed with Mr. Hanlon's background. Commission members introduced themselves and welcomed Mr. Hanlon to the Commission. SELF ASSESSMENT Chairman Berg called on Mr. Sobota to review the five responses of Commission members to the self assessment survey. Sobota reviewed the responses to the tourism section. Conclusions reached were that tourism is not a major economic factor. Halbach noted that the hotel/motel establishments do receive spill over from Burnsville. Possible future activities included promoting more recreation related events to promote Lakeville parks, trails and lakes as a way of promoting the quality of life in Lakeville. It was noted the proposed ice azena could be an attraction. The section on marketing materials was reviewed. It was concluded that the current materials are not adequate. Mr. Sobota noted that a common • theme/identity was not apppazent in existing materials. Brantly noted the Commission needed to define more clearly the identity of the Commission and its mission. Marketing materials should be developed that reflect the target audience we are trying to reach and methods to achieve results. The business retention section was reviewed. Conclusions included that retention should still be the major focus of activities. Sobota noted previous Commission meetings which identified priority businesses to visit in the near future. An overall assessment was fair to good for retention activities. The Commission next discussed organizational development. Mr. Sobota stated the Commission was formed to bring representatives of various sectors together to plan for the future economic development of Lakeville. Conclusions were that the Economic Development Commission should organize itself around the objectives to be achieved. The finance section of the survey was reviewed. Emond noted that little attention had been given to business financing previously, but given current conditions we should place more emphasis on identifying sources of financing assistance. The Commission also discussed current issues regazding Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC) property. Matasosky noted that even good projects are having difflculty attracting sources of funds. Hanlon suggested the EDC become more active in identifying alternative sources of capital. Emond suggested a community venture capital program be . established simdaz to Rochester. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION M1:ETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 5, 1991 Page 3 Manufacturing recruiting was discussed including the need for freeing up the Airlake land title questions. Sobota stated that RTC Eagan office now has control of the Airlake/Occidental project. He stated recent discussions indicated some resolution is expected by March. The EDC discussed labor issues and housing issues. Conclusions were that the EDC should serve more of an advocacy role in supporting low/moderate income housing projects. Also, more information is needed on labor supply. Central Business District issues were discussed and reviewed. Bob Erickson noted that other downtowns including Northfield have responded to the downtown challenge. Mr. Erickson stated that a store like the Dahl House generates traffic because of a niche market. Discussion focused on programs that could bring new businesses in. There was agreement that leadership in the downtown should approach the City to explore options for assistance. Tushie noted that an overall redevelopwent plan could be successful with a City commitment. Emond noted that a market survey for the types of services needed should be looked into. Sobota stated he would check into potential academic sources to conduct such a study. Bob Erickson noted the Post Office should be approached for a new building in the downtown. . The Commission reviewed the infrastructure section. General agreement was reached that overall infrastructure was assessed as good. Sobota stated the County Road 46 interchange project would be reviewed by the Commission at a future meeting. ROLES AND SPONSIBILTTIE Discussion focused on the roles of the Economic Development Commission, Chamber, City Council and private sector in economic development. Sobota reviewed the Economic Development Commission work plan and Chamber work plan. He noted a meetin with Steve Tanner, CEO of Arden International Kitchens was scheduled for next week. Berg, Emond, Erickson and Halbach volunteered to assist at the meeting. Sobota also noted that NSP, DEA, Peoples and Minnegasco have funds available for economic development prolects. At a future meeting the Economic Development Commission could discuss a project to submit for funding. The Commission discussed the need for low/moderate income housing. All agreed the Johnson pro ect was important and the Commission should strongly support additional low/imoderate housing development. At a future meeting, the Commission should identify policies and priority sites for development and make a recommendation to the City Council. Tushie noted that rents need to be in the $400-$500 range. Meledandri stated he would like to define economic development as increased tax base, new economic activities in the community and creation of 'ohs. Others agreed that the Economic Development Commission shoul~ structure itself into active sub-committees focusing on real projects. Committees should be formed for industrial, commercial, residential and downtown ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 5, 1991 Page 4 programs. The Economic Development Commission as a whole should focus on the overall marketing plan. Tushie stated that when the plan is developed, there would be additional funds from private sources to accomplish objectives. Sobota stated he would research alternative structures for the EDC. Members stated that the marketing plan, financing plan and strategies should be built from the bottom up. The Commission reviewed Chamber proposed work activities. Halbach stated the Chamber will be revising proposed achvtties to focus more on Chamber members interests. She noted the Chamber role should be to represent the business community. Discussion noted that the City, EDC, and Chamber need to recognize each others roles. Matasosky stated he would respond to Bill Haugon, President of the Chambers' letter regarding future meetings with the EDC. Bob Erickson indicated that City staff have a strong interest in working with the Chamber and stated that improved commumcations would benefit all concerned. DEVELOPMENT FEE SURVEY The Commission reviewed a recent development fee survey for commercial and industrial development. The discussion focused on the fees and financial • guarantees for infrastructure improvements. Bob Erickson noted issues of park dedication fees for commercial/industrial, water and sewer engineering and storm sewer costs. The Commission decided to review the survey in more depth at future EDC and Committee meetings. FAIRFIELD BUSINESS CAMPUS Sobota presented the proposed concept, landscaping and financing plan for Fairfield Business Camppus. He noted a proposal was being considered for an anchor tenant needing 20 acres. The proposal was discussed in depth including proposed utility, lot configuration, utility and tenant issues. The Commission noted that flexibility m the street design/lot layout would be desirable. Sobota provided information on the proposal to the anchor tenant. Discussion focused on timing of presenting the proposal to the anchor tenant and any negotiations. Members wanted to obtain some type of financial commitment from the proposed anchor tenant as a showing of interest. Members were concerned that if the proposal was submitted and not responded to by the company, future proposals could be jeopardized. A lengthy discussion was held. 91.06 Motion was made by Meledandri, seconded by Emond to support the Fairfield Business Campus project with staff discretion on time limits and financial commitments for the proposal to the anchor tenant. Motion approved unanimously. • ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 5, 1991 Page 5 The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 p.m. Respectfully subm/fitted: Attest: / ~chael Sob t~ Gary Tushie Recording Secretary Secretary •