HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.26.21CITY OF LAKEVILLE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
October 26, 2021
1. Chair Seiler called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. in the Marion Conference Room.
Members Present: Comms. Bjorklund, Christiansen, Collman, Emond, Gillen,
Matasosky, Seiler, Starfield
Ex-officio Members Present: Chamber President Jech
Members Absent: Comm. Phillips, Stone
Staff Present: David Olson, Community & Economic Development Director; Kati
Bachmayer, Economic Development Coordinator
2. Approval of August 24, 2021 Meeting Minutes
Comms. Starfield / Matasosky moved to approve the minutes of the August 24
meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Update on the Lakeville Works Initiative – Krista Jech, President of Lakeville Area
Chamber of Commerce
Ms. Jech provided a history of the Lakeville Works (LW) program. LW was started by the
Lakeville Area Chamber of Commerce in 2018 and Lakeville Area Schools (LAS), a LW
partner, created a new Career Pathways Coordinator position to support the initiative that
same year. The program began with founding donors who were secured for three years,
then www.lakevilleworks.org was created and some of the LW funds were donated to help
rebuild the LAS STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) labs. Since that time,
LW has provided safety equip for welding at the middle school level, sponsored a robotics
tournament, offered STEM scholarships, hosted a virtual job fair at the high schools,
coordinated a teacher externship at Advanced Wireless Communications, organized CEO
in the classroom at Century Middle School, assisted LAS in securing a 2-year Youth Skills
Training grant, facilitated career exploration programs, and developed Future 101 to
inform students and parents about the many pathways available after graduating high
school. LW’s priorities are focused on STEM skills training, marketing, and career
connections. It was noted that most of the founding donors have continued to sponsor the
program beyond the original three-year commitment.
4. Continued Discussion of 2020-2023 Strategic Plan for Economic Development
Mr. Olson reminded the EDC that a joint work session was held with the City Council and
Planning Commission on September 27th. At the end of that meeting, the facilitator
wrapped up the discussion with three conclusions: 1) The EDC will take the feedback and
revisit the 2020-2023 Strategic Plan for Economic Development; 2) The City Council,
Economic Development Commission and Planning Commission will engage in increased
exchange of ideas and/or feedback to promote understanding related to decision-making;
3) Pro-active work will be done by staff to help the groups understand the existing
conditions/constraints and how they align with the community’s future goals.
Economic Development Commission Minutes October 26, 2021 Page | 2
EDC members continued the discussion related to the availability of multi-family housing
and future proposed projects in Lakeville. It was agreed that data was necessary to
determine the quantified reality of the workforce housing need, the whys and wheres of
developer-preferred multi-family sites, and a development timeline on existing multi-family
zoned land in the City. Mr. Olson informed the EDC that Maxfield Research completed a
market study in March 2020, but that report would not account for any changes that have
occurred related to the pandemic. Mr. Olson noted that over 1,000 multi-family units have
been constructed in the City in the last five years, with less than 5% classified as workforce
housing. EDC members wondered how many people living in the workforce multi-family
development were working in Lakeville. There was also discussion about Lakeville
maintaining a scattered density approach and remaining mindful of oversaturating the
rental market. Tax Increment Financing (TIF) was discussed as an option to incentivize
more affordable housing developments, but it was clarified that the City’s TIF Policy does
not support housing TIF districts. Comm. Matasosky asked city staff to obtain the
estimated cost of a market study and bring that information back to the group.
5. Continued Roundtable Discussion of COVID-19 Impacts on Lakeville Businesses
In the interest of time, discussion was not held on this topic.
6. Director’s Report
Mr. Olson highlighted several items from the Director’s Report, including the proposed
United Christian Academy (UCA) project that was unanimously approved by the Planning
Commission during its October 21st meeting. The UCA application will be reviewed by the
City Council on November 1st. Mr. Olson informed the EDC that the Manufacturers
Appreciation Event and Workforce Development Panel Discussion was a success. The
featured panelists were Congresswoman Angie Craig and U.S. Small Business
Administration District Director Brian McDonald. Lastly, Mr. Olson mentioned that
community and economic development staff will be staffing an exhibitor booth at the
MNCAR (Minnesota Commercial Real Estate Association) Expo on October 27th. This
event is an opportunity to promote economic development in Lakeville and meet with
developers, real estate brokers and others who are interested in bringing projects to the
City.
Adjourn
Meeting adjourned at 5:22 p.m.
Respectively submitted by:
Kati Bachmayer, Economic Development Coordinator