HomeMy WebLinkAbout3. EDC minutes 4.26.22 DRAFT
CITY OF LAKEVILLE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
April 26, 2022
1. Chair Seiler called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. in the Marion Conference Room.
Members Present: Comms. Rick Bjorklund, Lowell Collman, Bob Gillen, Sarah Lundberg,
Andrew Phillips, Don Seiler
Ex-officio Members Present: City Administrator Justin Miller, Chamber President Krista Jech
Members Absent: Comm. Jessica Christiansen, Jim Emond, Jack Matasosky, Glenn Starfield
Staff Present: David Olson, Community & Economic Development Director; Kati Bachmayer,
Economic Development Coordinator
2. Election of Officers
Mr. Olson informed the EDC that an election of officers is required during the April meeting
following the new commission appointments made by the City Council. EDC Chair Seiler opened
the floor for nominations for chair. Comm. Collman nominated Comm. Seiler for the position.
Hearing no additional nominations, Chair Seiler closed nominations for chair. Chair Seiler then
opened the floor for vice chair nominations and Comm. Seiler nominated Comm. Collman for
vice chair. Hearing no additional nominations, Chair Seiler closed nominations for vice chair.
Chair Seiler then opened the floor for secretary nominations and Comm. Seiler nominated
Comm. Christiansen for the position. Hearing no additional nominations, Chair Seiler closed
nominations for secretary. EDC members then held one vote on the slate of candidates (Comm.
Seiler as chair, Comm. Collman as vice chair, and Comm. Christiansen as secretary). The slate of
officers was elected unanimously.
3. Approval of March 22, 2022 Meeting Minutes
Comms. Collman / Bjorkland moved to approve the minutes of the March 22 meeting. Motion
carried unanimously.
Following the vote, City Administrator Miller informed the EDC that the City of Lakeville had
hired a new Community Development Director to replace Mr. Olson when he retires on June 6.
Tina Goodroad has accepted the position and will begin employment on May 31. Ms. Goodroad
previously worked in the City of Dayton as City Administrator/Development Director. Mr. Miller
explained that the Community Development Director position has been restructured to oversee
the planning division when the City’s current Planning Director retires. Ms. Goodroad is
anticipated to be formally introduced to members during the May EDC meeting.
Economic Development Commission Minutes April 26, 2022 Page | 2
4. Continued Roundtable Discussion – Workforce and Supply Chain Impacts on Lakeville
Businesses
a. Discussion of possible workforce marketing initiative
This topic of discussion was requested to be added to the EDC Agenda by Mayor Anderson and
Chamber President Jech. Ms. Jech explained that a recent meeting took place where attendees
discussed workforce challenges facing Lakeville businesses. The EDC members were asked to
provide feedback and comments, as well as ask questions, regarding a possible workforce
marketing initiative to make the public aware of hospitality and other job opportunities in
Lakeville. A robust discussion was held on the lack of workers available in the Lakeville area –
especially as it relates to the City’s growing commercial and industrial sectors. Barriers to
employment were identified, such as affordable housing, childcare, transportation etc. A marketing
campaign was considered to inform Lakeville residents about the wide variety of employment
opportunities available and the wage levels they provide. The EDC members came to a consensus
that pursuing funding for a workforce marketing campaign was not the right approach at this time.
Members agreed that a reaching a targeted audience could provide some benefit, but more research
and strategy was needed before a successful campaign could be implemented. Other ideas included
1. A “Tour of Duty” program where entry-level workers were introduced to a network of employers
who would provide mentorship and training; 2. Marketing to former Lakeville graduates who have
moved away; 3. Pursuing grant dollars to further support and enhance the existing Lakeville Works
program; 4. Working with the Dakota-Scott County Workforce Board to determine the disconnect
between job seekers and the employment opportunities currently available; and 5. Creating a
“workship” (vs. internship) program that helps job seekers pay for things like housing, tools
necessary for employment, etc.
5. Director’s Report
Mr. Olson presented the Director’s Report. EDC members were informed that a housing study
Request For Proposals is being drafted for summer/fall 2022, a comprehensive plan amendment
and rezoning application for an affordable housing project will be reviewed during the May 2 City
Council meeting, and provided an update on the COVID-19 business grant recipient survival rate.
6. Adjourn
Meeting adjourned at 5:34 p.m.
Respectively submitted by:
Kati Bachmayer, Economic Development Coordinator