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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-28-06-06 City of Lakeville Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes November 28, 2006 Marion Conference Room, City Hall Members Present: Comms. Matasosky, Brantly, Emond, Gehrke, Smith, Schubert, Erickson, Ex-officio member City Administrator Steve Mielke. Members Absent: Comms. Tushie, Pogatchnik, Miller, Ex-officio member Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Todd Bornhauser. Others Present: David Olson, Community & Economic Development Director; Adam Kienberger, Economic Development Specialist. 1. Call Meeting to Order. Chair. Matasosky called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. in the Marion Conference Room of City Hall, 20195 Holyoke Avenue, Lakeville, Minnesota. 2. Approve October 24, 2006 Meeting Minutes Motion 06.14 Comms. Erickson/Gehrke moved to approve the minutes of the October 24, 2006 meeting as presented. Motion .carried unanimously. 3. Update on Changes to Airlake Newsletter Mr, Kienberger gave an update on the new Lakeville Business Newsletter and discussed the proposed format changes. The revised newsletter would include business news for the entire Lakeville business community and reflect the expanding business climate. in Lakeville. It would be available electronically to new subscribers and the paper format is proposed to be phased out over a one year period for the businesses currently being mailed Airlake Park News. This would allow for a higher penetration rate and production cost savings. The EDC agreed that the new format was appropriate and the newsletter should be for the entire Lakeville business community. Comm. Smith asked if there would be any financial impact from the proposed changes to the newsletter. Mr. Kienberger responded that since the size of the mailing won't increase, there won't be any increase in production costs. As the newsletter changes to be entirely electronic, the costs will actually go down in the long run. Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes November 28, 2006 • Chair Matasosky asked if the editorial board would stay intact as the newsletter shifts formats. Mr. Olson responded that the editorial board will likely play an increased .role in suggesting content for .the newsletter as it relates to eliciting additional business relevant news items. Chair Matasosky added that there is value in featuring businesses as it's a good way for businesses to get to know what their neighbors do. Mr. Mielke noted that any spotlights done won't likely focus on retail businesses but may still include some businesses in the industrial park. Mr. Olson further added that there are currently other communications in place that traditionally focus on new retail establishments and other areas of development. Motion 06.15 Comms. Emond/Brantly moved to recommend the new format of the Lakeville Business News as presented to the .City Council. Motion carried unanimously. 4. 2007 Community Development Block Grant Application Mr. Olson gave an overview of the proposed 2007 CDBG application and discussed the programs that will be a part of the application. It is anticipated that the City will receive $1.03,500 in 2007, which is the same amount that was received in 2006. Staff is recommending that $20,000 be allocated for the Downtown Code Improvement Program and $83,500. be allocated for the Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program. Mr. Olson stated that the. CDA is continuing its requirement that 50% of a City's activities to be funded with CDBG funds involve activities that benefit Low-Moderate Income (LMI) households. The City elected to fund increased DARTS service with 2005 funds to meet his requirement in 2006 and was proposing to continue funding this activity with 2006 funds in 2007. However the additional funding for DARTS has not resulted in significant increased ridership this past year. Mr. Olson continued by stating that the City Council discussed discontinuing the DARTS funding at their November 27 work session and concluded that these funds should be programmed to a different activity. Staff is recommending that these funds be reprogrammed to provide additional funding for the Home Rehabilitation Loan Program administered by the CDA for Lakeville. Mr. Olson added that these funds can be targeted at different areas of Lakeville for improvements through mailings to make residents aware of the funds. 2 Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes November 28, 2006 Mr. Mielke noted that there have been .complaints to the City Council that some homes in Lakeville are falling into disrepair. He added that currently the City can only enforce a maintenance issue if it's perceived as a .threat to the safety of the residents or general public. Mr. Mielke suggested that it might be worth exploring a housing maintenance code that could address certain aesthetic issues. Comm. Brantly asked if these types of maintenance codes are common in other cities. Mr. Mielke responded that they aren't all that uncommon and could serve as a way to facilitate the use of the Home Rehabilitation Loan program to residents who may not be able to afford to make standard home repairs. Comma Emond added that a maintenance code could be tricky to implement because people are generally sensitive about being told what they can or can't do with their property. Comm. Smith noted that the City currently has ordinances regarding some property maintenance issues such as lawn height and junk vehicle restrictions. This would seem like a logical extension ofi the current regulations. Comm. Schubert asked what would happen if a loan was granted and the home went into foreclosure. Would the City be able to get the money back? Mr. Olson responded that there is a slight risk as the City would either be the second or third position on the property to collect any money in the event of a foreclosure. Motion 06.'16 Comms. Erickson/Smith moved to recommend the 2007 CDBG application items as recommended by staff. Motion carried unanimously. 5. Director's Report Mr. Olson reviewed his Director's Report and, gave updates on the City Board and Commission Recognition Dinner, the Downtown Planning Project, the 2006. Manufacturers Recognition Event,. the August Building Permit Report, and EDC member reappointments. Mr. Olson added that the Manufacturers Recognition Event drew approximately 80 attendees in 2006 and noted that the attendance level has remained rather stagnant over the past several years. Staff will be working on ways to further promote the event and encourage new manufacturing businesses to attend. Mr. Olson stated that EDC Member Dick Miller is resigning from the EDC at the end of 2006 and advertisements for the opening would be published in late December or early January. 3 Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes November 28, 2006 Mr. Kienberger stated that the December 4th Spotlight on Business would be CARQUEST Distribution Facility and was looking for a volunteer from the EDC to do the presentation. Comm. Smith responded that he would be willing to do the presentation at the December 4th City Council meeting. 6. Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted by: Attested to: ; Adam Kienberger R. T. Brantly, Secretary Economic Development Specialist 4