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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-24-08-08Gity of Lakeville Economic Development Gommission Meeting Minutes June 24, 2008 Marion Conference Room, City Hall Members Present: Comms. Matasosky, Vlasak, Emond, Schubert, Tushie, Brantly, Smith, Pogatchniic, Starfield, Ex-officio member Mayor Holly Dahl, Ex-officio member Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Todd Bornhauser, Ex-officio member City Administrator Steve Mielke. Members Absent: Erickson. Others Present: David Olson, Community & Economic Development Director; Adam Kienberger, Economic Development Specialist; Dan Rogness, Dakota County CDA; Jay Thompson, Maxfield Research.. 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 May 27, 2008 Meeting Minutes Motion 08.07 Comms. Emond/Pogatchnik moved to approve the minutes of the May 27, 2008 .meeting as presented. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Presentation on County C/I Market Study Dave Olson introduced Dan Rogness from the Dakota County CDA and Jay Thompson from Maxfield Research. In 2007, the County Board adopted six Strategic Initiatives for Economic Development in Dakota County in order to help enhance and coordinate the economy at a regional level. One of those initiatives relate to coordinating strategic infrastructure and land development, including. brownfield redevelopment, telecommunications and commercial/industrial development. The CDA hired Maxfield Research to complete acounty-wide commercial-industrial market study to assess supply and demand in all cities and townships through 2030. That study was completed in May- of 2008 with conclusions made for three categories: commercial/retail, office and industrial development. It is the CDA's goal that local :Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes June 24, 2008 jurisdictions will use this study in the development of their own economic development growth strategies. Steve Mielke asked why Rosemount appeared to have a low demand for industrial development. Mr. Thompson responded that it was likely due to an aging industrial area and close proximity to the Koch refinery. Comm. Stanfield asked.:about the demand formulas used for the study. Mr. Thompson noted that the methodology and calculations used for the study can be found on pages 70 and 73 of the report. Comm. Tushie stated the demand figures seem accurate and added that Lakeville may get even more commercial space than indicated because of lack of space in Apple Valley. Mr. Thompson explained that their approach was to analyze demand for the County as a whole and drill down to individual communities from there. Chair Matasosky stated that he liked that approach and felt it was a good way to understand demand for an area. The EDC discussed and agreed>~h~at there will be strong demand for retail growth in Lakeville in the future. Chair Matasosky expressed his appreciation to the Dakota County CDA for taking on this role and conducting a regional study. Comm. Emond added that the County's biggest role is dealing with access and this will help play a part in planning for necessary access points. Mr. Mielke asked Mr. Thompson to describe their definition of "office" in this study. Is office meant to imply corporate campus environments or office park and showroom spaces? Mr. Thompson responded that the bulk of office demand will be for smaller office tenants and medical offices. Comm. Pogatchnik stated that we waited a while for the Fairfield Business Campus to develop. Mr. Mielke responded that as the demand for that type of space increased, we ended up with some really good tenants in the Fairfield Business. Campus. 2 Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes June 24, 2008 Comm. Tushie added that he has been seeing the highest demand .for office flex space. This consists of approximately 90% office and 10% warehouse. He also noted that. Lakeville will be competing with Inver Grove Heights for office tenants as they open up their northwest planning. area to development. He concluded the discussion by stating that the executive housing in Lakeville is attractive. to new office tenants and developers. 4. Discussion of Business Retention Program Adam k4ienberger gave an overview of a proposed business retention program. As a part of the 2008-2010 Strategic Plan for Economic Development one of the goals under the strategic work area Partnerships includes Explore opportunities to build relationships. Business retention visits. often play an integral part of staying informed of the local business climate. In the past, informal business retention visits have occurred as a part of other economic development related functions, some of which are outlined below. Staff is proposing to formalize a business retention visit process for a couple of reasons: to coordinate efforts with other ongoing economic development initiatives, and to establish a consistency in how visits are conducted. Staff is recommending for future business retention visits, either an EDC or City Council member accompany staff on visits as a display of support for the business community. Although the Spotlight on Business program has shown to be well received in the past, a majority of the larger businesses in Lakeville have already been Spotlighted. Retention visits could be an alternative to the Spotlight program throughout the year and would target both large and small businesses in Lakeville. Mayor Dahl commented that the business community wants to hear from us. Chair Matasosky noted that business owners are real people that are approachable. The outreach is appreciated by the business community. Comm. Emond added that it is important to have a structure to the visits and a follow up system in place for issues raised during the visits. Mr. Mielke asked Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Todd Bornhauser about the Grow Minnesota program the Chamber of Commerce utilizes in its business visits in the Lakeville area. Mr. Bornhauser responded that they use a list of seven questions and a specific form during their visits. 3 Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes June 24, 2008 Comm. Brantly suggested revisiting staff training on customer service. Mr. Olson responded that the City conducts ongoing training through the Supervising Smart program on a yearly basis for select City staff. Chair Matasosky noted that it is more meaningful. to businesses to .have local government representatives visit rather than State representatives. Mr. Olson asked the EDC if we should include retail businesses in the visits. The EDC responded that some retailerswithin reason be appropriate, but little - might be accomplished from visiting with national retail chains. 5. Director's Report Mr. Olson reviewed the Director's Report. 6. Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted by: Adam Ki nberger Economic Development Specialist Attested to: ~~ R. T. Brantly, Secretary 4