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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-26-08-08City of Lakeville Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes August 26, 2008 Marion Conference Room, City Hail Members Present: Comms. Matasosky, Vlasak, Schubert, Tushie, Pogatchnik, Stanfield, Erickson,. Ex-officio member Mayor Holly. Dahl, Ex-officio member City Administrator Steve Mielke. Members Absent: Smith, Emond, Brantly. 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 June 24, 2008 Meeting Minutes Motion 08.08 Comms. Tushie/Pogatchnik moved to approve the minutes of the June 24, 2008 meeting as presented. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Presentation on Proposed Business Retention Program Adam Kienberger gave an update on the development of the business retention program. He also reviewed an interview guideline that will be used prior to the visits to establish a common knowledge and clear roles and responsibilities. Mr. Kienberger further explained that staff will continue to develop a standard questionnaire for the visits and hope to begin them this fall. Comm. Stanfield asked about coordinating efforts with the Chamber of Commerce and DEED. Mr. Kienberger responded that the visits can be coordinated so as not to conflict with the Chamber's Grow Minnesota visits. The DEED folks are often hard to coordinate with as they have a more statewide representation and not just a local objective. Economic Deve/opmenf Commission Meeting Minutes August 26, 2008 Comm. Pogatchnik mentioned that this should. work well as the City has done this in the past. Chair Matasosky suggested that during the visit .scheduling, the businesses are given the .questions prior to the visit. This will also be a good opportunity to learn about what some of the .businesses in the industrial park do. 4. Update on Broadband Feasibility Study RFP Mr. Kienberger gave.. an update on the broadband feasibility study request for proposals. Staff has recommended and the City Council has authorized the solicitation of proposals to analyze its current leased City fiber network operations and determine if it is financially beneficial. to build and maintain its own fiber network for governmental use. In addition to the analysis of a fiber-based City facilities network, the study would evaluate the feasibility to either construct an independent or as an expansion to a government network, a fiber to the premise (FTTP) project for the entire community including homes, businesses, and government facilities consistent_ with the recommendations of the BTTTF report. It should be noted that Lakeville is not the first area city to consider a FTTP project. The Cities of Eagan, Red Wing, and Northfield are currently conducting feasibility studies. Lakeville also continues to collaborate with other Dakota County cities on this issue at monthly meetings held in Eagan to discuss broadband issues in Dakota County. These strategy/education meetings. are viewed as related, but independent of what staff is'currently proposing be pursued for the City. Mr. Olson added that one of the goals of a network would be to provide redundant services to businesses that have expressed a need for it. Comm. Pogatchnik noted that with the recent announcement of telecommunications companies such as Frontier imposing broadband caps, this is a good idea to study. Mr. Kienberger gave an additional update on St. Louis Park's Wi-Fi project and a new Dakota County wireless provider, Citilink Communications. Mr. Olson added that School District #194 might be a partner in the process as they currently have additional capacity in their fiber installations in Lakeville. 2 Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes August 26, 2008 5. Update on Market Plaza Project Mr. Olson gave an update on the Market Plaza project. He stated that the plans are being finalized and are going out for bid at the end of the week Comm. Pogatchnik commented that this project really cleans up Downtown. Comm. Starfield noted that Shakopee has a nice bandshell in their downtown and could be a good example for Lakeville. Steve Mielke added that Chaska also has a very nice town square area and it was one of the ones the Downtown Planning Task Force toured prior to the creation of the Downtown Development Guide. 6. Update on Airlake Airport Comprehensive Plan Mr. Olson updated the EDC on the Airlake Airport Comprehensive Plan. Comm. Stanfield asked about the timing of the runway extension and funding availability. Mr. Olson responded that the runway extension wouldn't likely happen for 10-15 years due to planning and funding availability. Comm. Vlasak asked about the. Wings of the North Air Expo and why it didn't occur in Lakeville as originally planned. Mr. Olson responded that there were some logistics and space: issues at Airlake Airport and that it will likely continue to operate at the Flying Cloud Airport in Eden Prairie. 7. Director's Report Mr. Olson reviewed the Director's Report. Comm. Pogatchnik gave an update on the Dakota County CDA's housing plans for Dakota County and noted that they- construct projects. where a need has been demonstrated. It was noted that Lakeville has a good relationship with the CDA. and that they do high-quality projects. Mayor .Dahl added that the CDA is recognized nationally as .one of the best public housing developers and they really do quality work in Dakota County. 3 Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes August 26, 2008 8. Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted by: Adam Kienberger Economic Devel pment Specialist Attested to: R. T. Brantly, Secretary 4