HomeMy WebLinkAbout05 09 2011 EDA meeting minutes
4646 Dakota Street SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372
Economic Development Authority Meeting Minutes
May 9 , 2011
CALL TO ORDER
President Hedberg called the meeting to order at 4 p.m. Present were President Hedberg, EDA Commissioners
Choudek, Hitchcock and Morris, City Attorney Pace, Community Development/ N atural Re sources Director Danette
Parr, Treasurer Erickson and Executive Director Boyles. Commissioner Myser was absent. Also present were Eric
Lampland of Lookout Point Communications and Scott County representatives Matt Schmit and Mike Sobota.
APPRO VAL OF AGENDA
MOTION BY CHOUDEK , SECOND BY HITCHCOCK TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED .
VOTE: Ayes by Hedberg, Choudek, Hitchcock and Morris. The motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES
MOTION BY HITCHCOCK, SECOND BY CHOUDECK TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 14 , 2011
MEETING AS PRESENTED.
VOTE: Ayes by Hedberg, Choudek, Hitchcock and Morris. The motion carried.
P UBLIC HEARING
No public hearing was scheduled.
OLD BUSINESS
First Quarter Financial Report
Treasurer Erickson reported on the reven ues and expenditures during first quarter.
MOTION BY CHOUDEK, SECOND BY MORRIS TO APPROVE THE FIRST QUARTER FINANCIAL REPORT.
VOTE: Ayes by Hedberg, Choudek, Hitchcock and Morris. The motion carried.
Notes from April 9 Strategic Planning Session
Morris : distributed his notes commenting on his hopes to operate the fiber project as a profit maker or enterprise
fund. He also commented upon a data center and business incubator. Prior Lake has some of the key assets for
both:
two sources of electricity , and
fiber connection .
Hitchcock : Stated he had done some calculations on incubators. His calculations suggest that the more
companies included initially in an incubator will result in a greater number ultimately.
Morris : Stated he disagreed with the c oncept of a small incubator for the reason cited by Hitchcock. He thinks that
the Fountain Hills site could be a campus of buildings. Start at Fountain Hills, then to vacant property.
Hedberg: Fountain Hills is attractive, could get started quickly – co ncurrently build other buildings. While Aspen
Academy had expressed interest in the Fountain Hills building, they now appear to be looking for other property.
Phone 952.447. 9800 / Fax 952.44 7 . 4245 / www.cityofpr iorlake.com
Draft Bylaws Revisions for EDAC
Boyles: Explained proposed changes in the EDAC bylaws. Two key revisions are: 1) reporting to the EDA rather
than the City Council; and 2) primarily focused upon retaining existing businesses. The EDA would be responsible
for recruiting new business.
Hedberg : Stated he would like to meet with Deno Howard, Chai r of EDAC, to talk about the bylaws revisions and
then arrange a joint EDA/EDAC meeting. EDA Commissioners concurred.
NEW BUSINESS
Matt Schmit / Mike Sobota – Fiber consultants from Scott County
Matt Schmit introduced himself as Scott County’s broadban d consultant. Mike Sobota indicated that he is a part -
time economic development person working with cities on behalf of Scott County. Indicated that he is completing a
status report of technology in Scott County cities and usage of the fiber optic backbo ne. His conclusions are that
cities and school districts are using the backbone to improve data speeds and reduce costs. He indicated that most
want to better utilize the fiber backbone, but are not sure how best that can be accomplished . He outlined,
g enerally, the various options available for structuring fiber optic systems. He stated there are providers that can
provide the EDA with additional data. Schmit stated that Prior Lake is a great place for enhancing the fiber ring
which exists. Matt and Mike said they would love to help the Prior Lake EDA in whatever project they undertake.
Eric Lampland of Lookout Point indicated that competitive systems with large capacity do not happen because the
capital cost is too high and the payback too slow. That is where cities can help. He shared a spreadsheet with the
EDA containing typical fiber cost components and described at least one model that could be used to get fiber to
the home. A number of questions were entertained. Lampland said he would be glad to prov ide additional
information some time in the future.
OTHER BUSINESS
No other business was brought forward.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting. With all in favor, the meeting adjourned at 6:12 p.m.
________ ___________________
Frank Boyles, Executive Director
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05 09 11 EDA meeting minutes