HomeMy WebLinkAboutEDAC Meeting Minutes 07-29-11 O4 PRIp
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Prior Lake, MN 55372
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES — JULY 29, 2011
1. Call to Order. Members present: Ken Hedberg, Deno Howard, Troy Presler, Bill Henry, Joe Passafaro,
Mary Vierick, Bob Facente, Adam Blahnik, Jeff Matzke, Kelly Meyer. Absent - Terry Gutowski, Sandi Fleck.
2. Approval of June 30, 2011 Meeting Minutes.
Corrections made to spelling of Mark Krissler, Thane Tande of Knotty Oar Marina.
MOTION BY HENRY, and SECOND BY FACENTE, to approve as amended. Adopted unanimously.
3. Old Business
Review Updated Downtown Objectives Chart
Follow Up Discussion on Additional Information Requested: Design for Arcadia intersection improvements,
and Examples of Wayfinding Signage.
As a follow up to discussions from the previous meeting related to identification signage for businesses
within the Downtown area, City Staff provided examples of the types of wayfinding signage that could be
used to identify Downtown including pedestrian signage, monument signage, and banner signage.
Reviewed the streetscape signage plan for monument signage locations included as part of the Arcadia
intersection project.
There was group discussion about locations for monument signs, including 44/13, 21/13, Pleasant/21,
Arcadia /21. The group also discussed the timing of any signage and what the options might be for short -
term solutions.
Viereck: Commented that people don't know that there is a Downtown Prior Lake, and that in many
communities she has seen directional signage to the downtown business district. Suggested that having
something like that along 42 and 21 should be a priority and could be a first step until final roadway designs
are in place.
City staff advised that the County regulates the type of signage and whether it can be placed along a
County Road. Staff will discuss the options with the County and bring back to the group for further
discussion.
There was additional discussion on whether signage style and type was something the EDAC should
present and get feedback from the businesses on at the Meet -n- Greet. There was consensus that it was
probably a bit premature at this point.
1
Downtown Development Objective and Discussion
Howard: Advised that based upon previous discussion, two action items had been added. The first was to
advise businesses and get feedback on the CSAH 21 options in downtown. The second was to explore
opportunities for signage in the Downtown area and how to promote the area.
Code Enforcement
There was much discussion among the members about frustration they heard related to restrictions,
inconsistency in enforcement, and the general perception of the City as being unfriendly to business and
development. There were differences of opinion on whether the frustration stemmed from rigidity in
enforcement, staff service standards, and /or the ordinance and policy standards themselves.
Howard: Commented that this is a good example of how the survey comments do not provide enough
specifics. People provide general comments, but unless we know what ordinances or policies, or where
they see inconsistent enforcement, or what the specifics were, it is hard to establish a plan of action that
will really change things.
Hedberg: Suggested that the action item might identifying how the City's policies and ordinances could be
more business friendly. Similar to the changes made in the C -2 zoning district. At some point in that
process there is also an opportunity to revisit the intent and enforcement of the ordinances with staff.
CSAH 21 Update
Matzke: Advised that the City Council would receive an updated study from Ehlers and Maxfield, and that
the a Council decision is expected in late September or early October.
Meyer: Also advised that related to the Arcadia Avenue project, the County had advised that if the full
lighted intersection were installed, it would be necessary to pull out the stop signs at Main Avenue because
they would be unable to time the lights at 13 and at Arcadia to work properly together. The City is exploring
whether the intersection can be fully built and ready to go, but not install the signals until there is a clear
failure at Main Avenue.
Fall Meet - n - Greet on October 27, 2011 (5pm - 7pm)
Project Leader: Passafaro
Meyer: Confirmed that the budget for the event was $1500. If the committee felt additional funds were
needed, please let her know.
Passafaro: Confirmed that the location was Fong's.
Passafaro: Suggested that the next agenda discuss how to market the event to businesses.
ITEMS E (BUSINESS NEWSLETTER) WAS MOVED TO THE NEXT AGENDA DUE TO LACK OF TIME.
Business Retention Interviews — Deerfield Industrial ParklWaterfront PassagelWelcome Avenue)
Howard: Briefly asked for members to review the survey questions for possible changes or updates.
Members discussed the income question and whether the multiple answers to the question should be more
generic — perhaps related to sales only by range, or up by 5 %, up by 10 %, up by more than 10 %, down by
5 %....10 %, etc.
Members concluded that since the interviews had already started, that the question not be changed until
the next area of interviews was started.
4. New Business
Joint Meeting with EDA
Meyer: Asked if the committee had any agenda items they'd like to discuss at that meeting.
Two items came out of the discussion: (1) EDAC opportunity to comment on CSAH 21 realignment, and (2)
clarification of roles and responsibilities between the two bodies.
5. Other Business
New Community and Economic Development Director
Meyer: Advised that the City had offered the position to Dan Rogness, who is a Savage resident and
comes to the City with over 25 years experience in multi -use developments, most recently with the Dakota
County CDA, and with the cities of Rosemont and Northfield before that. He starts September 1St and will
most likely become the staff liaison to the EDA and EDAC.
Next Meeting — Confirmed with members for Friday, August 26th at 7:30am.
Meeting adjourned at 9:15am.
Submitted by: Kelly Meyer