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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04 15 2013 EDA Draft Minutes O � PRfp� Iv � v 4646 Dakota Street SE Prior Lake, MN 55372 '��vives��` Economic Development Authority Meeting Minutes April 15, 2013 1. CALL TO ORDER President Hedberg called the meeting to order at 3:01 p.m. Present were Hedberg, Keeney, Morris and Chromy. Keeney arrived at 3:55 p.m. Also present was EDA Executive Director Boyles, Community & Economic Development Director Rogness, Community Development Specialist McCabe, Treasurer Erickson, and City Engineer Poppler. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION BY CHROMY, SECONDED BY MORRIS TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. VOTE: Ayes by Hedberg, Morris and Chromy. The motion carried. 3. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES MOTION BY CHROMY, SECONDED BY MORRIS TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MARCH 18, 2013. VOTE: Ayes by Hedberg, Morris and Chromy. The motion carried. 4. CONSENT AGENDA No consent items were listed on the agenda. 5. REMOVED CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS No items were removetl. 6. PUBLIC HEARING No public hearing was scheduled. 7. OLD BUSINESS No items were listed. 8. NEW BUSINESS A. Economic Development Requires City Investment. Boyles: presented a PowerPoint that highlighted three economic development success stories in Prior Lake, includ- ing Waterfront Passage Industrial Park, South Lake Village area, and the Downtown. These slides demonstrated that in order to achieve these successes the city had to make investments both through staff time as well as devel- opment incentives of various sorts. The point is that if the EDA/City wants to achieve its objectives it will have to con- sider the amount and type of resources it is willing to devote to the effort. If it is not willing to make the necessary in- vestments then it may be most prudent to pare back its objectives or take even more aggressive action to decommis- sion the EDA. Rogness: reviewetl some final slides that will be presented later at the SCALE Legos 501 event that related to the value of jobs, as well as allowing more residents to live antl work in Scott County. McCabe: summarized how other cities are supporting data centers with public financing tools such as tax abatement and a reduction in electric rates. Chaska and Shakopee are two examples, both which have municipal electric utili- ties, a key component to assist data centers. Morris: believes that the city should tap further into those residents who have significant and useful business qualifi- cations, including the formation of an advisory group. Fhone 932.447.9800 / Fax 952.447.4243 / wvvw.citya�fs�k+e.00m Keeney: believes that the fiscal disparities program pushes forth a"zero sum game" whereby the city's efforts to in- crease commercial/industrial tax base results in a reduction of fiscal disparities revenue. He said jobs must be a key part of the success equation, and that the city must leverage beyond what is invested by the public sector. Hedberg: agreed that jobs must be the number one goal for economic development, followed by business creation and then tax base. Keeney: emphasized that the EDA should concentrate on community payback in measureable terms. B. Economic Development Financing Tools. President Hedberg tabled this item due to time constraints. C. Business Subsidies Policy Discussion. President Hedberg tabled this item due to time constraints. D. Downtown Discussion — Redevelopment, South Downtown and Envision MN. Rogness: asked that the EDA consider tliscussing the South Downtown Study issue with Poppler present to answer questions. In order to move fonnrard with a potential new signalized intersection at TH 13 and Franklin Trail, a $50,000 increase to the Bolton & Menk contract is necessary to provide additional information to MnDOT and to an- swer other council related questions regarding the downtown area. Poppler: further reviewed what MnDOT requires in order to justify the signalized intersection with ultimate support by MnDOT as the ultimate goal, thereby helping to support a new street connection through the Diggers/Gross prop- erty into the south downtown area. Chromy: supports the need for a new street connection as recommended by the Bolton & Menk study process. This type of improvement can be the next success story by connecting two existing important commercial areas that will create a new larger and stronger "coreu area. , Hedberg: asked that the city back up and determine whether this plan should become part of the city's Comprehen- sive Plan. Chromy: believes this can be a win-win outcome by taking pressure off other intersections; the EDA needs to help drive it forwartl to make sure it is tlone right, rather than in pieces. Keeney: was disappointed that the proposed developers of the Diggers site were not willing to participate in the pro- posed additional study in the amount of $9,505 that would ultimately support redevelopment on that site. 9. OTHER BUSINESS A. Draft May 20, 2013 Agenda. Rogness: said that review of this item is not necessary due to time constraints. B. Special Meeting Option on April 29; Discussion with Eric Lampland. Rogness: asked the EDA to consider having a special meeting on Monday, April 29 to complete the tabled items from totlay and to have a discussion with Eric Lamplantl about a potential scope of work for broadband consulting services in 2013. The EDA agreed to this special meeting. Hedberg: emphasized that a key decision as the EDA discusses financing tools is to get out in front in order to chart a course for economic development. The city must create incentives for businesses. 10. ADJOURNMENT MOTION BY CHROMY, SECONDED BY KEENEY TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. With all in favor, the meeting ad- journed at 4:32 p.m. The SCALE Legos 501 workshop started at 4:30 p.m. Frank Boyles, Executive Director 2