HomeMy WebLinkAbout09 16 2013 EDA Report 8A
4646 Dakota Street SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: September 16, 2013
AGENDA #: 8A
PREPARED BY: Casey McCabe, Community Development Specialist
AGENDA ITEM: EDAC BUSINESS & INDUSTRY FORUM RESPONSE AND ACTION PLAN
DISCUSSION: Introduction
The purpose of this agenda item is to provide the EDA with an opportunity to review and
comment on the proposed action items and responses to comments received during the
EDAC Business & Industry Forum (B&I) before the responses are sent to meeting attendees.
History
On April 25 the EDAC hosted the 2013 Prior Lake Business & Industry Forum at Fong’s
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Event Center in Prior Lake. Approximately 50 people attended from 5:00-7:00 PM. The
primary purpose of this event was to provide an open forum for business leaders, property
owners, developers and local elected and appointed officials to gather and discuss concerns
or issues facing Prior Lake businesses as well as promote the positive steps taken by the
EDAC and the City of Prior Lake to address concerns and issues identified during previous
events.
The B&I Forum helps fulfill some of the duties and responsibilities of the EDAC, including; 1)
serving as a liaison between city government and the community; and 2) making
recommendations to the EDA or City staff regarding economic development issues, strategy
development and implementation and other initiatives that can be undertaken by the EDA to
expand and strengthen business retention & expansion.
Current Circumstances
Approximately 40 comments were received during the B&I Forum. The EDAC members
determined they would like to respond to all comments received during the forum and either
detail the action that has occurred, the proposed action, or note if action is unnecessary or
desired results are not achievable.
During their May 20 meeting, the EDA reviewed the list of comments received during the
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B&I Forum and approved a motion to direct the EDAC to evaluate the comments received
through the Business & Industry Forum and formulate responses to be considered by the
EDA before sending.
Conclusion
Attached to this report is a list of comments received, responses and proposed EDAC action
items for EDA review. Once the EDA is comfortable with the EDAC responses and proposed
action items, the attached information will be made available to meeting attendees and others
on the EDAC page of the City website.
ISSUES: The EDAC is very eager to provide a response to the comments received during the B&I
Forum so the attendees are aware the EDA, EDAC and city staff are working to address their
comments and concerns. However this does not mean that the EDA should feel pressured
to approve the proposed actions with little consideration. Each proposal is an obligation which
will require time and potentially money to implement. Moreover certain of the proposals may
be more difficult to complete than others. Neither the EDAC nor the EDA want to establish a
reputation of promising to do something and then fail to follow through.
In light of the above, the EDA could decide to establish a subcommittee consisting of one
representative each from the EDA, EDAC and staff to review each proposed action, the time
line for completion and the cost and prepare recommendations for consideration by the EDA
at a future meeting.
FINANCIAL Some of the proposed action items may need to have financial resources included as part of
IMPACT: the solution or as part of further analysis. Staff time will be required for all listed action items.
ALTERNATIVES: 1. Motion and second to approve the EDAC Business and Industry Forum responses and
action items, as proposed or with further amendments.
2.Establish a subcommittee to review the proposals in more detail and make
recommendations to the EDA at a future meeting.
3.Provide direction to staff and continue discussion at a future meeting.
RECOMMENDED If the EDA believes that the responses in the attachment adequately address the questions
MOTION: then Alternative 1. If additional review is desired, then Alternative 2 would be appropriate..
ATTACHMENT: 1. Business & Industry Forum Comments & Responses