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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02 27 2014 EDAC rept 3b 4646 Dakota Street SE Prior Lake, MN 55372 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT MEETING DATE: February 27, 2014 AGENDA #: 3.b. PREPARED BY: Casey McCabe, Community Development Specialist AGENDA ITEM: BUSINESS & INDUSTRY FORUM FOLLOW UP ACTION DISCUSSION: Introduction On April 25, 2013, the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) hosted the 2013 Prior Lake Business & Industry Forum. The primary purpose of the 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 by the public during previous events. History The EDAC developed a list of ten EDAC action items to address many of the business owner and resident comments and suggestions. The initial EDAC response and action items have been added to the EDAC page of the City website and a link has been provided to all meeting attendants. Current Circumstances Below is a list of the EDAC action items and the current status. Continue to support Community & Economic Development staff, City Council and Economic De- velopment Authority (EDA) with program guideline and policy updates and development related to financing or incentive programs. Over the past year, Community & Economic Development staff, along with the City Council, Eco- nomic Development Authority (EDA) and Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC), have been working to update/develop guidelines and policies related to financing or incentive programs. Examples include the Technology Village Business Plan (Phase I and II), an Economic Development Plan for Deerfield Business & Welcome Industrial Parks, EDA Business Plan, a Sewer and Water Fee Deferral Program, Business Subsidies Policy, and an update of the Eco- nomic Development Revolving Loan Fund Guidelines. The EDAC is working with the EDA to potentially establish a downtown façade improvement pro- ject. If there is interest in a façade restoration program south of CR21, the EDAC will work R with City staff and the EDA to evaluate funding options. The EDA reviewed a request from the EDAC to consider resurrecting the City of Prior Lake façade grant program. The EDA considered the request during their November 18 meeting and deferred th taking action. The EDA indicated support for a façade grant program; however, they felt a down- town façade improvement program would be premature until the downtown road network issues were resolved. The EDA felt a façade improvement program would be most beneficial if it coin- cided with additional public improvements. Continue to work with SCALE toward its 50 percent employment goal in Scott County. Continue to work to eliminate the perception the City is difficult to work with. This will be accom- plished by working with staff to ensure business owners, developers and residents receive cour- teous and respectful assistance and prompt up-front information related to their project as well as continued communication throughout the project. Update outdated community marketing and promotional materials. The EDAC is currently working to update marketing materials to promote the City of Prior Lake and anticipates the materials will be revised and completed in March 2014. Develop a plan to promote local spending in the community by leveraging existing businesses and the efforts of City staff, Prior Lake Chamber and the recently formed Prior Lake Downtown Busi- ness Association. Work with the recently formed Prior Lake Downtown Business Association to increase customer traffic and promotion of downtown businesses. Work with the Prior Lake Traffic & Safety Committee to evaluate a crosswalk sign and/or other interim safety improvements at the Main Avenue/CR21 intersection. The Traffic & Safety Committee evaluated pedestrian safety improvements at the Main Avenue / CR 21 intersection. The committee noted the intersection is proposed to be closed to Main Ave- nue thru traffic in 2015 and pedestrian safety improvements will be considered at that time. A recommendation will be sent to Scott County officials to consider interim safety improvements. Work with the Prior Lake Traffic & Safety Committee and the Prior Lake Downtown Business Association to evaluate the possibility of restricting parking in the public parking lot near the Rock Creek building to 2/4 hours. Potential impacts of bus riders and employees filling up parking spaces along Main Avenue and other locations in lieu of the Rock Creek parking lot will also be evaluated. The Traffic & Safety Committee reviewed this request and chose not to take any action. The committee felt that limiting the parking in the Rock Creek parking lot to 2 or 4 hours would create demand on the public safety department through enforcement of the parking lot and would only increase parking demand in other areas of the downtown. Evaluate possible enhancements to the Prior Lake monument sign at the intersection of CR42 and Hwy 13. Conclusion The EDAC should discuss these items and establish a timeline to accomplish each of the listed action items. The EDAC may also wish to identify specific goals for some of the more general action items. ISSUES: The committee should continue to provide updates on the EDAC page of the City website. FINANCIAL Some issues may need to have financial resources included as part of the solution or as part of further IMPACT: analysis. ALTERNATIVES: Discussion Only. RECOMMENDED Discussion Only. MOTION: 2