Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05 22 2014 EDAC rept 5a 4646 Dakota Street SE Prior Lake, MN 55372 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT MEETING DATE: May 22, 2014 AGENDA #: 5.a. PREPARED BY: Casey McCabe, Community Development Specialist AGENDA ITEM: EDA UPDATES DISCUSSION: Introduction The EDA held its regular scheduled meeting on Monday, May 19, 2014. The EDA discussed the following items on their agenda. Economic Development Incentive Grant Application Sewer and Water Fee Deferral Program Budget EDAC Quarterly Update EDAC Meeting Request County Highway 21 and Main Avenue Current Circumstances Economic Development Incentive Grant Application The EDA reviewed and recommended the City Council approve the Scott County CDA Eco- nomic Development Incentive Technical Assistance Grant application with the local match provided by the EDA. On April 21, the EDA authorized the expenditure of up to $20,000 from its Professional Ser- st vices budget as a match to support an application to the Scott County CDA. This technical assistance grant, if awarded, will be used to hire a consultant to complete a Prior Lake down- town parking analysis. The parking analysis will include, but is not limited to: Evaluate existing/recent downtown studies; Develop site options for public parking lots/ramps; Evaluate and prioritize site options based on a list of criteria; and Provide conclusions, including project funding options. The City Council must approve a resolution in support of the application, which is scheduled on its May 27 agenda. th Sewer and Water Fee Deferral Program Budget On February 11, 2013 the Prior Lake City Council adopted the Metropolitan Council SAC De- ferral Program and the City of Prior Lake Sewer and Water Fee Deferral Program Policy which allows for the deferment of SAC fees for small businesses that receive SAC determinations of 10 units or less (SAC refers to Sewer Availability Charge). The Met Council has since revised their program to increase the SAC determination to 25 units for eligible businesses. The City Council will be considering amendments to the City Code and local sewer and water fee deferral policy to mirror the revised Met Council program on May 27. th The fee deferral program is currently funded through the EDA Professional Services Fund. The EDA directed staff to consider alternative funding sources, outside of the EDA budget, for City Council consideration. EDAC Quarterly Update Lloyd Erbaugh provided a quarterly update of EDAC activities, including: City of Prior Lake Marketing Materials Commercial & Industrial Property Lease Space Availability Prior Lake Business Pages Downtown Parking Study Business & Industry Forum Follow Up Action Plan to Communicate and Promote Business Growth and Local Business Climate The EDA commended the EDAC on the valuable work they are doing and were very apprecia- tive of the efforts of all the members. EDAC Meeting Request County Highway 21 and Main Avenue While reviewing downtown intersection projects during the April meeting, EDAC members com- mented that the Main Avenue closure at County Highway 21 was not supposed to occur until the Arcadia Avenue signal was installed and the Pleasant Street access improvements were made on Trunk Highway 13. The EDAC requested a meeting with Scott County Commissioner Barbara Marschall and Scott County Engineering staff to discuss the proposed closure of Main Avenue at County Highway 21; specifically related to the timing of the Pleasant Street/Hwy 13 improvements. Staff brought this request to the EDA for review and direction because downtown transportation Staff asked the EDA to consider the extent to which the If the EDA authorized the EDAC to meet with Scott County representatives, staff asked for specific direction or guidelines to ensure the EDAC discussion would not interfere with previous and ongoing discussions between City and County committees and staff. The EDA understood the concerns of the EDAC and downtown businesses about this project, but commented that the decision to close Main Avenue at CH 21 in 2015 has already been made by the county. The EDA added that the Pleasant Street/Hwy 13 project would not involve the county because it is a local street and state highway. The EDA also referenced the attached letter sent to the City Council by the Scott County Board in February 2014 in response to a City Council request that the county consider alternate closure options at Main Avenue. The EDA ultimately approved a motion to deny the EDAC meeting request with Barbara Mar- schall and Scott County Engineering staff, directing the EDAC Liaison Michelle Choudek to inform the EDAC of their decision and reasoning along with providing a copy of the February 2014 Scott County letter (attached) for EDAC review. The EDA also directed staff to coordinate with the county to schedule a pre-construction meeting at a later date that would include nearby residents and businesses. EDAC members Erbaugh and Choudek attended the EDA meeting with City staff Rogness and McCabe. More information about the meeting request will be provided by these members at the May 22 meeting. nd 2 Conclusion Detailed updates of EDA activity related to the above listed topics will be presented to the EDAC during the May 22 meeting. nd ISSUES: Update only. FINANCIAL None. IMPACT: ALTERNATIVES: Update only. RECOMMENDED Update only. MOTION: ATTACHMENTS: 1. Letter from Scott County Board to the Prior Lake City Council dated 2/15/14. 3