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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12 11 2017 EDA Minutes Phone 952.447.9800 / Fax 952.447.4245 / www.cityofpriorlake.com 4646 Dakota Street SE Prior Lake, MN 55372 Economic Development Authority Meeting Minutes December 11, 2017 1. CALL TO ORDER PRESIDENT CHROMY called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Present were Chromy, Briggs, Braid, Sheehan- Kerber and Boucher-Hoese. Wade Larson, member of the Business Engagement Committee (BEC) was present and Kim Prchal, BEC Chair joined the meeting at 4:57p.m. Also present were Executive Director Boyles, Com- munity Development Director McCabe and Planner Schwabe. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION BY SHEEHAN-KERBER, SECONDED BY BOUCHER- HOESE, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. Ayes by Chromy, Briggs, Braid, Sheehan-Kerber and Boucher-Hoese. The motion carried 5-0. 3. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES MOTION BY BRIGGS, SECONDED BY BRAID, TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 13, 2017 MEETING MINUTES. Ayes by Chromy, Braid, Briggs, Sheehan-Kerber and Boucher-Hoese. The motion carried 5-0. 4. CONSENT AGENDA A. Development Update (11/30/2017) BRAID questioned the percentage increase for commercial permits in 2017 over 2016. MCCABE stated that the number of commercial building permits issued in 2017 is approximately 140% higher than in 2016. MOTION BY SHEEHAN-KERBER, SECONDED BY BOUCHER-HOESE, TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. Ayes by Chromy, Briggs, Braid, Sheehan-Kerber and Boucher-Hoese. The motion carried 5-0. 5. REMOVED CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS None 6. PUBLIC HEARING No Public Hearings 7. OLD BUSINESS None 8. NEW BUSINESS A. Advisory Committee Appointments MCCABE provided an overview of the Technology Village Board of Directors and the Business Engagement Committee. BRAID currently serves as the EDA liaison on the Technology Village Board of Directors and BRIGGS currently serves as the EDA liaison to the Business Engagement Committee (BEC). BRIGGS stated he has enjoyed serving as the liaison to the BEC and would be happy to continue to remain on the committee in 2018; however, he would be open to others who may be interested in stepping in. 2 BRAID shared that Technology Village has a good board and he is willing to serve again in 2018 unless another member is interested in that role. SHEEHAN-KERBER and CHROMY offered to serve as respective substitutes to the Technology Village Board of Directors and the Business Engagement Committee. MOTION BY SHEEHAN-KERBER SECONDED BY BRAID, TO APPOINT BRIGGS AS THE LIAISION TO THE BUSINESS ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE IN 2018. Ayes by Chromy, Briggs, Braid, Sheehan-Kerber and Bou- cher-Hoese. The motion carried 5-0. MOTION BY CHROMY SECONDED BY BRIGGS, TO APPOINT BRAID TO SERVE ON THE TECHNOLOGY VILLAGE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN 2018. Ayes by Chromy, Briggs, Braid, Sheehan-Kerber and Boucher- Hoese. The motion carried 5-0. B. First Stop Shop Prior Lake Pitch MCCABE explained the Vierling Family Property marketing material produced by Stacy Crakes and Jo Foust with the Scott County First Stop Shop. Following a meeting with the property brokers, Crakes and Foust offered to produce the marketing packet which was included in the EDA meeting packet for commissioner review. BRIGGS suggested the EDA review the marketing materials and discuss if there are elements of the packet that the EDA would like highlighted further. SHEEHAN-KERBER asked if the packet previously produced by the EDAC, now known as the BEC, is similar to the First Stop Shop information packet. MCCABE stated some of the materials are similar and shared information about the printed marketing materials which were created in 2014 based on direction from the BEC. The intent at that time was to create one document that summarized Prior Lake information including: population, school district, housing, etc. He explained that the City now has that information available online. Discussion occurred regarding information necessary to appropriately market the City including but not limited to the City History, events, assistance opportunities and state of current condition. BOYLES stated that First Stop Shop produces marketing information on a regular basis and it may be beneficial to have Ms. Crakes and Ms. Foust attend an upcoming EDA meeting to present information to the EDA. BRIGGS, in addition, suggested a joint BEC/EDA meeting to review the existing Community Profile marketing materials and make necessary updates, including information collected from the community survey, after meeting with the First Stop Shop staff. EDA MEMBERS directed staff to invite Ms. Crakes and Ms. Foust from the First Stop Shop to the January 2018 EDA meeting. C. Staff Updates (verbal report) MCCABE shared that the Technology Village Fast Track Business Challenge has been selected as Program of the Year by the Economic Development Association of Minnesota. The award announcement will not be made official until the awards ceremony, which will be held on January 18, 2018. 3 MCCABE discussed the Celebrate Prior Lake website produced by Mike Stout of Tamarack Consulting, which is a for-profit website that highlights the businesses in Prior Lake and surrounding area. He encouraged EDA mem- bers to view the website if they have not had an opportunity to do so. BRIGSS stated that he has met with Mr. Stout regarding the Celebrate Prior Lake website. CHROMY shared that he is familiar with the Celebrate Prior Lake website. Discussion followed regarding existing avenues and possible future endeavors to market Prior Lake effectively. CHROMY shared that the drone flyover video of the Vierling property was very interesting. MCCABE will forward the video to the EDA members. BRAID suggested the video from the City of Alexandria related to a planned road project that began in 2013 which documented the process and experience the businesses had during that project be sent to the BEC and EDA. BOYLES stated Staff will share the City of Alexandria video with the BEC and EDA. D. Business Climate and Economic Vitality Discussion (verbal report) BOUCHER-HOESE shared concerns about potential impacts to downtown businesses because of the HWY13/CR21 intersection improvement project. She stated that conversations should be happening now regard- ing how to prepare and assist. She also expressed a concern that there appears to be a saturation of similar businesses in the downtown currently and recommended the city identify opportunities to diversify the types of businesses in the downtown. BRIGGS stated the BEC liaisons have helped to keep a better pulse on the business climate. He continued by sharing that the City would benefit greatly from being more aware and attentive to the current business climate to best assist businesses during the intersection improvement project. CHROMY commented on the increasing level of commercial development recently and added there is approxi- mately 180,000 sq. ft. of additional grocery/retail space in Scott County than there was this time last year and what businesses need are more customers. BRIGSS questioned if the BEC could assist with more regular visits to the commercial business areas. PRCHAL indicated that making quarterly liaison visits may be difficult for the BEC since the commercial liaison program is only in its second year; however, the liaisons may be able to obtain a sampling from each of the commercial area. She stated that communication with potential customers outside of the City of Prior Lake would be important so that they are aware the businesses are open during construction and how customers can access them. BOUCHER-HOESE questioned if there were financial opportunities available to downtown businesses. Discussion ensued about events, lending programs, and other opportunities to encourage more foot-traffic/cus- tomers in downtown Prior Lake. EDA will continue discussion related to lending opportunities for Prior Lake Busi- nesses who may be negatively impacted by the TH13/CR21 corridor improvement projects. E. Construction Projects Business Impact Game Plan (discussion with BEC) 4 PRCHAL suggested Staff contact the City of Chaska and Prior Lake businesses, through the Prior Lake Chamber, downtown businesses in Chaska who have been impacted by recent road improvement projects to garner infor- mation about their successes and suggestions. CHROMY indicated that up-to-date access information was difficult to find during the Franklin Trail project and suggested the city or contractor could provide weekly communication prior to and during construction which would inform business owners, customers and citizens of what is open, closed, available parking or impeded and for how long. BRIGGS stated that a meeting will be held next week to form subcommittees that will make recommendations related to signage, communication, phasing, etc. for the 21/13 intersection improvement project. He suggested directing staff to discuss best practices including wayfinding signage, project phasing, communication, etc. from communities who have been through it. BRAID suggested working with the Chamber to develop additional events to promote Prior Lake businesses and to be strategic in the areas in which the City can assist. CHROMY suggested that obtaining information and/or developing strategies in four areas would be instrumental in understanding the information that would be prudent to the success of businesses during road construction: • History/Best Practices o Wayfinding Signage • Events o Collaborating with others, including but not limited to: Chamber, SMSC • Financial Assistance o Opportunities • State of Current Condition o Existing Business Climate 9. OTHER BUSINESS A. Commissioner Comments BRIGGS congratulated PRCHAL on her recent appointment as the Chair of the BEC. MCCABE shared that the City Council will be meeting on January 8, 2017 with a work session which interferes with the regular meeting schedule of the EDA. Staff suggests holding an EDA meeting on January 22, 2018 with the First Stop Shop and a joint EDA/BEC meeting on February 12, 2018 to discuss marketing materials and opportunities for business retention during the intersection improvement projects. BRIGGS shared that there is a lot of good going on surrounding “The Big Game” in February and that he is confident the City will be in a great position in part by the improved communication and partnership with the Chamber. 10. ADJOURNMENT MOTION BY BRIGGS, SECONDED BY SHEEHAN-KERBER, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. With all in favor, the meeting adjourned at 6:06 p.m.