HomeMy WebLinkAbout02 12 2018 EDA Minutes
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Prior Lake, MN 55372
Economic Development Authority Meeting Minutes
February 12, 2018
1. CALL TO ORDER
VICE PRESIDENT BRAID called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. Present were Braid, Briggs, and Sheehan-Kerber.
Business Engagement Committee (BEC) members present were Kim Prchal, Wade Larson, Tim Marco, and Thane
Tande. Also present were Executive Director Boyles, Community Development Director McCabe and Planner
Schwabe. Commissioners Chromy and Boucher-Hoese were absent.
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION BY BRIGGS, SECONDED BY SHEEHAN-KERBER, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. Ayes by Braid, Briggs
and Sheehan-Kerber. The motion carried 3-0.
3. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES
MOTION BY BRIGGS, SECONDED BY SHEEHAN-KERBER, TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 11, 2017 MEETING
MINUTES. Ayes by Braid, Briggs and Sheehan-Kerber. The motion carried 3-0.
4. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Development Update (01/31/2018)
a. 2017 Residential Single-Family Permit Applicants and Valuation Chart
B. EDA Revenue & Expenditure Report (12/31/2017)
MOTION BY BRIGGS, SECONDED BY SHEEHAN-KERBER, TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. Ayes by
Braid, Briggs and Sheehan-Kerber. The motion carried 3-0.
5. REMOVED CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
None
6. PUBLIC HEARING
No Public Hearings
7. OLD BUSINESS
None
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. Election of Officers
MCCABE explained that the officers of the EDA shall be elected at the first meeting of the year. All EDA Commis-
sioners are eligible to become officers for 2018 and the officers elected in 2017 are eligible for reappointment.
BRAID shared that CHROMY is willing to serve as President again in 2018.
MOTION BY BRIGGS, SECONDED BY SHEEHAN-KERBER, TO APPOINT CHROMY AS PRESIDENT OF THE
EDA FOR 2018. Ayes by Braid, Briggs and Sheehan-Kerber. The motion carried 3-0.
BRAID explained that he is willing to serve as Vice-President if the group so chooses. SHEEHAN-KERBER stated
that she is also willing to serve as Vice-President.
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MOTION BY BRIGGS, SECONDED BY BRAID, TO APPOINT SHEEHAN-KERBER AS VICE CHAIR OF THE
EDA FOR 2018. Ayes by Braid, Briggs and Sheehan-Kerber. The motion carried 3-0.
MOTION BY BRIGGS, SECONDED BY SHEEHAN-KERBER, TO APPOINT FINANCE DIRECTOR ERICSON AS
TREASURER, CITY MANAGER BOYLES AS SECRETARY AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
MCCABE AS ASSISTANT TREASURER. Ayes by Braid, Briggs and Sheehan-Kerber. The motion carried 3-0.
B. BEC Discussion
MCCABE provided an overview on the previous printed City of Prior Lake Community Profile to the EDA and BEC
members in attendance as well as information on the updated Community Profile which was done electronically.
PRCHAL stated that in her conversations with local business persons, digital format was preferred. She suggested
having a printed version offered semi-annually.
MARCO stated that information about average age and incomes can be beneficial to include when trying to attract
residents and businesses alike.
BRIGGS shared that he has received comments about needing informational pieces about the shops and restau-
rants located in Prior Lake.
BRAID stated that he was surprised that our current Community Profile does not highlight one of the community’s
largest assets, which is the lake.
PRCHAL suggested the group determine who the preferred audience is (i.e. attracting residences, commercial
businesses, visitors)
TANDE stated that a few years back, the BEC (then the EDAC) worked to revise the City Code to make the
residential and commercial building process easier, more comparable to adjacent communities and more ‘business
friendly’.
PRCHAL explained that the BEC has suggested a Business Mentorship program be developed utilizing ambas-
sadors who’ve completed building construction or addition projects in Prior Lake to assist new businesses through
the City processes based on their experiences.
BRAID stated that the City is currently working on the Comprehensive Plan Update and as part of that process the
City is looking to guide additional tracts as commercial.
BOYLES shared that the Blahnik, Prchal & Stoll Law Office project was the first in the Transitional Town Center
District and sharing their experience would benefit future property owners who may wish to do the same.
BRAID suggested PRCHAL work with Staff regarding their experiences.
BRAID stated that based on the discussion, attracting residents, new businesses, and a visitor’s guide appear to
be the priorities.
MOTION BY BRIGGS, SECONDED BY SHEEHAN-KERBER, TO WORK WITH THE BEC, CDA AND OTHER
APPROPRIATE AGENCY’S TO DEVELOP ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION PIECES INTENDED FOR VISI-
TORS, EXISTING BUSINESS OWNERS (PAST ACCOMPLISHEMENTS, LOOKING FORWARD) AND PRO-
SPECTIVE INVESTORS (COMMERCIAL SUCCESSES, AVAILABLE PROPERTIES). Ayes by Braid, Briggs and
Sheehan-Kerber. The motion carried 3-0.
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C. City of Prior Lake Property Ownership
SCHWABE stated that at the December 11, 2017 EDA meeting, members directed staff to research city-owned
properties and bring back information on their potential for returning to the tax rolls. The City typically acquires
properties when dedicated as part of a plat or through tax forfeiture from the State of Minnesota when the proper-
ties are needed for a public purpose. Staff reviewed a total of 281 parcels and of those 13 were determined to not
have an identified use today (e.g. parks, stormwater, drainage and utilities, parks, etc.).
MCCABE explained that parcels obtained through tax forfeiture are typically restricted to a specific purpose indi-
cated on the deed. If the City ceases to use the parcel for that purpose, it would generally revert to the State of
Minnesota.
Discussion ensued regarding the current and potential future use of the parcels.
MOTION BY BRIGGS, SECONDED BY SHEEHAN-KERBER, TO DIRECT STAFF TO COMPLETE TITLE WORK
ON ROW #1, 6, 8, AND 9 TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE PARCELS CAN BE SOLD TO ADJACENT PROP-
ERTY OWNERS; RESEARCH ROW #2, 5, 7, TO DETERMINE IF THE PARCELS ARE VIABLE FOR DEVELOP-
MENT; RESEARCH ROW #10 TO DETERMINE WHERE THE PARCELS ORIGINATED AND THE PROCESS
FOR RETURNING THE PARCEL(S) TO THE TAX ROLLS. Ayes by Braid, Briggs and Sheehan-Kerber. The
motion carried 3-0.
MOTION BY BRIGGS, SECONDED BY SHEEHAN-KERBER, TO DIRECT STAFF TO MEET WITH THE APPLI-
CABLE COUNTY AND STATE STAFF REGARDING COMBINING ROW #12 AND 13 TO FORM A SINGLE PAR-
CEL. Ayes by Braid, Briggs and Sheehan-Kerber. The motion carried 3-0.
D. Construction Projects Business Impact Game Plan
MCCABE reviewed the previously discussed opportunities where the City of Prior Lake may be able to lessen the
2019 construction impacts on downtown businesses.
BRIGGS shared that it is important the BEC work with the EDA to identify opportunities for assisting businesses
during the road construction projects.
PRCHAL stated that the City could consider assisting by supporting events, reviewing fee waiver opportunities,
and increased communication to downtown businesses. She continued by sharing that she recently spoke with
approximately 10 businesses in downtown Chaska who had been impacted by a large road project in
2016/2017and the common theme related to City assistance was associated with the City communicating with the
businesses before and during the project.
BRIGGS stated that there are the local banks in Prior Lake may be interested in providing information to the BEC
and EDA regarding available small business loan opportunities for businesses.
PRCHAL suggested the local banks host a small business loan presentation and invite downtown businesses.
BRIGGS shared that there may be potential for additional signage in the downtown area which could be used to
promote and celebrate downtown before, during, and after construction projects.
BRAID stated that Prior Lake is a summer town where a bulk of revenue for downtown businesses is made during
the months that the TH 13/CR 21 road construction will be taking place. He shared that he also spoke with
downtown Chaska business owners recently about their experiences with the large road project, and their primary
comments were surrounding the importance of way-finding signage during construction.
MARCO stated that having a way-finding plan associated with a construction schedule would be very beneficial
for businesses owners and visitors alike.
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The EDA directed the BEC to add this as an Agenda item for their next meeting and to work on developing assis-
tance opportunities for the EDA to consider.
BRAID suggested keeping this as an Agenda item for the EDA for the foreseeable future.
E. Technology Village Phase II.5 Business Plan
MOTION BY BRIGGS, SECONDED BY SHEEHAN-KERBER TO APPROVE THE TECHNOLOGY VILLAGE
PHASE II.5 BUSINESS PLAN. Ayes by Braid, Briggs and Sheehan-Kerber. The motion carried 3-0.
F. Deerfield Business Park Signage
MCCABE provided an overview of a recent meeting with Deerfield Business Park businesses regarding their re-
quest for additional signage.
BOYLES questioned if there was a business association in Deerfield.
MCCABE stated that there is not.
MCCABE stated that the current concept plan is a monument style sign advertising the business park as opposed
to individual business names in the existing Waterfront Passage signage.
BRIGGS stated that utilization of the sailboat style sign would tie in nicely with other branding in the community.
The EDA directed Staff to work with the Deerfield Business Park Signage group to further develop the concept
plan related to sign location and style.
9. OTHER BUSINESS
A. Staff Updates
i. Downtown Lease Agreements
MCCABE shared that the City has entered into a new lease agreement with the lessees of the Flowers Natu-
rally building which will better facilitate property transition for the lessees and city when the road improvement
project commences.
ii. Commercial/Industrial Property Listings
MCCABE provided a brief update on current large acreage property listings.
B. Commissioner Comments
None
10. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION BY BRIGGS, SECONDED BY SHEEHAN-KERBER, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. With all in favor, the
meeting adjourned at 6:07 p.m.
___________________________
Frank Boyles, Executive Director