Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10 08 2018 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 October 8, 2018 1. CALL TO ORDER PRESIDENT CHROMY called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Present were Chromy, Sheehan-Kerber, Boucher- Hoese, Braid and Briggs. Also present were Executive Director Boyles and Community Development Director McCabe. Guests present from Nuvera were Barb Bornhoft, Craig Anderson, Mary Korthour and Larry Shepard. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION BY BRIGGS, SECONDED BY SHEEHAN-KERBER, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. Ayes by Chromy, Sheehan-Kerber, Braid and Briggs. The motion carried 4-0. 3. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES A. September 10, 2018 CHROMY provided a correction to change the word ‘they’ to the word ‘the’ on line eleven of page two. MOTION BY BRIGGS, SECONDED BY SHEEHAN-KERBER TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 10, 2018 MEETING MINUTES AS CORRECTED. Ayes by Chromy, Sheehan-Kerber and Briggs. The motion carried 3-0-1 with Braid abstaining 4. CONSENT AGENDA A. Development Update (09/30/2018) B. Advisory Committee Appointments – Business Engagement Committee MOTION BY BRAID, SECONDED BY SHEEHAN-KERBER TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. Ayes by Chromy, Sheehan-Kerber, Braid and Briggs. The motion carried 4-0. BRIGGS commented that he was impressed by the strength of the candidate pools for the advisory committee vacan- cies. BRAID commented on residential and commercial update, noting the number of permits for commercial additions and alterations were up dramatically from 2017 showing strong investment in the commercial sector through addition/alter- ation in 2018. BOUCHER-HOESE arrived. 5. REMOVED CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS None 6. PRESENTATIONS A. Nuvera Fiber Network Barb Bornhoft, Craig Anderson, Mary Korthour and Larry Shepard were in attendance from Nuvera to discuss the existing fiber network that is available to serve residents and businesses in Prior Lake as well as provide a su mmary of the Scott-County/City of Prior Lake Fiber agreement. BRIGGS commented that another purpose of this discussion is to identify any opportunities for the EDA to create incentives around fiber to encourage connection and let developers know a partnership exists to attract businesses to Prior Lake who are looking for redundant fiber connectivity. 2 BONHOFT provided an overview of Nuvera and company history stating that Nuvera has offices in 11 cities and they serve many communities. Nuvera intends to maintain the Prior Lake office because they feel it is important to have a local presence in the community. Nuvera also intends to maintain, and potentially expand, local staffing levels. BRIGGS asked if Nuvera provides the same service offerings in all locations or if they plan to add services in the Prior Lake market. ANDERSON stated they will provide business services beyond connectivity. Nuvera offers hosted services, managed firewall, cyber security, on-site technicians for support, managed wi-fi, phone systems, etc. BOUCHER-HOESE asked if Nuvera will be providing more services than Integra was providing. BONHOFT confirmed Nuvera will be providing more services. KORTHOUR is excited about the acquisition because of the business services that will be offered by Nuvera. SHEEHAN-KERBER asked for clarification about an earlier comment about Nuvera’s advisory committees. BONHOFT stated the Prior Lake advisory committee is not established yet. The advisory committee will be able to tell them what the community needs in terms of technology and services Nuvera can provide and identify in what ways Nuvera can participate in the community or community events. KORTHOUR provided an overview of the fiber agreement between Scott County and Integra Telecom which was executed in 2013. BRIGGS asked if businesses have connected to fiber? KORTHOUR confirmed businesses have connected. SHEPARD stated Integra/Nuvera has costed ‘drop’ from street into businesses and they have placed conduit in the ground in many locations already. BRIGGS clarified that any business in Deerfield Park could access fiber? KORTHOUT yes, depending on the needs of the business, Nuvera will work with them to evaluate service needs, costs and term of agreement. SHEEHAN-KERBER asked how many businesses have taken advantage of fiber connectivity? KORTHOUT was unsure of number. CHROMY asked why is it not being taken advantage of? SHEPARD stated many businesses do not have needs for fiber and their existing copper infrastructure can meet the present needs of most businesses. CHROMY asked if fiber is available to the schools? SHEPARD yes. BRIGGS stated fiber is also available to all city buildings. KORTHORT commented that Nuvera works with developers to connect with new businesses and residents to promote fiber availability and facilitate getting fiber into the home. 3 BRIGGS asked if fiber was available to homes in new developments? SHEPARD stated yes, fiber is available to new developments and areas where street reconstruction work has taken place. BRIGGS mentioned the city is attempting to grow its commercial tax base and asked if Nuvera identified the types of businesses that may require or prefer a fiber connection? ANDERSON stated banking, health care, businesses that have several locations that need to tie together, all have fiber needs. BRIGGS asked about future household demands. Will there be demand and is there a way the city of Prior Lake or the EDA to position the community to attract businesses that would utilize fiber? How does Prior Lake differentiate itself? KORTHOUR commented broadband consumption is going to continue to increase. Nuvera is not in the place to expend a large amount of capital to build-out the community but they have been building out slowly. Improvements in other technology has allowed speeds to increase and demands to be met without the need for fiber in many instances. SHEEHAN-KERBER asked if companies are struggling to find appropriate uses for fiber? ANDERSON commented that 5G and small cell require 7-times the density (number of radio towers) of 4G so fiber will be required to support those networks. BONHOFT stated there is a strong need for fiber and that will remain. There are multiple ways to service residents and businesses and several technologies are required to work together to meet customer needs. BOYLES questioned if topography plays a role in speed. SHEPARD stated yes, Prior Lake’s topography plays a role in speed. BRIGGS commented on fibers importance to attraction and retention efforts and the need to proactively partner with groups like Nuvera to ensure the IT needs of existing businesses are being met. BONHOFT commented on public wi-fi services Nuvera offers in some of their other communities which offer different tiers of service for residents, from free to an increased level of free service for customers or paid service. BRIGGS recommended the Parks Master Plan include an analysis of public’s desire for internet service in parks. BRIGGS stated the City of Prior Lake wants to send a message that Prior Lake is ‘open for business’ and is a willing partner for attraction or expansion of technology related businesses. 7. PUBLIC HEARING No Public Hearings 8. OLD BUSINESS None 9. NEW BUSINESS A. Storefront Improvement Program Request MCCABE informed the EDA he received a request for assistance with a storefront redevelopment project at 16309 Main Avenue SE. The proposed project would include new storefront windows and customer door, new overhead doors, new awning and a panel to cover the south and east (rear) building walls; the total project cost is estimated at $50,000. 4 CHROMY felt that the proposed improvements were primarily related to general maintenance items and felt a potential storefront improvement program should be designed to bring building appearance closer to that of downtown design guidelines, not primarily for general building maintenance. BRIGGS did not support a storefront improvement program for nonconforming uses in the downtown area. MOTION BY BRIGGS SECONDED BY SHEEHAN-KERBER directing staff to not reestablish the Storefront Improve- ment Program. Ayes by Chromy, Sheehan-Kerber, Boucher-Hoese, Braid and Briggs. The motion carried 5-0. B. EDA 2018 Accomplishments and 2019 Goals MCCABE informed the EDA that the City Council has invited all advisory committee members to a City Council work session on Monday, November 19th at 5:00 p.m. The purpose of the work session is to allow all advisory committees an opportunity to present the City Council with a report of 2018 accomplishments and 2019 goals. The work session also provides an opportunity for advisory committees to hear accomplishments from other committees as well as what the other committees will be working on in 2019 to determine if there are any collaboration opportunities. MCCABE provided draft 2018 accomplishments and 2019 goals for EDA review, including: Economic Development Authority (EDA) – 2018 Accomplishments • The EDA developed the 2018 EDA Business Plan which identifies how additional funding will be used to achieve a greater economic development impact in the community through identified economic development initiatives. • Worked with the City Council to amend the EDA Enabling Resolution to include language which allows the EDA to utilize EDA Special Revenue Funds to facilitate economic development initiatives identified in the EDA Business Plan. • Held joint meetings with the City Council, Business Engagement Committee and Scott County First Stop Shop to promote partnerships and collaboration. • Reviewed and commented on the 2040 Land Use Plan as part of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update. • Assisted commercial development and redevelopment projects by providing limited funding to support utility relo- cation, electrical and soil correction costs. • Reviewed and recommended approval of two requests for annexation of needed commercial and business park property. Economic Development Authority (EDA) – 2019 Goals • Utilize EDA Special Revenue Funds appropriately to accomplish the approved economic development initiatives. • Continue to guide the Business Engagement Committee and support the Technology Village Board of Directors. • Continue to build upon the positive momentum by encouraging additional downtown development and redevelop- ment opportunities. • Establish a process and plan to target resources for economic opportunities that provide significant benefits to Prior Lake, including those that may include property acquisition and direct support to commercial and industrial development. • Conduct an annual meeting with the Scott County CDA First Stop Shop, City Council, Planning Commission, EDA and Technology Village BOD to identifying reciprocal goals. MOTION BY BRIGGS SECONDED BY BOUCHER-HOESE to approve the EDA 2018 accomplishments and 2019 goals as proposed. Ayes by Chromy, Sheehan-Kerber, Boucher-Hoese, Braid and Briggs. The motion carried 5-0. 10. OTHER BUSINESS A. Staff Updates MCCABE informed the EDA that staff had received a request for information related to the process to allow a dinner cruise boat on Prior Lake. McCabe asked the EDA for their initial thoughts related to this concept. Some of the com- ments received from the EDA included concerns related to customer parking, potential disruption to other lake traffic and likely concerns or objections if the use is near existing residential neighborhoods. 5 MCCABE told the EDA that he made a couple inquiries into the availability of commercial property for acquisition by the EDA. Properties were in the downtown area and in the South Lake Village area. Neither property owner expressed a great interest to sell at this point, but both agreed to follow up with city staff in the future. McCabe will provide additional information to the EDA when it is available. MCCABE stated a couple downtown businesses requested downtown off-street parking directional signage be placed to help customers find off-street parking areas. EDA MEMBERS directed staff to bring parking wayfinding signage options for the EDA to consider at their next meeting. B. Commissioner Comments CHROMY informed the EDA he met with a residential developer to discuss potential downtown (re)development op- portunities. The feedback he received included possible hesitancy from developers if they are required to keep local businesses in place while pursuing redevelopment opportunities. Multiple downtown development locations were con- sidered. BRIGGS commented on the efforts of staff to find an appropriate location for a transformer placed within the Fong’s landscaping area on the southwest corner of their property. Mr. Briggs noted the current transformer was placed incorrectly by Xcel Energy and city staff is working with Xcel Energy and the two adjoining businesses to find an alter- nate location for the transformer to alleviate adjacent business owner concerns. MOTION BY BRIGGS AND SECONDED BY SHEEHAN-KERBER authorizing staff to spend up to $5,000 of EDA Professional Service Funds to address the incorrect placement of a transformer by Xcel Energy on the LE Management Properties (Fong’s) property. SHEEHAN-KERBER informed the EDA that she is not able to attend the next meeting in November. 11. ADJOURNMENT MOTION BY BRIGGS, SECONDED BY SHEEHAN-KERBER TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. With all in favor, the meeting adjourned at 5:58 p.m. Ayes by Chromy, Sheehan-Kerber, Boucher-Hoese, Braid and Briggs. The motion carried 5-0. ___________________________ Frank Boyles, Executive Director