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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03 11 2019 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 March 11, 2019 1. CALL TO ORDER PRESIDENT CHROMY called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Present were Chromy, Boucher-Hoese, Sheehan- Kerber, Braid and Briggs. Also present were Executive Director Plante, Community Development Director McCabe and Planner Schwabe. Guests present were CEC members Alexandra Matyja, Lori Olson, Annette Thompson, Marsha Diers, Sarah Watters, Jessica Weber, Isabelle Belter and representatives from Mana Brewing. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION BY BRAID, SECONDED BY SHEEHAN-KERBER, TO MOVE AGENDA ITEM 9A TO THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING AND APPROVE THE AGENDA. Ayes by Chromy, Boucher-Hoese, Braid, and Sheehan-Kerber. The motion carried 4-0 (Briggs was absent). 3. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES A. February 11, 2019 MOTION BY SHEEHAN-KERBER, SECONDED BY BOUCHER-HOESE TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 11, 2019 MEETING MINUTES. Ayes by Chromy, Boucher-Hoese, Braid, and Sheehan-Kerber. The motion carried 4-0 (Briggs was absent). 4. CONSENT AGENDA A. Development Update (02/28/2019) MOTION BY CHROMY, SECONDED BY BRAID TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. Ayes by Chromy, Boucher- Hoese, Sheehan-Kerber, and Braid. The motion carried 4-0 (Briggs was absent). 5. REMOVED CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS None 6. PRESENTATIONS None 7. PUBLIC HEARING No Public Hearings 8. OLD BUSINESS A. Construction Customer Attraction Assistance Contract MCCABE shared the updated contract with Neon Lizard Creative which reflected a revised scope of services since the EDA discussion in February. He stated that the subcommittee met twice since February 11th and worked to incorporate additional communication efforts. The initial contract was approved by the EDA in February for $10,000 to initiate branding/marketing efforts. If approved, the contract with Neon Lizard Creative would be amended from $10,000 to $32,770.00. The total amount of funding, including subcommittee expenditures for BEC, Chamber of Commerce and other costs would be $46,420.00. BRAID stated that the subcommittee did a great job revising the contract with a greater emphasis on communication. MOTION BY BOUCHER-HOESE, SECONDED BY SHEEHAN-KERBER TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION AP- PROVING THE REVISED SCOPE AND AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AN AMEND- 2 MENT TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH REBECCA RAUSCH, DBA NEON LIZARD CRE- ATIVE INCREASING THE CONTRACT AMOUNT FROM $10,000 TO $32,700. Ayes by Chromy, Boucher-Hoese, Sheehan-Kerber, Braid and Briggs. The motion carried 5-0. B. Consideration of Downtown Development Proposal MCCABE introduced the representatives of Mana Brewing and shared that the group is interested in developing a brewery on edge of downtown Prior Lake at the southeast corner of the West Avenue/Eagle Creek Avenue inter- section. This item is a continuation of the discussion at the February meeting related to a request for assistance from the Mana Brewing group for soil corrections totaling $258,500.00. MCCABE stated if the EDA wanted to consider a business subsidy greater than $250,000, a public hearing would be required. MCCABE explained that the Mana Brewing group has presented a purchase agreement to the property owner and that the price has been agreed upon; however, they are still working on a few minor language amendments. Representatives from Mana Brewing clarified information regarding the geotechnical report and soil samples that have been taken to date. BRIGGS questioned the engineering costs and their commitment to this location. Representatives of Mana Brewing shared that the proposed site is a prime location with space for ample parking and outdoor seating. SHEEHAN-KERBER questioned if conversations have occurred with the residential neighbors. Representatives of Mana Brewing stated that they have not had conversations with any residential neighbors to date. BRAID questioned the timeline for the project. Representatives of Mana Brewing stated that they are planning to have the project completed by the end of 2019. MCCABE shared details of the proposed Business Subsidy Agreement (BSA) and the disbursement of funds. CHROMY questioned the proposed building architecture. Representatives of Mana Brewing stated that the building would primarily be brick and complimentary to the adjacent commercial building. SHEEHAN-KERBER questioned plans for the patio and food offerings at the proposed brewery. Representatives of Mana Brewing shared that they plan to offer beer and pizza. MCCABE stated that a liquor license would need to be obtained when/if the project progresses. BRIGGS questioned the benefit to the citizens of Prior Lake if taxpayer dollars are utilized for assistance. Discussion followed regarding public benefits related to easements, trail connections, and tax capacity. MOTION BY SHEEHAN-KERBER, SECONDED BY BOUCHER-HOESE TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION AP- PROVING A BUSINESS SUBSIDY AGREEMENT WITH MANA BREWING LLC IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $149,900 WITH THE INCLUSION OF LANGUAGE FOR EASEMENT RIGHTS FOR ROAD IMPROVEMENTS, SIGN PLACEMENT AND PARK ACCESS ALONG WEST AVENUE AND COUNTY ROAD 21. Ayes by Chromy, Boucher-Hoese, Sheehan-Kerber, Braid and Briggs. The motion carried 5-0. 3 9. NEW BUSINESS A. Joint EDA/CEC Discussion Topics MCCABE provided an overview of the joint meetings between the EDA and city advisory committees and suggested topics of interest to discuss. OLSON explained that at the last CEC meeting there were many questions about upcoming developments and mentioned that MCCABE will be joining a future CEC meeting to discuss those items. WATTERS shared that this group has been meeting once per month since November 2018. She stated that the group works to promote city events and initiatives including participating in parks activities to encourage individuals sign up for the wavelength and work to amplify existing city communication efforts. THOMPSON stated that the Mayor’s virtual town hall events were an idea that originated from the CEC. OLSON stated that the CEC is the city’s eyes and ears on the street and can bring forward issues or concerns that may not otherwise be known. WEBER explained that communication is always desired; however, how it is communicated may be different de- pending on the project. CHROMY questioned what type of feedback does the CEC hear regarding economic development. WATTERS stated that there is feedback regarding what type of restaurants constituents are requesting and feed- back rarely focuses on job creation or tax base impacts of economic development. BRIGGS stated that the communication and feedback from members of the CEC is often received more positively than communication from Staff. WATTERS suggested utilizing the CEC members as volunteers when assistance is needed. MCCABE shared that the EDA has entered into a contract with Rebecca Rausch of Neon Lizard Creative for mar- keting and activities related to the 2019 transportation improvement projects in addition to the efforts of Nicole Schmidt, Project Communications Specialist with Bolton & Menk. He explained that Rebecca’s job will be to com- municate information and coordinate events in an effort to bring customers to the Downtown and South Lake Village areas. He stated that anything the advisory committees can do to assist with bringing customers to the business areas will be helpful. SHEEHAN-KERBER questioned if there will be representation from the City at AprilFest. MCCABE stated yes and indicated that that event may be a good opportunity for the CEC to assist with answering questions at that event. BRIGGS shared that questions will continue to arise regarding why roundabouts were selected. He suggested having a good understanding of roundabouts of where they make sense and where they may not will be a question that continues to arise as we continue through this process. WEBER questioned if there was an animation of current conditions and proposed conditions. If so, it would be very beneficial to have short videos to share. MCCABE stated that Bolton and Menk have simulations that they may be able to share. BRAID recommended also sharing the message to shop local during the construction efforts. 4 BOUCHER-HOESE stated that there are many great events coming and the city will need assistance with spreading the information regarding those events. MCCABE explained that as part of the contract with Neon Lizard Creative, it will be their responsibility to share communications with Dave Elbon, Communications Coordinator for the City of Prior Lake. He also shared that information will be posted on the moving forward 13-21 website hosted by Bolton & Menk which will be a great resource. WATTERS mentioned that the banner on the City website does not show up on mobile devices therefore a link on the homepage, or another page, would be necessary to allow mobile devices to find the information. BRIGGS encouraged CEC members to reach out to Staff in the event you hear or see concerns. SHEEHAN-KERBER stated that the eyes and ears of the CEC are critical, and some people may be more comfort- able speaking directly with CEC members than Staff. BRIGGS explained that Thompson and Diers recently attended a tour of the joint water treatment facility and rec- ommended CEC take advantage of opportunities to learn more about the City. OLSON questioned if the City was planning to do videos similar to what was done for the 42/13 project. MCCABE stated that videos are planned for the intersection improvement projects. BRIGGS explained that some of the final touches of the intersection improvement projects, for example planters, may not be completed in 2019, therefore communication will be important as the project progresses. CHROMY stated that communication will be key for these projects. 10. OTHER BUSINESS A. Staff Updates i. MVSS Update SCHWABE provided an update on recent conversations with MVSS representatives. B. Commissioner Comments i. CHROMY provided an update on downtown redevelopment opportunities. He stated that a private party has expressed interest in parcels downtown and that conversations have occurred with property owners regarding possible redevelopment. 11. ADJOURNMENT MOTION BY BRAID, SECONDED BY BRIGGS TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. With all in favor, the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m. Ayes by Chromy, Boucher-Hoese, Sheehan-Kerber, Braid and Briggs. The motion carried 5-0. ___________________________ Michael Plante, Executive Director