HomeMy WebLinkAbout08 15 2013 Technology Village minutes
CITY OF PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA
TECHNOLOGY VILLAGE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MEETING MINUTES – August 18, 2013
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. in the Technology Village Conference Room at City Hall.
Members present: Kris Pauna, Lori Frank, Bob Jader and Dave Rech. Members absent: Gerry Hughes. Staff
present: Dan Rogness and Casey McCabe. Guest present: Michael Roberts, President of Akicita
Technology, Inc.
2. Approval of July 18, 2013 Meeting Minutes
MOTION BY FRANK and SECOND BY RECH to approve the July 18, 2013 meeting minutes as submitted.
Motion adopted unanimously.
3. Old Business
a. None.
4. New Business
a. Rescind Technology Village Application Approval for OptioLogic North America
Pauna: stated that in December, 2012 the Technology Village Board of Directors approved a program
application for OptioLogic North America. The president of OptioLogic North America, John Bryant,
has not executed the lease agreement and has not occupied office space within Technology Village.
Board Members: discussed Mr. Bryant’s potential desire to apply to the program under another
business entity. Board members also discussed the need establish a time limit on program
application approval.
Board Members: directed staff to notify all future approved program applicants the approved lease
agreement is contingent upon space being available within Technology Village.
MOTION BY RECH and SECOND BY FRANK to rescind the Technology Village application approval
for OptioLogic North America. Motion adopted unanimously.
Jader: recommended staff contact Mr. Bryant and inform him of the Board’s action and invite him to
submit another program application in the future.
AGENDA ITEM 4.c. WAS MOVED AHEAD OF AGENDA ITEM 4.b, FOR DISCUSSION.
c. Program Application – Akicita Technology, Inc.
Rogness: introduced Michael Roberts the President of Akicita Technology and informed the Board
Akicita Technology has applied to the Technology Village program.
Phone: 952.447.9813 / Email: drogness@cityofpriorlake.com / www.cityofpriorlake.com
Roberts: provided an overview of his company and the potential benefits he could provide to fellow
Technology Village program participants.
Board Members: tabled agenda item 4.c until agenda item 4.b was reviewed.
b. Potential Program Participant – Argos Risk
Frank: stated Argos Risk is very interested in leasing office space within Technology Village. Ms.
Frank added that she and Mr. Rogness have held discussions about leasing the open work station
space on a month-to-month basis.
Frank: recused herself from further discussion on this agenda item.
Board Members: discussed the value Argos Risk employees would add to the Technology Village
program.
MOTION BY RECH and SECOND BY JADER to direct Mr. Rogness to negotiate month-to-month
lease terms with Argos Risk.
With members Jader, Rech and Pauna in favor, the motion was approved.
c. Program Application – Akicita Technology, Inc. (continued)
Board Members: continued discussion related to program applicant Akicita Technology, Inc. Board
members recommended a one-on-one meeting be conducted with Mr. Roberts to evaluate how well
Akicita Technology will fit into the “emerging technology” theme; how business opportunities for
Akicita Technology will grow as a result of program participation; and the degree to which Akicita
Technology will complement the other Technology Village program participants.
Rech: volunteered to conduct a one-on-one meeting with Mr. Roberts and report back to the Board.
Board Members: tabled action on the Akicita Technology, Inc. program application until Mr. Rech has
had an opportunity to meet with Mr. Roberts.
5. Staff Update
a. Program Application – OMG North America
Mr. Rogness: informed the Board OMG North America has executed a one year Technology Village
lease agreement as previously approved by the Board.
b. Program Application – Blackdog Computer Services, LLC
Rogness: stated Blackdog Computer Services, LLC has asked the Board to evaluate the
Reimbursable Operating Expenses provision in the Technology Village lease agreement. Mr.
Rogness added the business is somewhat concerned over the total amount of repayment required if
the business were to relocate from Prior Lake or Scott County during the lease term. Mr. Rogness
asked the Board to discuss and determine if they would like to make a recommendation to the EDA
that this lease provision be removed or reduced.
Board Members: discussed the request and felt the reimbursement amount detailed in the lease
agreement was adequate.
MOTION BY JADER and SECOND BY RECH to direct Mr. Rogness to negotiate lease terms with
Blackdog Computer Services, LLC. Motion adopted unanimously.
c. Board Member Ideas/Recommendations
Board Members: discussed and recommended completing background and/or reference checks on
program applicants in the future.
Frank: stated the Technology Village copy machine is not working property and should be repaired or
replaced.
Frank: requested a Technology Village floor plan which identifies existing program participants.
6. Adjourn
MOTION BY JADER and SECOND BY FRANK to adjourn the meeting. Motion adopted unanimously;
meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
Submitted by: Casey McCabe