HomeMy WebLinkAbout10 02 2013 Technology Village minutes
CITY OF PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA
TECHNOLOGY VILLAGE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MEETING MINUTES – October 2, 2013
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 4:10 p.m. in the Technology Village Conference Room at City Hall.
Members present: Lori Frank, Bob Jader, David Rech, Kris Pauna and Gerry Hughes. Members absent:
None. Staff present: Dan Rogness and Casey McCabe. Guests present: Darren Dick, Marisa Colby and
Mike Stout.
2. Approval of September 5, 2013 Meeting Minutes
MOTION BY RECH and SECOND BY JADER to approve the September 5, 2013 meeting minutes as
submitted. Motion adopted unanimously.
MOTION BY HUGHES and SECOND BY RECH to move New Business Agenda Item 4.a. Program
Application – EC3.NEWS ahead of Old Business. Motion adopted unanimously.
4. New Business
a. Program Application – EC3.NEWS
Representatives of EC3.NEWS; Mike Stout, Marisa Colby and Darren Dick were in attendance to
answer questions and provide information about EC3.NEWS.
Stout: stated EC3.NEWS has identified a need to promote and leverage the assets of the Prior
Lake/Savage area to promote the region to potential residents or businesses. Mr. Stout, Ms. Colby
and Mr. Dick shared the vision of EC3.NEWS as a community information resource and community
promotion site.
Board Members: conveyed support for the business model and agreed the EC3.NEWS concept could
be good for the community/region.
Board Members: recommended a one-on-one meeting with one board member and EC3.NEWS to
address board member questions, including: i) how would EC3.NEWS differ or be similar to City
Pages or other online news sources?; ii) how will copyright information and releases (for pictures or
other materials) be handled?; iii) how many page views are expected or would be required to attract
the desired ad revenues? How are you going to achieve this number of views?; iv) what will be asked
of the board members, how can they support EC3.NEWS beyond networking and office space?; and
v) how many ads will need to be sold to support the hiring of 1, 2, 3 or more employees?
Board Members: requested a business plan, financial metrics, marketing plan or any other related
information be provided prior to the one-on-one meeting;
Jader: felt EC3.NEWS did not fit the technology theme and was not a good candidate for Technology
Village. Mr. Jader considers EC3.NEWS more of a publishing company than a technology driven
Phone: 952.447.9813 / Email: drogness@cityofpriorlake.com / www.cityofpriorlake.com
company. Mr. Jader suggested a clearer definition of a specific industry focus would help the board
determine which companies fit the “technology” theme.
Rech: felt the EC3.NEWS may be a fit for Technology Village due to the anticipated technology based
employment growth in Prior Lake.
Frank: expressed a concern over the perception of the City of Prior Lake being viewed as a “partner”
with EC3.NEWS if they will be a direct competitor to existing online news resources in the area.
Rech: suggested the board consider leasing the open cubicle working area to EC3.NEWS and
relocating the Argos Risk employees into the conference room area.
Hughes: volunteered to meet with EC3.NEWS and report back to the board.
3. Old Business
a. Potential Program Participant Update
i. Blackdog Computer Services, Akicita Technology, Inc., John Bryant and BPK Tech
Rogness: updated the board on the status of potential program participants. Mr. Rogness stated
Blackdog Computer Service has stated they are interested in participating. City staff has sent a lease
agreement to Blackdog Computer Services for review with a lease term beginning October 1, 2013.
Mr. Rogness will follow up with Blackdog Computer Services.
Rogness: stated staff has sent a lease agreement to Akicita Technology, Inc. Akicita is currently
reviewing the lease terms.
Rech: volunteered to contact Akicita Technology on behalf of the board to see if they have questions
or require additional information.
McCabe: stated John Bryant has contacted staff and appears interested in the program.
Jader: volunteered to follow up with Mr. Bryant.
Rogness: stated BPK Tech is interested in participating in the Technology Village program and is
currently reviewing a sample lease agreement. Mr. Rogness will follow up with BPK Tech.
b. Phase II Business Plan / 2014 Technology Village Budget Update
Due to time constraints, the board deferred this discussion until the next meeting.
c. Equity Investment Recapture Schedule and Lease Rate Discussion
Rogness: presented an alternate equity investment recapture schedule for board member
consideration. The alternate schedule would help address concerns staff has heard from potential
program participants by lessening the repayment amount after the first year of program participation
should the participant choose to no longer participate in the Technology Village program.
Due to time constraints, the board briefly discussed this item and deferred additional discussion until
the next meeting.
5. Staff Update
a. Notice of Terms Ending October 31, 2013
Due to time constraints, the board deferred this discussion until the next meeting.
b. Fall Fest Update
Due to time constraints, the board deferred this discussion until the next meeting.
c. Status of Minor Repairs and Equipment Orders
Due to time constraints, the board deferred this discussion until the next meeting.
d. Board Member Ideas/Recommendations
Frank: stated she recently attended a conference and gathered information on financial resources
that may be valuable to the Technology Village program. Ms. Frank will provide additional
information during future meetings.
Board Members: asked staff to provide a spreadsheet detailing all current lease agreement terms
and lease rates.
6. Adjourn
MOTION BY JADER and SECOND BY RECH to adjourn the meeting. Motion adopted unanimously; meeting
adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
Submitted by: Casey McCabe