HomeMy WebLinkAbout11 06 2013 Technology Village minutes
CITY OF PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA
TECHNOLOGY VILLAGE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MEETING MINUTES – November 6, 2013
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 4:11 p.m. in the Technology Village Conference Room at City Hall. Members
present: David Rech, Lori Frank, Kris Pauna and Gerry Hughes. Members absent: Bob Jader and Rick Bump.
Staff present: Dan Rogness and Casey McCabe.
2. Approval of October 16, 2013 Meeting Minutes
MOTION BY RECH and SECOND BY PAUNA to approve the October 16, 2013 meeting minutes as submitted.
Motion adopted unanimously.
3. Old Business
a. Potential Program Participant Updates
i. Black Dog Computer Services – Lease Agreement Signed
Rogness: stated the Lease Agreement with Black Dog Computer Services has been signed
and commenced on November 1.
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ii. Valde Group LLC – Lease Agreement Signed
Rogness: informed the board the Lease Agreement with Valde Group LLC has been signed
and commenced on November 1 although the office furniture is not installed. The furniture is
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expected to be delivered and installed on November 11.
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iii. EC3.NEWS – Lease Agreement Signed
Rogness: stated the Lease Agreement with EC3 has been signed and commenced on
November 1. Mr. Rogness also told the board EC3 is planning a ribbon cutting ceremony for
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their business and EC3 had discussed a larger ribbon cutting ceremony for all of Technology
Village including a fundraising effort to benefit the Laker Foundation.
Board Members: discussed whether or not the ribbon cutting ceremony should be for just EC3
or all businesses within Technology Village. Board members also expressed concerns over
City of Prior Lake involvement in a fundraising effort that benefits one specific non-profit.
Board Members: stated no objections to EC3 holding a ribbon cutting ceremony for their
business but recommended the entire Technology Village not be included at this time. The
Board will evaluate a Grand Opening event to be held in early 2014 which promotes all
businesses within Technology Village, announces the City has filled the Phase I space and
publicizes the Technology Village Phase II plan.
Phone: 952.447.9813 / Email: drogness@cityofpriorlake.com / www.cityofpriorlake.com
4. New Business
a. Phase II Office Search
Hughes: provided an overview of three properties he, Mr. Jader and Mr. Rogness visited as
potential office locations for Technology Village Phase II expansion.
Lake Park Place Professional Building, 15815 Franklin Trail (former Norex Bldg.)
Hughes: stated the Lake Park Place Professional Building may be a good opportunity for Phase II
expansion. The property owner appeared willing to work with the City of Prior Lake and office
space was built-out and available.
Village Commerce Building, 4719 Park Nicollet Ave. SE
Hughes: stated the office space in the Village Commerce Building was very nice although it was
not built-out. The property owner has funds available for build-out, however, the property owner
would likely need a lease guarantee before the offices were constructed.
South Lake Village, 16731 Hwy 13
Hughes: stated the South Lake Village property space had a warehouse feel and was very large.
Rent at this location is the most affordable but the space might not work well for multiple businesses
without a significant build-out.
Frank: stated Argos Risk is also looking for office space for their employees. Board members
discussed a potential partnership with Argos Risk and Technology Village.
Pauna: recommended staff discuss any potential conflict of interest issues with the City Attorney
related to an Argos Risk and Technology Village partnership before any potential partnership is
pursued.
Board Members: were in agreement that the former Norex Building appeared to be the best
available option at this time if all Phase II program participants are to be located in the same office
building. Board Members also discussed whether or not it is necessary to office all program
participants in the same building. It was agreed that it would be beneficial to program participants
if they were located in the same facility but it was not necessary if participant interaction and
meetings were scheduled to encourage interaction between all program participant businesses.
Board Members: also discussed additional office location possibilities including the River Bluff
Professional Building (Prior Lake State Bank Bldg. at CR 42/Hwy 13 intersection) at 14033
Commerce Avenue and the Fountain Hills office building at 4385 Fountain Hills Drive.
Board Members: discussed an RFP process whereby the board would request property owners
submit proposals for rental rates and available space. An RFP process would provide all property
owners within the City of Prior Lake an opportunity to submit a proposal and would help the board
understand all available options.
Board Members: deferred taking any additional action until a final decision on the Technology
Village Phase II funding was made by the Prior Lake City Council. The board will discuss Phase II
office locations during a future meeting or work session.
b. Discuss Prior Lake American News Article
Board Members: briefly discussed contributing an article on Technology Village for publication in
the Prior Lake American. The article would promote the success of the program and existing
program participants.
c. Program Participant Application and Interview Process
Hughes: provided an overview of the agenda item and stated a standard interview and application
process should be established for potential program participants. Because different board
members complete one-on-one interviews and evaluations a consistent list of questions and
reporting process should be developed. Due to time constraints, this item was not reviewed in
detail and will be discussed during a future work session.
d. Establish Date for Board Member Meet-N-Greet
Board Members: directed staff to schedule a board member meet-n-greet event at Technology
Village. This will be an informal discussion with program participants and all members that are
available are encouraged to attend. Staff will schedule the event and email board members.
e. Establish Board Member Technology Village Office Hours
Board Members: briefly discussed establishing board member office hours within Technology
Village as a way to stimulate additional board member and program participant interaction. Board
members felt this may not be necessary if each program participant will have a board member
liaison assigned to them.
5. Staff Update
a. City Council / Advisory Committee Meeting, Monday, November 25
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i. Top 3 Accomplishments of 2013 / Top 3 Goals for 2014
Rogness: informed the board there will be a meeting between the City Council and all
advisory committees on Monday, November 25 at 5:00 p.m. The purpose of the meeting
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is to allow each advisory committee present their top three accomplishments from 2013
and top three goals for 2014 to the City Council. One member of each committee is asked
to present the information to the Council.
Due to time constraints, the board did not discuss specific goals and accomplishments.
Staff will email board members a list of possible 2013 accomplishments and 2014 goals
for comment.
Frank: volunteered to present the 2013 accomplishments and 2014 goals during the
meeting. All board members are invited to attend the City Council / Advisory Committee
meeting on November 25 but RSVP’s are requested. Board members should contact Mr.
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Rogness if they plan to attend.
b. Board Member Ideas/Recommendations
Board Members: discussed a meeting time conflict for the next scheduled work session on
November 20 at 4:00. Members decided to reschedule the work session for Monday, November
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18 at 7:30 a.m.
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Board Members: discussed assigning a board member to each of the program participants to
provide contact with the businesses on a regular basis. Mr. Hughes offered to contact Black Dog
Computer Services, Mr. Rech offered to contact design a tivity.
Board Members: recommended staff invite design a tivity and ICP to the next board work session
on November 18 to discuss the year in review and ask the participants if their expectations been
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met and how the board can continue to help their business.
Board Members: discussed the request from EC3.NEWS for one-on-one meetings to review a
sales model (when complete), to review the proper sales database for their organization and
provide additional marketing and sales suggestions.
Board Members: agreed to meet with EC3 or other program participants as needed.
6. Adjourn
MOTION BY RECH and SECOND BY FRANK to adjourn the meeting. Motion adopted unanimously; meeting
adjourned at 6:03 p.m.
Submitted by: Casey McCabe