HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-11-20 EDA Minutes - Approved
CITY OF CENTERVILLE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
MEETING MINUTES
November 20, 2019
6:30 p.m.
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City of Centerville’s Economic Development Authority
held a regularly scheduled Meeting on November 20, 2019 at 6:30 p.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: President Jeff Hanzal
Vice-President Jim Weatherhead
Treasurer Michael Giovinazzo
Council Member Michelle Lakso
Council Member D. Love
STAFF: City Administrator Mark Statz
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
1. Call for Changes to the Agenda
Administrator Statz asked President Hanzal to strike item 2 from IV. Approval of Minutes. The
minutes from the October 23 were not available.
Motion by Commission Member Love, seconded by Commission Member Weatherhead to
approve the agenda with change. All in favor. Motion carried.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. October 16, 2019 Meeting Minutes
No changes to the minutes were suggested.
Motion by Commission Member Lakso, seconded by Commission Member Weatherhead to
approve the Minutes of the October 16, 2019 meeting as presented. All in favor. Motion
carried.
V. BILLS AND COMMUNICATIONS
1. Bills
(a) None
City of Centerville
EDA Meeting Minutes
November 20, 2019
VI. REPORTS
1. Administrator’s Report
VII. OLD BUSINESS
1. 1737 Main Street Discussion – Mike Brass
Commercial Realtor Mike Brass was on hand to give the commission his opinion on the
marketability of two city-owned properties.
Mr. Brass addressed the potential uses for 1695 Main Street (northwest corner of Main Street and
Centerville Road). He felt that the parcel’s best use was as a part of an assembly of other
neighboring properties or as parking area for redevelopment across Main Street. The market for
the property as a stand-alone sale, in his opinion was very limited and could result in less
desirable development which could inhibit larger redevelopment in the area in the future.
Next Mr. Brass addressed the property at 1737 Main Street (northeast corner of Main St. and
Progress Rd.). Different from the property at 1695 Main Street, this property is not surrounded
by property which is particularly well positioned for redevelopment. The apartments to the north
were just reinvested in, with a new owner and there is a modern home to the east. A portfolio of
information was handed to commissioners. It included a listing of comparable properties in the
northeast metro along with their lease costs on a square foot basis. Mr. Brass explained the
factors that influenced commercial lease rates and why certain properties were more desirable
than others. These factors included traffic counts, visibility, ease of access, rooftops in certain
radii from the site, etc. With these things in mind, Mr. Brass presented a mock pro-forma for a
potential building on the site at 1737 Main Street. The conclusion of this analysis is that the site
is not quite strong enough to be an investor-driven speculative building opportunity. In order to
make a viable project, the city would need to attract a commercial operator who would be
building a space for themselves. Secondly, adding apartments above the building on the second
story, would help subsidize the site with steady income and could help make the project more
viable. Because of the marginal nature of the site, Mr. Brass suggested that the city authorize
him to work with an architect and engineer to sketch out a potential building and site layout.
This action would help market the site to potential developers/businesses.
Motion by Commission Member Hanzal, seconded by Commission Member Weatherhead
to authorize Mr. Brass to commission a rendering of a potential building and site layout for
the propert at 1737 Main Street, at a cost not to exceed $2,000.
2. Draft Promotional Video Review
The commission reviewed a draft of the promotional video they have commissioned. Discussion
ensued, with the following comments to pass along to the consultant:
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City of Centerville
EDA Meeting Minutes
November 20, 2019
Pull the shot of our water tower from the MN Tech Corridor video and add that to the
start of this video.
In general, we are concerned with the lack of traffic in our video. The empty school
parking lot on the opening shot, etc. If there’s any way to emphasize shots with some
traffic driving by, that would be nice.
0:40-0:44 – could shorten this sequence
Is there a way we can “highlight” our available lots in some of the shots. This would look
like a superimposed translucent color over the shape of the actual lot for sale.
Would like to highlight access to freeway and proximity to downtowns (Mpls., St. Paul).
Here are some facts/figures to mix in
o 1200+ newly platted lots within 2 miles
o Centennial School District
o 6 Express Busses to Downtown St. Paul daily
o 60+ acres of available Industrial land
o 30+ acres of available Commercial land
o Sewer and Water Service adjacent to all available land
o Class 3 ISO Fire Rating
o Resilient Infrastructure
No official action was taken. Staff was directed to pass these comments along.
3. Strategic Plan Discussion
The commission reviewed the proposed line-item budget for 2020 and the previous strategic plan
outline which included 3 pillars of Marketing, Beautification and Existing Business Retention.
President Hanzal intends to outline a more detailed plan and review it with Administrator Statz.
The plan will then be discussed with the commission at the next meeting.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
1. None
IX. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Commission Member Giovinazzo, seconded by Commission Member Lakso to
Adjourn the EDA meeting at 9:07 p.m. All in favor. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted by EDA Secretary, Teresa Bender
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