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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-02-17 EDA Minutes - Approved APPROVED CITY OF CENTERVILLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING MINUTES Wednesday February 17, 2021 6:30 p.m. Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City of Centerville held a regularly scheduled Economic Development Authority meeting on February 17, 2021 via videoconference. I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called the meeting to order at approximately 6:30 p.m. by President Jeff Hanzal. II. ROLL CALL* 1. Oath of Office - Mark Remillard Executive Director Statz stated that Mr. Remillard had officially been sworn in previously by City Clerk Teresa Bender, but wanted to administer the Oath of Office again for the public to view. Mr. Remillard recited the Oath of Office. 2. Roll Call PRESENT: President Jeff Hanzal Commissioner Steve King Commissioner Darrin Mosher Commissioner Mark Remillard Commissioner Jim Weatherhead STAFF: City Administrator, EDA Executive Director, Mark Statz *Note that “present” is construed to mean that the noted individuals were visibly and audibly present on the videoconference call III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 1. Call for Changes to the Agenda Executive Director Statz proposed to add item number 2 under Old Business, to appoint Commissioner Remillard as Treasurer. Motion by Commissioner Weatherhead, seconded by Commissioner King to accept the Agenda with proposed changes. A roll call vote was taken. All in favor. Motion carried. City of Centerville EDA Minutes February 17, 2021 IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. January 20, 2021 Meeting Minutes Motion by Commissioner Weatherhead, seconded by Commissioner Mosher to approve the January 20, 2021 Meeting Minutes as presented. A roll call vote was taken. All in favor. Motion carried. V. BILLS AND COMMUNICATIONS 1. Bills a. Check List Executive Director Statz presented a check number 1001 in the amount of $227.00 to the Anoka County Treasury for annual membership dues in the Anoka County Regional and Economic Development (ACRED). Motion by Commissioner King, seconded by Commissioner Weatherhead, to approve the check to Anoka County Treasury in the amount of $227.00. A roll call vote was taken. All approved. Motion carried. 2. Communications a. None VI. REPORTS 1. Administrator’s Report Executive Director Statz stated that the City Hall remodel project is almost finished and he hopes to resume in-person meetings soon. The building is open to the public, with one staff member in the building each day to limit contact. Vendors have signed up for the Main Street Market, and the city is still looking for local produce vendors. Executive Director Statz stated that there is a possibility that the city could pay the vendor, due to a grant from Anoka County. Fete des Lacs is still moving forward with plans for this summer. They have established a “Centerville Heroes” theme. Centennial Lakes Fire Department is still looking for daytime firefighters. Executive Director Statz stated that the city put a bond out for bid, and will receive bids on Wednesday, February 24, 2021. This would save the city $15,000 per year for the next 7-8 years. Page 2 of 5 City of Centerville EDA Minutes February 17, 2021 The Anoka County Covid Relief Grant Program is now closed. Final decisions will be made on March 15, 2021. Executive Director Statz stated that there will be a Technology Corridor event on LinkedIn on Wednesday, February 24, 2021, discussing the data centers and talking about the city’s data center study. The event will be led by Jeff Gilmer who is the lead person from Excipio. Ms. Jacquel Hajder will also speak, along with Mr. Bruce Sayler from Connexus Energy. The Quad Area Chamber is having a Lunch and Learn in March. They have applied for a grant, and would like to present a business coaching program. The apartment concept plan is still in its concept stage, and there has been no formal submittal. The plan would require a Comp Plan Amendment and rezoning. There was a joint meeting on February 2, 2021 with the Economic Development Authority and the Planning and Zoning Commission to discuss the Block 7 development. It was decided to move ahead and recommend to Council to move ahead with a 24 townhome concept. Council voted to approve the concept and there will be a kick-off meeting on Friday, February 19, 2021 with the city’s planner and attorney. The Parks and Rec Committee canceled their skate night due to Governor Walz’s orders and cold temperatures. The Centennial Fire District consultant presented the results of the organizational study. They will be exploring opportunities to partner with other local agencies such as Spring Lake Park/ Blaine/Mounds View (SBM), Lino Lakes and Hugo. 2. Year to Date Financials Executive Director Statz presented a spreadsheet showing the commission’s year-to-date financial picture. There is $29,200.00 for the allotted annual budget, plus $12,814.03 carryover from 2020, for a total of $42,014.03. 3. Ongoing Programs a. Blue Logo Sign Executive Director Statz stated that the Blue Logo Signs have not been installed on the freeway yet. b. CenterStage Executive Director Statz presented a report from Michele Koch of Main Street Marketers, showing which businesses she has created ads for, stating that there are some businesses that have been difficult to reach. Page 3 of 5 City of Centerville EDA Minutes February 17, 2021 c. COVID Relief Business Assistance Grant Program (New County Program - State Funds) Executive Director Statz stated that some Centerville businesses applied and decisions would be made in March. VII. OLD BUSINESS 1. 1. Review 2021 Strategic Plan and Budget Executive Director Statz stated that he would like to discuss the Commission’s Strategic Plan since there is a new member on the board. Commissioner King asked Executive Director Statz to discuss the topics addressed at the City Council retreat. Executive Director Statz stated that there had been a lot of discussion on the Block 7 property. He had asked the Council if they would be interested in purchasing another property if it were to come up for sale, and the general consensus was that they would not be interested. Executive Director Statz stated that another idea brought forth at the Council Retreat was to possibly put a monument in the center of town, instead of the entrance monuments previously discussed. Discussion was had regarding monument signs in the city and the green signs installed by the county. Executive Director Statz stated that he posed a question to the Council as to whether or not they felt the EDA should budget and save for a monument sign. Commissioner King asked that the group talk about what their top ideas were for the EDA. He then stated that he liked the fact that the Commission had spent money on the data center study. Discussion took place regarding what types of businesses the Commission would like to see in the city, available land and the possibility of commissioning a market study. Executive Director Statz spoke about the importance of checking with the property owner before doing a study and to be careful not to “play favorites” with a particular property owner. Discussion then took place regarding monuments and other beautification type items, with the general consensus being to find ways to promote the city. Executive Director Statz stated that the City looked to the EDA as a marketing arm of the city and asked if the commission would like to use their resources on those things, and would they like to ask Council to do these things. Page 4 of 5 City of Centerville EDA Minutes February 17, 2021 Discussion was had about the beautification of downtown and how it could attract other businesses. The Commission decided to collaborate with the Parks and Rec committee with a goal to put together a capital improvement plan and research costs and budgets for both committees, then present the plan to Council to discuss where the costs should lie. 2. Appoint Commissioner Mark Remillard as Treasurer Motion by Commissioner Weatherhead, seconded by Commissioner King to appoint Commissioner Remillard as Treasurer. A roll call vote was taken. The vote was 4-0, with Commissioner Remillard abstaining. Motion carried. VIII. NEW BUSINESS 1. None IX. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner King, seconded by Commissioner Weatherhead, to adjourn the February 17, 2021 EDA Commission meeting at 8:34 p.m. A roll call vote was taken. All in favor. Motion carried. Page 5 of 5