HomeMy WebLinkAboutEDA MIN 12-02-2013ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (EDA)
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF'
DECEMBER 2, 2013 IN CONFERENCE ROOM t
The meeting was called to order at 6:40 pm by Chair Peterson.
Members Present: Bruce Nawrocki, Gary Peterson, Donna Sclimitt, Bobby Williams, Tammera
Diehm, Marlaine Szurck, and Gerry Herringer.
Staff Present, Walt Felist, Scott Clark, Joseph I logeboorn, Shelley Hanson, and Elizabeth
Holnibeek (intern).
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE- RECITED
3. CONSENT ITEMS
1. Approve the Minutes frorn August 5"' and September 9th, 2013.
2. Approve the Financial Report and Payment of Bills for July through October 2013 on Resolution
2013 -13,
Nawrocki questioned the payment in July for $7,500. Clark stated it was for an applicant using
the Deferred Loan Program, lie then asked about a payment in October for $711. Clark stated
that was for an applicant using the Rebate Program. Nawrocki then. questioned the $30,000
payment in October to The Lighthouse. Clark responded that it was for their abatement payment
for 2012.
Motion by TFilliwns, seconded lay Schmitt; to i4wive the reading (#'Resohylion 2013-13, there
being urn unyVe anw unt of col-fies available to 1he pub lie. X411 ayes. MOTIONP-ASSED.
Allolion by Williains, seconded,by&hn7iit, to aly)rove the eonsent agenda items as presemcd.
All ayes. MO "ION I' 4SS'ED.
EDA RESOLUTION 2013-13
RESOLUTION OF THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
(EDA) APPROVING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS FOR THE
MONTHS OF JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER 2013.
WHEREAS, the Colunibia Heights Economic Development Authority (EDA) is required by Minnesota
Statutes Section 469.096, SUM. 9, to prepare a detailed financial statement which shows all receipts and
disbursements, their nature, the money on hand, the purposes to which the nioncy on hand is to be applied, the
EDA"s credits and assets and its outstanding liabilities; and
WHEREAS, said Statute also requires the EDA to examine the statement and treasurcr's vouchers or bills and
if CO[TeCt, to approve them by resolution and enter the resolution in its records; and
EDA Minutes
Page 2
December 2, 2013
WHEREAS, the financial staternentfiar the 111011tilS Of July, August, Septernber and October 2013 has been
reviewed by the EDA Commission; and
WHEREAS, the EDA has examined the financial statements and finds them to be acceptable as to both form
and accuracy; and
WHEREAS, the EDA Conirnission has other rneans to verify the intent of Section 469.096, Subd. 9, including
b ' ut not limited to Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports, Annual City approved Budgets, Audits arid
sun ilar dMlfnentation; and
WHEREAS, financials statements are held by the City's Finance Department in a method Outlined by the
State of'Miruiesota's Records Retention Schedule,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Corninissioners of the Colunibia 1-leights
Economic Development Authority that it has examined the referenced financial statements including the check
history, and they are fOUnd to be correct, as to form and content; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Financial statements are acknowledged and received and the check
history as presented in writing is approved for payment Out of proper funds; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED this resolution is made a. part of the permanent records of the Columbia
fleights Economic Development Authority.
Passed this 2"d day of December, 2013.
MOTION BY: willianis
SECONDED BY: Schillitt
AYES: All ayes
NEW BUSINESS
4. Review Proposals for EDA Retreat Facilitation/Set Date of Retreat-
Clark stated that on August 5, 2013 the EDA agreed to a January 2014 retreat with the end goal of
forming a 3 to 5 year EDA work plan. It was also agreed to that due to the importance of this
retreat that all outside facilitator would be hired. Staff sent out five proposals and received two
back, these bids were from Ehlers ($3,300) and from Springsted ($3,500). Staff is seeking a
motion from the ED�A to approve one of these facilitators and to agree to a January of 201.4 retreat
date. Clark told members that l'111ers will provide two facilitators for this event. lie said they
have indicated to him that prior to the Retreat they will review recommendations that staff'provide
to them regarding goals or issues that need to be addressed. They also will hold individual
discussions with each member of the Board so they can establish a starting point based oil the
feedback, they receive. Clark said the intent is not to necessarily set specific goals, but rather to
come tip with strategies on how to make positive changes. Both bids are for a four -hour event.
EDA Minutes
Page 3
December 3, 2013
Nawrocki said he is against doing this at all. He felt this could be accomplished by having a
meeting to discuss the same thing. Peterson said that as a Board, it was already decided to have
this retreat with a facilitator in order to stay focused and to set a direction for the City.
Fehst said that since we will be changing Community Development Directors we should have a
discussion about what Columbia Heights wants to be. He said a number of surrounding
communities are trying to "re-brand" their cities and we also need to consider this. We need to
discuss the changes that have taken place over the past five years and what impact it will have on
the City in the future.
Herringer asked if it might be better to go with Springsted, even if their bid was slightly higher
since they may have a more objective approach since they don't provide Services to LIS like
Ehlers does. Felist told him that SPringsted used to do financial work for us also, but we changed
to Ehlers as they provided more expertise in the TIF area. Fehst stated we have worked with
both firms in the past and that either firm would be able to facilitate this retreat.
Clark said he obtained some dates from Ehlers that would work, for them and also with Felist's
January schedule. There was a discussion regarding these dates.. The general consensus was to
set Saturday, January 1'8"' frorn 12-4 pm as the first choice and the 2nd choice would be Tuesday,
January 14"' from 7:30-11:30 am. Clark will check with Ehlers and see which date works for
them and get back to the members.
Afolion bly Williams, secondedhySzurek to aj)prove hiri-ngEhlers, as the Tacilitator lbi- the
EDA Retreat in the ainount of S3,300 and losel eitherjunutiry ]ffl' or,lanuaty 14'11 'as the date
of Reti-eat, Roll Calk A// ayes, MO TION 13ASSED,
5. Administrative Reports-
Small Business Outreach Efforts- Clark reviewed some of the information that was supplied to
inembers in the memo that was included in the agenda packet. He told members that a Seminar
has been scheduled for Saturday, January 25, 2014, that will be held at the Islamic Center in
Fridley. This Business Seminar is being held primarily for the Islamic and Hispanic
Communities and will provide information on how to open abusiness in Minnesota. Staffis
doing this as a cooperative effort with the Chamber of Con-imerce, possibly the City of Fridley,
Legal Corp, and other various organizations. The goal is to provide information on how to
obtain legal advice, how to write a business plan, possible funding sources for small businesses,
and accessing other services they may need. It will also explain the need to obtain the proper
permits and licenses they may need to operate. Clark stated that they have been working with an
Islamic Contractor who is getting the word out through the Islamic Mosques and to many
Hispanic Centers lie is Camiliar with,
EDA Minutes
Page 4
Deceni ber 2, 201
I Inset Park Neighborhood-Meeting-Clark reported that staff meet with the neighborhood group.
Ile said not niany were in attendance, but they had a good discussion regardless. Ile also stated
that they will try another meeting and then possibly try another area of the city to .see if they get
inore participants.
Restaurant at 4920 Central Ave-Clark reported the new owners are making 4, progress on their
construction at this site. H C said they plain to meet with staff regarding an additional site plan
application for the second story use of the facility.
4001 le told menibers the owners have changed their planned use
of the facility from a gas station /convenience store to a restaurant /deli. The new Site Plan is
going to the Planning & Zoning Commission on December 3".
NE Bank/Business Center-Nothing new to report on this matter.
Mady's-The contractor has started the demolition of the building.,
Rainbow Foods-Clark told members that Rainbow will be vacating the site as of JanUary 8
2014. Ile said the owners of the Mall have assured him that they will work on finding a new
tenant for that space and that it will continue to operate as a Retail Mall.
Rental-ftifori-nation- Clark passed out maps detailing the number of rental units that have been
added since 2009 on a year by year basis. He told members that due to the low price points of
the housing stock here, corporations (many of them out state) are buying up properties and
renting them out as it is a lucrative business due to the low investment it requires. One of the
inaps indicated the total number of rental properties We currently have licensed. Ile said this
infiorniation is being provided to the members as it may be something that needs to be discussed
at the Retreat in January.
4' )0' ) Reservoir Blvd -One of the members asked about the status of this property. Clark said the
property was closed on. Timbercraft submitted their plans for a permit which have been
approved and are ready to issue. Construction should begin soon depending on when the new
owners want construction completed by. Z:�
The next regular EDA meeting will be Monday, January 6, 2014 at City Ha at 6:)0 pi
The meeting was adJourned at 7:30 prn.
Respectfully submitted,
Shelley Hanson
Secretary