EDA Meeting Minutes - 08/10/2022 (Workshop)MINUTES
WORKSHOP MEETING - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (EDA)
Wednesday, August 10, 2022 — 5:00 p.m.
Academy Room, Monticello Community Center
Members Present: President Steve Johnson, Vice President Jon Morphew, Treasurer Tracy
Hinz, 011ie Koropchak-White, Hali Sittig and Councilmembers Lloyd Hilgart
and Jim Davidson
Staff Present: Executive Director Jim Thares, Angela Schumann, and Hayden Stensgard
1. Call to Order
President Steve Johnson called the workshop meeting of the Monticello EDA to order at
5:05 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Mr. Johnson called the roll.
3. Discussion of Facade Improvement Grant Program Proposal — Cornerstone Cafe in
Overall Context of Facade Improvement Grant Program Guidelines
Executive Director Jim Thares provided an overview of the agenda item to the EDA and
the public. The discussion of the Facade Improvement Grant Program was spurred by a
property owner in the downtown area who requested the EDA considering using a
different formula for calculating the potential grant amount for an eligible property.
Greg Ashfeld, owner of 154 W Broadway, location of Cornerstone Cafe, addressed the
EDA and the public regarding his proposal to consider the amount of the square footage
of a building that aligns with the public street as the primary factor in considering the
grant amount for the facade improvement program.
Mr. Ashfeld further noted that the estimated cost of improvements on the large facades
far exceeds the allotted amount for the two sides of the building ($100,000 or $50,000
per fagade). He suggested that the EDA recalculate the amount of funds given so it
would be based off square footage and not number of sides.
Mr. Thares interjected and offered program context by reminding the EDA that they
have allocated a total of $250,000 dollars to the program, and currently only $200,000
dollars remains for the program at this time. It was also noted the EDA recently
expanded the eligibility area to include the buildings to remain on Block 52 following the
redevelopment project.
Community Development Director Angela Schumann noted that City staff recognized
the difficulty business owners downtown have had in getting bids towards the work
requested through this program. Though the need for multiple bids has been considered
a necessity in the application process due to the EDA's responsibility in the public funds
that are provided through the program.
The EDA recommended that Mr. Ashfeld get updated project renderings related to the
work that would be requested, as well as work towards submitting a new program
application for the EDA to review as a first step in any EDA reconsideration of his
property for the program in the Spring of 2023.
4. Summary Review of Block 52 Development Terms and Funding Structure and Financial
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Mr. Thares provided an overview of the agenda item to the EDA and the public.
5. Adjournment
TRACY HINZ MOVED TO ADJOURN THE WORKSHOP MEETING OF THE MONTICELLO EDA.
JON MORPHEW SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, 7-0.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 6:00 P.M.
Recorded By: Hayden Stensgard
Date Approved: October 12, 2022
ATTEST:
Jinn Thares, Executive Director