EDA Minutes - 03/01/2023 (Workshop)MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (EDA) WORKSHOP
Wednesday, March 1, 2023 — 4:30 p.m.
Monticello Community Center
Members Present: President Steve Johnson, Vice President Jon Morphew, Treasurer Hali
Sittig, 011ie Koropchak-White, and Councilmembers Lloyd Hilgart and
Tracy Hinz
Staff Present: Executive Director Jim Thares, Angela Schumann
1. Call to Order
President Steve Johnson called the workshop meeting of the Monticello EDA to order at
4:30 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Mr. Johnson called the roll.
3. FaGade Improvement Forgivable Loan Application Submittals and relationship to Block
52 Redevelopment Goals
Executive Director Jim Thares provided an overview of the agenda item to the EDA and
the public. Two existing buildings (Lucille Murray's Studio of Dance and Sleep Concepts)
on the south side of Block 52 along West Broadway are prepared to move forward with
facade improvement applications this year. The applicants have been working with the
Block 52 development team to explore options related to the building improvements.
Mr. Thares noted, for efficiency purposes, these applications could be combined into
one project. The EDA currently has $200,000 dollars of available funds, following the
recently completed project in Block 35, the Agosto Building.
Jon & Lucille Murray, owners of 155 West Broadway St, Monticello, MN 55362,
addressed the EDA regarding their letter of intent for the Downtown Facade
Improvement Forgivable Loan Program. As lifelong residents of Monticello, Mr. Murray
noted they are excited to work with the EDA to bring the project to fruition. He also
mentioned the difficulty of collecting bids for specific work on the building. They hve
continued to work with contractors, however, most have said they are not capable of
completing the work requested.
Community Development Director Angela Schumann mentioned that when the original
project area was established in Block 35 on the south side of West Broadway Street, the
EDA worked with a consultant to complete historical architectural renderings for each
eligible building. At this time, there are no historical renderings completed for Block 52.
Though the program has established guidelines and eligibility requirements, the EDA has
the latitude to allow for some funding to be used for the completion of architectural
renderings, as well as allowing improvements to include the rear walls of both buildings.
Essentially, the two -building project would encompass three sides of each building (the
fourth side is a common wall connecting the two buildings and is not visible as such).
Mayor Lloyd Hilgart said that it would be beneficial to reach out to the group that
completed the previous renderings, or alternatively, the architect of the Block 52
Redevelopment Project, to see if either of them would be able to do renderings for the
two subject buildings.
Ms. Schumann noted that staff has gathered historical pictures of the Block as a
reference for this project. The previous consultant may have the ability to review and
see which parts of the buildings in the pictures should be highlighted during the
renovations.
Mr. Johnson mentioned the idea of blending both the historical drawings and the new
building's (mixed use redevelopment building) design into the proposed renderings for
the existing buildings. This may help alleviate the concern that reflecting the historical
pictures into the design entirely would result in buildings not blending into the Block.
Mr. Johnson also mentioned that the case could be to have the two buildings be
combined into one project that can utilize the $200,000 currently available through the
program.
Mr. Thares asked the EDA if the 5% applicant match would still be necessary as part of
this combined application along with any additional owner equity contribution
necessary in the event the total cost of work exceeds $200,000. Mayor Hilgart noted the
5% match should still apply for the project, but it would be up to the applicants to
understand if they would want to pay the remainder of the costs if it does exceed
$200,000.
Ms. Schumann reiterated that the EDA's program includes a guideline that requires two
contractor quotes for work at the time of application submittal. The EDA does have the
ability to waive that requirement upon request by the applicant. It is still the intention
of the program to maintain each building's uniqueness within the downtown, and not to
make improvements that cause all the buildings to look the same at the end of the
process.
Mayor Hilgart noted that he believes there are a lot of benefits to getting the Block 52
construction group and their architect involved in this project to help streamline the
goals intended for this program. The EDA was in consensus to pay for the cost of
architectural renderings for 155 W. Broadway Street and 149 W. Broadway Street, due
to the EDA providing architectural renderings to the properties included in the original
eligibility area. The renderings would include all three sides of both subject buildings.
Staff are expected to reach out to the Block 52 Redevelopment architect to get a
professional services proposal for renderings of the two buildings.
In addition, the EDA was also in consensus as to waiving the two -quote requirement in
favor of Buchholz Construction providing a construction quote for both buildings, and
capping the EDA contribution for both buildings at $200,000 in total. Any costs beyond
the $200,000 will need to be covered by the applicants -building owners.
4. Adjournment
Tracy Hinz Moved to adjourn the workshop meeting of the Monticello EDA. 011ie
Koropchak-White Seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, 6-0. The meeting
was adjourned at 5:15 p.m.
Recorded By: Hayden Stens and 1 6
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Date Approved: April 12, 2023
ATTEST:
Jim Thark Executive Director