EDA Minutes 03-11-2015 (Special Meeting)MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Wednesday, March 11th, 2015 — 4:30 PM
Academy Room, Monticello Community Center
Present: Bill Tapper, Tracy Hinz, Jim Davidson, Steve Johnson, Tom Perrault, Lloyd
Hii_gart
Absent: Bill Demeules
Others: Angela Schumann, Wayne Oberg
1. Call to order
Bill Tapper called the special meeting to order at 4:35 p.m.
2. Purpose
The purpose of the workshop is to develop 2015 EDA Workplan goals and objectives.
3. Consideration of Workplan Goals and Objectives
Angela Schumann noted that the EDA had discussed the effectiveness of Market
Matching and identified the need for additional resources to affect an action plan to
address economic development goals at its February 11 h, 2015 workshop.
Schumann indicated that she had drafted a 2015 EDA workplan mission statement in an
effort to summarize current EDA perspectives.
The draft mission statement is as follows: "The EDA's 2015 work plan is adopted in
support of achieving the goals of the Monticello Comprehensive Plan. The EDA will be
proactive by developing and undertaking actions for achievement of the Comprehensive
Plan's Economic Development goals and will be reactive in responding to economic
development opportunities as they arise in the most timely and effective manner possible.
The EDA shall utilize the economic development strategies of the Comprehensive Plan as
a guide for action."
TRACY HINZ MOVED TO ADOPT THE DRAFT WORKPLAN MISSION
STATEMENT FOR THE 2015 EDA WORKPLAN. JIM DAVIDSON SECONDED
THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 6 -0.
Schumann also proposed draft action statements related to EDA goals, (Attracting and
Retaining Jobs, Expanding the Tax Base, Enhancing Downtown, Facilitating
Redevelopment and Housing) to prompt discussion related to the relevance and priority
of each statement. The EDA discussed and took action related to draft action statements
#1 -4 and #11 as part of the 2015 EDA Workplan. The additional draft action statements
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are cited as well to outline the overall draft action statement structure. These will be
discussed at an upcoming workplan session.
1. Research for implementation the adoption of a 2016 EDA (and HRA) levy.
Schumann indicated that many Minnesota cities use an EDA levy (tax) as a recurring
source for funding the operational costs of EDA management. Funds can be used for
general administration, marketing, and staffing.
Wayne Oberg suggested that the EDA would not need to request a budget transfer
from the City's General Fund if it were to adopt its own levy. Schumann suggested
that an EDA levy would generate an estimated $217,000. Oberg said that EDA levy
funding would be unrestricted and carry over year to year.
TRACY HINZ MOVED TO ADOPT DRAFT ACTION STATEMENT #1,
"RESEARCH FOR IMPLEMENTATION THE ADOPTION OF A 2016 EDA (AND
HRA) LEVY", AS PART OF THE 2015 EDA WORKPLAN. STEVE JOHNSON
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5 -1 WITH TOM PERRAULT
VOTING IN DISSENT.
Perrault indicated that he had voted against this draft action statement because it
would allow the EDA taxing authority despite not having been elected.
2. Research for implementation the use of tax abatement, including specific use criteria.
Schumann suggested that tax abatement may be a less complex and expensive
funding option than establishing a redevelopment district. She cautioned that tax
abatement requires very specific criteria and that public perception may vary as to
what constitutes acceptable use. Schumann pointed out that moving forward with
preliminary research would answer questions and prompt broader discussions with
the City Council.
TRACY HINZ MOVED TO ADOPT DRAFT ACTION STATEMENT #2,
"RESEARCH FOR IMPLEMENTATION THE USE OF TAX ABATEMENT,
INCLUDING SPECIFIC USE CRITERIA ", AS PART OF THE 2015 EDA
WORKPLAN. STEVE JOHNSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION
CARRIED 6 -0.
3. Clearly understand allowable uses of pooled housing increment, including amount,
excess and possible identification of priority locations of use.
Schumann suggested that it would be useful to determine how much housing
increment is available and pooling opportunities resulting from excess increment. She
also recommended defining in- district and out -of- district limitations and restrictions
related to how housing increment can be used.
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Tracy Hinz requested a breakdown of pooled resources available within each district.
She also pointed to the need to create an existing housing inventory.
Schumann suggested that the EDA not only focus on what they can do but also to
identify what they want to do in terms of housing.
There was some discussion about potentially combining draft action statements #3
and #11. (See #11 below.) Schumann agreed to refine both statements for further
consideration at the next workplan session. She suggested that #3 would focus more
on financial tools and #11 would focus on properties more suitable for incentivized
rehabilitation than demolition.
BILL TAPPER MOVED TO TABLE ACTION ON DRAFT ACTION
STATEMENT #3, "CLEARLY UNDERSTAND ALLOWABLE USES OF
POOLED HOUSING INCREMENT, INCLUDING AMOUNT, EXCESS AND
POSSIBLE IDENTIFICATION OF PRIORITY LOCATIONS OF USE ", AND
DRAFT ACTION STATEMENT #11, EXAMINE HOUSING STOCK FOR AGING
OR BLIGHTED PROPERTIES FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO REDEVELOP
AND /OR REVITALIZE; RESEARCH PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES ". TRACY
HINZ SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 6 -0.
4. Continue to support redevelopment efforts for Block 34.
STEVE JOHNSON MOVED TO ADOPT DRAFT ACTION STATEMENT #4,
"CONTINUE TO SUPPORT REDEVELOPMENT EFFORTS FOR BLOCK 34" AS
PART OF THE 2015 EDA WORKPLAN. JIM DAVIDSON SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 6 -0.
5. Engage as a partner in other redevelopment opportunities as they arise, with a specific
emphasis on the four corners of TH 25 /CSAH 75.
Schumann suggested that adopting this draft action statement would enable the EDA
to focus its spending priorities but would also require that the Redevelopment
Priorities Policy be amended. She noted that the EDA may instead prefer to amend
the draft action statement to include Blocks 52 & 53. This issue is to be further
considered at an upcoming workplan session.
6. Actively market industrial development at the Monticello Business Center (Otter
Creek Business Park).
7. Encourage more proactive lead development and response in all market segments to
support a diversified tax base.
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8. Develop and re- establish a dedicated economic development staff position to
facilitate and support the accomplishment of Comprehensive Plan goals.
9. Market EDA incentive programs in a more proactive and far - reaching manner.
10. Actively market for sale for development the EDA -owned properties at Cedar
Street, 349 West Broadway and 413 W. 4d' Street.
11. Examine housing stock for aging or blighted properties for opportunities to
redevelop and /or revitalize; research program opportunities
This draft action statement was considered in relation to draft action statement #3.
(Refer to #3 above.)
Schumann suggested that the EDA schedule an additional workshop at 4:30 p.m. on
March 23rd to further consider its 2015 workplan.
4. Adjournment
BILL. TAPPER MOVED TO ADJOURN THE SPECIAL MEETING AT 5:55 P.M.
TRACY HINZ SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 6 -0.
Recorder: Kerry Burri
Approved: April 8th w
Attest: .-94
Angela Sc4d*0n,\Community Development Director
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