EDA Minutes 06-13-2018 (Workshop Meeting)MINUTES
WORKSHOP MEETING - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (EDA)
Wednesday, June 13th, 2018 — 4:30 p.m.
Mississippi Room, Monticello Community Center
Commissioners Present: Steve Johnson, Bill Tapper, Jon Morphew, Tracy Hinz, 011ie
Koropchak-White, and Lloyd Hilgart
Commissioners Absent: Jim Davidson
Staff Present: Jim Thares and Angela Schumann
1. Call to Order
Steve Johnson called the workshop meeting of the EDA to order at 4:30 p.m.
2. Roll Call
3. Consideration to establish a Downtown Facade Improvement Loan & Signage,
Awning & Frontage pilot program and to adopt Downtown Loan Guidelines
A walking tour of Broadway and Walnut Street with the Cuningham Group was
completed on June 4, 2018.
Angela Schumann explained that the guidelines for the Downtown Facade Improvement
Program were a working draft for the EDA to edit as needed.
Bill Tapper had concerns that the draft proposal was too broad and should focus on the
area south of Broadway from Highway 25 to Walnut Street. He suggested only allowing
eligibility by the property owner, but that if a tenant wanted new signs that fit the
architectural character per the Small Area Study that the EDA would pay for them one
time. Hilgart concurred with Tapper's response. Tapper urged the EDA to only move
forward with the program if the majority of the property owners were interested. Tapper
and Tracy Hinz emphasized the importance of improving the businesses at the focal point
of the downtown — Broadway and Walnut Street.
011ie Koropchak-White explained that she would prefer the improvements be flexible for
the front or side facade. The EDA discussed the architectural components of the
downtown and concurred that the program should be an outright grant.
Following further discussion of changes to the draft guidelines, Schumann summarized
the comments of the EDA. A workshop meeting to discuss the possible program with
property owners in the future was discussed.
A minimum five percent participation level was also recommended. Hilgart stated that
the EDA should decide what the buildings should look like if is providing the majority of
Economic Development Authority Minutes — June 13, 2018 Page 112
funds as grants to the property owners. Tapper suggested that an architect sit down with
the property owners to discuss the overview of the Small Area Plan. It was discussed that
the property owner would need to obtain two quotes for contractors to complete the
fagade improvement.
The amount of the program would remain flexible to understand the needs and that the
architecture would guide the costs. Schumann stated that the guidelines would be
cleaned up and presented again to the EDA at a future meeting.
4. Added Items
Jim Thares provided an update about Buxton and their services they could provide to
Monticello. The cost of services would be around $15,000. It was noted that Wadena is
utilizing their services through a collaborative stakeholder funding arrangement. They
have not had any results as of yet in the first year of the contract but have hopes that i=the
efforts will pay off and attract a new business or two. Thares said that the City of
Ramsey ended its contract with Buxton after year one due to a lack of referrals/leads
from Buxton. They decided to focus on working with their local real estate brokers on
ideas and identified targets. Discussion ensued and it was a consensus among the EDA
members to not pursue a business recruitment contract with Buxton at this time.
5. Adiourn
BILL TAPPER MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 5:49 P.M. OLLIE
KOROPCHAK-WHITE SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED, 6-0.
Recorder: Jacob Thunander -FF
Approved: July 11, 2018
Attest:
, Economic Development Director
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