EDA Minutes 12-12-2018 (Workshop Meeting)MINUTES
WORKSHOP MEETING - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (EDA)
Wednesday, December 12th, 2018 — 4:15 p.m.
Mississippi Room, Monticello Community Center
Commissioners Present: Steve Johnson, Bill Tapper, Jon Morphew, Tracy Hinz, 011ie
Koropchak-White, Lloyd Hilgart, and Jim Davidson
Staff Present: Angela Schumann, Jim Thares, Jacob Thunander, Andrew Dresdner
(Cuningham Group)
1. Call to Order
Steve Johnson called the workshop meeting of the EDA to order at 4:15 P.M.
2. Roll Call
3. Facade Improvement Program — Proposed Projects
Andrew Dresdner, Cuningham Group, introduced the Fagade Improvement Program
topic. He noted that the EDA directed the Cuningham Group and staff to begin working
with the grant program by meeting with property owners of Block 34. Dresdner reminded
the EDA that the focus of the program was on the fronts of the buildings (facing
Broadway). He explained that most of the buildings were originally designed with big
storefronts (large windows and small signs) and now the opposite is what exists
downtown today.
Dresdner reviewed seven renderings from the downtown property owners that indicated
interest in the Fagade Improvement Program. Discussion followed by the EDA regarding
the renderings and the program. The EDA was concerned with the overall cost far
exceeding the $200,000 that was allotted.
The EDA directed staff to collect two to three quotes on the entire proposal to understand
a ballpark figure for the cost involved. After the quotes are received, they asked to hold a
workshop meeting to discuss and make any amendments to the renderings or the program
(funding) itself.
4. Questionnaire for CMHP regarding Housing Rehab Program and/or Tax Credit
Housing
At the last workshop meeting, the EDA directed staff to develop questions to ask CMHP
regarding a Housing Rehab Program and Tax Credit Housing project in Monticello. The
questions were included as supporting data in the staff report. Staff would invite CMHP
to come to a future meeting in 2019 to discuss and answer these questions.
Economic Development Authority Minutes (Workshop Meeting) — December 12, 2018 Page 1 1 2
The EDA expressed more interest in expanding affordable housing rather than an owner -
occupied rehab program. The EDA asked staff to revise the questions to only focus on
redevelopment efforts.
5. Block 52 Process
Steve Johnson removed himself from discussion of Block 52 due to a possible conflict of
interest.
Jim Thares explained that staff have gained a satisfactory initial level of developer
interest for a potential Block 52 redevelopment project. A future meeting date is being
planned for "get to know you" interviews with the EDA. Staff is asking that a basic
questionnaire be completed and a possible concept plan be offered as part of the
interview by the developers.
It was estimated that a project may not likely proceed until 2020 at the earliest. It was
also noted that a phased development project may be acceptable or even necessary. The
EDA discussed the importance of site control for a significant portion of Block 52 and
also the importance of ascertaining the potential of involving the current public parking
lot in the northwest corner of the Block in a redevelopment project.
6. Other
None.
7. Adiournment
TRACY HINZ MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 5:57 P.M. JIM
DAVIDSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED, 5-0.
Recorder: Jacob Thunander
Approved: January 9, 2019
Attest:
im ares, Economic Development Director
Economic Development Authority Minutes (Workshop Meeting) — December 12, 2018 Page 2 12