01-28-2000 EDAMHutchinson Community Development Corporation - an EDA
Board of Commissioners
Friday, January 28, 2000
7:00 a.m. at City Center Conference Room
Board Members present are in bold print
Don Walser
Jim Haugen
Tim Ulrich
Minutes
Bob Windel
Don Erickson
Sheldon Nies
Jeff Haag
Keith Fischer
Chamber Rep: Vi Mayer, Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce
City Staff: Gary Plotz
HCDC Staff. Christie Rock, Executive Director
1. Call to order... President Tim Ulrich
The meeting was called to order by President Tim Ulrich at 7:10 a.m.
2. Approval of EDA Board of Commissioners minutes for October 29, 1999
A motion was made by Bob Windel to approve the minutes. Jim Haugen seconded
the motion. Tim Ulrich asked for discussion. The motion was approved.
3. One - Motion Agenda
A motion was made by Bob Windel to approve the one - motion agenda. Sheldon
Nies seconded the motion. Tim Ulrich asked for discussion. The motion was
approved.
4. Executive Director /Board President Update
Christie Rock and Tim Ulrich provided the Board with an update of HCDC of the past
few months.
TH 22 /TH 7 East Land Use Plan - Christie indicated that the TH 22 /TH 7 East
Comprehensive Land Use Plan is now complete. It was presented to and approved by the
Joint Planning Board earlier in January. It will be presented to the McLeod County
Board in February. Concerns centered on the difference between a zoning ordinance and
a comprehensive plan. A comprehensive plan is meant to be a guide. A tool for city and
county officials to use when making land use decisions. The zoning ordinance is a legal
and binding document. At this time, there are no plans to rezone the land in the study
area. Tim Ulrich indicated that there was a good amount of support for the plan,
primarily because property owners had the opportunity to participate in decision making
through several open houses.
Post Office Relocation/Expansion Project — Officials from the United States Postal
Service held a public meeting following the City Council meeting on Tuesday, January
25 to discuss plans to relocate or expand their existing facilities in Hutchinson. Officials
provided the public with a time frame for the project; described the size of the facility
needed; indicated a boundary where they would like to keep the facility located; and
defined the budget for the project. Comments from the public indicate that the Post
Office should look for a location in the downtown area. The public will be invited to
suggest possible sites in March.
Hillyard Relocation — Christie and Jeff Haag provided the group with an update on the
possible relocation of Hillyard to the Hutchinson Industrial Park. Hillyard is interested in
purchasing the northern most portion of the Miller /McGraw property. Hillyard would
pay the appraised value of the land. This is an important revenue generator for the
HCDC. The money could be used to help expand the industrial park through the
purchase of other property.
In order for Hillyard to purchase a small portion of the property, a lot -split is necessary.
The Planning Commission will review this request on February 15. Because the
Industrial Park Task Force had been considering the Miller /McGraw property as the
potential location of an upscale business park, a meeting will be held on February 10 to
allow them to review the plan and make a recommendation for approval. Keep in mind,
the southern parcel, perhaps the most marketable, is still available for the business park
concept. The Finance Team recommended approval of this project at its January meeting.
There is still some question as to how deferred assessments and interest on the property
will be repaid to the city. The appraisal is based on the premise that the seller will pay
the assessments. Christie will work with Ken Merrill and John Rodeberg to determine a
fair arrangement for repayment.
A motion was made by Sheldon Nies to sell the northern most parcel of the
Miller /McGraw property to Hillyard and to proceed with a purchase agreement
pending approval by the Industrial Park Task Force. Tim Ulrich asked for
discussion. Jim Haugen seconded the motion. The motion passed.
5. Review /Discuss 1999 HCDC Annual Meeting
Christie and Tim invited the group to comment on the annual meeting held in November.
Board Members agreed that the location was good and the speaker was interesting.
6. Review Board Appointments to HCDC Meeting
Bob Windel — Marketing Team and Industrial Park Task Force
Jim Haugen — Downtown Task Force and Industrial Park Force
Keith Fischer — Finance Team
Tim Ulrich — Finance Team
Don Walser — Finance Team
Duane Hoversten — Marketing Team
Jeff Haag — Marketing Team
Sheldon Nies — will remain an at -large member Transportation Committee
7. Community Center /Convention Center Project
Gary Plotz updated the Board on the city's position on the project. Vi Mayer also
provided some background information. He indicated that the Governor is
recommending the $1 million be cut from the bonding bill unless significant progress
toward implementing a project is shown. Vi has had conversations with Steve Dille and
Bob Ness, as well as Dean Barkley. A public hearing will be held on February 22 during
the City Council meeting. Organizations and developers interested in the $1 million will
present their ideas and concepts. The goal at this point is to save the money. The Board
decided as a group not to become involved in the project at this time.
8. New Business
There is no new business at this time.
9. Chamber Report
Vi Mayer highlighted the following:
Chamber Banquet
Chamber Leadership Conference
• Historic Hutchinson
• Blandin Leadership
CVB Director — full -time position
10. Next Meeting
The Board will meet on Friday, March 3
11. Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Haugen — Secretary /Treasurer