07-26-2002 EDAMHutchinson EDA
Board of Directors
Minutes of Meeting
Friday, July 26, 2002
Members present in bold print
Members:
Tim Ulrich Bob Windel
Don Walser Jeff Haag
Keith Fischer Vi Mayer
Guests:
Ken Merrill
Marc Sebora
Staff: Lisa McClure, EDA Intern
1. Tim Ulrich called the meeting to order at 7:00 a.m.
Jim Haugen
Duane Hoversten
Brenda Ewing
2. Consideration of minutes from June 28, 2002 meeting.
A motion was made by Don Walser to approve the minutes from the June 28, 2002
meeting. Duane Hoversten seconded the motion. Tim Ulrich asked for discussion. The
motion passed.
3. Review and approval of Finance Team minutes from July 16, 2002
A motion was made by Jim Haugen to approve the minutes from the July 16, 2002
meeting. Keith Fischer seconded the motion. Tim Ulrich asked for discussion. Motion
passed.
4. Review financial statements
A motion was made by Duane Hoversten to approve the financial statements. Jeff Haag
seconded the motion. Tim Ulrich asked for discussion. Motion passed.
5. Consideration of applications to the Sign and Awning Grant program
Faith Lutheran Church and Hope Center has asked for $2,000 for a new sign. A motion was
made by Keith Fischer to approve the grant of $2,000. Jeff Haag seconded the motion.
Tim Ulrich asked for discussion. The motion passed.
MTP Partners has asked for a $2,750 grant to replace the existing awning at the Chamber of
Commerce and Realty Plus. The Chamber will receive $750 and Realty Plus will receive
$2,000. A motion was made by Jeff Haag to approve the $2,750 grant. Jim Haugen
seconded the motion. Tim Ulrich asked for discussion. Motion passed.
1
Library Square East has asked for an $8,000 grant to put up new signs beside each of the
businesses and one large sign for the corner of the building. The Chiropractic Clinic,
Bradford Law Office, Alliance Title, and American Family Insurance each qualify for
$2,000, totaling $8,000 for all four businesses. A motion was made by Keith Fischer to
approve the grant for a total of $8,000. Jim Haugen seconded the motion. Tim Ulrich
asked for discussion. Motion passed.
Sonora's Mexican restaurant has asked for a $1,750 grant for four signs on their building. A
motion was made by Jeff Haag to approve the grant for $1,750. Don Walser seconded
the motion. Tim Ulrich asked for discussion. The motion passed.
6. Consideration of applications to the Storefront Revitalization Matching Grant Program
Hassan Valley Lodge, Odd Fellows has asked for a $1,987.40 grant for storefront
revitalization. They will be doing some painting, tuck pointing, and refurbishing of windows
and doors. A motion was made by Don Walser to approve the grant for $1,987.40. Jeff
Haag seconded the motion. Tim Ulrich asked for discussion. Motion passed.
7. Review Picture the Pages grant request
Picture the Pages was approved by the EDA Board for a Sign and Awning grant in the
amount of $922.10. A bill was sent to the EDA from Viking Signs for this work. The bill
was in the amount of $1032.08. A motion was made by Jeff Haag to approve the
additional $109.98 Picture the Pages has requested. Duane Hoversten seconded the
motion. Tim Ulrich asked for discussion. Motion passed.
8. Impressions meeting and plans
Vi Mayer discussed the meeting with Impressions. He stated they had a couple of issues
about a mailbox and about weeds on their property. They are looking to expand their
building in the future. Currently they have 72 employees. Ridgewater College is assisting
them with training.
9. Plastic Specialties
Tim Ulrich gave an update on Plastics. The bank has entered into a management/consulting
agreement with Tom Daggett for 120 days. At the end of that 120 day period, he has the
option to purchase the no real estate assets of the companies, and enter into a one -year lease
on the real estate property. The companies are currently operating.
10. Ridgewater College SBM grant request
Duane Hoversten spoke about this program. He said that the contribution of $10,000 would
be used for education and small businesses, usually to supplement tuition. The money would
come from the general fund. Duane Hoversten has full control over who receives this money
from Ridgewater.
A motion was made by Jeff Haag to approve a $5,000 donation to the Ridgewater
College Small Business Management grant fund, if matched by Southwest Minnesota.
Don Walser seconded the motion. Tim Ulrich asked for discussion. Motion passed.
11. Budget discussion
Ken Merrill wanted to discuss next years budget. Board members should get their
suggestions for the budget to Ken as soon as possible. A levy to make the EDA a special tax
district was discussed. Ken will bring the calculations on how much money the EDA would
bring in from this special tax district to the August board meeting. Some discussion ensued
about an EDA plan for the next 5 -10 years. A committee to review the budget line item by
line item was formed. No date has been set.
12. Industrial Park update
Marc Sebora has been in contact with the Hackbarth's lawyer. There is a discrepancy in the
price per acre of the property. Marc Sebora will make the next offer at the end of July. Marc
Sebora also updated the board on the MPCA fine. He had a meeting with the MPCA to
discuss reducing the fine. They are not willing to do so. Marc Sebora noted that the MPCA
would send out a press release once this issue is resolved, just so the EDA is aware of this.
A motion was made by Jeff Haag to pay the MPCA the $5,000 fine owed on the
property. Duane Hoversten seconded the motion. Tim Ulrich asked for discussion.
The fine will be paid out of the operating budget. The motion passed.
13. Staffing — hiring of new EDA Director
Brenda Ewing discussed the timeline for hiring a new EDA Director. The EDA board will
be involved in the interviewing process. The director will report to the City Administrator
and the EDA Board.
14. MCCF update
DTED has sent a letter back to Ken Merrill allowing the city to transfer funds. Ken Merrill
will now send the check for $25,000 and the two agreements necessary to become a member
of the MCCF.
15. Downtown Master Plan update
Lisa McClure handed out a memo and a timeline for concluding the Master Plan. At a
meeting on August 29a', Hoisington Koegler will make their final presentation to the HDA
Board. The EDA is invited to this meeting. The board decided to have a meeting with
Hoisington Koegler regarding the financing of this project.
16. Chamber update
Vi Mayer discussed the Chamber's upcoming events.
Arts and Crafts Festival is September 13 and 14.
Quality Council is September 18.
Leadership Workshop is September 20.
17. New Business
Lisa McClure handed out a packet put together by Julie Wischnack. Two businesses are
looking to locate in Hutchinson. Michael's Craft Store and a call center, needing 100
employees. The packet gave some information about Michael's company and a memo from
DTED regarding the call center. The board has asked for a meeting to be set with each
business to discuss their plans.
18. Next meeting
The next board meeting is August 30, 2002 at 7:00 a.m. in the City Center main
conference room.
19. Adjourn
A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned
at 9:00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa McClure, EDA Intern
C!