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07-08-2015 CC-EDA MINJoint City Council / EDA Board Meeting City Council Chambers —City Center 11:30 AM —1 PM, Wednesday, July 8, 2015 MINUTES Call to Order The joint meeting was called to order at 11:30 a.m. Members present were: Mayor Gary Forcier, Council Member Chad Czmowski, Council Member Mary Christensen, Council Member John Lofdahl, Council Member Bill Arndt, EDA Board Member Mike McGraw, EDA Board Member Corey Stearns, EDA Board Member Jonny Block, EDA Board President Steve Jansick. Others present were Matt Jaunich, City Administrator, Miles Seppelt, EDA Director and Marc Sebora, City Attorney. II. Approve Agenda III. Overview of EDA Strategy (10 min) A. Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E) B. Business Incubation / "Economic Gardening" C. Business Attraction D. Downtown Development — Jeff Page 1. Overview of Downtown Programs 2. Farmer's Market Miles Seppelt, EDA Director, presented before the group. Mr. Seppelt reviewed the EDA's philosophy and strategy. Mr. Seppelt spoke about the EDA's business retention and expansion program and the visits they have made to date. Mr. Seppelt explained that perhaps six companies are considering expanding in the next few years. Mr. Seppelt reviewed the business incubation program, which includes the Jump Start Downtown program and Jump Start Manufacturing program. Mr. Seppelt reviewed the EDA's business attraction program which has the goal of attracting new companies to Hutchinson and expanding companies from other communities to Hutchinson. Lastly, Mr. Seppelt reviewed the EDA's strategy of maintaining and developing the downtown area. Jeff Page, EDA Assistant, reviewed the downtown loan fund from 2005 to date. This fund includes commercial rehab loans, storefront matching funds and sign and awning grants to be used in the downtown area. Mr. Page also reviewed the Farmers Market program, which is thriving. IV. Summary of Current EDA Projects (10 min) A. Marketing 1. Grocery Store / Big Box buildings 2. Social Media/ Websites 3. DEED Marketing Initiative 4. Site Selectors / University of Minnesota B. FORMSTACK C. Downtown TIF District D. JumpStart Program E. Workforce Development & DEED Grant F. Manufacturers Appreciation Dinner Mr. Seppelt reviewed current EDA projects, such as marketing for another grocery store, specifically downtown, as well as filling the big box buildings. Other marketing areas include different social media and web sites. Additional marketing initiatives include working with DEED and the University of Minnesota. Mr. Seppelt explained that the EDA is working with grocery chains to try to fill downtown and/or big box stores. General discussion was held regarding corporations and stores coming to the area. Mr. Seppelt also spoke about all of the EDA's forms that are online for completion. Mr. Seppelt reviewed current TIF District projects in the downtown area. He also reviewed the JumpStart program, as well as work being done with the State and working on work force issues — such as working with high schools on encouraging students to go into technical manufacturing trades. The EDA is attempting to use grant dollars to assist the Hutchinson High School with upgrading their career and technical education center to entice students to enter the field. Lastly, Mr. Seppelt noted that the EDA will be holding a manufacturers' appreciation dinner this Fall to show the EDA's gratitude to the manufacturing companies in the city. Steve Jansick encouraged the EDA Board and the City Council to attend this event. V. Business Climate in Hutchinson (Observations from EDA Board & Business owners) General review was held regarding acquiring a grocery store downtown, enticing students to enter the manufacturing field and increasing the work force overall. VI. City Council items for EDA Board to consider Nothing specific was mentioned. VII. Set as annual meeting? Consensus from the City Council was to hold an annual meeting between the two groups. VIII. Other Business General discussion was held regarding TIF dollars and MIF dollars. IX. Adjourn A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting at 1:00 p.m.