08-16-2018 CCM Special Meeting (EDA Joint Meeting)
Joint City Council /
EDA Board Meeting
Hutchinson Enterprise Center
12:00 PM, Thursday, August 16, 2018
___________________________________________________________________________________
MINUTES
I. Call to Order
The joint meeting was called to order at 12:00 p.m. by Mayor Forcier and President
Mike McGraw. Members present were: Mayor Gary Forcier, Council Member Chad
Czmowski, Council Member Mary Christensen, Council Member John Lofdahl,
Council Member Steve Cook, EDA Board Member Mike Cannon, EDA Board Member
Corey Stearns, and EDA Board President Mike McGraw. Others present were Matt
Jaunich, City Administrator and Miles Seppelt, EDA Director.
II. Approve Agenda
III. EDA Financial Report
Miles Seppelt reviewed the EDA financial report which included the balance sheet,
revenues/expenditures, economic development loan fund, energy loan fund,
downtown loan fund, Minnesota investment loan fund, Hutchinson Enterprise Center,
TIF #4-5 - Shopko Redevelopment and TIF #4-16 – 126 Franklin Street NW
IV. Summary & Update of Current EDA Projects
A. Marketing Update
1. Consul-General Visit
Mr. Seppelt noted that the Japanese Consul-General is visiting
Hutchinson on August 20, 2018. He is touring 3M, taking part in a
roundtable discussion at SWIF, touring the Hutchinson High School
Center for Technical Excellence, touring Ridgewater College along with
lunch and a reception.
2. Cobblestone Inn
Mr. Seppelt explained that the developer of Cobblestone Inn will be in
Hutchinson this Friday to go through the final punch list. They will be
training employees for two weeks and would like to open on September 1,
2018. A grand opening will be held in October.
3. Uponor
Uponor is up and running with 30+ jobs. They are putting loading docks
in now. The EDA is finalizing their loan agreement for MIF funds. Uponor
made a very healthy contribution to TigerPath Academy. Mr. Seppelt is
working on a roadway project on the east side of the property for 2019.
4. Enterprise Center
The 14,000 sq. ft. Enterprise Center facility is currently fully occupied.
The Small Business Development Center is housed in the Enterprise
Center along with RD Machine. Warrior Manufacturing may rent space
while they are going through construction. A monument sign for the
center is being constructed.
5. Skilled Workforce Development
28 partners are part of this TigerPath initiative. The Center for Technical
Excellence is up and running and the TigerPath Coordinator has been
hired. An applied engineering lab is the next phase of the project. A web
site has been created and presentations are being given. A regional
workforce summit is scheduled in November at the high school.
V. Warrior Manufacturing Expansion
Mr. Seppelt explained that Warrior Manufacturing opened up in 2007 with a MIF grant.
A 92,000 sq. ft. building was built and the company employs 75-80 people. The
company will be adding a 25,000 sq. ft. facility as a receiving/warehouse area.
Speculation is that this expansion will add 5-10 jobs. Remodeling office area is also
part of the project. Due to bad soils in the area, the company qualifies for public
assistance. Mr. Seppelt explained all the variables that make up the rationale for
providing Warrior Manufacturing with public assistance which includes tax base, jobs,
capital investment, etc., annual spending, support for TigerPath. The assistance
would include creating a TIF District and a job creation fund.
VI. Development Opportunity at Old Medical Clinic Site
Brian Forcier, developer of Cobblestone, is proposing a development at the Old
Medical Clinic site. Forcier is proposing a 4-5 story rental housing building with the
first floor having parking and a restaurant with outdoor seating. He also has a larger
option which would include 70 units with a bigger footprint, however he would have to
purchase neighboring properties for this larger scale option. This development fits
into the Downtown Master Plan. Forcier is asking that the City construct the trail
segment and take care of property acquisition to assist with this development. Forcier
is to be submitting a formal proposal to the EDA in September.
The old medical clinic site on Franklin Street is on the list to do. A developer from the
Twin Cities had shown interest at one time, but has not been in contact recently. Mr.
Seppelt will begin working on this project again in the near future.
VII. Other Business
Mr. Seppelt spoke of his business retention efforts on an annual basis, as well as
business expansion efforts. General updates were given on City development such
as happenings at the mall, Hutch Hotel, old KFC site. Cook inquired about programs
that can be utilized by businesses such as PAC for energy efficiency and Enterprise
Minnesota. Mr. Seppelt noted he could do mailings to businesses about these
programs so that businesses are aware of the resources they provide.
Cook also asked about an Arts & Culture Plan being developed similar to the Parks
Master Plan or Downtown Plan. Cook asked if the EDA has interest in putting a
representative on a steering committee and noted that Planning funds could be used
for this development. Cook will continue looking into this further.
Lofdahl commented that the Mid-Minnesota Development Commission loans money
to businesses if they have a gap to fill.
VIII. Adjourn
Motion by Cook, second by Lofdahl, to adjourn the meeting at 1:20 p.m. Motion
carried unanimously.