05-26-2000 EDAMHutchinson Community Development Corporation - an EDA
Board of Commissioners
Friday, May 26, 2000
7:00 a.m. at City Center Conference Room
Minutes
Board Members present are in bold print
Don Walser Bob Windel Jeff Haag
Jim Haugen Keith Fischer Duane Hoversten
Tim Ulrich
Chamber Rep: Vi Mayer, Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce
HCDC Staff. Christie Rock, Executive Director
1. Call to order... President Tim Ulrich
The meeting was called to order by President Tim Ulrich at 7:05 a.m.
2. Approval of EDA Board of Commissioners minutes for April 28, 2000
A motion was made by Don Walser to approve the minutes. Jeff Haag seconded the
motion. Tim Ulrich asked for discussion. The motion was approved.
3. Approval of April financial statements
A motion was made by Jeff Haag to approve the April financial statements. Duane
Hoversten seconded the motion. Tim Ulrich asked for discussion. The motion
passed.
4. One - Motion Agenda
Jeff Haag had a question about loan payments and when they are received.
A motion was made by Duane Hoversten to approve the One - Motion agenda. Jeff
Haag seconded the motion. Tim Ulrich asked for discussion. The motion passed.
5. Executive Director Update
Christie provided an update of the projects she has been working on over the past month.
Projects include the following:
• Post Office relocation
Groundbreaking ceremony for Ridgewater College
• Highway 7 Coalition
• Revision of Downtown Loan Fund guidelines
• Recording loan payments
• Application to Economic Development Loan
• Business Subsidy Policy
• Administrative work
6. Post Office Relocation update
Christie explained that she had submitted the site north of City Center to Postal Service
officials as a potential location for the new post office. Sites were accepted until May 18.
Christie is working with Postal Service Real Estate Specialist Steve Muyskens to arrange
a meeting for sometime in mid -June to discuss the city's preferred site, as well as to
review other site the Postal Service is interested in. Christie and Julie are working on a
presentation for that meeting. Four or five options for the two blocks north of City
Center will be configured. Christie has lot size information, as well as estimated market
values and is researching demolition and relocation costs.
7. Revision of Downtown Loan Fund guidelines
The Finance Team Subcommittee met once again to discuss the revision of the
Downtown Loan Fund guidelines. Christie provided the Board with an outline of three
new programs the subcommittee would like to create using the recaptured funds from the
Downtown Loan Fund. The programs include a sign and awning grant program, a more
an exterior improvement grant program, and a modified version of the existing
commercial loan program. The subcommittee is also developing a program that can be
used to facilitate filling vacant storefronts on Main Street. The subcommittee hopes to
have more specific information available for the next Board meeting on June 23. Christie
will prepare more formal program overviews and provide program guidelines and
conditions for the June Finance Team meeting. No action will be taken on the revised
guidelines until more information regarding the post office project received.
8. Discuss 2001 -2005 EDA Capital Requests
Christie submitted a request for the 2001 -2005 capital improvement budget. The request
was for the expansion of the Hutchinson Industrial Park (Phase III). Funds are needed for
infrastructure improvements and land acquisition. All capital improvement requests
(Public Safety, Fire, Public Works, Planning, etc...) will be reviewed and prioritized by
the City Council, so it is important for the EDA to lobby on its behalf. If the EDA wants
to attract new business and industry, land must be available for development. The Board
recommended that the City Council set aside $100,000 every year for the next five years
for the purpose of expanding the industrial park. A similar motion was made in 1997.
9. Expansion of Industrial Park (Phase III)
The city has acquired land for further expansion of the industrial park. The Wetherell
property located on 5th Avenue just across from the scrap metal business is available for
development. No infrastructure improvements have been made in this area at this time.
Sewer and water should be available within the next two years. City Engineer John
Rodeberg is working on a Feasibility Report for Phase III of the Hutchinson Industrial
Park. The Feasibility Report will include cost estimates for utilities and streets, as well as
address environmental issues. Funding mechanisms will also be proposed. A site
drawing /plat will also be provided.
10. Hillyard Update
Jeff Haag provided an update on the progress of construction at the new Hillyard Floor
Care site in the Hutchinson Industrial Park. He indicated that footings had been poured.
Rain has caused a slight delay in construction. Hillyard hopes to take possession of the
building in August.
11. Latest Developments
Christie reviewed other development happening in Hutchinson. She highlighted the
Menards subdivision. She also mentioned that an electronics components company from
the metro area is looking at Hutchinson as a possible expansion site. She hopes to have
more information available at the June Board meeting. Christie is working with DTED to
arrange a site visit for the interested company.
12. New business
No new business
13. Chamber of Commerce Report
Vi Mayer updated the group on the activities of the Chamber of Commerce. He
highlighted the following:
• Dairy Days
WCCO Days
Arts and Crafts Festival
• Music in the Park
• All Class Reunion
Water Carnival
Water Fountain dedication set for June 28
14. Adjournment
A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned
at 8:10 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Haugen, Secretary /Treasurer