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2. 01-09-17 EDA Minutes The Scandia Economic Development Authority met in the Board Room at the Scandia Community Center on Monday, January 9, 2017 beginning at 6:30pm. Commissioners Present: Greg Isaacson, Steve Kronmiller, Robert Feidt, and Bruce Swenson. Staff Present: Neil Soltis Also present: Mayor Christine Maefsky, and public Swenson called the meeting to order. Motion by Feidt, seconded by Isaacson to approve the minutes of the December 19, 2016 meeting. Vote: Motion carried, Kronmiller abstained. Motion by Kronmiller, seconded by Feidt to approve the agenda. Motion carried. Election of Treasurer: Motion by Feidt, seconded by Isaacson, to elect Kronmiller as the EDA Treasurer. Motion carried. Designation of representative to Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee: Soltis reviewed the Committee tasks and noted that none of the resident applicants for Committee positons have a business background. Motion by Swenson, Seconded by Isaacson, to appoint Feidt as the EDA representative on the Committee. Discussion on tax increment financing and tax abatement programs – The EDA Board discussed the types of situations where providing some sort of business subsidy would be appropriate and what criteria would be used. Situations and criteria included:  New businesses, Retain existing businesses o minimal need for additional infrastructure, o projects that promote the development of the downtown, o projects that increase the tax base, o projects that provide full-time employment for adults and that would help to attract families, o projects that would increase local spending including businesses with broader name recognition, o projects that address gaps in current City services  Rehabilitation of existing structures & enhancement of architectural appeal, o projects that impact historic structures, o projects that would not occur without City involvement, o projects at critical locations or focal points in the community, o projects that positively impact other businesses in the downtown area  Housing, o affordable o provides diversity in the City’s housing stock. The listed items will be used to begin drafting a business subsidy policy Discussion on potential development opportunities – Soltis provided information on the requirement for a successful economic development project that criteria for which included:  Market – Is there a demand,  Financing – Can it be profitable,  Physical – Is it physically possible,  Legal – Are there planning or zoning restrictions, and  Political – Is there Council / Community support. Update on Comprehensive Planning Process – Soltis noted that the steering Committee will meet in mid-to-late February and before that Bolton & Menk will be holding a pop-up meeting to obtain resident feedback at the pancake breakfast during Vinterfest. Next Meeting - The next meeting was set for Monday, February 13, 2017 at 6:30 pm. Motion by Kronmiller, seconded by Isaacson to adjourn at 7:50 p.m. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted, Neil Soltis, Secretary