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