3. Draft minutes of the 01-14-19 EDA MeetingCITY OF SCANDIA
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Monday, January 14, 2018
6:30 P.M.
Scandia Community Center Board Room
The Scandia Economic Development Authority met in the Board Room at the Scandia
Community Center on Monday, January 14th beginning at 6:30pm.
Commissioners Present: Brad Borg, Steve Kronmiller, and Patti Ray
Staff Present: Neil Soltis
Also present: Chris Eng, Mayor Christine Maefsky
Election of Officers – Action on the election of officers was deferred until all members of the
EDA are present.
Minutes - Motion by Kronmiller, seconded by Borg to approve the minutes of the December 17,
2018 meeting. Vote: Yes 3-0. Motion carried.
Agenda - Motion by Kronmiller, seconded by Ray, to approve the agenda. Vote: Yes 3-0.
Motion carried.
Discussion Fiber to the Premise RFP and project funding options – Eng provided an update on
the 1/16 legislator visits noting the issues to be presented include DEED broadband funding for
metro communities and options that would facilitate financing. The goals would be to
encourage a level playing field for DEED grants and some type of change to taxing authority or
bonding that would allow for the financing of the expansion to the areas of the community not
currently served by Midco. A call is scheduled with the City attorney and bond counsel to
discuss potential changes in the statutes that provide for bonding of public projects. The Board
reviewed the current Midco and Frontier coverage areas. The internet focus group will be
meeting on 1/16 to review the request for proposals to see a partner in the broadband projec t.
The Board suggested review by legal counsel before the rfp is distributed.
Update from Washington County CDA – Eng reported that the CDA’s ED workgroup is looking
to establish a landing page on the County website for the cities to have a presence. T he cost
will be borne by the County. Eng also noted that there are funds remaining for the
predevelopment grant fund. The Board discussed submitting an application for the extension
of water service to the area that was the subject of the community septic study.
Discussion on the development of a 3-year work plan – Discussion on the work plan was
deferred until the full Board is present. Soltis proposed a format to facilitate the SWOT
analysis.
Discussion on MnDOT Landscape Partnership Phase 2 – The Board discussed potential
locations for a follow-up project(s). The Board recommended that the work should continue
from the core moving outward and recommended that the focus for a phase 2 should be the
landscaping at the 2 welcome signs along 97.
Director’s report – Soltis reported that the tourism report is on track to be presented to the
Community Leadership Team in March and that a search of agricultural licenses issued by the
State identified 9 business, some of which are not on the current business listing.
Commissioner Reports – There was nothing to report
Financial report and approval of claim – A motion to approve claims to Bolton & Menk for
$62.50 for work performed on the community septic study and to Swensons for $135 the
tourism expert visit was made by Kronmiller and seconded by Borg . Vote: 3-0.
Items for future agendas – No new items were identified for future agendas
Next Meeting Date – The date of the next meeting was set for February 11, 2019
Adjournment – Motion by Kronmiller, seconded by Ray to adjourn. Motion carried. The
meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Neil Soltis, Secretary