3. July 8, 2019 EDA minutesCITY OF SCANDIA
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Monday, July 8, 2019
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, July 8th beginning at 6:30pm.
Commissioners Present: Brad Borg, Steve Kronmiller, Kirsten Libby, Mark Porubcansky, and
Patti Ray.
Staff Present: Deputy Clerk Brenda Eklund
Also present: Chris Eng (Washington County CDA), Mayor Christine Maefsky
Minutes –Motion by Libby, seconded by Ray, to approve the minutes of the June 10, 2019
meeting as presented. Vote: Yes 5-0. Motion carried.
Agenda - Motion by Libby, seconded by Ray, to approve the agenda as presented. Vote: Yes 5-
0. Motion carried.
Update from Washington County CDA – Chris Eng was asked about the progress on the
Community Water study. City Engineer Ryan Goodman will provide an update with his July
engineering report to the City Council next week.
Discussion on Business Retention and Expansion Survey – The Board members reviewed the
business visit survey provided by Eng and approved the format of the seven questions, along
with a list of Scandia businesses. The following visitation schedule for the first month was
arranged:
• Scandia Mercantile and Café – Kirsten Libby
• Scandia Creamery, Poplar Hill Farm – Christine Maefsky
• Scandia Auto – Mark Porubcansky
• Meister’s Bar & Grill, Carney Forensics – Patti Ray
• Big Marine Lake Store – Steve Kronmiller
• Abrahamson’s Nursery – Brad Borg
Members will contact the business owners to schedule their visits and possible tours and report
back at the August meeting on how the visits went. The surveys will be collected and the
results summarized for future EDA/business breakfast meetings. Eng advised that if trends
become apparent in the needs of the business owners, it will facilitate the EDA’s economic
development work plan on what can be done to help the businesses be successful.
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Scandia EDA
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Maefsky suggested that this EDA business visitation program be provided to the City Council for
their potential participation in the visits, either with an EDA member or on their own. The
objective to visit at least one business each month will continue t o be discussed at the next EDA
meeting.
Discussion on 2020 Budget – Kronmiller noted that the EDA has set a $5,000 budget each of
the past few years. Unspent funds carry forward in the account each year. EDA fund balance
figures will be provided at the August meeting for the treasurer’s report. Porubcansky said that
the EDA is at a point where there are economic related development projects on the horizon;
more aggressive funding could be a goal at this point. Ideas for funding dala horses in town,
flower baskets on the lightpoles, and a tourism coordinator who could also administer the EDA
and guide economic development were among the budget items discussed. Kronmiller asked
the Board to bring back detailed ideas next month for further discussion.
Discussion on the Fall 2019 Business Breakfast – Libby announced that she is available after
October 17th; Porubcanksy stated that he would be gone the month of October. Topics to
present were discussed – summary results of the BRE surveys, introduction of the new city
administrator, digital security for small businesses, Vinterlights, tourism update, and to have a
featured business provide a brief informational talk. Ray suggested members reach out to
businesses that haven’t attended in the past; Libby suggested “Save the Date” announcements
be sent once the breakfast date is determined.
Commissioner Reports –
1) Update on Broadband Proposals: Kronmiller informed the EDA that the Scandia Internet
Focus Group is hosting a public meeting on July 17th at 6:30pm to hear a presentation from
MidCo on proposals for wired and wireless expansions of internet in Scandia. Ray suggested
that EDA members assist with the speed studies being collected for the DEED grant submission,
due in September.
2) Community Center Updates: Maefsky provided an update on the Community Center Task
Force Committee. The Committee is recommending that a needs analysis study be done as a
first step in updating/revitalizing the Scandia Community Center. The study will look at what
expectations and expansions would meet the needs of the community going forward in the
next 20-30 years, and offer pre-design work based on the needs analysis. The committee
reviewed proposals from 3 firms, at a cost range of $6,000-$10,000 which could be funded in
the 2020 budget. Further, the Committee proposed earmarking $100,000 in the CIP for an
architectural design firm to prepare blueprints in 2020, and $600,000 for construction
improvements in 2021.
The EDA discussed the potential economic benefits a redesigned and repurposed Community
Center could have as a catalyst for the downtown businesses. A more vigorously used Center
would draw people in, add vitality to the Village Neighborhood district, and spur economic
development in town.
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Motion by Borg, seconded Ray, to support an expenditure of $6,000 -$10,000 for a Community
Center Needs Analysis study because of the potential economic benefits a revitalized
Community Center could provide. Vote: 5-0. Motion carried.
Motion by Ray, seconded by Porubcansky, to support adding a CIP project of $100,000 for
preparation of design blueprints based on the needs analysis for Community Center
improvements in 2021, and $600,000 for a 2022 project for construct ion. The motion carried 5-
0.
3) Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Kronmiller presented an invoice for payment. Motion by
Porubcansky, seconded by Ray, to approve payment of $735 to Bolton & Menk for work
completed on the Community Water System study. Vote 5 -0. Motion carried.
Items for future agendas – Items identified for future agendas are the Business Retention
Program, the 2020 budget, broadband proposals, the EDA 3-year work plan and planning for
the October business breakfast.
Next Meeting Date – The date of the next meeting will be August 12, 2019.
Adjournment – Motion by Libby, seconded by Borg, to adjourn. Vote 5-0. Motion carried. The
meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brenda Eklund, Acting Secretary