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Home My WebLink About03-11-10 MinutesHastings EDRA Hastings Economic Development and Redevelopment Authority 6:00 p.m. Hastings City Hall Minutes of March 11, 2010 HEDRA Commissioners Pam Holzem, Kurt Keena, Dennis Peine, Bob Hollenbeck, and Danna Elling Schultz present. Commissioner Ron Toppin and Anthony Alongi absent Staff present: Community Development Director John Hinzman, and Community Relations Specialist Shannon Rausch, MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 6:00PM I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes from the February 11, 2010 were presented; Commissioner Holzem moved to approve the minutes. Commissioner Peine seconded the motion; Motion passed 5 -0 III. BILLS Commissioner Hollenbeck moved to pay the bills. Elling Schultz seconded the motion. Motion passed 5 -0 IV. BUSINESS A. Change of Meeting Time Due to a conflict with the monthly meeting scheduled for April 8 ", Community Development Director asked if the Commissioners would be able to reschedule. Commissioners agreed and Commissioner Hollenbeck motioned to reschedule the April meeting for Tuesday the 6 beginning at 6pm. Commissioner Peine seconded the motion. Motion passed 5 -0 B. 3/50 Project The 3/50 Project is a nationwide effort challenging individuals to spend $50 per month at locally owned businesses as a mechanism to boost local economies. Local businesses and organizations can register to be a participant in the project at no cost. Hastings EDRA could sign up as a "supporter" and encourage locally owned businesses to do sign up as well. Commissioner Elling Schultz motioned that the City sign up as a supporter, Commissioner Hollenbeck seconded the motion. Motion passed 5 -0 Hastings EDRA: 2/11/10 V. REPORTS: A. EDRA 4 th Quarter 2009 Financial Statement: Community Development Director Hinzman presented the Financial Statement and Balance Sheet to the Commissioners for their review. B. Hudson Manufacturing The City is still awaiting response from Hudson representatives on our framework for potential purchase presented on February 3rd. City Administrator Osberg continues to make inquiries to determine the status. It appears the Hudson is looking for more from the City, though the City doesn't have much more to offer. For now the City continues to wait for Hudson to make decisions. The City notified that it was awarded a $250,000 grant from Dakota County CDA for potential purchase of Hudson. Our application received the highest score among those submitted. C. Bridge Updates The City received word that we have been awarded a $10,000 grant from DEED to assist with mitigating the impacts of the Highway #61 Bridge Replacement Project. These funds are meant to assist in clearly communicating the message that the Highway #61 Bridge will be open during construction, but for perhaps a few short periods of time. The decision on selecting the bridge contractor and type will likely take place in June or July. It appears that all three bridge design build contractors will be bidding on both the cable and arch bridge, and this may delay the decision. MnDOT still intends to begin construction by this Fall. New electrical lines have been installed around the staging site along Lock and Dam Road. Unneeded poles are scheduled to be removed at the end of March. D. Marketing Focus Group. Our first meeting was held with the focus group on March 10th at 7:30am. Kevin Hoeschen, Mark Vetvick, Leslie Neilson, Christian Schaffer, Norine Bishop, Barb Hollenbeck, and Karen Jung, all attended. At this first meeting the group identified: • What are current businesses doing for marketing? Websites, advertising in industry specific magazines (antique publications), Trying to get "bus tours" coordinated, in the process of creating a brochure that will be distributed to southern metro hotels, looking to do an art show and trying to raise money to put a mural on the Second Street side of Graphic Design's building, Partner with the Board of Tourism to place ads in various publications, booths at trade shows (including State Fair); and • What would local businesses like to do, but have not been able to do alone? Create and "all inclusive" business listing, regardless of buy -in /membership, some sort of "advertising" around the public dock, promote "shopping local" both to Hastings residents as well as visitors, "Word of Mouth" card campaign. Promote Hastings as "Dakota County's Downtown ", Businesses advertising other local businesses to customers — can they each set out sandwich boards advertising "lunch at .. " "find Hastings EDRA: 2/11/10 2 great gifts at ... " " stay at ... " etc. or a flyer /brochure that would include all locally owned businesses and restaurants, etc. that can be picked up or handed out by all businesses. Next meeting is scheduled for March 23, 2010 at 7:30 am. We also learned that within the RFP for the new Bridge MnDOT is requesting that the firm who is awarded the contract has their own designated staff person working as a business liaison with Hastings businesses to help in any way possible, including marketing /promoting the businesses. This may be a good resource to partner with as we move forward with our Marketing efforts. E. Mann Property /23rd Street Update Community Development Director Hinzman has contacted Dennis Mann about his interest in selling his vacant parcel on the 2300 block of Vermillion Street. (next to Gahnz Furniture) Mr. Mann appears to be interested but will be out of town until March 15th. The City will meet with him when he returns. John Hinzman has also been in contact with property owners along the east side of Vermillion Street between Gahnz Furniture and the Regency Inn to get their feedback on potential traffic changes and how they would affect future plans. Commissioner Elling Schultz recommended that the Commission consider partnering with Treasure Island to purchase land, fund traffic related improvements, etc. F. Red Rock Corridor Updates: Nothing new really to Report. Washington County has made an offer to purchase the old Knox location in Newport for the site of the parking lot there. G. Commercial /Industrial Vacancy Update For the past five years staff have been tracking the Commercial and Industrial availability throughout town. This report is done quarterly and can be found on the City's Website. A few items of note from the most resent study include: The Dust Jacket (bookstore on 2nd Street) is moving into the former consignment shop at 401 Vermillion Street. A few more vacancies have occurred downtown with the closing of Hastings Sewing Center (208 Sibley St), Fast Eddie's RD warehouse, (200 East 2 nd Street) and Fresh Fruit (219 Sibley St). ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Holzem moved to adjourn at 6:50 p.m., Commissioner Keena seconded. Motion Passed 5 -0 Next meeting is scheduled for TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 2010 at 6:00pm in the Council Chambers. Shannon M. Rausch, EDRA Secretary Hastings EDRA: 2/11/10 3