Minutes of EDA Board Meeting

Minutes of EDA Board Meeting Friday, July 8, 2011 7:30 a.m.

I. Chairman Eckles called the meeting to order at 7:31 a.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

II. Members present: Bill Eckles, Allen Aukes, Kara Drake, Rob Hammond, Peter Malecha.

Staff present: Kathy Bailey, City Administrator. City Attorney present: David Frundt. Ex official present: Cindy Lyon, Chamber of Commerce. Also present: Linsey Warmka, Faribault County Development Corporation, Ann Kluenenberg, Faribault County Development Corporation.

III. A quorum was present.

IV. MALECHA MADE THE MOTION, SECOND BY AUKES TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 10, 2011 BOARD MEETING. THE MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.

V. The bills were provided in the EDA packet for the board to review. MALECHA MADE THE MOTION, HAMMOND SECOND TO APPROVE THE REGULAR BILLS AS PRESENTED IN THE EDA PACKET. THE MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.

VI. Correspondence, Budget Update and Staff Updates.

A. Correspondence. There was no correspondence.

B. Loan update. Bailey noted that loans are all normal as listed. Warmka noted that Coxworth’s July payment will not be made. The State of Minnesota shut down has caused Coxworth to not be able to obtain the needed inspection to start production. There will be no production until the facility is inspected and permit to operate is obtained.

C. Budget update. There were no budget updates to report.

D. Chamber of Commerce update. Cindy Lyon, Chamber of Commerce Director reported on activities.  Giant Days, July 8-9, 2011.  Friday, July 8 activities at the Giant Statue: Party with the Giant, good will donation for firemen’s supper, Dance DJ, kids play games & will receive prizes provided by the Chamber. David Frundt will be the giant.  Saturday, July 10 has two garden tours, 8AM and 1PM; the parade will start at 5PM. A new attraction will be the Shriners Harley Davidson Motorcycle precision riders. Street dance & Beer Garden sponsored by and at Double Play in the evening.  Art In The Park – the first one was kind of a rain out, but had an artist and music. July 14 will have the summer orchestra camp performing. July 28 will be an open Mic with Mike.  The Red Barn has new items for sale. Posters have been purchased with Monies provided by Harry Pfeiffer III.  The Giant Museum is open with many interesting travelers visiting.  Faribault County Fair is July 19-23.  Cindy will be attending a Tourism Meeting in Austin, MN July 21.  The Blue Earth Area is scheduling a Triathlon for children. Co- organizers are McQuire and Hayes.  Holiday Sampler will be held November 11 & 12 with the Giant Scarfing & Tour of Tables.  The Chamber is working on solicitation of members. Coxworth Water is planning on coming back.  A street light designed by Blue Earth native Donald Deskey, artist/architect has been obtained. This street light was designed for the street of New York City in the sixties. Albert Eisele, also a Blue Earth native has arranged for this light to be given to Blue Earth. It will be set up and functioning at the Gazebo, downtown. Eisele will come for the dedication.  Note a postage stamp has been designed by in Donald Deskey’s honor.

E. Administrator’s update. Bailey reported on the façade grant for Bartley Printing. Bartley Printing qualified for a $1,000 grant. The roof repair has been completed. They stripped out and resided the side that became exposed when the Hanson building was removed. They added extra insulation. Complete project totaled $15,420. Bailey requested a check to Bartley Printing for the $1,000. Hammond inquired if the money was there for the payment. Bailey responded yes. HAMMOND MADE THE MOTION, MALECHA SECOND TO APPROVE PAYMENT TO BARTLEY PRINTING FOR THEIR FAÇADE GRANT. THE MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.

F. Faribault County Development Corporation update. Administrative Report  FCDC has been involved with the twelve business open houses for the Gunther Grant. A final report has not been received.  The City of Blue Earth Housing has received three applications for demolition.  Warmka attended POET Ethanol Plant tour and then toured Easy Energy Systems where they manufacture smaller, more transportable type of ethanol producing mechanisms.  Zierke Built Manufacturing open house for receiving their ISO Certification.  Faribault County Elected Officials Meeting regarding the sharing of services that may be duplicated.  We are now adding properties onto the MN Prospector web-site.  Local businesses are being added to the FCDC web-site.  Second Quarter Report by City shows an added column of business type.  In the three month quarter FCDC has worked with 29 businesses.  City of Blue Earth Housing Report. 45 applications, 24 - Level 1, 6 - Level 2, 5 - Level 3, 2 - Level 4. Some homes moving into the construction phase.  The Task Force for Blue Earth. Property decided upon is near Lampert’s and currently owned by BE-EDA. Discussions have been held with Soil & Water – regarding drainage; Realtors – lot size; will be getting drawings of lot layout. Task Force is looking at the option to not have City do the development.  FCDC is continuing their membership drive. We have six new members.

VII. Old Business.

Bartley Printing – Discussed in Administrator’s Update.

VIII. New Business.

IX. Other Business.

X. Adjournment.

HAMMOND MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. DRAKE SECONDED. CHAIR ECKLES ADJOURNED THE MEETING AT 7:53 AM.