Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.a. 20151215 PAM RMROSEMOUNT PORT AUTHORITY REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS DECEMBER 15, 2015 CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular meeting of the Rosemount Port Authority was held on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 2875 145th Street West, Rosemount. Chair Weisensel called the meeting to order with Commissioners Droste, Wolf, Luing, Smith, and DeBettignies attending. Commissioner Abdulahi was absent. Staff present included City Administrator Johnson, Community Development Director Lindquist, and City Clerk Hadler. The Pledge of Allegiance was said. ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO AGENDA City Administrator Johnson stated there were no proposed changes. Motion by Luing. Second by DeBettignies. Motion to Adopt the Agenda. Ayes: 7 Nays: 0. Motion carried. COMMUNITY/AUDIENCE RECOGNITION CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Luing. Second by Wolf. Motion to Approve the Consent Agenda. a. Approval of November 17, 2015 Meeting Minutes b. Approval of Bills and Invoices Ayes: Droste, Wolf, Luing, Weisensel, Smith, DeBettignies Nays: None. Motion carried. OLD BUSINESS 4.a. Approve Amendment to Purchase Agreement Community Development Director Lindquist provided a summary of the request for a second amendment with the Culver’s purchase agreement. The buyers are seeking an extension of the contingency date to obtain financing, as well as changing the closing date to the end of January. Motion by DeBettignies. Second by Smith. Motion to Approve the amendment. Ayes: Droste, Wolf, Luing, Weisensel, Smith, DeBettignies Nays: None. Motion carried. ROSEMOUNT PORT AUTHORITY REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS DECEMBER 15, 2015 4.b. Retail Update Community Development Director Lindquist introduced the item, which is a report of the vacancy rate in commercial spaces in the city. Vacancy rates have decreased slightly. Ms. Lindquist reported that staff receives occasional inquiries about retail space. Chair Weisensel inquired of Ms. Lindquist if she believed there might be demand for additional retail space. Ms. Lindquist stated there was a space at Rosemount Crossings that has never been built, and if there was significant demand that someone would probably be building. Commissioner DeBettignies inquired about vacancy rates in the Metro. Ms. Lindquist stated she was not sure. Commissioner Droste stated there is growth around the metro area and that if we’re not seeing it, it’s going somewhere else. Commissioner Smith inquired about craft brewery places, or similar niche-type businesses, and if there is something else that the city could be doing to attract something like that. Commissioner Droste discussed niche businesses in other communities. Commissioner Droste stated the city hired Buxton and we should maybe not do that again. Chair Weisensel stated the city adopted the new liquor ordinance to allow breweries. Chair Weisensel inquired about an update on Buxton. Ms. Lindquist stated staff had followed up with the contacts and has heard back from a few, but there is nothing to report. Ms. Lindquist stated she would put something together for the January meeting. Commissioner DeBettignies stated there is one business to be added to the vacancy report. NEW BUSINESS 5.a. Calendar Community Development Director Lindquist presented the proposed calendar, which will have the meetings on the same date as the past year, on the third Tuesday of each month, with any additional meetings called as necessary. Chair Weisensel invited input from the Port Authority. Commissioners Smith and Wolf supported the proposed calendar. Motion by Luing. Second by DeBettignies. Motion to Approve the 2016 meeting calendar. Ayes: Droste, Wolf, Luing, Weisensel, Smith, DeBettignies Nays: None. Motion carried. 5.b. Business Appreciation Lunch Community Development Director Lindquist stated the Business Appreciation Lunch has been scheduled for February 10th. Ms. Lindquist invited input regarding speakers for the event and gave ideas. The event will take place at the new Activity Center. ROSEMOUNT PORT AUTHORITY REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS DECEMBER 15, 2015 Commissioner Smith inquired who had attended the event last year; how many businesses. Ms. Lindquist stated that generally there are about 100 people in attendance; of which approximately 20 are city, library, and school district staff. Commissioner Droste recommended having Laurie Crow and a bank discuss what we are doing for small businesses. Mr. Droste discussed an event he attended for the Workforce Improvement Board where larger businesses discussed a partnership that brings students into the businesses, and suggested seeing what our local businesses or school district are doing. CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT Chair Weisensel discussed an article he read regarding big box stores being built in smaller urban formats. Commissioner Droste recommended a longer format goal setting session and inquired if the Port Authority could be reworked to engage the community more. Commissioners discussed various potential efforts the Port could pursue. Chair Weisensel presented the option for an additional, longer goal setting session. Mr. Wolf recommended discussing draft at the January meeting, with further discussion on the first Tuesday in February. Ms. Lindquist pointed out that the Comprehensive Plan process will be beginning soon, and there is a portion of that is Economic Development and a draft schedule for that process will be available in the next few weeks. Commissioner Droste discussed difficulties with the Comp Plan process and that the plan is very long term. Commissioner Droste discussed one of the Resilient Communities projects concerned asset-based community development and the Port should reengage that professor. DIRECTOR’S REPORT None REPORTS FROM PORT AUTHORITY COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Droste stated the Chamber Holiday luncheon is tomorrow. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Port Authority and upon a motion by DeBettignies, second by Smith, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 6:50 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Clarissa Hadler, City Clerk