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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
                              July 23, 2024 – 10:30 a.m.


1.  Call to Order
   Chairperson Beles called the meeting to order at 10:32 a.m.

2.  Roll Call
   Roll call found Chairperson Beles, and Commissioners Harms, Espinosa, Johnson (arrived at
   10:45 a.m.), Sabathne, and Ventimiglia (left at 11:43 a.m.) present. With five members present
    at the start of the meeting, a quorum was established.

   The following staff were in attendance: Community Development Director Tom Dabareiner
    (arrived at 10:35 a.m. and left at 11:03 a.m.), Assistant Community Development Director/City
   Planner John Sterrett, and Economic Development Coordinator Kelley Chrisse.

3.  Public Comment
   None.

4. Approval of the April 30, 2024 Meeting Minutes
   Commissioner Espinosa made a motion to approve the April 30, 2024 Special Meeting
   Minutes, which was seconded by Commissioner Harms. The motion passed unanimously via
   voice vote (Commissioner Johnson had not yet arrived).

5. Downtown Investment Grant Program
   Ms. Chrisse explained the City Council had previous conversations about the use of funding
    to address property maintenance violations.  There had not been support for using public
   funding in  this manner  in those discussions, but  it was unclear how long ago those
    conversations took place. The Commission, however, explained their perspective on fighting
    against blight and that there is not an issue with abuse of this program. Rather, the problem is
    that the program is not used.  It was also noted that residential and commercial properties are
    different so there isn’t a precedent being set by assisting property owners to improve their
    property, which would benefit the entire downtown area. There was discussion about the code
    violation process and it was agreed that when the property owner is put on notice (given a
    warning), that the City would provide information on this program to assist them in addressing
    the issue. However, if no action is taken on the warning and it progresses to a ticket (Notice
    to Appear), the property owner would be ineligible for assistance with the Downtown
   Investment Program.

    Additional discussion included eliminating a maximum funding available per Applicant, as the
   Commission suggested that there could be a developer that wants to make improvements to
    multiple buildings in the downtown, which would be encouraged. It was also agreed, however,
    that if this becomes problematic in the future, that the Commission would revisit the matter.

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The Commission also discussed the amount of time that an Applicant must wait before
   applying for subsequent funding. The consensus was that five years was too long, especially
     if a property owner can only take on either smaller projects or one at a time. As a result, the
   Commission agreed that an Applicant can apply for funding every two years. However, there
   was also a clarification offered that the wait period does not apply to Applicants who did not
   complete a previously approved project, as they would not have received the funding.

    Staff inquired about the need to have some security for the larger grant awards but the
   Commission agreed that a forgivable loan structure is not necessary from their perspective.
   However, if the City Council were to have reservations about the significantly larger grant
   awards, then the forgivable loan structure would be a recommended option. The Commission
   agreed that this program, if approved, should not be effective until January 1 to coincide with
    the fiscal year budget.

6.  Retail & Restaurant Grant Program
   Ms. Chrisse reviewed  the proposed  revisions.  The Commission discussed adding a
   requirement to only reimburse expenses paid to a legitimate business. With the proliferation
    of many online services, there was some conversation about the challenges that might exist
   with proving the business is legally established. Additionally, there was a desire to show proof
    of work as part of the reimbursement process to ensure that the funding was used for a service
    that was actually rendered.

7.  Staff Report – Ms. Chrisse provided updates on businesses within the community to include
    the closure of Cocoa Notes Bakeshop, the fire in the building occupied by Good Morning
   Family, and Jel Sert’s major investment to add new manufacturing lines at their facility on
   Charles Ct that will add at least 50 new jobs. Other updates include: the bowling alley has
   been purchased and the new owners intend to renovate the space for entertainment uses; the
   former Shell station will be redeveloped but has not yet been scheduled for the Plan
   Commission; insufficient electrical capacity is limiting the ability for property in the Roosevelt
   Rd-Fabyan Pkwy TIF District; and there was a grant application submitted for aesthetic and
    safety improvements, as well as service upgrades.

8. Commissioner Reports - None

9. Adjournment – Commissioner Harms made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by
   Commissioner Espinosa. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote. The meeting was
   adjourned at 11:58 a.m. (Commissioner Ventimiglia left prior to adjournment.).

Respectfully Submitted,
Kelley Chrisse, Economic Development Coordinator


Economic Development Commission
July 23, 2024 Minutes  | Approved October 22, 2024
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