Thursday, June 7, 2007
Administrative Center – Room 3220
7:30 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Doyle, Steve O’Malley, Mary Jo Werner, William Shepherd, Barry Bertelsen, J. Terry Hanson, John Wettstein, Don Brenengen (exc @8:23), Judy Fuchsteiner (exc. @8:58), Audrey Kader (arr @7:35), Vicki Burke (arr @7:36), Brad Pfaff (arr @7:43), Gary Ingvalson (arr @7:44), Tara Johnson (exc/arr @7:46)
MEMBERS EXCUSED: George Hammes
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Brian Fukuda, Charlie Handy, Greg Flogstad, Jennifer Kuderer, Karl Green, Cheryl Stephen
Steve Doyle, as President of the Board, called the meeting to order at 7:32 a.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Fuchsteiner/Brenengen to approve minutes of May 3, 2007. President Doyle requested two corrections: to include the vote under the closed session motion, as follows: Motion carried unanimously; Hammes, Shepherd, Werner, and Johnson excused; Wettstein and Pfaff absent; and the second correction needed is the time of adjournment, that being 8:55 a.m. (not p.m.). Motion carried unanimously; Hammes and Johnson excused; Kader, Burke, Pfaff, and Ingvalson absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None requested.
APPROVE PAYMENT OF VOUCHERS
Charlie Handy reviewed the 3 vouchers that were submitted for approval; a handout was distributed.
· CP Rail $ 6,000.00 - basic rental fee
· Wieser Brothers 15,630.82 - temporary access road as needed for River Steel
· Badger Environmental 76,096.55 - contractor – pay request #2
MOTION by Kader/Shepherd to approve the above 3 payments as presented. Motion carried unanimously; Hammes and Johnson excused; Pfaff and Ingvalson absent.
ACCEPT COUNTY FARM MASTER PLAN BIDS
Charlie reviewed the handout that included the County Farm master plan bid summary. He noted 4 bids received, though one was received after 5:00 p.m. on the due date; but the bid specifications did not include a time deadline – only a date. Summary of bids as follows:
Vierbicher & Assoc. $ 95,330.00
Mead & Hunt 72,000.00
Schreiber Anderson & Assoc. 48,350.00
MSA & Assoc. 31,500.00 (rec’d after 5:00 p.m. on due date)
Charlie noted that because MSA came in after 5:00, that he did not have time to review it prior to the start of today’s meeting. President Doyle asked this matter could be held over to next month’s meeting. Charlie noted instead of September completion, it would be October for completion date. MOTION by Kader/Wettstein to hold over the approval of the County Farm master plan bid pending review of all of the submitted bids. Motion carried unanimously; Hammes and Johnson excused; Pfaff and Ingvalson absent.
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FUNDING REQUEST FOR LAKEVIEW BUSINESS PARK DVD
Brian Fukuda reviewed. The DVD, as prepared by the Blu Group including the pamphlets, was viewed at the last meeting. A quote was received to produce additional DVD’s in order to send to potential business prospects and for distribution at trade shows. Quotes for producing a quantity of two types of DVD’s: (1) full-size DVD estimated at $1.70-1.85 each and business-card style DVD estimated at $1.80-2.00 each with price depending upon quantity ordered. There are funds available in the Business/Industry Promotion account to cover the expense. The DVD will also be placed on the County Economic Development website. MOTION by Burke/Shepherd to approve the purchase of business-card type DVD’s in an amount not to exceed $1,800 to be paid from the Economic Development budget - Business/Industry Promotion account. Motion carried unanimously; Hammes excused.
ELECTRICAL EXTENSION UTILITY AGREEMENT WITH XCEL ENERGY
Charlie reviewed; a copy of the contract was available for those interested in viewing it. Xcel Energy cost for street lights at $7,819.14 and electrical service at $17,999.96 – total of $25,819.10; this is higher than TIF estimate which was $20,000; the extra amount will not affect the cash flow though staff will continue to watch. Discussion followed. Noted this was not done by competitive bid process as Xcel is the provider of three-phase power for the park; the street lights could have been bid, but not required per County ordinance based on amount. President Doyle requested more competitive bidding on future items. MOTION by Kader/Burke to approve the electrical extension utility agreement with Xcel Energy, including street lights, in total amount of $25,819.10. Motion carried unanimously; Johnson abstained; Hammes excused.
RESOLUTION RE CERTIFICATION OF FEDERAL EDA FUNDED REVOLVING LOAN FUND
MOTION by Burke/Johnson to approve the resolution. Greg Flogstad said this is a yearly requirement and that the revolving loan funds are being operated in accordance with the policies and procedures contained in the RLF Plan and the loan portfolio meets the standards contained there in. Motion carried unanimously; Hammes excused.
LOAN FUND STATUS REPORT
Copies of the three revolving loan funds financial information, including revenues, expenses and balances for current and past years, were distributed. Current “cash” balances as follows.
· Fund #1 (county) $ 92,886
· Fund #2 (DOC) 92,442
· Fund #3 (CDBG) 341,035
(Note: these balances do not include recent loan to River Steel.)
PROTECTIVE COVENANT ENFORCEMENT ON ALDIN STECKER
Charlie reviewed, noting noncompliance by the property owner, Aldin Stecker who lives in Mason City IA; the property leasee is Frito Lay. The covenants require completion within 18 months after building permit issued which made it February 2007. Letters, including certified letter, were sent to Mr. Stecker. Staff met with Mr. Stecker on June 6th, and he understands the seriousness of it; other tenants have complained as they are in compliance; have another meeting scheduled with him on June 11th. His reason for not complying is that he wanted to wait until the 2nd building was up which would be before July, 2009. Brian showed photos of the site; items not in compliance are: landscaping requirements, irrigation system, stormwater facility, painted concrete foundation, and enclosed dumpster area. Charlie noted the County was to provide two laterals from center of road to his property line at cost of $5,000 each per building, so there is $5,000 now and $5,000 for the 2nd building, if needed, but County staff prefers not to
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do the work. Discussion followed. Other options: take to Small Claims Court to collect cost of doing the required work per the covenants or to collect via property tax bill. Audrey noted this as a learning experience as this was the first piece of property sold in the park. Mary Jo Werner questioned if the right to offset is in the contract. President Doyle requested the right to offset be in future contracts. MOTION by Johnson/Brenengen to authorize staff to pursue compliance to the extent to complete the job based on covenant requirements, following the 10-day expiration as noted in the certified letter. Motion carried unanimously; Hammes excused.
AGENCY REPORTS
Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission (MRRPC) – Copies of the “MRRPC 2007-2012 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy” (CEDS Report) were distributed. Greg Flogstad reviewed, noting effective 2006, new federal regulations/requirements within the report, including elimination of the yearly report requirement. This new six-year report serves as a strategy to help prosperity for every county and community; it qualifies the regional 9 counties, including towns, villages, cities, universities, technical colleges, and businesses to be eligible for EDA program assistance under its public works and economic development facilities programs, technical research programs, loan programs and planning programs. Through the years, millions of federal EDA dollars/grants have funded industrial parks, economic research studies, public facility projects and business loans. He noted the Workforce Development Board and MRRPC have approved the report which no longer requires each County to approve it. Charlie noted this report as being very valuable to County economic development staff.
Others – No other reports given.
LAKEVIEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECT UPDATE
Charlie reviewed the need for a change order as noted in a previous handout. It’s for additional sewer and water work by Badger Environmental as needed for River Steel project which was not in their original contract. This was approved by the County engineer and also within the TIF estimate. MOTION by Kader/Fuchsteiner to approve the change order in amount of $8,554.66 for Badger Environmental to do additional work relating to sewer and water. Motion carried unanimously; Hammes and Brenengen excused.
Brian showed progress-made (April-May) photos of the business park; progress is moving quickly. Jennifer Kuderer of LADCO noted their production of a slide show, including fly-over pictures; this will be presented at a Chicago trade-show in coming weeks.
Staff distributed a handout relating to “Cash Flow Analysis Phase 1B”, noting some of it based on assumptions. Will use the reimbursement from EDA grant to complete the next 700 feet of Phase 1B; the next 1,000 feet will be done at a later date as needed. Charlie and Brian are going to meet with EDA people on June 19 in Chicago, as kick-off meeting re the 2nd phase. Charlie asked for approval by the board to pursue the next portion of 2nd phase, that being 700 feet which was bid by Badger Environmental at a bid price of $366,890, contingent upon grant reimbursement and signing of development agreements with new prospects. President Doyle questioned where this was listed on the agenda. Bill Shepherd suggested going into closed session to discuss negotiations with new prospects.
CLOSED SESSION (8:38 a.m.)
MOTION by Johnson/Hanson to enter into closed session pursuant to s. 19.85(1)(e), Wis. Stats., deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed
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session, to wit: discuss negotiations with prospects in Lakeview Business Park. Motion carried
unanimously; Hammes and Brenengen excused.
OPEN SESSION (8:58 a.m.)
MOTION by Kader/Pfaff to reconvene to open session. Motion carried unanimously; Hammes and Brenengen excused.
REPORTED CLOSED SESSION ACTION
MOTION by Kader/Ingvalson to authorize staff to negotiate amending the developer’s agreement with Prospect A to include the installation of 700 lineal feet of public utilities to be completed by time of closing in 2008, subject to contingencies that the contract and funding for said utilities be approved by the La Crosse County Board. Motion carried unanimously; Hammes and Brenengen excused.
LAKEVIEW PHASE 2 – CONCEPT, TIMELINE, AND LAND PURCHASE
Distributed two informational sheets entitled: (1) Proposal for Phase 2 of the Lakeview Business Park – La Crosse County Community Development, June 2007 and (2) TIF Amendment Timeline 6/1/07. The information included the success of Phase 1, grants received, proposed annexation, proposed amendment to TIF #1 and revenue sharing agreement, summary of full development of the business park, summary of expected full build-out, and proposed project timeline, including various related dates. Brian noted staff is starting to work on Phase 2 of the park. This same information was presented to the Village Board. Brian showed the proposed annexation via large map; the Town of Hamilton is not opposed as they are not receiving any taxes from the land as it’s County owned and they realize the municipal services will be provided by the Village. Staff would like to pursue approval for authorization to petition the Village of West Salem for annexation; some land will remain as a County park. MOTION by Johnson/Werner to recommend to the Public Works & Infrastructure Committee the start of the annexation process. Motion carried unanimously; Hammes, Brenengen, and Fuchsteiner excused.
In relation to negotiations with possible new tenant(s) who need larger parcels, there is the need to push for start of Phase 2. Staff would like to start the process and prepare projection figures as well as adding all of Phase 2 to the TIF. MOTION by O’Malley/Burke to give preliminary approval for staff to start the process for Phase 2, subject to review of the figures. Brian noted all of this will be presented at the August meeting including the TIF amendment. Motion carried unanimously; Hammes, Brenengen and Fuchsteiner excused.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Amendment of the covenants
Report on Aldin Sticker enforcement
River Steel project schedule
Start process of bidding street lights
Renewable Energy Report by Karl Green
NEXT REGULAR MEETING
Thursday, July 5th at 7:30 a.m. Will survey the members re their availability.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Hanson/Ingvalson to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously; Hammes, Brenengen, and Fuchsteiner excused. The meeting adjourned at 9:10 a.m.
Disclaimer: The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.
Cheryl Stephen, Recorder