Bob's Bob emailed and said he wasn't going to be able to make it today, but I didn't I checked my emails. I made sure I didn't uh um hear anything from from Bonnie. So, >> all right, we're ready to rock and roll. All right, we'll call to order this
meeting of the EDA for January 15, 2026. Um, why don't we rise for the pledge of allegiance? I know it's not on the agenda, but let's go ahead and do that since all the other >> all the other boards do it. >> Yes. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right. Uh so consider approval of the agenda. So everybody's got a copy of
the agenda agenda. Are there any additions, deletions, or corrections to the agenda? I move we approval of the agenda. >> Motion to approve by Evelyn, second by Scott. All in favor or any discussion on that? >> All in favor?
>> I opposed. All right. Agenda's approved. Consider approval of the minutes from the December 18th, 2025 regular meeting. Any additions, deletions, or corrections to the minutes? Move to approve the minutes as presented.
>> Motion to approve by Palava. Second by Duban. All in favor of approval of the minutes. >> Opposed. All right. Minutes are approved. Consider approval of the December 2025 treasures report and monthly bills.
>> All right. Well, good morning everybody. >> Uh December had a beginning balance uh between the three accounts of 130,000 30467. We had revenues of 24,35695. um that consisted of the monthly
revolving loan uh fund repayment by the pets stopped clinic and then um the let's see 70% of the second half of the um property tax levy and we'll receive
the remaining balance in January. Uh expenses of $6,43230. Um we had the um monthly social media uh expense and then um half of the
uh retail and commercial uh feasibility market study analysis. Uh and then bills to be paid for January would be uh December social media expenses. Um, included with the stats report and the treasury report is um are the uh
invoices to be paid and then the revenue and expense guide for each of the EDA's three accounts. >> Great. Thank you, Joel. Um, any discussion on the treasures report? >> Motion to approve treasures report. All
right. Motion to approve by Palava. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second by Duban. All in favor? >> Opposed? All right, thank you very much. Looks like we have no old business. So, moving on to new business. Introduction of new ED member, EDA member Morgan
Kudson. >> Good morning, everyone. >> Welcome, Morgan. Um, let's see. Joel, do we >> Yeah, just real brief. Um, Laura Perty was um on the EDA for 12 years. She chose not to to reapply, so we uh had an opening. Um, Morgan applied. Uh, the
mayor and myself interviewed her on December 12th. um she interviewed well and has um uh lots of experience and um looking to increase her connections with uh the community. So, didn't want to steal your thunder when you want to
introduce yourself, but actually welcome. >> Push the button there. >> Oh, let's do that. >> Oh, actually you turn it over and then button on the left. Hold that till it comes on. >> Yeah. And then you push the talk button for the microphone. There you go.
>> All right. So, there we go. Good morning, everyone. Uh, yeah. Uh, really excited to be here. Um, I I don't know which one. I've lived in Lonzale for the last 5 and a half years. Um, work experience. So, I've worked for the city of St. Paul running a federal grant
program. I currently work for the city of Bloomington uh as a business analyst working with all of the different departments around the city of Bloomington making sure that what we're doing aligns with where we want to go as a city and um also prior to that worked
in higher ed where actually worked with businesses to build mutually beneficial relationships on them informing curriculum but then also them hiring our talent. So really figuring out and working with businesses of what's attractive to them and how can we support them and a lot of times how do
we make things easier because as you all know sometimes it's hard to get stuff done and you know that's let's find a way to do it together. So yeah it's a little bit about me. Live here with my husband, my two dogs, a cat. >> It's good stuff. >> Excellent. >> Yeah.
>> Anyone have any questions for Morgan? >> Well I'm excited. I know um you came to the council meeting last week and and we got a chance to meet you there as well. So, I'm excited to work with you with your background and I think you bring great things to the EDA. So, welcome. >> Thank you.
>> Welcome. >> All right. We don't need any action on that. Um so, moving on. Next item, election of officers. So, we're going to go through the >> beginning of the year housekeeping. Right. >> Exactly. Uh so the uh January meeting is
uh our annual meeting elections take place. Um I guess current or last year's board members uh Laura Priggy was the president. Um Brian Wormkers VP myself secretary and Tammy Bro um our city treasurer treasurer.
The president and vice president do need to be members of the board but the secretary and treasurer do not. Um, I don't think anything out of the ordinary. Basically, the president uh presides over the meetings in charge of day-to-day operations. VP essentially fills in in the presence president's
absence. Uh, secretary provided notice of meetings, takes the minutes, and then the treasurer um does the treasur's report and pays the bills. Uh, process would be to open nominations. Um, board members um are
nominated to the specific office. Last call. Uh, nominations are voted on. So, I guess with that, I turn it over to the board for 126 elections. >> All right. So, um, yeah, I I'll just throw it out. I I am interested in
serving as president if you folks are interested in having me. I don't know if anybody else is interested. And and I would not be hurt in any way, shape, or form if there's an actual election. I I believe in elections. So, um, I'll throw my name into the hat and then I'll open it up for any other nominations if
anybody else wants to nominate. >> So, the other day we were we were communicating chat. He he we were we were messaging back and forth. He says, "I'm going to put my hat in." I said, "Funny, I was too." So, >> so, um, but yeah, I'm I'm open to, you know, working with it. I didn't I didn't
know at the time that, you know, prior to that thing. And I mean, it was just kind of a casual conversation and and again, I mean, Scott, if you >> Yeah, it it Yeah, I'm good either way. I just uh I guess we can decide if anybody else is interested or >> Yeah, I'll open it up to the board. Let
you guys decide what you want to uh throw out for a motion. >> Okay. I move we have uh have uh Oh gosh, my mind. Worm Christian here for president. And can I do the vice president at the same time, too? Or not? They have to be two
separate >> two separate elections. >> Correct. >> Okay. Yeah. We're Miss Christian. >> Okay. So, we have a motion by Evelyn. Is there a second for that? >> What was the motion? >> Uh for president for myself for Brian. >> Okay.
>> Is there a second? >> I'll second. >> Okay. Second by Bonnie. Any discussion? Or do we want to just move right to a vote? >> I'd make a motion for Scott to be president. >> Okay. So we have >> well um >> so you have a motion. >> So we've got nominations I guess
nominations. So is there do we need a second for nominations? >> I don't believe we do. Do we? >> I don't think so. I think you just >> No, I move nominations cease and castinous ballot. >> Motion to close nominations and move to election. So we've got Scott and myself. Um you know and again I'm I'm not
opposed to having it go either way. Um so I I'll trust I trust the judgment of the EDA. That would be my stunt speech. >> Yeah. >> Do we go by paper ballot or what do we do now? >> Just voice vote, right? Unless unless somebody moves for
uh secret ballot, which I think would just slow the process down. >> Yeah. >> All right. So, uh we'll start. Uh all in favor of Brian for president, say I or raise your hand. I guess >> raise your hand. >> I favor either one of them.
>> I'll I'll say I. I guess you got to make a decision here though. >> One, two, three, four, and then uh all in favor of Scott for president two. Okay. So, all right. So, we uh have
that done as awkward as it was. So, we'll now move on to vice president. >> I nominate Scott Pava for vice. >> Okay. Scott for vice president. I also second that nomination. And are there any other nominations for vice president?
One going twice. No. Okay. Um, closing nominations. Move to a vote. All in favor of Scott Palavas, vice president of the EDA, say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? All right. Knock that out. Um, can we do treasurer and secretary in
one since it's staff? >> Does it? No, I'm just kidding. >> IT DOESN'T HAVE TO. OKAY. Are there any? So, uh, everybody wants >> I'm just kidding. I'm fine. I'm gay. >> I would nominate Joel. Actually, we could make Cory the secretary, right?
>> Silence. >> I I am fine with secretary and treasure not changing. Uh, Scott or Scott, I'm sorry, Scott. >> Joel and Tammy do a fantastic job for us and have for years. Um, I nominate both
for those positions. Again, are there any other nominations for secretary? Seeing none, all in favor of Joel Ericson for secretary. >> I. >> Any opposed? All right. Treasurer Tammy. Same motion. >> So move. >> Yep. >> Second.
>> Any other nominations for secret or treasurer? >> All right. All in favor of Tammy staying as treasur say I. >> I. >> Opposed. All right. Great. knocked out our our officers. Moving right along, 2025 year in review,
Mr. Ericson. >> Yeah. So, some of the things that the EDA worked on uh last year, um probably the biggest was our uh small cities development program grant. Um I know I say this at every meeting, but
awarded $431,250 to rehab 15 homes. We got two projects that are completed. Um several other application or projects are are in the works. Guess I'll provide a more detailed update um later in the meeting. Um just kind of going throughout the
year election of officers, the chamber attended the or I'm sorry, the EDA attended the chamber's annual dinner. We participated in their street fair uh in May down in the um Rolling Ridge Marketplace. Uh we had discussion on
what other uh agencies provide for financial incentives. Um provided a contribution to the southern Minnesota initiative foundation. Um some discussion on um vision for the next business park or next phase.
Uh we approved our facade rehabilitation program uh policy and provided funds for that for this year. uh rekindled our uh business retention and expansion program.
Um visited uh Scan Air Filter and um provided the the survey and there was interest from Ivory and Onyx to participate and I also spoke with um Jace at the hardware store. Um he said he'd participate in the program. So he
has the the survey um and is filling that out. But once I hear back from him, I'll I'll let you guys know. >> Awesome. >> The uh market feasibility study, um the treasures report, we made the down or 50% down payment for that. Um we did
apply to Smith for a grant. Um unfortunately, we didn't receive that. We were a sponsor of the Chambers FrostyFest. Uh we agreed to sponsor the June 9th, 2026 chamber networking event.
uh recently approved resolution 2025-01 um recommending the tax abatement application to the city council. Worked on our 26 budget. Uh throughout the year we attended uh several chamber networking events and then um were also
invited to ribbon cutings for um Lndale's Takaria two if byc tactical lndale hardware city hall mine on main DIY craft shack uh and to the point Dance Academy and then uh here towards
the end of the year we reviewed our uh social media marketing campaign. So brief overview of 2025. >> Thank you Joel. Is there any discussion or questions on that overview? I know there's going to be some of those points
that uh we get into a little detail the development grant and then the business visits. We'll have some more further in the agenda, but anything from the recap over the year? I'm excited to continue on on some of
this stuff and to really, you know, highlight the the EDA. I think we can uh do more this year. Um, you know, I think there's uh there's a lot of opportunity in Lndale and I think the EDA is is definitely something that should be a
part of making sure that opportunity happens in the right way um that benefits the citizens and and the tax base here in Lndale. So, I'm excited to see what we can pull off this year. >> All right,
moving on. Update on EDA small cities development housing rehabilitation grant. Mr. Ericson. >> Um, so we've got two projects that have been completed. Uh, the third basement or I'm sorry, the third project, excuse me, >> is a basement.
>> Only be our second basement. Uh, project three, uh, basement foundation repair. Um we're working with the property owner on that. Um we provided u a contact to at least um assist in getting um
uh solid or um recommended um repair. So that's how the the project was um kind of the scope of work was put together. um the in conversations with the property owner um they have to she has
to get a couple things done before the actual work can be done. So she's working on progressing through through those. Um we had one project that was bid. I think they brought us up at the last meeting and the contractor that um was would have had been awarded the
contract um declined to do the project because he didn't want to be the general contractor the way that he bid the project. He wanted every um trade to be on their own or under their
um company's name. So he said that that's that's not that's not the way he runs his business. So he um declined to to move forward. So that property owner is working on finding another contractor contractors to to bid on the project.
Uh another project I got an email yesterday from Rice County that they are ready to sign the um repayment agreement. So um we don't have an exact date, but uh anticipating that that agreement gets signed and recorded next week. And once
that's done, construction can begin. And then um provided several property owners with information on the the um the program and you know income guidelines and what are qualified improvements and I haven't heard anything um back from
them. One did submit the um the inquiry in uh information and I did forward that to Rice County. So, um hopefully 26 we pound out a few more projects >> because I do know um in future
applications your track record is going to be a a big thing. So, >> yeah. Unfortunately, I think that the hardest part for Lonsdale is that income, >> right? >> That income thing. I mean, there's plenty of people who have projects that they want to do, but those income
thresholds disqualify a lot of people >> that and people that do qualify don't necessarily want >> additional cost. >> Well, that information there, their their incomes out there >> now, >> and it's like, yeah, this goes right to
Rice County. >> This isn't public, right? Yeah, that information is not public. People can't look up, oh, there was this project. I want to see what the income of the homeowner was. That's not public information, is it? >> I guess I would air in the caution and say it probably is. >> Okay.
>> I mean, I guess I can appreciate >> even if it's even if they don't know the exact number, they they end up knowing it's below the threshold. That's true. That's true. >> Yeah. At a minimum, if you participated in the program, >> not to scare people away. I mean, we definitely want to get this money out
there and help people with it. I mean, we have it. We have it. It's available. We should >> Exactly. use it. So, I hope people aren't scared off from that. I mean, at the end of the day, improve your home. Let us help you. >> Exactly.
>> Any further discussion on the small cities development housing grant. Morgan, if you have any questions on any of these, we're happy to do a a brief history. Yep. Absolutely. I am also a research nut. So I >> you spent some time >> spent some time in the documents to know
where we're at, what we're doing. >> That's awesome. All right, we'll move on then to the next item. Update on the business retention and expansion business visit program. Mr. Ericson. >> All right. Um well, as I said in our
year in review, we uh visited scan air filter for our our first business. um sent out the uh survey to Ivory and Onyx waiting to hear back from them now that their kind of holiday season, busy time of the season is over. And like I said,
I spoke with Jace with Lawndale Hardware. Um he said he'd participate in the program and he has the the application. Once I get that back, I'll uh get some dates from him and get that survey out to you guys, kind of summarize it, get that out to you guys
and whoever can attend um can attend. And be good. >> Yeah, I encourage everybody to attend those. It was really um an an enlightening and eye-opening um visit to Scan Air Filter. Uh getting to know the
owners there. They're great. Um they're very happy to be here and it was fun to hear the story of them, how they came to Lansdale, how they came to choose Lndale. It really reinforced that we've got a great great city here and you know
it's good for people. It's good for people to move here residentially. It's good for people to move here economically. Um there's lots of opportunity here. So these visits are good. It gives us a good insight into who we have and you know who we want to attract. And that's
one of the questions I ask when I'm there may is what would you like to see that we don't offer right now? Who can we help try to recruit to Lonsdale business-wise to support what you're doing? Um any other discussion on this?
One question I have um just because I'm thinking um would it be worthwhile does anybody think to include maybe some of the churches in town on our visits because technically those are businesses even
though they're nonprofit businesses they're still businesses and I know like um uh I don't know why I'm spacing on the the name the church by the legion Triumph. Triumphant life. Thank you. Um, you know, they have land. They have a
long-term plan to expand. >> You know, um, I know Immaculate Conception has been doing quite a bit of work. They're in the middle of their capital campaign there. So, there's a lot of work going on there. There's contractors. How do you choose your contractors? That kind of stuff. Maybe
those are questions worth asking. So, I I I'm just going to throw it out there. What does the the board think about including maybe expanding those those business visits to say reach out to the the faith community and say would you be interested in connecting with the EDA?
What do you guys think? I >> don't think it's a bad idea. I I don't know. Uh I mean I guess yeah they do support the community in multiple levels, not just in worship. So, >> you know, >> they might have a good pulse on really
where where this this the city sits as far as um a a soft measure of of uh the economy. >> Yeah. >> You know, they they they you know, when people are tithing or, you know, giving, you know, they they might see how that >> that cycles.
>> Yeah. I didn't never thought about that. You know, the other thing, too, is um >> these are gathering points for our community, right? So the there's a lot of opportunities for people to get together and socialize. So there's, you know, it's it's I mean I don't want to
to to belittle faith in any way, shape, or form, but it's kind of a water cooler situation, right? You've got gathering points and again they are businesses. I mean, I know I've had conversations with Father Vandenbrookie and, you know, he considers himself a business owner in in
Lndale and absolutely um looks at at the church as a business in this community supporting this community. So, um >> I guess the only thing I remember back to when I think it was in that conception that applied was it a grant
or something >> and we denied it. >> That that was a zone that was because of zoning. Well, >> yeah, >> kind of a technicality. >> Yeah, but >> I'm just saying it and I think it was I think it was with Father Vandenbrookie. So, is he going to remember that? And
>> probably >> and now we reach out and >> um you know how to >> if he were to do it again, are we going to >> I mean, I realized that >> we addressed that, didn't we, when we I think we specifically had a discussion
maybe not last year, but the year before. I thought when we were kind of talking about that I I distinctly remember the conversation. I wasn't on the EDA when he applied. >> No, you weren't. >> But I remember there was a discussion around do we want to include >> I think >> nonprofits. >> I think we did but I don't know if we
>> Well, yeah. At that time it was the it was the the way that the property was owned. That was the letter the letter of the >> And is it still the same? Has that changed? >> I think it hasn't changed. No. No. So, >> but you know that but
>> I'm just saying you know if if we want to be available to everyone then maybe we need to take a look at first being able to include everyone. >> Yeah. I mean you know there's things that I mean well we can we can talk about the the small cities development
the rehabilitation grant you know I mean it's not available to everyone. there's income based. We have different programs for different um demographics within our community. Um you know, and if we don't want to do it, that's fine. I just thought I'd throw it
out there. Um and again, if we do say yes, we do want to do it, it's their prerogative to say, "No, thank you. I'm good." >> Right? But I just I just wanted to make sure everyone was aware that they you know that they did apply for >> that's good to know going into it.
>> Yeah. >> I mean I wouldn't be against it either. But >> I mean, I don't know. Do we >> But then maybe if if you know, if we do want to be help more helpful, then maybe we need to take a look at approaching the council or whoever and changing the
zoning on the >> or we would change the the restrictions on the on the grant. >> Oh, yeah. That we have power to do >> and and maybe that's something we need to look at with our our facade >> current grant, you know? I mean, >> do we want to do that? Do we want to re
re-examine the >> criteria on that for the next meeting? >> I know we're kind of advertising already, right? >> It's out. Yeah. >> Yeah. I mean, we can we can still
look at those rules. I mean, that's >> And this is the last year, correct? >> How many more years do we have? >> This one we just started for this year. >> The facade. Facade grant is a one year. Yeah. All right. The the the the rehabilitation grant, the home
rehabilitation grant is a couple years. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Actually, it's the end of this year, right? The projects have to be >> Yes. in flight by the end of this year, right? >> Uh completed by >> completed. >> Yeah. By the end of the year, correct? >> Yeah. >> I do we do you need any motion?
I guess what do people think about including the churches? I guess we never really kind of came since I threw it out there. >> I think it's a good idea. Yeah. >> I feel like we should be open whether they're a for-profit or nonprofit, like we should be open to visiting them and hearing their concerns because they're
going to have different concerns, >> right? >> And other than staff time, there's no real cost to us, >> right? >> You know, you know, >> I mean, volunteer time and and and staff salaries, you know. So,
>> any other thoughts? No. >> All right. >> Okay. >> Maybe reach out just see cuz who knows? They could all say no. No thank you. We're good. >> All right. Anything else on the uh program visits?
We'll probably want to depending on next round, we'll probably have to think about who's next. Right. >> Correct. Yeah, >> maybe in February bring it up again to kind of get the target list. >> We got, you know, Tanco, Tamco, Mind,
Londale Packaging, Minnesota Milwork Works and Fixtures. >> Yeah. >> Kind of doing the alternating between uh manufacturing and retail. >> Yeah. >> All right. Great. >> Thank you everyone. Uh we'll move on.
Next item, social media marketing update. Mr. Corey. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. uh Westbrook marketing uh contract expired on December 31st, 2025 and Holly has removed herself from the lawn sales social media platforms will not be
providing a January 2026 marketing calendar. Uh staff will provide the update on the December stats. Um, at the December 22nd, uh, 2025 city council meeting, the council approved the social media proposals submitted by Sophie and
Steven Orlick of the Bad Hippies uh, LLC. Uh, Sophie and Stevie Orlick will resume uh, city lawn social media contractual work once the new contract and actually the contract has been executed. the city administrator and I
are meeting with Sophie and Stephen at three o'clock this afternoon to kick off our uh uh 2026 social media initiative. Uh I know that the city administrator and I have a great priority on the small cities uh development grant and the new
facade grant program. They are number one and two on our discussion list with our first quarter initiatives. So everything is in place with Sophie and Steven. I'm not sure if the board knows, but uh Sophie is the chair of our newly
uh uh formed uh Founders Day committee, and she is doing a a great job um with that uh advisory board. So, we see her today at 3:00. uh in your packet. Uh this is sort of old news, but this is a December calendar here that was
implemented with images. And then just a quick rundown on the December stats from Holly. Uh Holly uh wanted me to let you know that she appreciated working with everybody here on the EDA uh board. Um, just the last stats here is that uh Facebook visits
were up and uh the clicks were going to the website. Uh, but then it says our website traffic was down in December, but it's the holidays. Uh, and um there's not a whole lot of permits that were being pulled or um a lot of true or
a lot of action besides the council page um or the calendar. So, uh the YouTube videos as you could see there is Sophie right there. Uh there was our video uh for the month that was Sophie uh promoting uh the the
founders day committee. Uh remember that the founders day committee is on a initiative to fund raise uh and collect donations for the um founders festival. Uh here's a plug Sophie on July 3rd and bringing fireworks back to the city of
Lndale and to celebrate the rich history uh of Lndale and the 250th uh anniversary of the of America, United States. Uh so as far as the traffic goes, uh it's pretty
um e well uh pretty even flow here with with a few spikes, but otherwise, you know, we're excited to meet with Sophie and Steven this afternoon to talk about our initiatives uh and first quarter priorities. And uh you know, I I'm hoping that
there's a that her and um Stephen can really bring just a new perspective to where we're going with our social media. I have received comments uh that you know, hey, there's only 500, a little over 500 members on Facebook. Uh we're
hoping to double that uh and increase our uh social media presence in 2026. Uh also in your packet here, that is the proposal submitted by Sophie and Stephen um and the scope of work that they will be completing monthly. Uh, and uh, you
will meet Sophie and possibly Stephen at the next EDA meeting in February. Uh, quick introduction and just an update of where where the city is at, uh, with our platforms. So, uh, Mr. Chair,
>> thank you, Corey. Um, any questions, discussion on social media? I'm excited to see what they come with. >> I am, too. Uh, also just to, you know, kind of remind everyone, we're not paying the full bill for this. We're splitting it
with the city as a whole. Um, so it's not all going to be EDA content, but, um, you know, we're paying for half of it, so we we've got a good bulk of it. Um, I know these there there's a lot
of creative talk that's been going on from my understanding since uh the the award has been made. So, I I I'm excited because I feel like we're going to get some new creative ideas coming out of this that, you know, we're not social media
people necessarily. I mean, we might have some ideas, but people that work in the space can come up with some pretty interesting stuff. and I'm excited to see what they they bring to the table. >> Can I ask you a quick question? >> Absolutely. >> Um especially when it comes to like
business development, is there a reason why we're not active on LinkedIn? >> That's a great question. I don't know. >> First time it's been brought up. >> All right. >> Maybe that's something to throw at him at the meeting today. You know,
>> we have the opportunity at 3:00 today. >> Yeah. I mean, there's plenty of tools out there to cross post across multiple platforms. Do we have do we even have a a LinkedIn site? >> No. >> Yeah, it is considered an unclaimed business account right now.
>> Okay. EDA or Lndale? >> Lndale. >> So, that's the other question. Do at what level do we go? Do we have an EDA LinkedIn account or do we have a city of Lndale? How how uh how deep do we go with this? Maybe let's start with uh
would they be interested in also cross-osting to LinkedIn and helping us there? Start with that and then that'll tell us how much work we have to do versus how much work we we can use our social media experts on
because I think crossosting's >> fairly easy. Copy the post and dump it in there. But >> I think we have other discussions. You know, is it city of Londale? Is it EDA? Do we do both? Yeah, I guess some of the posts though, you know, LinkedIn is going to be directed more towards business and, you know, so I mean people
aren't going to we LinkedIn isn't going to be snowplowing and uh and you know, that kind of stuff. It >> there's going to need to there would definitely need to be some different uh content with that. >> Well, maybe that's the extra that we're paying versus the rest of the city, right? Because we're paying half, the rest of the city's paying half.
>> So, >> well, the total cost is $12,000, right, >> for the year and this EDA is paying three. Okay. So, maybe not quite half, >> right? >> It's worth the ask though, I'm sure. >> And like I said, the opportunity is at
3:00 today. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Let's see what they come back. >> And if that's something that they're not interested in or what, you know, it'd be an add-on or whatever. We could see what we could do, you know, developmentally. I mean, I'm guessing you probably Morgan, you probably would have, you know, some background, you know, in it
or whatever. You know, I do, too. And you know, obviously, you know, we we could probably build build something to at least get it started and then decide if it's worthwhile to >> to start spending money on it. >> Yeah. And if we need to, we can cherrypick posts from what Stephen and
Sophie do and just copy them over. Um >> yeah, that's a good idea. Maybe uh let's let's put that on February just to kind of circle back to it after after your meeting with them today and see what they say. >> Okay. >> Thank you for bringing that up. Any
other social media discussion? All right, great. Next item. Attendance at the Lawndale Area Chamber of Commerce annual dinner. >> Mr. Ericson, >> if you're going, I need to go. I need to know now. Pretty much that's straightforward. So,
>> okay, I better put my >> I'm going to go, but I'll pay for my own. So, don't use EDA funds for mine. >> We'll do the beef. two. >> Yeah. Two. >> Two for Evelyn.
>> Or if you don't want to do it on camera, we can just connect with Joel. At the end of the meeting, we we have to know for sure who's going >> getting done today. >> Yes. I I'm registering myself today as well. But like I said, I'm going I'll take care of my own. Don't put mine on
the EDA budget. And I say that because I know we removed it from the council budget. So, I I wouldn't feel right >> using the funds if the rest of the council is paying their own way. So, um I'll pay mine, but I am going.
>> Morgan, I would uh encourage you to go. It's it's a good event. >> Um it it's good to meet the chamber members. >> Um they're not all from Lndale, but um they all have a vested interest in Lndale, and >> yeah, it's it's a lot of fun, too. So, I
would highly recommend going if you have the chance. It's on the 27th. >> All right. Please see Joel after the meeting to confirm if you haven't already. >> It's the same as last. >> All right. Next item. H update on the apartment project and discussion of use
of financial incentives. All right. Um, so at the November meeting that EDA did approve resolution 2025-01, um, which was essentially recommending approval of the, uh, tax abatement application for the, um, apartment
project in town. Um this was also discussed uh at the well it was the city council voted to not approve the um the resolution approving tax abatement at the December 22nd meeting uh at their meeting last
week on the 8th. Uh there was discussion on uh the willingness to consider incentives on a case-byase basis. Uh all incentives are tools in the toolbox and will be project specific. uh city needs to be provided a benefit in exchange for
incentives. Incentives are needed to make projects feasible. Um looking for increased involvement uh of the EDA and initial project discussions and then just uh overall uh increased communication.
So I wanted to provide an an update on that and um and kind of have a discussion with with the EVA on on incentives. Um, and then I did include um the rest of my staff report in italics is what was presented
to the to the um the city council at their January 8th meeting. >> Thank you, Joel. >> I will open this up for discussion. Um, I think the the intent here is to get a
pulse from us about what we are open to as far as um incentive tools that we have available. Again, they're listed here. Um, excuse me. If anybody has any thoughts, I know Morgan, you
God bless you for sitting through that. >> Watch the YouTube video, everyone. >> Yeah. Sure. >> It was spicy. It was a spicy discussion if you haven't watched it. Um, >> popcorn early. >> Yeah. So, anybody have any thoughts?
>> Well, I mean, I can Yeah, I I mean, I can reiterate where I was, you know. Um, you know, I I like I said, an incentive is an incentive. it it's I don't view it should be a major component of of it. It should it should help. It doesn't I
don't think it should be the uh the cornerstone for a project. Um and that you know every every project is different. They they they bring different things as you know benefits to
the community. It doesn't necessarily have to be tax dollars. It could be jobs. It could be um you know future uh residential growth or whatever. There there's different benefits. So to say that one is going to fit everything is I don't think is fair. So um I think you
were the one that said depends. >> Yeah. Yeah. And I mean I think I I agree 100% with you Scott. I said the same thing at the council meeting. I you know um I I use the analogy of the toolbox. You know this is our toolbox. These are the tools in the box. depending on the job in front of you, it determines what
tool you take out of the box. Now, I I can appreciate that every developer is going to say, "How much can I get?" You know, I mean, if you're in business, it would be dumb not to say, "What what can I get? How can I increase my bottom line?" I mean, that's just the way
things work. But we, as the stewards of the taxpayer dollar have to say, is it worth it? I guess is what it comes down to at the end of the day. And that's where we need to, you know, look at what tools are there. What, you know, what's the likelihood of it happening with or
without, how badly do we want it and or need it, and you know, you know, what's the return on our investment really is what it comes down to. Um, so I I said I would be open to any of these things. This is what I said at the council meeting. I would be open to any
of these things as a discussion point depending on the project. you know um some things might be a very good opportunity to use tiff others are not abatement what do we get with our abatement what do we get for giving away
taxes and also we have to weigh the ramifications of doing those things >> you know are we setting a precedent on something are we you know um telling somebody yes when in the past we've told that same uh sort of a business no then
we look foolish because we're contradictory. >> Um >> although that it could depend on the economic conditions of the time too. >> That's true. There there you know you you know it could be a 7-year swing it changes things too. So you know just
because >> tax abatement I wouldn't go 75%. Like you know it was that's way that was way out of line. >> I was looking at feasibility studies. um the business really if they want to come into the town with the business people
uh they should pay for their own feasibility study why should the city pay for a feasibility study for them >> you know that's a real good point because I thought that same thing myself Evelyn but um you know having the discussion and this I don't know if we're we want to get too deep down this
road but >> the the hotel folks came and spoke to the city council and they did bring up a point that I think is a valid point. I don't know if it necessarily means we have to fund all feasibility studies, but the point that they made is if we're
funding the feasibility study, it looks biased. Mhm. >> It's better from a financing perspective to investors and banks to have a third party take care of the feasibility study because if I want to build a hotel,
I come in and pay for a feasibility study saying we need a hotel. It's hard to say, see, here's the feasibility study and the bank to say, well, you funded it. you know, um, so I I can appreciate that perspective and it's something I didn't think of before
they brought it up. >> I know with the apartment, uh, you know, we ended up covering that for the reasoning that we would own the >> the the data, you know, granted the data really only effective for what, year, 18 months, something like that. It's not
it's very short term. Yeah. >> So, um >> if we uh I if it was something that we as a as a city EDA or city council really wanted to do something, I think the feasibility
study funded by us would is that way. If somebody's coming from the outside and they're saying, "Is this something you guys want to do?" Well, why don't you spend the money and find out? >> Yeah. >> You know, that seems kind of non-com rather non-committal to them. Well, and
if you're coming here in the first place, right? >> Yeah. >> With with an idea, you know, it's like, "Hey, I'm coming in here and I want to build a golf course, but I want you to tell me I need a golf course." You know, well, you're looking at here for a reason, right? >> Right. >> Yeah. I mean, there's there's that point. So, I see both sides of that coin. Um,
>> you know, it's at the end of the day, >> the feasibility study is probably one of our cheapest options for incentives when it comes down to it. If if somebody comes here and they just want a feasibility study and we and that's what it takes to get a business in and there's nothing else, it's kind of an
easy sell to me, >> but a lot of times you don't know that going into it. So we, you know, we have to we have to weigh our options. >> And I I guess just looking at historically, so historically we've done we've cities paid for feasibility
studies in the past. >> No. >> Uh well, we did for sure. >> Well, the apartment. Yeah. most recent. >> All right. Um >> I mean otherwise back to probably the villages. >> Okay. Cuz I was going to go down. We've done we've done some reduced city fees
on some stuff. We've never done tax abatement. We've done tax we've done tiff. We've done discounted land prices. >> Um uh helped some of the deed stuff and county stuff. We've done the revolving loan and the and the facil facade
rehabilitation. So those are all things that we've done in the past. So really it's um you know tiff hasn't been done since the villages I think. >> Correct. >> You know so really it's just a handful of ones that we haven't used which are kind of the the big money.
>> Mhm. >> And we've done deferred sack and whack fees on correct right. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> How much are sack and whack fees? >> Uh for a single family house water and sewer would be 9250. >> So 99 $9,000. And for a business like that like that
hotel would have been >> uh it's all based off of um >> units, right? Yeah. >> Correct. >> So I mean it was over 500 530,000 in wack sack fees. Well, some you give a portion of that too, then I don't know.
>> But the the the discussion was so if we you know, you offered a reduction on the sack and whack fees for a 58 unit or 54 unit apartment, but if we're going to build 110 houses over here on the other side of town, why why do those homes not why does that developer not get a
discount? >> Right? >> That that's that thing about, you know, setting the precedent. >> Mhm. you know what, you know, do you look at well with an apartment, you know, they're not watering grass, they're not washing cars out in the driveway. There's, you know, do do people in
apartments use less water than people in uh houses because, you know, you got same floor laundry. You're not doing laundry as often because you're paying for it. You know, maybe there is less water and sewer. >> Depends, right? Because a lot of the apartments nowadays are including washer and dry units in each unit. I suppose. Yeah,
>> it really depends on on what what the amenities are in in the unit, too. But >> yeah, and if the if the I I don't know if the utilities are included in rent on these or if they do it separate, you know, >> generally they're not they're not always. >> Some are, some aren't. Yeah. So, that that absolutely affects the,
>> you know, >> if it's if it's included, boy, you know, that that that meter's spinning. But if it's uh if you're paying for it on your own >> and >> well and and and that's you know I mean that's a tool that you take away from a from a multi-unit housing is the
deferred sac right you can do that with single family homes because basically all you're doing is you're you're saying okay developer is not paying that they're going to defer it to closing so that way whoever buys the property is the one who's paying for sack and whack
essentially >> right so The difference between the apartment is the developer was the owner as well. >> So they'd have the whack and sack where >> you know a developer comes in, they develop the property, they sell the land
to home builders who then they pay the whack and sack on the building permit, >> right? >> So um I guess here's where staff has to thread the needle with kind of a divided council on on you know the tax abatement
request or or whatever. Um, I think it's, you know, looking at looking at stuff big picture. You know, right now we've got, you know, well, right now we got zero of zero, right? >> Mhm. >> Um, you know, our our I guess when it
comes to tax abatement, our policy is very specific that it says the project will not happen but for um tax abatement. So, you know, based off of that information, it's yeah, the
project is not going to happen. Um, and in the case of the the the apartment, it's it's not going to unless there is some type of assistance. Um, you know, and then the more the more the city asks for, the larger that abatement
or incentive number becomes. I know we talked about the villages and tiff and they came in when we were working on that project. They came in with their their ask or or request and then we said, "Okay, that sounds good. Um, we
want to include a library in there." And they said, "Oh, we'll have to, you know, see what those costs are and and things like that." um lo and behold the uh tax tax the tiff request uh increased to cover their
costs of of the library. though the more the city asks for, the larger that um assistant assistance request is. >> Um and the other thing is too, you know, when we're talking about the projects, we need to consider the statutory
requirements on each one of those things. like TIFF, for example, in a residential like the apartment, if it was a TIFF, it it does carry with it statutory requirements from the state on um affordability
units being set aside. So 20% of the units have to be um available for >> low-inccome housing, which doesn't mean you can rent it out at market rate, >> unless somebody comes along and then, oh, I have one available. You can have
it at at the the subsidized rate. It means you have to keep them aside. >> You can't rent them to market rate because they have to be available all the time until full at 20% with that particular um subsidize which you know
that's that's a decision that that municipalities make all the time. We want that, we don't want that. So, you know, that's just on the housing side. TIFF on a commercial side is very different. You know, we have requirements, but the more the incentive, the more potential for legal
statutory requirements on us too that we have to be aware of as we're considering these options, >> you know, and every, you know, to to Brian's point on income requirements, you know, we did a tiff for the the villages, it was x% had to be over 55.
It it was age um and it just sticky situation. The developer is not going away. He's sending me emails um almost daily. Hey, what's going on? How do we continue this process? Um or, you
know, re, you know, reignite it and how do we, you know, get get past where we're at and and and get a project done? Is it possible, Joel, to share the emails that were shared with city council with the EDA just for some some >> Yeah,
>> just the the developer on the apartment did come back with a couple of other potential options >> and those were shared with the city council. I think, you know, it wouldn't be bad to share that with the EDA. If you could share those just so you guys can see what he's he's talking about now. Nothing's been discussed at a
council level at this point. Um, and frankly, I wouldn't be saddened if we as an EDA took up one of the or some of those options if we wanted to. I mean, I really think, you know, I made the point at the last council meeting that I think
the EDA needs to be more involved with these things earlier on. You know, part of the problem is they come straight to the city council and then it seems to be like, okay, it's either going to go or it's not going to go. or we have this problem of advisory boards making a
decision that's overruled at the council level and then there's there's potential animosity between advisory boards and the council you know why are we doing this what's the point >> so and this is the place where we get
that that transparency you know the EDA gets these projects earlier it's got some transparency the public has an opportunity to see it and hear the discussion before it It's the council level. >> That's true. >> So, it's not as much of a surprise. So,
I'll stop at that because you can watch the council meeting. >> Yep. >> You know, and and every I think every program has this time and in place. Um, you know, in in the past with the city owning property, we've discounted the
land. um you know in in that case you actually incurred an expense and are discounting that land price. So you're losing money with under the understanding that we're going to be
able to collect tax revenue >> every year basically for for forever. >> It's the loss leader concept. >> Correct. >> Yeah. Um, so like with a t tax increment financing, I mean just real simple, if
it's worth $100,000 and they're going to do an addition and it goes to $200,000, that increment is the $100,000. Um, so you're not getting that tax revenue now, you're essentially, you know, whether it's pay upfront or pay as you go, um, you're you're essentially giving their
taxes back. You're giving them back something you never had. where in a land sale, you wrote a check, you incurred costs, and you're saying, "We're okay giving you a discounted land price under the presumption that, you know, we're
going to get that tax revenue every year. Uh, you're going to employ people. They're going to support the businesses, possibly live in town, what what have you." Uh, tax abatement would be the same thing. You're giving away what you don't have right now.
Um, I mean, right now we're getting and I'm thread the line staff, right? Or the thread the needle, excuse me. Um, you know, we're getting $830 right now on on the uh the apartments. And even after the abatement, we were still going to
receive $12,000. And then once the abatement was done, just based off of the numbers in the per um the uh the tax increment f or the tax abatement stuff, you know, over $50,000. >> Would there be any advantage to
maybe some of the members of the EDA? I mean, there was a brand new apartment building complex in Dundas. There was one I don't know if one in New Pra is finished, but there's one in New Prague. want a new market with meeting with
their officials or or finding out, you know, what incentives they gave these developers or maybe you already know. I mean, I don't, but maybe that information is >> I don't know if it briefly came up about the Elco one. >> Yeah, I guess I'm not sure what they did
in Elco. I know a new pre was tax abatement >> and dundas >> and that was like 15 years for substantially more >> 90% for 15 years I think on the new pre one >> substantially more than >> people but at the same time >> but I mean even more than just what they
did but why what their reasoning was so that you know maybe >> you might have a hard time getting that because I know new pray got beat up pretty bad on that one and they might not want to reopen that wound to have that conversation they did get quite a lot of heat from the community on that, >> right? But I mean, they must have had
some reason why they did decide to go that route >> and you know, you look at Dundus, which is, you know, a lot smaller than Lawndale. What did they offer? I mean, what did Dundus have to offer? >> You know, I would just think that it's not reinventing the wheel. See what some
of these other communities are offering these developers. I I think it'd be worthwhile to at least have that information. >> Sure. And no one has a smoking gun like >> everyone's going to because they have we all have the same program to tax abatement
>> but why why they chose to go the route they did. I mean there I I don't think they came to that decision without hopefully I mean they you know gave it some >> well the other question >> I think over overall it's you know increased housing stock a variety of it
um people don't want to own they can't afford a house >> and I'd be more curious to know >> but the company chose to build there and not here I'd be more interested for Dundas and New Pra as opposed to >> Ldale and were they recruiting
>> yeah basically up Until this time last year, the city's position was we don't want apartments. That's why >> really >> we could have an apartment. We could have had an apartment 10 years ago easily. >> We had a a joint I think it was three three and a half
years ago. We had that joint meeting with the planning and zoning to talk about housing. >> Yeah. >> And it was just we just housing in general and the entire conversation was apartments no apartments no apartments no. Um yeah, and that was before again the
change over on the council. >> There were eventually going to be apartments at the top of the hill here, right on the north side of 19. >> Uh we zoned >> high density housing. It's >> zoned that way. >> We zoned it for um uh yeah, multifamily,
twin homes, things like that. >> Yeah. So, and part of it too was there was nothing zoned. Lonsdale didn't have anything zoned that would accommodate an apartment building. The zoning had to be changed. That was the step one was changing the zoning on that parcel to
make it even feasible because up until that point, you know, and the other question I might have is was there recruitment efforts to bring in an apartment developer by the city or by the EDA of those cities or did the developer come to the city and say we
want to I mean Newra that wasn't the first apartment building in Newra so it's not like that was >> uncharted territory for them. Dundis that's a different story. Alco kind of the same situation. >> Uh yeah, as as far as the specifics of who contacted who for us, I I guess I'm
not sure. I know Amcon um had submitted at least site plans or concepts to staff for for several years. >> Um so I'm not sure if they knew Brian or if the um the city reached out to Brian Brian Buggerman, the developer or not.
>> Yeah. And I I I can >> but Amcon was definitely um aware of Lndale. >> Well, they have executives that live in the area. That helps. >> So, going back to the feasibility study,
what goes into what do they get out of the feasibility study? I mean, >> it tells them if there's a need or not. >> Correct. Yep. And that's but it doesn't go into like it it would be feasible with these
incentives or these or I mean it just says yeah there's a need. >> It's going to be similar to the market study we're doing just on a more specific scale. >> Yep. So for the apartment feasibility study um you define your your target area. You know how far around Lndale are
we going to draw from? And then it it drilled down to the number of units uh potentially uh I think it even broke down the the size of them, the um the rent that they could um command and
basically that's that's it. did it show that there was a need for was it 53 or 58 units market rate and then broke down you know based off of other apartments in the area their rents you should be able to charge this amount for a a
studio one two threebedroom unit >> but I don't to your question I don't think it actually breaks down how it would how it needs to be financed it >> no it doesn't break out the costs or anything like that just says what the it just says what the need is Right. Right.
>> Okay. >> Any other thoughts, discussion? >> Haven't blown up at each other yet, so that's good. >> Probably looked into a little more yet. >> Yeah. So, do you I mean, >> this isn't going away.
>> No. So I don't you know do you guys have thoughts or I mean what >> I mean I guess >> any questions or research or >> once we >> you know to Bonnie's point reach out to the other communities and >> you know
>> and maybe you know once if you were to share those emails so we have some idea of >> you know what the developer is >> thinking. >> Yeah. >> So he's still thinking of putting an apartment building here then? >> Well I mean >> not without incentives. Not without incentives.
>> The ask is that the ask is has not changed. >> It's just how do you get there? >> Yeah. So he's he's proposed some other options in lie of >> 75% for 10 years which was which was not passed. So he's on to what are my other
options. So he's proposed some other things. um they just >> I mean technically the next steps which would be approve the site plans and everything are still on the table because the council has tabled those things. They're not they haven't voted
anything down necessarily as far as that goes. But uh they are still on the table but there's no sense in taking those things from the table until we're guaranteed that it's it's going to happen from a a financial perspective. So that's where it's at. Um, you know,
honestly, I I think unfortunately the the first time around the process didn't come through the EDA necessarily until, you know, it was discussed and then came to the EDA, right? You know, there was discussions that didn't include us other than here's
the proposal, >> right? >> I mean, if if the EDA can be involved in that, that's kind of what I'd like to see and that was one of the points I tried to make on last council meetings. I I feel that the EDA really needs to be more involved in these these projects. You know, it's like if there's
discussions going on with developers, bring them to the EDA so we know what's going on so we can have a discussion and decide like is there a real economic need to do some of these incentives. >> Um and I I think you know we we saw it so late and then we had a skeleton crew
on that when we were discussing it. So you know it was on the EDA. Yeah. So it was there there wasn't a great opportunity for a lot of discussion and at the same time it was well I mean the train is kind of rolling here >> we you know let's uh
>> you know let's I don't want to lo lose all momentum >> um >> right >> but it you know >> but then as you know don't we had enough time in between to really examine >> right >> well it's a learning opportunity so we know that the EDA we we
>> you you know, whether it be some of us on the council or whether it be us collectively as an EDA, we want to be involved in these conversations and I think that's the message and and you know, we learn from this and okay, you know, it's an opportunity to get it right on the next round hopefully.
>> Uh to to your point, Bonnie, about what other cities do, I definitely reach out to them. Um, you know what what Shannon uh Sweeney from David Drum said was um that it was a good deal for the city compared to other projects. Typically
it's uh a 90% abatement or if you typically go through tiff um 90% abatement for of taxes for 15 years from the city, the county and the school. So in this case it was 75% for for 10
years. But yeah, we definitely can can reach out to them. >> Anybody else? >> Um, so we still have an opportunity to present to the city council. I mean, once we discuss this more and if we do
we have the opportunity to make a recommendation. Is that still >> I mean I guess I I would defer to you Joel. I mean, at this point, the information's only been shared with with the city council. I don't know if there's a plan or if people are asking to have it on an agenda item for the
city council, if there's an appetite to bring this back to the to the EDA. Um, >> well, I guess that's, you know, if you guys want to be more involved, is that the the next step where the developer comes to >> That's what I would like. I mean, I guess we we're a body I can't speak for
everybody on this this this board. Um, but I mean EDA stands for economic development authority. I mean, frankly, I think we should be involved >> in these types of projects >> and to cut the EDA out,
>> you know, it it kind of sends a message that, >> you know, is the EDA a viable thing? Yeah. What are we doing here? >> What are we doing here? >> I mean, I I would like to look, you know, take a second look at I apologize. I had some health issues going on, so
I'm not as involved as I want to be, but I'm all good now. So, >> and I don't think any apologies need I missed that meeting as well. I mean, I was at my grandmother's funeral. Things happen. We have lives. I >> ended up having eye surgery. So, >> but you know, that was the meeting, but the the information could have been, you
know, available, you know, before that. And >> I had eye surgery. I couldn't read. >> You couldn't read it. I can I can provide that. I think you know read between the lines of emails that said he provide me direction. >> Yeah. >> Right. Said he provide me direction.
>> Yep. >> Well, and if that's the case, then he's he's got to wait on us. If you know, I know I know he's chomping at the bit, but if I can app if we're the ones in holding the holding the cards right now, then then it's going to be on our on our
terms as far as, you know, >> it's going to take some time, you know. >> Yeah. >> We we don't we don't meet for another month. Well, can we have a special meeting? >> No. >> I mean, we could. >> Yeah, >> we could. >> Is it worth it to have a joint meeting with council >> or prior to the council meeting?
Um, we definitely could >> like a joint special meeting with us and council to talk about this >> instead of having to bounce between and take months and months. Is it worth it? >> You know, to all sit down. >> I can appreciate, you know, we're we're in the driver's seat, but he's also got
a a construction timeline that that he has to meet. And I wasn't I wasn't trying to hard, >> you know. >> Well, and this is new to us. Londell's never done a project like this before. So there's a lot of consideration. You know, it's like, like I said, New
Prague, it's not their first rodeo. You know, they have other apartment complexes in town, so it's not like they've not gone through the process before. This is brand new to Lawndale. This is something new. You know, there's a lot of considerations. I mean, >> there there's people that are absolutely
adamantly opposed to it. Absolutely. >> Before the abatement, there are people that absolutely want it to happen before the abatement. There are people that minds change based on the request for abatement. There's people minds that did not change based on the abatement. So, you know, this is new territory. These
are these are uncharted waters for us. >> Um, you know, we have a council meeting next week and I think, you know, h is it worth it to have a joint? I think that question is absolutely valid at that next council meeting, right? I think it's it's worth asking.
or if we had a a special meeting of the EDA, would you at least come and and be here in the in the gallery to talk with us or something? You know, I mean, communication was another thing that came up in that council meeting. And absolutely, I think, you know, that's
not just between members of various boards or or positions within the city. It's boards to the council and back and forth, vice versa. You know, we need to have those open lines of communication because I mean at the end of the day, we should all be on the same team. >> That's right. >> For the same goal.
>> That is right. >> You know, a few years back when we did meet to discuss, you know, >> housing. >> Yeah. >> Planning and zoning and not with the council. >> Yeah, that was planning and zoning. >> Would it make sense to have >> It's already zoned for it. We don't need zoning for
>> Okay. All right. Never mind. >> We don't need them at this point. before we needed to have the conversation because there was nothing zoned for other than >> than um single family. That's why the the conversation probably needed to be had, >> you know, and frankly,
planning and zoning has no more authority over this project than we do at the end of the day. >> I couldn't remember if it was just with the planning and zoning or if it was the council, too. But >> yeah, their work is done. >> Yeah. And just a just a reminder too
that if that that the land was previously zoned that could have included apartments. It would have been a different in so it wasn't like you know when people say that there never should have been apartments there >> right >> they it was that was an option. It was
first floor primary commercial. So that you know that in itself is >> it this is just a we're effectively changed. We're removing the the first level commercial and providing additional apartments. So >> Bugamman did not want commercial. It's
not a specialy, >> right? >> Yes. The developer didn't want to do it. Um, you know, the other thing too is like we have to kind of keep in the back of our minds like if this doesn't happen, we're now sitting on a piece of property that's got a PUD on it that's zoned very very specifically.
So that's when maybe do we as an EDA step back and say we want to talk to planning and zoning and say >> this needs to be reszoned. I mean because if this project doesn't go we we have two options. We either reszone it to something that's more
general and open to multiple buyers or we look for another project exactly like the one that just didn't go through because that's what it's zoned for. Those are our options. >> Yeah. But if this one doesn't go through, >> I mean, that's
>> I'm just I'm just saying is another developer going to come and try. >> Right. Well, that's the question. >> I would I would be a little leerary. I got >> Well, we've had conversations with other apartment builders, but they're going to come with the >> the same
>> Exactly. wants to get to the >> Well, construction is the same >> or even more because now, >> but but to the feasibility piece, they might have different investments, >> you know. >> Yeah. I guess I'm not going to >> I don't know. We could speculate all day long. Yeah. >> What again what what what Shannon of
David said he's not aware of a multifamily project in greater Minnesota that did not have assistance. >> Yeah. I would >> in whatever however that is >> is formulated or determined between you
know the city and and the buyer. >> Well, I would definitely be in favor of us having to sit down with the council. So, however or whenever or I don't know if we need a motion to do that or >> I don't think we need a motion. It's
just a matter of asking. >> Okay. Just be um a work session. >> Okay. Just be on the or be on the >> January 29th agenda. >> Yeah. And then if we need to call, >> you guys want to attend the January Does it work to attend the January 29th?
>> I'll be there. >> Let me check my schedule. >> At least we have two, right? It's on my calendar. >> I mean, I drove from Minneapolis and it rained to get here for the last one. >> Mhm. >> I could be there.
>> Thursday. So, >> I can't make the 29th. >> Yeah. You know, and if you can't make it, that's fine, too. If you if you have thoughts that you want shared, send an email that all we always staff is amazing at making sure that we're very well informed informed of
um opinions that come through whether it's residents, whether it's other board members, you know, it's it's we're never left in the dark on what you guys send in or anybody sends in to staff. All right. Should we move on to the next
one? Everybody good? Awesome. Thank you. Good discussion everyone. Thank you for that. Um, next is update on the EDA's facade rehabilitation program. >> Yep. So, we um went through our business list and um Cory created a new one with
just the actual um property owners. Um so that's who it was it was sent to. Um what do you send it to? Over 90 property owners. >> Yes, there was 90 total. Uh so that was the initiative um earlier um uh this
week. Uh 90 um letters Ldale Economic Development Authority EDA rehabilitation grant program. The cover letter uh that was sent out uh to t 90 total business owners here in town. Uh 27 were mailed,
63 emailed. So Bonnie, I'm hoping you got yours. Mr. Palava, I'm hoping that you got yours. So, we did receive some feedback already from three uh from the bank here uh from a construction contractor owner. Uh
Michael Chapman said, "Hey, this is a great program from Francon uh Bank and Trust." He's like, I will pass this along um to our customers looking to make some exterior um improvements. Uh Lawn Sale Food and
uh Fuel reached out to me saying, "Hey, thank you for this information." This morning, Mike Jurich from construction contra coordinators from town reached out. And then uh the owner of the uh dojo downtown of Main Street,
uh Tim reached out. So >> out of the 90, you know, we received uh some feedback, four pieces of feedback, uh about 3 days into to our initiative here. >> So I I was happy to hear the response
from the bank saying, "Hey, Michael or Michael's like, "Hey, this is great. We want to support this any way we can." >> Yeah. And the fact that they're going to pass it on and encourage their people to take advantage of it, I think is great, too. >> Awesome. It's good that we're getting some traction. Um, I think this will be good.
Hopefully, uh, hopefully before, you know, it's hard right now, too, because I don't necessarily think people are thinking, >> I want to start a outside construction project in January. >> Even though it's been in the 40s last
few days, you know, you get outside this morning and they're probably like, "Yep, good call not starting that tear the siding off." Yeah, but you got to act fast because we only have, you know, we got 20 grand ear marked and with a 10 with a 10,000 cap on it. I mean, it could get burned up in >> pretty quick
>> two two requests. >> Yep. >> So, >> well, you know, if this goes well, we can >> look at other options, too. And then we also have the revolving loan funds. So, if somebody comes along and they miss the >> miss the uh the opportunity here, we do
have the revolving loan. So, it's, you know, it's not forgivable, but it's still it's still >> the terms are pretty easy. >> Pretty good interest rate, too. So, um, you know, I'd love to find any loan nowadays for anything at 2%.
>> Right. >> Any discussion on that one? >> All right. Other business, development update. Uh, not a whole lot. Um, quick trip still scheduled to start this spring.
>> Um, no updates on the daycare, technical methods, Ldale Packaging, commercial building. Um, we closed on the property for the um halfacre lot in the business park for
the the the sign or the the billboard. So that um that is done. I'm anticipating that um actually we got an email from them that they've ordered the sign. So I'm assuming in the next I don't know 30 days. See some some
activity there. Uh as far as the business park, no update on that. Residential. Um, we talked about the apartment project, the Bixby property on the uh northwest side of town. Um, working with that developer.
Um, council's had discussions on lift station design. So, we'll be meeting with um with them on the uh entitlement process, the platting, and um given the the size of those lots, they don't comply with anything in our subdivision
ordinance. So, we'd be looking at a a planned unit development to to account for for that. Uh, and then um the hotel that was kind of talked about earlier during the meeting. Um, they do they are planning
on attending the the February EDA meeting and um they did present at the December 22nd council meeting. So, I did um provide you with that presentation that was given at at that time. um they are looking for the city to pay
for the feasibility study and that's you know $9 to $10,000. I I did reach out to to Maxfield who's doing our current study or feasibility study and they are two separate animals. Um some of the demographics will be able to be you know
carried over. So I did ask for a price from them on to do a hotel study. >> Okay. But that gets more into the the details on number of units, rent, um you know, things like that versus
>> Correct. >> Yeah. >> So they will be asking for the city EDA to to pay for that feasibility study or they already have. >> Yeah. So review the the uh presentation when you get some time. Um,
and you know, I think the the approach here, and I, you know, this is something that Mayor Berg brought up, and I think it's it's a valid point, like if we're not interested in a hotel, don't waste their time. >> Don't spend the money, don't waste their time. If we're not interested, if we are
interested, then we'll have the discussion on do we go down this road or not. So, um, I think that's a good approach to take with this. So, take that with you. See what you what you think about that. Um, it's an interesting presentation. I've been
through it a couple times. >> Do you think a hotel is needed in this town? >> That's the question. I don't know. You know, it's kind of what's >> the presentation. >> You think there's enough email? >> Yeah, that's >> coming in. >> That's the question we have to answer, you know, and I mean, if we have doubts,
that's what the feasibility study would would give us. You've got Northfield. You got how many hotels there? You've got New Pri's got a hotel there. >> Mhm. >> That name that hotel has changed names so many times >> since it's been put.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Um >> so they have a pool. >> So I don't >> Well, that's part of that whole the feasibility study. They look at what amenities are included. >> How many rooms do we need? What type of room? uh amenities, >> room for adding or however, but they
>> Yeah, I mean that's Yeah. Where's it going to be? >> Yeah. Where would it be if they don't have somewhere? Probably over here by the business park, I would assume. But >> Mhm. >> But yeah, we don't have to get too deep into this now. Um but I guess cuz you're not looking for direction on this today.
Yeah. So this will be something that comes back to us. I guess I would say just think of it. But again, you know, I mean, like I said, Mayor Berg made a good point. If if we're not interested after looking at this, if we don't think this is something that is worth talking
about at this time, >> let's not let's not waste anybody's time on it. >> But if we do, that's that's when we'll discuss. Do we do the feasibility study? So, >> all right. Any other thoughts?
Additional items? Anybody have any additional items to be discussed? Happy new year. August the 26. That make a motion to adjurnn. >> All right. Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> Second by Duban. All in favor? >> I. >> Opposed. All right. We're journ. Thank
you everyone. >> What is on that? That's the uh