This conference will now be recorded. Are there any addition? >> There is none. >> I will make a motion to approve the agenda. >> I'll second. >> All in favor? >> I
agenda is approved. Approve regular meeting minutes from February 18th. to approve. >> All in favor? >> I opposed. Motions passed. On to the
monthly financial report and account table. >> I don't think you'll see anything different. We have a plaque coming. Do we have a plaque coming for Annie's Miranda? If if we don't, we will
in the near future. >> Okay. >> I have a couple. >> Okay. I'll make a motion to approve the financial reports and accounts payable. All
>> in favor? I oppose. Motion's passed. No public hearings. Old business. Tulip Tree Market. >> Yeah. So, I guess what I uh contact the question I got from the EDA last time was can we do like Google um ads on
different months rather than three months in a row. And it turns out they need to be what are called ad sets? So, they need to be three consecutive months. Now, if the EDA chooses not to do this, which I completely understand, we can
find another way to advertise a city. We could I do a little digging amongst seated colleagues. Um, but I kind of need to let Tulip Tree know in the near future. Uh, they're not prod me anyway by saying you're going to
do it or not, but you know, they're a business. So if that's something you're interest if we're interested in doing or if we want to put this off until you know summer months and do it then it's up to you. >> Okay. So one question Kurt is it okay
we're saying initial three months so what we would pay to tree is the 3135. >> Yes. >> And we and that's coming out of our total of 9,000. Yep. And Google ads are just different, you know, they pop up all over the place
on your phone than say uh Facebook, which we tried or did. >> So, it's a three threemonth deal. >> Yeah. >> So, the timing of it would be something we'd want to consider if we did it. >> That's correct. So we'd probably want to do it during for sure during the
festival. So >> building up to it maybe. >> Yeah. So what what's before September? It's uh August. >> I guess we have a little time. >> June, July, August. >> And I know you said that Tulip was
asking. So do they want to know a month in advance that or do they want a couple months in advance that we're going to choose these three months and that we're going to choose to go with them? You know, I think a I think a month would be fine because then we can uh start kind of hammering out what it is we want them
to kind of like they gave us a a uh if you remember, they gave us a calendar of what they did for each week for Facebook. >> Kind of along the same lines, we could put out there what we want to highlight such as of, you know, shop the block or something's going on downtown or within
the city that people want want people to see. When is the cover bridge festival this year? September, midepptember. >> I just wonder, not that I don't want to promote the coverage festival, but I almost wonder if we would push it a
little bit earlier in the season to promote our biking paths or cover bridge or camping at the park or I don't know. I feel like the cover bridgefest raises money to do their own
>> Oh, sure. >> um campaigns, per se. >> And we could have do one too for a >> want to draw people to our >> fundraiser for the pool as well. >> We could put that out there. >> So, I don't I don't know. It's just a
thought. >> Well, even if you did June, July, and August, you could hit August a little bit with the upcoming festival, >> right? >> Yeah. We just say >> maybe go mid June to midepptember type of thing. >> Do we have any other ideas for
advertising or is this kind of our >> as of right now? That's >> we've got Zable on the agenda later that I think we should talk about a little bit. They're doing some promotions too. So >> yeah, that's all I have for you right
now is tulip tree. I just wanted to table that till next month. >> Business B is Annie's loan. Yeah, just a heads up that Annie's loan has been all the documents have been signed and
sent off today. I sent the mortgage, it's called a mortgage uh papers to the county for registration. So, yeah, that's good to go. So, what I'll do is I'll contact Annie and because we wanted
to kind of take a look at her books after the first well, her money after the first quarter she was with Um, so I'll be in contact with her next couple weeks to get her information and I'll bring that when I get that I
will bring that to the next meeting. >> See you at the daycare. >> Yeah, just a heads up too. The school uh which has been for sale has dropped price pretty significantly. I think they went 350,000 for that now. And since they've done that, I've spoken to two
different people about a possible daycare. And I'm not getting really excited about it yet because these people that I spoke to have no idea what a daycare entails. They just assume you throw a daycare in. And one guy asked for an a loan for the entire mount.
That's something separate. Um but he they have and Brian received a call for a citizen who would was interested in buying it and make it into residential. So I think we're aware as an EDA whoever
buys or whatever they want to do that place they're probably going to come to the EDA and ask for some funding of some kind. Uh so it but since they dropped that price uh the place has really a lot of interest in that.
>> What was it 500? >> I think it was 550 originally came down to 350 I believe. So yeah >> that's a church that's selling it. >> Yeah. Yep. The church is selling Y. So there will be changes to that spot.
The only negative of that, and I I've spoken to this before, is, you know, it's been a school forever and kids were in and out of there. It was fine. Well, now as soon as you change it, an engineer's going to have to come in and take a look at it and there's going to be probably some things wrong with it
that they're to bring it up to date no matter what they want to do with it. >> So, just a heads up. from New Business ABC. >> Yeah. Yeah. This was interesting. On Thursday,
Miles and I met with two people who represent Legends of Cultivation and the realer, Brian Hogan. He called the meeting and they're interested in the EDA lot. Well, both lots. Um, and
they are a marijuana producing corporation and they would put a 5,000 to 8,000 square foot building on the lot and grow marijuana. It's not retail. So,
the county allows you can have as many manufacturing as you want. They only have so many retail. Um, but these guys, they're young. I believe they're from Chicago. Uh like I said, they've got a realer working with them. They were very interested. They were
very wellversed in the cultivation of marijuana. So, it was an interesting It was interesting because one thing I I told him, I said, "Listen, if you let's say you buy this land, because the EDA is very open to selling this land. I
mean, I think we'd agree with that. And if you buy it, you have to have a public hearing because you're we're selling city land. So you can't you got to have public hearing. So you may get some kickback from people because you're going to open up a marijuana. Well, and
he was, "Hey, but we recycle the water. We recycle." I go, "It's not about that. It's about the fact that you're raising marijuana in town." And I'm not saying it's going to be all negative. I'm just saying you'll get some people who are going to be upset about that. So be
prepared. And they were. Uh they said that it when they start they'll need like seven employees if it turns out. And then eventually, and I thought this was crazy, anywhere from 70 to 80 full-time employees at a place like that that's producing that. They need three-phase power.
>> Yeah. Three-phase power, which is available. Uh they are in contact. Uh Brian Hogan has put in contact with Bill Angererman, our city engineer, just so they know everything it's about. Like I said, it's a young
couple. Uh but they were and Miles and I met with them were very well verssed in what needs to be done within the building and everything. >> So it's not just growing. Are they going to package it? >> Yep. >> Process it. >> Yep. >> Okay. So it's a whole >> But they won't sell it there. Yeah.
>> But they're actually grow it too. >> So they're going to grow it and then >> Is that indoor? >> Interesting. Yeah. >> It's growing It's grown indoor. >> They're building a big one in Rochester. >> John Stew. What's that?
>> Plumbing at a huge facility in Deacon. >> Oh, wow. It's not the same group though that you >> No. So, is there they done one before? Is this their first or they have other facilities? Other facilities? >> They have other facilities. Yeah. What
they spoke of? Um, but I have their email address and to kind of keep up to date with what they're going to do. Like I said, we had that meeting Thursday and I haven't heard anything from Brian since then. But from the outside, you're going to see a building. >> Yeah. Yep. >> Yeah.
>> And in all honesty, it fits our codes. Uh Miles brought the codes over. Um it's in a spot if you're It's basically in its own spot. You know, you know where the EDA lots are. It's kind of out in the way. It would fit. It would fit very well.
>> Certainly city water right out there. So water and sewer, like I said, three-phase power is available there. Um, yeah. So, yeah, we had that meeting on Thursday. It was pretty interesting. >> Are they area or >> No, they're from Chicago.
>> I think they're from East Coast. >> Pick Zom or >> Yeah, they kind of look for land that's for sale in smaller communities around to try to keep prices down. >> Okay. >> Rather than a large community. Yeah, they were. And so he's I said, "So if we have a
public hearing, you know, you it'd be great if you're here to answer questions." He said, "Oh, yeah. I'd love it, man. What do you know about the one in Rochester?" >> I know the guy that's doing it. Um it's Killing that owns Killing Towing and Kllin's uh >> Oh, yeah. Where's it at?
>> It's right there by You know where KTTC is? >> Same road just south two building. It's called Float. F L O A T. right in downtown almost by KT. Oh, you mean on this side? >> Up here.
>> It's a big warehouse and he's been putting a lot of social media uh the conversion of it and I'm wowed by the equipment they need to put in to grow this cuz he's doing the same thing is he's not selling it. He's
starting it from a seed and growing it and packaging and selling it to a distributor. A whole >> he's a wholesaler. >> Yeah, he's a wholesaler. But this facility, I think, is like 60 70,000 square feet. >> How many employees do they have? Do you know?
>> I I can't answer that right now. >> I'm sure it's like any seasonal like our business, any greenhouse growing, you're busier during your growing seasons in your off season like they all sounds like a packaging line and all
that, you know, right? be honest. >> I'm guessing they'll grow all year round probably. >> He was talking. >> Yep. >> That's interesting. I mean, the charge is to develop business and get jobs, right?
>> Yeah. Well, it's a it's a pot that's being stirred pretty >> Yeah. No pun intended. >> Wildly right now. >> Todd, where's that one in Rochester? Is it Is it It's not in that KTC building. Oh, where that building is, it's two or
three buildings to the south. Same side of the road. It used to I think it used Royal Tire. Royal Tire used to be there. >> Oh, yeah. >> It's just a big warehouse and I think there's a used car lots. >> Yeah, there is. >> Right next to it or a part of that property?
>> Yep, that's what it is. Yeah, cuz >> somebody they're looking at buying one of my buddies commercial properties, moving that car lot to Chester. >> Kind of makes more sense to grow it inside to be honest. You have to control the you can control everything just like a greenhouse. I mean
>> you can control it and keep it weathered a lot better. >> The stuff that you need the equipment is crazy >> because I've watched a lot of social media. >> Is it hydroponic or is it >> You're way over my head after that.
>> Well, at least like our business it's huge but it's just a special growing I mean, the soils are It's not like a can't go by your house, plant potting soil. >> Yeah. There's groups that grow plants in
water and then grow fish in the water. >> Yep. >> You know, which is kind of interesting, too. Well, good. Somebody's interested. >> Yeah. Whatever. Well, and I look at it, too. Something like that is not I mean, it's going to be quiet. I mean, you're
not going to have a lot of traffic. I mean, six cars a day for employees. I mean, >> as much as people don't like it, it's part of our life right now. It's >> here to stay. I think >> I agree. >> Say no to drugs.
>> Here he is. All these years later, >> did you get samples though? I mean, did they >> It did not bring samples. Oh, >> that's that was a shame >> cuz we had when the gummies got popular, Brian got a lot of samples of gummies. >> It's not for retail
CBD, not >> funny. >> Okay, we are done discussing that. We will move on to part B, which is Zable update. >> Zable. So, Zel had a meeting in here Tuesday morning. Um, and they're looking to purchase, they're kind of shifting
the their goals here. They're looking to purchase the Covered Bridge restaurant andor America's Value in Covered Bridge for sale for $750,000 if you're interested. Um, but they toured the hotel and I
think a lot of people have the have a thought that the hotel is dirty and grimy on the inside, but they were pleasantly surprised it was not. Uh the hotel owner is is the same person that owns the marathon, last name of Patel. Uh and they are open to sell. They have
been they don't they realize that they aren't doing anything to promote their hotel at all. They've been advertising or be a part of anything in the city. So, uh, Zable's kind of shifting that way, uh, as far as instead of because
it'd be a whole lot cheaper to buy that hotel and renovate it than to buy land and build a hotel and go that way. It doesn't mean they're not looking for land to uh, through all this. Uh, Miles and I had a meeting with Dan who's a part of
Rebound. He was asking about city financing and so we listed things that are available throughout the EDA or the city. Some things uh that this Zable like Nature's Grind is now open seven days a week. Uh they were six I believe.
Bridges Cafe I think a lot of you know is moved on. Well obviously is Annie's. Coffee Mill is for sale. Uh the people who originally thought about opening Blue Duck, they have closed a restaurant in Lacrosse. They opened a second
lacrosse and now they're looking at um Zambroa. They're very I couldn't say if they're very good friends, but they're acquaintances with Todd Fitz. Uh because I I don't know the relationship and he's kind of in the restaurant scene. And so
they'll still be looking at Zambroda. Um but yeah and Zable does do a they do have kind of a like you said Bob with advertising. I think I would be very opening to open
to uh partnering with some advertisements for sure with the city if that's something we're interested in. It's the guy who runs the campground in Zumbro Falls. His name is >> um Waters. Um >> Blake. >> Blake. Yeah. >> Blake. Blake seems to be a >> he's really good.
>> Yeah. >> Guy for advertisements and stuff. >> And so is Cole Nelson from Maverick. Them two work team to team and they got that podcast. They do a lot. So >> So I think I think what I think about with them is they've got two arms able.
They've got the business development which would be the restaurant and so forth, but then they got the promotional group. And uh you know, we've talked about do we should we get a chamber in town and uh I I still don't know exactly what to
do because of of their involvement. Um you know, I was interested in pursuing that this year, but um we need to coordinate, not shoot each other in the foot. What I see Todd and Blake doing,
they're they're big promoters. It's a lot of rahrh, which is fine. It's good. and needed. Um I think a chamber is bigger than that. I think a chamber works to get the businesses working together and so forth where and Zel will
do that too, but it's more promotional than it is just the business end of coordinating the businesses and uh so I'm not exactly sure what's developing there and how that'll go. Um, would they be eligible to get funds from
us if if we wanted to work with them or are they not a nonprofit? >> That's a good question. >> That that is something. Yeah. >> Funds for such as promotion. Well, for example, if we if we had a chamber, I think it'd be logical for the EDA to
give some money to the chamber every year to promote some broad, you know, and uh >> I would assume no since we were not allowed to give it to Zea. I would assume that this group would also be the same. >> That's my thought.
>> Where whereas a chamber you could I think >> yes. Um, >> almost just I mean look at keeping with Zabel or Zable and just piggybacking off them and growing the ch I mean the chamber side a little bit with them because they got that nucleus and and
and Zabo is more not just some road it's the area. I mean yeah I mean and I think with the chamber it might be better to >> expand a little bit further with an area versus just keeping it more as umbrella. Ideally, if you could have a regional or
a multi-ity chamber would be ideal. I know Pine Island is very weak. They they've got one, but I think it's >> Yeah, they were very strong for a while. >> Yeah. >> And then they Yeah, they were very strong for a while, but they're Yeah, they're not >> doesn't have one. One who does not. Good
does not. Well, they've got a little one. Very, very little. >> Who does? >> Good. You >> Oh, do they? I guess I haven't even heard >> real five or six people maybe >> cuz when they have meetings they I mean because you know you've been there's a lot of business people in it it's almost
just roll that well I think it it have to work hand in hand but you know it just seems like it should be studied if we uh if we're interested in having something like that someday when you look at Lake City and
Redwing and Canon Falls they all have real strong chambers and they I think they do help their communities. Um, >> do you know anybody on any of those chambers? >> Do you know any people that are actually on them? >> I'm in every one of them actually. I'm
not I'm not a I'm not in leadership, but I'm a member through Habitat. Would anybody like I mean maybe be willing to you know if we could get some business owners to you know meet up one night would anybody be willing to come in and maybe say this is
what we do and >> I I think what has to be done is somebody that understands how chambers work which I know a few people >> if we could get them to come down and and I think it it takes going around to every business and just talking to them and
>> you know what does a chamber do? you know, what do you what would you want from a chamber, you know, after they visit uh to get a real good feel for it. I don't know that just a a survey would do it. I think you almost need some personal contact, >> but we'd have to coordinate it with
Sable because again, I don't want to shoot ourselves in the foot and I don't want to interfere with what they're doing. It's just what's best for the community or in the area. So >> aren't they doing two different things though? who
>> a chamber versus able >> kind of >> but yes >> the promotion would be the same but that can be coordinated >> right >> but the other whatever else the chamber does if they if they work with the communities to promote >> it's a lot of collaborating and working
together where Zel is trying to bring outside people in >> or grow and build and yes your chamber will probably do some of that but I feel like >> a chamber is to bring our local businesses together, >> keep them working together and develop
and and it could be bigger. You could include the surrounding communities if you wanted to if they're interested, but yeah, >> we are kind of the hub here in Sroa for a lot of these communities, I think. >> Yeah, central.
>> I just don't know what to do next. I mean, with Sable, I wasn't able to be at the last meeting or so. And I asked Todd's Todd Fitz's thoughts on a chamber. >> Well, he was with him one time at one of the meetings.
>> We had the one in January and he was kind of pooh in the chamber at that point because he thought they could do the work. But again, I don't know that they know what a chamber does. to see what the lake cities and the Red Wings more Lake City than Redwing
because they're more our size. How the structure is there amongst the chambers if they're volunteers if the city funds it to a part? Do they have a part-time employee? I mean, I don't know how the structure is. Uh me being from Stville,
I know Stville's got a pretty active chamber, too, but I just don't know what the structure is. Well, I'll see if I can get some um information from probably Canon Falls is part-time employee.
Lake City for some reason or another has got two employees or two and a half. >> They get huge money from the marina. I mean, it's the same thing with Wabasha. It's the same thing with Redwing. They generate a lot of money from the marinas. But yeah, it'd be interesting to see
what the structure is, if they have any type of bylaws or anything like that that we can kind of >> Yeah, I've got copies of some bylaws that I could share. So, >> I know Lake City has different levels that you can be a member of. You're at a higher level than you get to.
>> Yeah. As a as a business person. Well, I'll gather some more information, but it's probably going to take some funding from us if we want to promote it um just to get somebody involved that can because I don't have the time to run around and talk to every business and I
don't know if anybody else does. You almost need to understand what a chamber is to do that. So, >> and be a people person and get everybody on the same page.
Are most are most chambers staffed with fulltime? >> No, they're they varied a lot. I think uh Caner Falls has got a part-time director. They used to have a full-time and they went to part-time. I think Pine
Island, >> I think theirs is volunteer. >> They got a lot of volunteers. They may have one part-time person that does their administrative work. Lake City's got a couple employees. Redwing's got about four. Um,
Northfield's probably got about four. So, it all it varies, >> but I think a a part-time person for Zroa to start with would be sufficient. So, but it takes a person to keep it
going because you volunteers just get burnt out. I mean, it's they lose it, you know. Okay, >> there is no more discussion. We will move on to the >> I didn't mean to interrupt you. Were you done with single? >> Yeah, I was. Yeah. Okay. Yep.
>> The EDAM membership. >> Yeah. Every year we uh submit to EDAM. So, it's Economic Development Association of Minnesota is what it stands for. They offer trainings uh and they're they're there as a
questions to answer about anything you need for economic development. They're very handy. We've renewed this since I've been around which is three years and several years before. So, uh the renewal rates $335 to continue our work with Economic Development Association of
Minnesota. >> $335. >> Question Kurt on it. Is that something where are they a resource to maybe like a chamber or not necessarily? >> It could be. Well, Joan, I don't know. I can find out. >> Yeah, just just to see. I mean, what it
is, but maybe maybe they have some helpful hints on >> Yeah. >> Chambers, or have we utilized them at all, Kurt? >> Yeah, I use their website quite a bit, especially when it comes to like uh revolving loans and things like that to
Y they're handy. That's for sure. Good. >> I'll second. >> Motion pass. Uh last would be report update on K apartments. >> Uh permit was just issued or asked for
this week for start of demolition. So >> now they're not K apartments. They're technically bridge. Correct. >> Correct. Maybe we should start >> bridge view now. All right. >> Yeah. Yeah. What's the other one called? >> Town.
>> It is. >> Bridge is a new one. >> And Town Center is the current. >> They will start demolition. You'll start seeing sure it'll go pretty quick.
They were gonna they were going to give away the safe door to somebody and I don't know if they did or not. I wasn't really interested. >> Go to the bank. >> Yeah. I'm not sure what you'd do with it. >> It's a big coffee table.
>> If there is nothing else, we will adjourn. >> Thank you, Lindsay. Amazing.