10-18-2011 EDC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE OCTOBER 18,2011 MEMBERS PRESENT: Mark Jurchen, Patrick Smith, Cindy Rieck, Tommy Woog, and Ed Larsen ALSO PRESENT: Sandy Peine, City Clerk; Mike Loven, Public Works Supervisor; Tim Houle, City Engineer; Sheila Haverkamp, BLAEDC; Ruth Ann Hanson, Chamber of Commerce; Dawn Bittner, Zoning Administrator; and Council Member Tom Ryan 1. Call Meeting to Order The meeting was called to order by Chair Larsen at 8:00 a.m. 2. Approval of Minutes MOTION BY MARK JURCHEN AND SECOND BY PATRICK SMITH TO APPROVE THE 9/20/2011 EDC MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3. Discussion on WC/SAC and ERU's Tim Houle, City Engineer, stated that the issue of charging water and sewer availability charges (WAC/SAC) needed to be clarified regarding whether the charge was per unit or per project. Tim stated that the perception is that it is a per project charge. Council Member Ryan stated that the recommendation in the Ehlers Rate Study recommends that the City adopt a policy regarding utility connection fees which would include residential equivalent units for different types of structures. Council Member Ryan stated that he was surprised that this was not done. Council Member Ryan also stated that Ehlers report included information on unused capacity. He noted that WAC and SAC fees were increased for future replacement of the system. Discussion was held regarding types of incentives for infill in the downtown area and the industrial park area. Tommy Woog stated that the EDC would like to encourage infill in the industrial park and downtown with some type of an incentive program. Tim Houle suggested that the EDC consider a lower tier cost structure on WAC/SAC charges for infill versus expansion. Chair Larsen stated that the City needs a policy in place so that developers are aware of costs up front. The EDC reiterated the need for a policy on WAC/SAC.