08-19-2014 EDC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION AUGUST 19,2014 MEETING MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Jurchen, Commissioners Rieck, and Roggenkamp MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioners Stroot and Merritt ALSO PRESENT: Sheila Haverkamp, BLAEDC; Chris Lindholm, School Superintendent; and Mayor Nancy Adams 1. Call Meeting to Order The meeting was called to order by Chair Jurchen at 8:00 a.m. 2. Approval EDC Minutes COMMISSIONER ROGGENKAMP MOVED TO APPROVE THE 6/17/2014 EDC MINUTES. COMMISSIONER RIECK SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 3-0. 3. Update from Chris Lindholm Chris Lindholm gave an update on some of the new staff members who have been hired at the School. He stated that the School Board approved the road map for the strategic plan. The School Board is currently discussing the new"levy authority"that has been granted to School Districts. They are also working with the preliminary levy. 4. BLAEDC Contract Sheila Haverkamp addressed the EDC regarding the benefits and successes that have been seen. She noted that BLAEDC formed 30 years ago as a public private partnership to create economic development efforts in the County. They are funded by local units of government,the private sector, and through grants and have a budget of$300,000 per year. BLAEDC's goal is to build the community, expand business, and grow jobs. BLAEDC also supports the private sector with the goal of having them locate in the community. The City of Pequot Lakes' funding is about 2% of the BLAEDC budget but it is important. Sheila discussed some of the projects she was instigative in recruiting to Pequot Lakes and noted the amount of taxes that they pay to the City. Commisioner Roggenkamp questioned the percentage increases in the BLAEDC funding request for the past several years. Sheila noted that since 2008 funding has decreased due to the economy and during past couple of years they are trying to get back to the 2008 level.