01-04-1989 EDA MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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. . Page 2 EDA Workshop Session Minutes January 4. 1989 Mike Mulrooney. City Economic Development Consultant. reviewed with the group the grants which the City will be investigating in the next few weeks. Most of the discussion centered on the Minnesota Small Cities Grant Program and the single purpose grant application versus a comprehensive grant application. The comprehensive grant application allows communities to apply for more funding than the single purpose grant application. The comprehensive grant application must involve and address more than one community need. The three objectives of the Minnesota Small Cities Grant Program are: Improvement of Blighted Areas. Improvement for Low and Moderate Income Households and Addressing an Urgent Community Need. It was indicated by the group that the riverwa1k park project could serve the City public purpose of a park improvement. The property owner economic development purpose could be addressed by providing revolving loans for property owners to receive financing to improve the buildings along the river park (eliminate blight). It was also noted that one possible urgent community need would be to stop of the erosion of the riverbank. Mr. Mulrooney also briefly addressed the Federal Economic Development Authority Granting Process. Mr. Mulrooney indicated that the State. when approving grants. looks at the need for the project and the related impact on the project upon the community. Public support from property owners for this project would improve the chances of the City being successful in getting a grant for the riverwa1k project. In this regard. the property owners in attendance indicated that they would submit letters to the City that outlined their plans for building improvements if the riverwa1k project took place. and would encourage their neighbors to do likewise. A brief discussion took place on the land ownership of the property where the riverwa1k would exist; the need for the City to obtain easements for this property; the long standing City goal of emphasizing the river as a City amenity (this goal being documented in reports from 1970 and on will also assist the City in its grant application); and current and potential parking issues. It was the consensus of the property owners and the EDA to have the staff proceed and move forward with the grant application as a comprehensive project. Staff was encouraged to contact businesses with suggestions as to letter content and timing. COMMISSIONER HOLMGREN MOVED TO ADJOURN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY WORKSHOP SESSION ON THE RIVERWALK PROJECT. COMMISSIONER DOBEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. The EDA Workshop Session on the riverwa1k project was adjourned at approximately 8:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted. . ?pa~~ Patrick D. K1aers City Administrator