DECEMBER 2023 EDA BOARD MEETING SUMMARY

 by Kurk Kramer, EDA Coordinator

The December EDA Board Meeting was called to order on December 19. The minutes from the November Meeting were approved as printed. I presented the financial reports from the Revolving Loan Fund, Business Assistance Loan Fund, and summary reports of all 2023, and 2014-YTD EDA program disbursements. I also presented the annual contribution for 2024 of $1000.00 to be submitted to Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF). The Board approved this contribution for 2024.

Old Business:

I informed the Board that I signed all documents for the closing of the 108 West Main property. The EDA now owns this property again. There was discussion on what the next options would be for the property. The Board directed me to get a building inspection done before we take any further action. There has been some interest shown from others in this property, so the Board wants to be sure there are no unknowns before moving forward.

I have continued to stay in contact with a couple of businesspeople that have an interest in expanding their businesses to Sleepy Eye. We have done some preliminary building views and continue to look for an appropriate location. These efforts have been put on hold until after the holidays, due to busy schedules.

New Business in October:

Over the course of the past year, during EDA Board Meetings there were topics that were discussed, and suggestions were made at these monthly meetings to address certain aspects of these topics for consideration of changes, revisions, or possible elimination. This included looking at the restructuring of the EDA Business Assistance Program which would include the requirement of having a business succession plan outlined in the application criteria. Considerations on how the EDA Board distributes funds to applicants. Review of the current Sign and Awning Program. Continue to focus on what could be done to address the concerns with the inactive/empty buildings on Main Street. These discussion points were listed for the Board members to begin brainstorming and considering prior to the Annual January Board Planning Meeting. This meeting in January is when the Board sets the goals for the coming year and sets the priorities for the EDA to focus on.

A local businessman has recently made a suggestion for the addition of pickleball courts here in Sleepy Eye with the offer of a substantial donation. Mayor Pelzel shared with the Board some very preliminary thoughts on the topic that was presented to the City Council in December on the consideration of a community recreation center which could possibly include an early childcare center as well as pickleball courts, other recreation facilities, meeting rooms, senior center, and possibly a number of other community amenities.  He is in the process of forming a committee to study this suggestion and see if it would be something that the community has an interest in and would support. At this time there are no specifics on cost, location, design, content, etc. This would be the responsibility of the committee to consider and compile. Any interest in serving on this committee should be voiced to Mayor Pelzel.

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by Kurk Kramer, Ecomonic Development Authority Coordinator

JUNE 2023 EDA BOARD MEETING SUMMARY

 The June EDA Board Meeting was called to order at 12:00pm on June 27. I took the Board through the financial reports from the Revolving Loan Fund, Business Assistance Loan Fund, and summary reports of all 2023, and 2014-YTD EDA program disbursements.

Old business included the following: The Board approved the purchase agreement for the Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, and it has been sent to the attorney in South Dakota for approval and signing. The closing date for the Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery Association to take over ownership will be on or before July 14. There was nothing new to report on the joint effort with the HRA and EDA regarding addressing the housing needs in Sleepy Eye. The Board spent time again discussing the empty, vacant, and inactive buildings on Main Street.  The EDA is currently looking at two buildings and has been in conversation with the current owners to purchase them.  There are a number of things happening currently in these efforts and will hopefully become a reality in the near future.  The Board was also updated on the efforts by the owner of the former Berg Hotel and City Hall buildings.  It is the hope of the EDA that this will become something that we will soon see some positive activity regarding both properties.

New business in June: The Board was informed that there was another application in the works for the EDA Sign & Awning Program.  I informed the Board that there was approximately two thousand dollars available that could be awarded for this application should it be approved.

Other EDA related information outside of the June meeting:  The Farmer’s Market will be held on Saturday mornings from 9:00am until Noon on the south side of the parking lot at Schutz’s Family Foods.  The plan is to have one each Saturday morning into October.

The landscaping work, sprinkling/water system, all the concrete, and the history of the Huey and all donor plaques have been installed around the Huey helicopter in Veteran’s Park.  I personally would like to thank Michael Sprenger, Bleu Stem Garden Works, Jon Hanson, Harry Wurtzberger, and Borth Memorial for doing all the work in the final phase of this project.

It looks fantastic!

All eight of the benches have been installed along Main Street. This was part of the SMIF Grant that was awarded for revitalization of the Downtown District. The benches are in the following locations: one at the library, one on the corner of Hi-ways 4 and 14, two in front of City Hall, one in Wooldrik Park by the Chief Statue, one by the museum, and two in Veteran’s Park.

I would also like to encourage all Main Street businesses, if they haven’t been doing so, to display the US Flags, that were donated to them by First Security Bank, on the sidewalk in front of their business.  It takes very little time and effort to put them out, and it shows support for our veterans and country!

If you would like more information or have any questions regarding EDA related topics, please feel free to contact me at 794-5636 or eda@sleepyeye-mn.com.

by Kurk Kramer EDA Coordinator

The September EDA Board meeting was called to order by President Kathy Haala at 12:02PM.  The board members present were Mike Carr, Casey Coulson, Kathy Haala, Joann Schmidt, Toby Arneson, and Gary Windschitl.  Advisory board members present were Bob Elston, Wayne Pelzel, and Kurk Kramer.  There were two board members absent, Mark Kober and Christina Andres.

I presented the financial reports for the Revolving Loan Fund, Business Assistance/Rehab Fund, Active EDA Resources Report, and the 2021 EDA Program Disbursement Report.  These funds all have current and up to date balances.  The EDA Coordinator’s Report and the Chamber Director’s Report were also presented as written.

Old Business included my sharing an update on the progress that Chasing Our Tails is making in the former Del Monte building as well as the status of the sale of the former Del Monte ponds.  Bob Elston gave the Board an update on the status of the apartment project with Alliance Building Corp.  I also reported that I am almost finished with the details and criteria for advertising the Snow Second Addition lots to those interested developers in these properties.

New Business discussion included the former China 14 building being for sale and the condition that the building was in.  The Board also discussed the cemetery property in Mitchell, SD and will be consulting in the coming weeks with the city attorney on considering an option regarding the future of the EDA ownership.  Much of the time spent discussing New Business items was focusing on the 108 Main Street property.  Information regarding exempt status from the Brown County Assessor, the sale ad information and criteria, and the decision-making process regarding all submitted offers and proposals were discussed.  All proposals for purchasing this property need to be submitted to the EDA by 5:00PM on October 13. Anyone interested in submitting a bid and proposal for use of the property can contact me for more details.  The EDA also received details on outstanding liens on the former Shane’s Tire property from the Brown County Auditor.  The EDA is once again working on getting the legalities all taken care of on this property to have this also available for purchase by those who might be interested in purchasing it.  Finally, I relayed an invitation from GreenSeam to EDA Board members to attend an upcoming workforce workshop to discuss the challenges and opportunities for incorporating and expanding workforce options for our local businesses.

As always, if you have any questions, or want more information on current EDA activities please feel free to contact me.