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Commuinity Development Authority - MINUTES - 8/19/2008 CITY OF MUSKEGO Approved COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (CDA) Audio recording of meeting MINUTES is also available. Tuesday, August 19, 2008 Chairman Frank Waltz called the meeting of the Community Development Authority to order at 6:30 p.m. Those in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was posted in accordance with the Open Meeting Law. PRESENT: Commissioners Suzi Link (6:35 p.m.), Gail Miles, Frank Waltz, Ald. Werner, Ald. Pavelko and Executive Director Jeff Muenkel ABSENT: Commissioners Rob Glazier, David Lidbury GUESTS: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES May 20, 2008 Ald. Werner moved to approve the minutes, as corrected, for the May 20, 2008 meeting, Ald. Pavelko seconded. Corrections in minutes were on page 1, Kathy Chiaverotti under Guests; created an industrial park committee under New Business; and on page 4, correct spelling of Statute. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. NEW BUSINESS Comp Plan Chapter Review Ald. Werner asked if the statistical data would be updated at the time the plan was published so the numbers are current? Executive Director Muenkel stated that every table and map is looked at and updated as needed to be current at the time of adoption. Chairman Waltz commented on the amazing amount of data which tends to overwhelm the reader and further asked if there would be a summary on the plan. Executive Director Muenkel said it is mandated that nine different elements have to be looked at in the community---housing, population, economic development, conservation, agricultural, etc. There will be a summary. The 2020 committee has discussed instead of having recommendations in each chapter, to have a recommendation chapter as most of the recommendations coincide. Commissioner Miles suggested to organize topics by category and replace the run-on sentences with short and concise sentences. This should make the readability easier. She did question the reference to the CDA “work to improve and bolster revolving loan funds by encouraging private and city investment in funds.” Executive Muenkel explained earmarking some landfill funds for grant loans and if the RLF goes down to zero, how can they maintain it. They can’t inject funds into the RLF but the CDA can set up their own similar fund and administered the same as the RLF. Commissioner Link asked if the loan to the plastic group went through. Executive Muenkel said it closed the afternoon of August 19. Commissioner Link informed that this would leave the funds about $230,000. Loans will be getting paid back but slowly. Review Existing RLF Procedures Chairman Waltz refreshed the members on what had occurred in previous meetings on the RLF procedures. Commissioner Link moved to include a “but for” test in the procedures. Ald. Pavelko seconded. Commissioner Link explained that right now the RLF would permit Wal-Mart, Walgreens, and Kohls to get loans. She did not believe that was the intent of the fund but the intent to create jobs. Are they going to bring in jobs that would not be seen in the community “but for” these funds. As the Janesville Road project moves forward, these are funds to help businesses on Janesville Road and “but for” these loans, the businesses may fail or leave. She thought the CDA needs to protect the money to foster the marginal businesses that needed the assistance rather than those businesses that just want the interest rate. Ald. Werner felt that the CDA members would take the matters into consideration and did not want to put the “but for” restriction on the loans. Chairman Waltz said that in the 1980s there was a “but for,” but it has been removed. He said the intent behind these grants was to stimulate business in the community. The administration of these funds should be open and giving to stimulate business. Commissioner Miles commented that part of the intent was job creation and as they set up the criteria for the loans, “but for” could be one of the criteria that they consider. Commissioner Link said that in the past, they CDA Minutes, August 19, 2008 - page 2 have not always followed the procedures such as the $100,000 loan limit and they could also waive the “but for” as long as they can justify it. Ald. Werner would not want to tie the hands of the CDA members with another rule but the businesses need to be aware of the “but for” condition. Ald. Pavelko said they need to take their time and the 15-day timeline would help. He was not in favor of adding another layer of bureaucracy to the procedures. Commissioner Miles would like to see a Muskego section added to the document. She asked if the CDA members put in the “but for” provision and as it is a Federal program, will it be too restrictive based on the intent of HUD. Executive Director Muenkel said it would be reviewed by the Department of Commerce. Commissioner Link said that some communities have the “but for” language and some communities did not have it. She liked Commissioner Miles idea that if the CDA members chose, they could override the “but for” requirement. Commissioner Miles moved that they amend the motion to add that they have the ability to waive any of these criteria on a case-by-case basis. Commissioner Link seconded. Ald. Pavelko understood the need for the criteria and the CDA members can waive and give leeway because of something else, but he would like to streamline the procedures. Ald. Werner did not like the idea of having another clause or rule to get the loan. If somebody comes in to ask for a loan, they can consider the “but for” test. Commissioner Link said on the previous loans they did their best to make the other loans work and putting the “but for” test on a loan does not add anything more to the loan process. It is far easier to waive than it is to impose without precedence. Chairman Waltz stated it is a vote by the CDA on whether to approve a loan independent of each other. Ald. Pavelko suggested adding a question on the application similar to the “but for” test. Upon a voice vote, the amendment was defeated 3-2 with Ald. Pavelko, Ald. Werner and Chairman Waltz voting no. Upon a voice vote, the main motion was defeated 3-2 with Ald. Pavelko, Ald. Werner and Chairman Waltz voting no. Ald. Pavelko moved to add in the Revolving Loan application a question, would this project go forward without this loan? Commissioner Link seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried with Chairman Waltz abstaining. Commissioner Miles suggested that the City of Muskego approval process be added to the Revolving Loan Fund document and proceeded to outline the procedures and the right to waive some of the contingencies. Commissioner Link also wanted to talk about who is custodian of the records and how long. Executive Director Muenkel said that SEWRPC is custodian of the records unless the Common Council changes it. Commissioner Miles moved that staff be directed to take a look at her suggestions in her edits and more specifically the City of Muskego approval process. Commissioner Link seconded. Ald. Werner commented that outlining the process was a very good idea. He would also like to put the process in the application. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. OLD BUSINESS Industrial Park Redevelopment Districts Executive Director Muenkel elaborated on the status of the redevelopment districts. They had some positive feedback from the business owners at the breakfast meeting on April 25. The business owners brought up the need for improvement in the intersections as well as other suggestions. Since the meeting, Executive Director Muenkel redid the survey he had prepared to hand out to landowners as well as tenants. He sent the survey out to the CDA, landowners and tenants, and to the people that came to the initial meeting. It will be back on Friday, August 29, and should be able to have the results at the next CDA meeting. He added the parcels along Janesville Road into the plan. He did a separate survey with Ald. Schneider and Ald. Schaefer asking all those people along this Janesville Road portion how they felt about commercial uses giving the impact of the Janesville Road reconstruction. They received 100% positive feedback. Also, spoke with the Ald. Pavelko’s Tess Corners area and they weren’t too enthused. At the next meeting, he should have a draft of the plan and the results of the survey and a core group of redevelopment concepts for the park. Commissioner Miles added that at the April meeting, one of those present informed that in the New Berlin industrial park, he could get a brand new building for less money but he chose to stay in Muskego. Some discussion on promotion of the redevelopment plan and finding out what other communities are putting together to entice businesses ensued. Commissioner Miles also suggested in regard to the aesthetics of the properties and in consideration of cash flow, to give them more time to improve their properties. Executive Director Muenkel will do some checking on what New Berlin is doing to encourage businesses to their industrial park. PUBLIC INPUT — None. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW Financial Aid Progress CDA Minutes, August 19, 2008 - page 3 Commissioner Miles presented the results of her survey on financial options to support Muskego businesses both in retention and to draw new businesses. She has been looking at private funding sources and the city is looking at diverting funds from the landfill fund into grants and financial programs. On the summary sheet of what Muskego can offer in the way of financial aid, she would like to add a paragraph on private funding. She reviewed some of the requirements for the funds. Also, private funding will not be available for the most part to government. There is the possibility of meeting with some of the consultants from the private sector foundations. She voiced how important it was to network amongst the private funding groups. Ald. Werner said to have organizations look at other agencies for funds is in the best interest of the city. Commissioner Miles queried if the city really wanted to get into this business and, if so, how are the going to do it? As a step in the right direction, the city has recommended she attend a grant writing seminar the end of September and it is government–municipality oriented. Ald. Pavelko stated Commissioner Miles did an excellent job and anything that takes the burden off the taxpayer, helps. Chairman Waltz thanked Commissioner Miles for her research and efforts. Commissioner Link reminded the members that the CDA is a separate unit of government and this does fall within the CDA’s purview and is something that the CDA should take ownership of. The grant money is available and anything they can do to leverage the money and improve the quality of life, the CDA needs to pursue it. Chairman Waltz shared the notice on the CDGB funding that appeared in the August 19 Journal/Sentinel. He thought some department in the city would qualify for the money as some municipalities were listed in the article. Executive Director Muenkel clarified that the funds that the municipalities are requesting are funds set aside for municipalities every three years. The City of Muskego received $32,000 in funding last year for the façade grant program. Parkland Mall Update Chairman Waltz shared that there has been some communication between the Parkland Mall Ventures, LLC and the Mayor’s office. Some significant communication between the attorneys. Nothing, however, to bring before this group but maybe in the future depending on what offers are being made. It’s up for discussion again. The owners have indicated a desire to sell. Nothing specific in any manner, shape or form. Attendance Commissioner Link stated. with no disrespect, a member has not been able to attend the majority of the meetings. The absence could possibly be because of changes in the job. There has to be a minimum standard of attendance. The CDA should have within a stated expectation of what is expected of a CDA commissioner and attendance at meetings should be one of those things. Chairman Waltz will speak to the member and the Mayor to see if the member is able to continue on the CDA. Next Meeting The next meeting was set for Tuesday, September 16, at 6:30 P.M. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Commissioner Link moved for adjournment, Commissioner Miles seconded . Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m. Stella Dunahee, CPS Recording Secretary