Minutes

New Brighton Economic Development Commission

Regular Meeting -November 12, 1997

7:30 a.m.

Call to Order

Chair, Ken Johnson and Vice Chair, George Gregori called the meeting to order at 7:35 a.m.

Roll Call

Present:	Mayor Bob Benke, Carol Frey, George Gregori, Ken Johnson, Maxine Pierson, Jeff Schopf, Dean Tollefson,

Absent:	Mike Olson, John Kaufhold

Also Present:	Jill Hanson, Economic Development Specialist

Kevin Locke, Director of Community Development

Tom Terry, Planning Assistant

Matt Fulton, City Manager

Tim Peterson, EM Corporation

Approval of Minutes

The minutes from October 14, 1997 were approved as written.

BCP III- Neighbor Retail Project

Developers interested in working with the City on that site were discussed. Several of them had submitted preliminary site plans. It was decided that the EDC would meet with the developers in December and ask them to visualize the area, including the residential site. This would ensure that access, grade and traffic issues would be coordinated between the two sites although the residential site will be redeveloped later. Staff was asked to keep the property owners in that neighborhood informed. Interviews with developers will be held on December 9 and 10 at 7:30 a.m.

Old Highway 8 Name Change

Carol Frey reported that because the Old Highway 8 name project had become an election issue, the project was stopped until after the elections last week. To date, Frey has been hearing that the business community wants the current name maintained but the numbering system should be fixed. Since the initial calls, it was learned that our area 's area code will be changed starting this summer. If we are going to change anything, this may be the perfect opportunity to do so with a minimum of disruption. The Chamber will call a meeting with the business community on January 8, 1998 to discuss the possible options.

1998 Work Plan Preparation

A list of current issues that will need to be addressed in the coming year was handed out. Commissioners were asked to begin to think about priorities for 1998. The Old Highway 8 name change issue was added to the list.

Other Business

Railroad Wye Update

Staff has met with Union Pacific Railroad and the Wisconsin Central concerning the eastern wye for the coal trains. Both of the railroads responded positively to the project and requested the City to serve as facilitator.

Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 a.m.