Minutes

of the

Regular Meeting of the

Detroit Lakes Development Authority

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

4:30 PM

City Administration Building

Conference Room

MEMBERS PRESENT:               Jim Anderson, Matt Brenk, Greg Hildenbrand, Mark Hagen, Mary  Beth Gilsdorf, Tom Klyve

MEMBERS ABSENT:                 Dennis Winskowski

OTHERS PRESENT:                    Robert Louiseau, Larry Remmen, Nancy Wichmann, Bruce Imholte, Pippi Mayfield, Mitch Wimmer, Jamie Marks Erickson, Kris Tovson

  I.           CALL TO ORDER:

                Chairman Jim Anderson called the meeting of the Detroit Lakes Development Authority to order at 4:30 PM in the Conference Room of the City Administration

                Building, 1025 Roosevelt Avenue on Tuesday, November 18,  2008.  All members  of the Authority have been duly notified of the meeting and the business to be transacted. 

 II.           MINUTES:

                A motion was made by Commissioner Greg Hildenbrand seconded by Commissioner Mary Beth Gilsdorf and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of the

                 regular meeting held November 5, 2008.     

III.          FINANCIALS:

                A motion was made by Commissioner Matt Brenk, seconded by Commissioner Tom Klyve and carried unanimously to approve the financial report and payment of

                claims for the period ending October 31, 2008.

IV.          OLD BUSINESS:

A.           None

V.           NEW BUSINESS:

A.           Consideration to the approval of the Business Corridor Redevelopment Plan and recommendation for City Council approval

                The Authority agreed the Business Corridor Redevelopment Plan presented by RDG was a good frame work plan for future development of the community.  A motion was made by Commissioner

                Mark Hagen, seconded by Commissioner Matt Brenk and carried unanimously to approve the Business Corridor Redevelopment plan as presented and request that the City Council approve the plan

                as well.

B.           Consideration to approval of the Conference Center Feasibility Study and referral to the City Council for approval

                The Authority discussed the Conference Center Feasibility Study.  A motion was made by Commissioner Tom Klyve, seconded by Commissioner Greg Hildenbrand and carried unanimously to

                accept the Conference Center Feasibility Study  as presented and recommend that the City Council accept the study and not to move forward with any action of the plan at this time. 

C.           Consideration to the request of Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce relative to their sign project

               Chamber of Commerce President, Kris Tovson was present to request assistance from the Development Authority in funding a new lighted welcome to Detroit Lakes and directional sign to be placed

               by the fire station.  Additional lighting and an additional support post increased the price. The Chamber is short funds in the amount of $7,500.  Executive Director Bob Louiseau reported Public

               Utilities will dig the hole and run power to the sign. It was agreed that the  request should be brought before the City Council with possible funding through the City’s Liquor Fund.  A motion was made

               by Commissioner Greg Hildenbrand, seconded by Commissioner Matt Brenk and carried unanimously to provide the Chamber of Commerce with a bridge loan of up to $7,500 at 0% interest for

               six months with the funding request being brought before the City Council for consideration.

B.           Other

                Larry Remmen reported that Bob Louiseau and he had met with Mitch and Brad Wimmer, property owners of land on Washington Avenue/West Lake Drive, to discuss the possibility of the City

                working with the Wimmers to devise a request  for proposal for the development of their lake front property.  The development of this property could involve future requests to the

                Development  Authority for tax increment financing, low interest loans, or other incentives.  A motion was made by Commissioner Mary Beth Gilsdorf, seconded by Commissioner Mark Hagen

                and carried unanimously to authorize City Staff  to work with the Wimmers in developing a RFP to move forward with the development of the lake front area.

                Executive Director Bob Louiseau reported he received a letter from Scott Mehlhaff, (The Lodge) requesting a lower interest rate on the loan from the City Development Authority.

                Bob Louiseau will contact Scott Mehlhaff and explain that an interest rate reduction can not be made due to the fact that their loan funding was tied in with investment

                features of the community center.  No action was taken.

                For information only, there will be a presentation by Famous Dave’s of America, Dave Anderson, at the MSCTC, Friday, December 5^th from 10:00 to 11:30 AM. 

VI.          Adjournment

                There being no further business to bring before the Board, the meeting was adjourned.                                                                                       

                                                                                                                Signed                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                       Larry Remmen, Community Development Director