2021 12 15CHANHASSEN ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 15, 2021
Chairman Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Jim Sanford, Ryan Soller, James Ebeling, Eric Anderson and David
Kressler.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: Bob Generous, Senior Planner; Kate Aanenson, Community Development
Director.
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Lee Hall, Next Stage
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Member Soller moved, Member Ebeling seconded to approve the Minutes of the Economic
Development Commission meeting dated October 12, 2021 as presented. All voted in favor
except Chair Eric Anderson who abstained and the motion carried with a vote of 4 to 0.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
1. DISCUSS CREATING CRITERIA FOR GRANTING SEWER AVAILABILITY
CHARGE (SAC) CREDIT
Mr. Generous stated the City currently does not have a policy for providing the credit and right
now there are about 17 SAC credits available.
Chair Anderson asked if they are crediting the City charge or the Met Council charge.
Mr. Generous replied it is the City payment and they generally collect it from businesses as part
of the building permit process.
Ms. Aanenson shared that for a small business person the credit can make a big difference.
Chair Anderson agreed it is a huge difference. He has seen that the amount of charges between
SAC, WAC, etc. has doubled to the point where a project like he is working on with senior
housing it is $12-13 dollars per foot of construction cost. It is impactful to small and large
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businesses. He encouraged the ability to have a SAC credit policy and thinks it is a great idea but
with 17 SAC credits they cannot go far.
Ms. Aanenson replied that is correct and right now they are looking to help some of those
smaller businesses and entrepreneurs and looking to the Commissioners to see if there is any
additional criteria.
The Commissioners and Staff discussed criteria and options going forward, including limiting
the credit to businesses rather than housing developments, and the fact that it could help new
businesses to come into the City.
Ms. Aanenson and Staff will put something together and bring it back for the Commissioners
input.
2. REVIEW 2021 WORK PLAN, COMMISSION GOALS AND BYLAWS
Mr. Generous noted they will be coming into a new year and should look forward to what the
plan should be for 2022. He noted it must be adopted by April, 2022.
The Commissioners discussed the item, noting it would be helpful to the EDC to have guidance
from the City Council as to what they would like the EDC to focus on. They would also like to
have a joint meeting with the City C ouncil and Planning Commission to talk through some of
these things. The Commissioners talked about potential focus areas including a business subsidy
program, Sewer Access Charges (SAC) and Water Access Charges (WAC), hotel tax, a survey
for businesses, and developer feedback.
Chair Anderson asked the Commissioners to think about what they would like to see in 2022 and
come back to the January meeting ready to share ideas.
ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS:
1. SMALL AND NEW BUSINESS
Lee Hall gave a presentation, noting he is from Next Stage which is a non-profit organization
that works in the space of entrepreneurial development. He has been partnering with Carver
County since 2012 and noted the things to succeed in small business are tools, skills, know-how,
passion, and resources. Next Stage tries to address these pieces through one-on-one consulting
with entrepreneurs as well as being a small business lender. He noted it is very busy right now
with lots of activity and entrepreneurs coming in; many people have left their jobs and are
looking for a different work situation. While at one time entrepreneurialism was not on their
agenda, many are now looking at that option and exploring how they want to work and live. Mr.
Hall noted there are a lot of funds and resources available to small business owners right now,
and stated inflation is up. The technology divide is a big factor in businesses right now and Next
Stage has processed many grants from the CARES Act; those who embraced new technologies
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and ways to interact with customers online during COVID-19 saw more success than those who
were reluctant to utilize technologies and many of those are struggling. The advice he has for
small businesses is to make the technology changes needed because the world is upside down
and people are dealing with change on a regular basis. Now is the time to do it.
CORRESPONDENCE DISCUSSION:
1. GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL ON ECONOMIC EXPANSION RECOMMENDATIONS
ADJOURNMENT:
Chair Anderson adjourned the Economic Development Commission meeting at 7:47 p.m.
Submitted by Bob Generous
Senior Planner
Prepared by Kim Meuwissen
City Clerk