Minutes - Economic Development Authority - 04/08/2021

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Deputy City Administrator Gladhill stated that there are some official steps that will be taken in the coming months to finalize the Highway 10 design vision. He provided an update on the funding secured for the Highway 10 project, noting that included in that plan is payoff of the RALF funds. He noted that the City would make decisions on which properties will be needed and which could be sold. Chairperson Steffen asked if the existing ordinance would allow for this signage or whether there would be work to be done. Deputy City Administrator Gladhill commented that this type of sign is currently prohibited and therefore work would need to be done. He commented that it was known from the start that updates would be needed, and this would be the driver to update the language within the code. He confirmed that currently there are no billboards allowed and the existing billboards were established prior to the prohibition and exist as lawful nonconforming uses. Economic Development Manager Sullivan commented that although this was done as an RFI, all the information on quality and pricing was included and therefore did not believe additional information would be gained by an RFP. Chairperson Steffen stated that he would support dropping Lamar, as Member Riley suggested, and confirmed the consensus of the group. Economic Development Manager Sullivan commented that he is looking for a recommendation from the EDA on how this should move forward. He stated that the EDA could select one vendor or could recommend that staff work with two vendors to move forward. Deputy City Administrator Gladhill stated that the due diligence has been done and would recommend negotiation occur with one vendor. He stated that the recommendation could be based off the information that was supplied and scoring that staff completed, or the EDA could request that both companies provide a presentation to the EDA in order for the group to make a decision. Chairperson Steffen asked the contact that staff has had and whether an in-person presentation would be needed. Economic Development Manager Sullivan commented that he has not met in person but has talked with all three companies on the telephone and is comfortable with them. He stated that the decision would be of the EDA as to whether they would feel that there would be benefit to in person presentations. He stated that even if one vendor is chosen, he did not believe construction would occur this fall as additional work will be needed to select the location and move forward. Chairperson Steffen asked if this could happen this year based on the work that would be needed. Deputy City Administrator Gladhill commented that he would feel more comfortable with early 2022, based on the timing of the Highway 10 project and right-of-way acquisition discussions. Economic Development Authority/ April 8, 2021 Page 5 of 12