Forward New Richmond Committee

Forward New Richmond Committee Meeting Agenda Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at 12:00 PM Council Chambers Page 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL 3. ADOPTION OF AGENDA 4. CONSENT AGENDA a. Minutes from Previous Meeting 2-3 September 20, 2023 b. Community Development Updates 4-5 Memo: Community Development Updates -November 2023 5. CITY OF NEW RICHMOND-DOWNTOWN a. City of New Richmond - Downtown 6-7 Memo: Downtown NR 6. 2024 FORWARD NEW RICHMOND SCHEDULE a. 2024 Meeting Schedule 8 Memo: 2024 Meeting Schedule - FNR 7. COMMUNICATION AND MISCELLANEOUS 8. ADJOURNMENT  Forward New Richmond Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at 12:00 PM Council Chambers The Forward New Richmond Committee was called to order on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at 12:00 PM, in the Council Chambers, with the following members present: PRESENT: Karl Skoglund, Carrie Borgstrom, Bryan Knutdson, Kent Elkin, Pete Kling, and Pete Vrieze ABSENT: Heather McAbee, Ryan Shervey, and Liz Pizzi OTHERS Ron Volkert, Beth Thompson PRESENT: CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL ADOPTION OF AGENDA Pete Vrieze made a motion to approve the Agenda as presented. Karl Skoglund seconded the motion. Carried unanimously. CONSENT AGENDA Pete Kling made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Pete Vrieze seconded the motion. Carried unanimously. ST. CROIX COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Carrie Borgstrom is a member of the St. Croix County EDC Board and she stated that Bill Rubin will be retiring at the end of September. Carrie requested any input that FNR members to give her to assist the board in moving forward with the hiring of a new Excutive Director or any improvements they could consider moving forward. Discussion followed. Carrie also requested that all members complete the survey that was provided in the packet. CLOSED SESSION Closed Session Per State Statute 19.85(1)(e) Deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session. Pete Vrieze made a motion to go into Closed Session. Karl Skoglund seconded the motion. Carried unanimously. Forward New Richmond Committee Meeting September 20, 2023 Karl Skoglund made a motion rescinding the first motion. Karl moved to go into Closed Session to include Ron Volkert. Kent Elkin seconded the motion. Carried unanimously. OPEN SESSION - ACTION ON CLOSED SESSION AGENDA Pete Vrieze made a motion to recommend to the City Council as discussed in Closed Session. Pete Kling seconded the motion. Carried unanimously. COMMUNICATION AND MISCELLANEOUS Carrie Borgstrom invited all FNR members to an event put on by St. Croix County EDC. This event will be in celebration of Craft Brewery Day and will be held at Rush River Brewery in River Falls on Thursday, September 28th from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Pete Vrieze made a motion to adjourn. Karl Skoglund seconded the motion. Carried unanimously. Forward New Richmond Committee Meeting September 20, 2023  MEMO Prepared for: Forward New Richmond Staff Contact: Beth Thompson Meeting: Forward New Richmond Committee - 15 Nov 2023 Subject: Community Development Updates- FNR November 2023 BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Building / Zoning Updates – October 31, 2023: Number of Building Permits - 283 Number of New Dwelling Units - 49 Number of Inspections - 875 Residential Construction Value - $14,750,850.00 Commercial Construction Value - $11,618,825.00 Building Permit Fees - $185,207.00 Occupancy Updates: The building inspector has given occupancy for three single-family homes, and one duplex for the month of October. Ribbon Cuttings: City Staff attended, welcomed and congratulated Eau Claire Realty on both of their brand new developments in our community: West Fifth Townhomes and Mill City Flats. The West Fifth Townhomes are located off of Hwy. 64, across from the New Richmond Golf Club. Mill City Flats is located next to Domino's Pizza and Croft Place. Mill City Flats features a dog washing station that is open to the public and dog play area. Mad City Money: On October 19th, two City staff members volunteered at the High School for a Senior event called Mad City Money, sponsored by WESTconsin Credit Union. City staff along with approximately 30 local business volunteers engaged with seniors in a fun learning environment. This event teaches seniors about real world financing. Great fun was had by all! St. Croix Valley Business Innovation Center - River Falls: Community Development staff went and toured the St. Croix County Valley Business Innovation Center in River Falls. They offer Business Coaching, Advising, Workshops, Seminars and Incubation Program. It is an amazing opportunity for small and upcoming business owners. It gives them a chance to work along side other entrepreneurs to collaborate and communicate ideas. It is wonderful resource to have in St. Croix County. Business, Retention and Expansion Program (BR&E): Community Development staff met with 11 local businesses in October. Year to date, we have almost completed 100 business visits! Downtown Updates: As you may have noticed there have been a few changes in our downtown. New Richmond Electronics/Radio Shack has changed locations; you can now find them at 225 South Knowles Avenue, where Lydia and Company used to be. State Farm-Frank Steward Insurance Agency will be moving into their old space. They plan to remodel and update the exterior. Recent move outs include KBA Technology Computer Repair Store and The Gathering Games. City staff are working diligently on filling these store fronts and others that have been vacant. Economic Development Updates: City staff have been told that if all goes well, Tractor Supply is scheduled to open the week before Christmas. Occupancy has not yet been given, but they are very close! Falcon Glen, a condo plat off of West 8th Street, has all been approved and work has commenced. They started working on site and utility work the week of November 6th. The preliminary plat for Gloverdale (old turkey farm property) has been approved, and staff understands that the final plat will move forward in early 2024, with site work commencing in mid- 2024. Page 2 of 2  MEMO Prepared for: Forward New Richmond Staff Contact: Beth Thompson Meeting: Forward New Richmond Committee - 15 Nov 2023 Subject: City of New Richmond - Downtown BACKGROUND INFORMATION: For our Forward New Richmond meeting, I would like to have a discussion regarding downtown development as we have experienced some changes in our downtown with move outs and relocations. The downtown is the heart of your community! It represents independent business owners, which support their fellow local businesses, local families, community projects, schools and keeps the profits in the community. Downtown is key to a positive community space, where residents and visitors gather for parades, shopping local, kid events, and much more. It defines a community’s unique businesses and buildings that show the history. Successful downtown revitalization efforts often focus on creating results from the mix of building and space uses. The market analysis process does not end with a list of businesses for recruitment or expansion. Instead, these new business opportunities need to be integrated into downtown in a manner that will benefit both the new businesses as well as existing businesses. As every downtown is different in nature, there is not a one-size-fits all procedure for making building and space utilization recommendations. Our discussion will hopefully provide general ideas/guidelines for successfully locating new business opportunities into the downtown. Most businesses will want a location with high visibility, accessibility, and large amounts of pedestrian and vehicle traffic which our downtown has to offer! Most recent changes: New Richmond Electronics and Amy's Nook have moved and opened their new space located at 225 S. Knowles Avenue, formerly Lydia and Company Boutique. The change was due to State Farm Insurance-Frank Steward's Agency purchasing the building at 336 S. Knowles Avenue. He will be taking occupancy once the exterior and interior renovations are complete. Frank Steward's space currently is located at 245 S. Knowles Avenue. We are reaching out to him to see who will be taking over the space or if it would be available. Available spaces: 155 S. Knowles Avenue (previously KBA Technology Computer Repair Store) 208 S. Knowles Avenue (@Title Building) 244 S. Knowles Avenue (previously The Gathering Games) 141 S. Knowles Avenue (open storefront, next to Old Saloon) 150 W. First Street (open space for lease) 144 W. Third Street (Anytime Fitness building - currently on the market) 116 S. Knowles Avenue (Old Gem Theatre - currently on the market) Discussion topics:  Ideas on filling empty storefronts  Who should we target - Who do we want in our downtown?  Marketing  Retail vs Restaurants vs Professional Services  Surveys for current owners/renters  Contacting local agents or realtors for further ideas City staff would like 2024 to be a year we focus on our Downtown. Let's come together, think outside the box, network ideas, and attract businesses into our downtown! Page 2 of 2  MEMO Prepared for: Forward New Richmond Staff Contact: Beth Thompson Meeting: Forward New Richmond Committee - 15 Nov 2023 Subject: 2024 Meeting Schedule BACKGROUND INFORMATION: City staff has proposed the following schedule for 2024 Forward New Richmond meetings:  January 17, 2024 at Noon  February 21, 2024 at Noon  March 20, 2024 at Noon  April 17, 2024 at Noon  May 15, 2024 at Noon  June 19, 2024 at Noon  July 2024 - no meeting  August 21, 2024 at Noon  September 18, 2024 at Noon  October 16, 2024 at Noon  November 20, 2024 at Noon  December 2024 - no meeting After reviewing these dates and times, FNR members can agree to this schedule for the 2024 year or make suggestions on new days and times.