Plans for submitting a Tiger II grant application to assist the city with the cost of the North-South Overpass Project were outlined to the Staples Economic Development Authority at the SEDA monthly meeting July 27.

SEDA executive director Jerel Nelsen said he is busy completing the application for the federal highway department funding. The deadline is in August with successful applicants notified in September. The majority of the funding is intended for urban projects, however, Nelsen said.

Nelsen said part of the application calls for determination of a cost/benefit analysis. The benefit of the project must outweigh the cost. “The cost is pretty straight-forward,” Nelsen said, “while the benefit is a little more subjective.” He gave as an example how to determine the benefit of a school bus not having to wait five minutes for a train, then multiply that times 180 days a year.

The narrative alone for the grant application has a maximum limit of 25 pages, he said. It is hoped that the right of way for the road project, which has a 2012 timetable at this time, can be obtained in the next 12 months.

In another matters at the monthly EDA meeting, the board:

o APPROVED a subordination agreement for the B& E Apartments at 411 4th Street NE which allows them to participate in the Home Rental Rehab program with the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency.

o NOTED the demolition taking place of the Woodland Container building (box plant). The railroad is demolishing the building and plans to leave a cement slab.

o HEARD an update from Nelsen on Stan Widmer’s boat building project. So far the only word from federal sources is a suggestion that Widmer’s design engineers provide several variations of their basic boat design.

o REVIEWED the city’s Awning and Facade program application guidelines and okayed Nelsen’s proposal with one change.

0 LEARNED that MnDOT officials have agreed they needed to do more drainage work on the collector ponds south of the Staples Veterinary Clinic and did the work three weeks ago.

o HEARD Nelsen report the moisture problem in the SEDA Industrial Building unit housing Accura Tool is nearly rectified with new roofing material having been delivered.