04-09-2007 EDA MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTH~
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY H~
MONDAY, APRIL 9, 2007
Members Present: President Gongoll, Commissioners, Dwyer, Farb'~er, Zerwas (5:35 p.m.),
Klinzing, Motin, and Tveite (5:40 p.m.) I
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Director of Economic Development Catherine I~lehelich, Assistant
Director of Economic Development Heidi Steindnetz, Community
Development Director Scott Clark, City Enginee~c Terry Maurer, Planning
Manager Jeremy Barnhart, Finance Director Timll,Simon, and City Clerk
Tina Allard
Call Meeting To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Econo(ic Development
Authority was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by President Gongoll.
2. Consider Agenda
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER FARBER AND SECOND>~'D BY
COMMISSIONER KLINZING TO APPROVE THE APRIL 9, 2007 EDA
AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
3.
4.
5.
on ider on n Agenda
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER KLINZING AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER MOTIN TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS
FOLLOWS:
3.1. MARCH 12, 2007 MINUTES
3.2. CHECK REGISTERS
3.3. BALANCE SHEET
3.4. REVENUE/EXPENDITURE REPORT
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
n Mi
No one appeared for Open Mike.
Consider Resolution Approving the Decertification of Tax In r m n Fin ing District No
15(McChesney) in t e i of Elk River
Ms. Mehelich stated TIF District 15 has reached its term and the EDA needs to decertify the
District in accordance with statutory requirements.
Economic Development Authority Minutes
Apri19, 2007
Page 2
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER DWYER AND SECOND$D BY
COMMISSIONER MOTIN TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 07-01 APPROVING THE
DECERTIFICATION OF TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT NO. ]5
WITHIN DEVELOPMENT' DISTRICT NO. I IN THE CITY OF ELK RIVER.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
6. Other Business
Mr. Clark noted that information on a proposed road alignment for TH 10 from a
Mn/DOT representative was personal opinions of that person and not what is being
proposed by Mn/DOT.
A~oum to Worksession for Discussion on Gateway Business Center Development
Grant Martin, Maxfield Reseazch, Inc., provided an explanation of the study his firm
completed for the Gateway Business Park. He reviewed the methodology used by his
company. He stated the Pack has limited market use for office and retail based on access and
visibility to TH 10. Mr. Martin stated he found industrial demand for the site. He
recommended 40 acres dedicated to owner-occupied industrial space and 20 acres for multi-
tenant lease space. He stated the focus of the study was for the city-owned property.
Mr. Barnhart stated he is looking for direction on the type of land uses the EDA would like
to see for the Pack.
Commissioner Motin stated the access issues fox this Park are not any different then the
Wal-mart location.
Mr. Clark stated there could be some retail in the Pazk but questioned how much the EDA
would like to see.
Commissioner Gongoll stated the surrounding properties need to be considered for
development of the Pazk.
Commissioner Klinzing concurred. She stated people shouldn't have to go through industrial
properties to get to commercial properties.
Commissioner Tveite stated if the EDA wants retail it may need to wait unN there is more
of a demand.
Commissioner Farber concurred.
Commissioner Dwyer concurred. He questioned if the train station was considered in the
study.
Mc Barnhart stated he has spoken to a couple of the property owners and they are looking
to put in commercial/retail.
Commissioner Gongoll stated the consensus of the EDA is to see more of a retail
component in the Park. He stated he would like to see a higher level of architectural
standazds, some high-tech infrastructure, and a different name for the Park.
Economic Development Authority Minutes Page 3
April 9, 2007
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Ms. Mehelich questioned the types of retail the EDA would like to see.
Commissioners Motin and Klinzing stated they would like to see a big box retail area similar
to the Wal-mart area in Elk Rivex.
Commissioner Gongoll stated he could see it as a small boutique neighborhood center.
Mr. Barnhart created a sample drawing of the land uses the EDA is requesting.
Mr. Maurer stated there will be some constraints to the site due to wetlands and gas lines
Ms. Mehelich questioned how Maxfield Research, Inc., considered the viability of developing
retail in this proximity from the rail station.
Mr. Martin stated the key feature they considered for the rail station is walkabdity. He stated
if a site can be walkable, you will keep people there to utilize the retail; but once they are in
the car they can go anywhere. He stated the city shouldn't count on rail as a draw for retail.
Commissioner Moon disagreed with the walkability component. He stated people coming
home at the end of night don't walk and shop and they don't have time in the morning to
shop. He stated commuters plan their trips to the rail station to within five minutes of an
available train. He stated it is not walkable from the rail station to the Gateway Business
Park.
Ms. Mehelich stated people catching the train will come and go in short time frames limited
to the train's arrival. She questioned the support of retail businesses for the non-commuter
times throughout the day. She noted initially there will be limited train trips from the station.
Mr. Clark noted there will be competition with Elk River Station and their retail
development.
Ms. Mehelich questioned if the study azea scope was broadened to include adjacent private
parcels for development, would that improve the market opportunity for retail.
Mr. Martin stated it would but the city would need to improve the access to the southern
portion of the site.
8. A~Ijountment
The meeting of the Elk River Economic Development Authority adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
L~~
Tina Allard
City Clerk