03-31-2001 EDA MIN - STRATEGIC PLANECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLAN WORKSESSION
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2004
Present: Jeff Gongoll, Larry Koenig, Louise Kuester, Dan Tveite, Paul Motin, Pat
Dwyer, Stephanie Klinzing, Larry Toth, Jean Lieser, Stewart Wilson, Jack
Mowry, Tom McNair, Steve King and Gary Santwire
Absent: John Dietz, Jim Barrhel, Larry Hickman, Chris Carlson, Cliff Lundberg, Jim
Simpson, Daryl Thompson, Mark Urista and Kara Hillman
Staff Present: Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich, Assistant
Director of Economic Development Heidi Steinmetz, City Administrator
Pat Klaers, Director of Planning Michele McPherson,
Building & Environmental Administrator Steve Rohlf and Municipal
Utilities Manager Bryan Adams
Others Present: Jim Brimeyer, The Brtmeyer Group, Inc.
Dick Gongoll
1. Expeceations
Facilitator Jim Brimeyer asked those present to provide input regarding their expectations of
the Economic Development Strategic Plan update process. The following items were
expressed:
• Ten-year economic development plan
• Improved competitive strategy to provide tax base growth
• More manufactuiuig jobs
• Planning process to be informative
• City not developed by market demand but by strategic planning
• Gravel pit area utilized for industrial development in the future
• Energy City incentives used to attract business
• TIF monitoring
• Action steps in updated plan
• The community's "buy in" to the plan
2. Overview of Stxat~c Planning Process -Facilitator Tim Bximeyer
Mr. Brimeyer provided an overview of the strategic planning process, a Strengths,
Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis and the components of a typical
mission statement. Those present provided the following items as potential components to
a revised Elk River economic development mission statement:
Economic Development Strategic Plan Worksession
March 31, 2004
• A river community (the Stillwater model was discussed)
• Historic community including an identifiable downtown
• A regional center/hub for shopping and recreation
• Natural resources
• "Live, work, play" environment
• Favorable location, which is accessible, convenient and growing
• Elk River is Energy City
3. Presentation - Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich
Page 2
Ms. Mehelich provided a 2000-2003 Economic Development Strategic Plan status report,
including a checklist of actions steps completed to date.
Discussion occurred regazding industrial land prices in Elk River, including the issue of city-
ownedindustrial land.
4. Small GCOllDS
Those present were divided into small groups and asked to answer the following two
questions:
• Is the Economic Development Mission Statement still valid?
• Is the current SWOT analysis up-to-date?
The small group discussions were recorded and compiled into the following comprehensive
list of potential revisions to the 1999 SWOT analysis:
Stren¢tlts
Add Delete
• Commercial develo ment • Metro hone
• Available labor • Sec buddin
• Guardian An els Senior Pro am • U date Com .Plan
• Housin alternatives Tax rate
• Business communi ankin UPA
• Recreation facilities Bo s/Girls Club
• Youth o anizations • Youth Em orium
• Ans communi • Source of construction materials
• Northstar comdor • Sewer ca aci
• Seat of rowin coon • Land rices/avadabili
• Seat of School District • Fundin for em to ee trainin
• Metro olitan Council olicies do not affect us
Economic Development Strategic Plan Worksession
March 31, 2004
Weaknesses
Page 3
Add Delete
• Need more 'obs - livable w e • Lack of marketin lan
• Entertainment o ortunities • Lack of skills trainin
• Underdevelo ed industrial base • Commuter o ulation
• Traffic intemal/re 'onal con estion • Labor availablei
• No Communi Center • Communi atherin lace
• Lack of commercial land available -zoned
a ro riatel • Meeting facilities
• Lack of defined oli for fundin ci ro'eas
• Cohesive planning (Council, EDA, I-IRA, City
De aztments
Opportunities
Add Delete
• YMCA ossibili • Sorts Federation Com lex
• Downtown Develo ment interest • Youth or anizations
• Growth rate • 101 com letion
• Commercial/Retail • Reputation of Minnesota (technical,
education
• Proximi to hi er education • Socie work habits commuter
• Hi w stem - Mn/DOT Plan Met Council olicies
• Ci ownershi of land • Past ear's owth
• Growth in ad'acent cities/townshi s • Otse o owth
• 101 ex ansion • Po ularion shift to rural
• Gravel induct land uses • Ad'acent ci /townshi owth
• Ener Ci desi anon
Threats
Add Delete
• Need Com rehensive Plan u date Buildin location
• Power line ex ansion • Inflation
• Fuel rices ener • Fra ented school districts
• The econom • Excess retail
• Ad'acent retail • Unmana ed owth outside the ci
• Hi er land taxes • Landfill in vet its
• Dere anon
• Cotm attitude
• Utili ersonal roe tax
• Wildscenic re ations
Economic Development Strategic Plan Worksession
March 31, 2004
Page 4
5. Review Major Issues & Goals
Based on the updated SWOT analysis, each small group was asked to review/modify the
2000-2003 Economic Development Strategic Plan Major Issues & Goals. This task was in
preparation for the vote on priority issues that will take place during the second worksession.
6. Closine
The Economic Development Strategic Plan Worksession ended at 5:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by,
Heidi Steinmetz
Assistant Director of Economic Development