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05-10-2004 EDA MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, MAY 10, 2004 Members Present: Vice Chair Dwyer, Commissioners Kuester, Tveite, and Motin Members Absent: President Gongoll, Commissioners Koenig and Klinzing Staff Present: Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich, Assistant Director of Economic Development Heidi Steinmetz, and City Clerk Joan Schmidt Call Meeting To Order 2. 4. Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Economic Development Authority was called to order at 5:38 p.m. by Vice Chair Dwyer. Consider Agenda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER TVEITE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO APPROVE THE MAY 10, 2004 EDA AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. Consider Consent Agenda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER TVEITE TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS: 3.1. APRIL 12, 2004 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 3.2 CHECK REGISTER 3.3 BALANCE SHEET 3.4 REVENUE/EXPENDITURE REPORT MOTION CARRIED 4-0. Open Mike No one appeared for open mike. Strategic Industrial Marketing Activities Report Assistant Director of Economic Development Heidi Steinmetz presented the marketing activities report. Economic Development Authority Minutes Page 2 May 10, 2004 6. Tax Rebate Financing Request -Badger Ventures LLC (Gradient Technology Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich reported that at the March 8, 2004, meeting the EDA and later the City Council approved the Revised Preliminary Expansion Siting Proposal for Gradient Technology. At its April meeting the City Council held a public hearing on the tax abatement request and business subsidy. The EDA and City Council didn't take any action on the request due to the following unresolved issues related to the abatement application: • Identification of a bank lender and proposed project financing terms • The possibility of a City Micro Loan request of up to $100,000 • Identification of the amount and source of eligible equity • Completion and review of a but for analysis. Since that time the company has selected a bank lender. The financing terms includes that the company would apply for an EDA Micro Loan up to $100,000 to supplement sources of private and public financing. Ms. Mehelich explained that this amount is out of the range of our typical program. The EDA does have a program for this purpose but the borrower must locate in the West Business Park according to the City's Micro Loan policy. The applicant is currently applying for this program and completing the Micro Loan application. Staff is recommending that the application go before the EDA Finance Committee with their recommendation to come back to the EDA at the June 14 meeting along with a recommendation to the City Council for final approval on the tax rebate-financing request. Staff is requesting EDA feedback on the concept to open up the $100,000 Micro Loan Program on a citywide basis. Commissioner Motin asked about providing the loan for $50,000, would this be acceptable, or do they need the full $100,000. Ms. Mehelich replied that the bank lender due to maximizing its loan on the project proposes the City consider a $100,000 loan. Commissioner Dwyer abstained from discussion because his place of employment, The Elk River Bank, is currently involved in this transaction. Commissioner Tveite asked if the company would still be meeting the 10 percent equity requirement. He stated that the cash balance is being built up in the Micro Loan account to around $800,000. Gradient Technology Vice President/CFO Eric Haehn answered yes they will meet the City's equity requirement. Economic Development Authority Minutes May 10, 2004 Page 3 Commissioner Motin stated that there are specific incentives for the West Business Park and that we need to resolve whether we still intend to keep these standards; this is something this body as a whole will have to decide as part of the economic development strategic plan. Commissioner Dwyer stated that the Micro Loan policy might have been written this way and created to put the West Business Park on even footing with the East Business Park. Commissioner Kuester would like the Finance Committee to report back on the rationale behind this policy, was it simply an incentive for the West Business Park, seeing those items to be more expensive, or was there a concern as to how much the percentage of the total project the micro-loan could be. If the maximum was not an absolute number but more related to the total project, would that be a way to work with it? Commissioner Tveite stated that he thought the policy calls for a maximum of 40 percent of the total project value that the micro-loan can consist of and a requirement of 10 percent minimum equity by the owner. Based on this, a requirement of 50 percent financing from a private institution would be needed. He felt the discussion was based on the fact of having vacant, undeveloped land in the West and trying to inspire some activity in the West. Commissioner Motin concurred. Ms. Mehelich stated that the West Business Park was separated with a special loan incentive program in September of 1999. The incentive was created prior to the 14- acre Soft Pac project being developed and Business Center Drive being extended. The EDA had a joint marketing agreement with a landowner as well as the one adjacent lot where the two multi-tenant buildings are located. There were a number of vacant properties ready to go on line at that time and the purpose was to initiate some development of the West Business Park. It was the consensus of the commission to direct staff to have the Finance Committee (1) review the loan application and make a recommendation to the EDA for approval or denial of the loan request, and (2) consider making a recommendation for a change in the policy or to leave the policy as written. 6. Consider EDA Micro Loan- Display Solutions Inc Commissioner Motin advised the commission that he may have a conflict in this matter because he represents Display Solutions, Inc. on general business matters. He stated that he would be abstaining both on discussion and voting in regards to this item. Assistant Director of Economic Development Heidi Steinmetz reported that on May 4, 2004, the Finance Committee reviewed amicro-loan application from Tom Buchta, Economic Development Authority Minutes May 10, 2004 Page 4 Bob Michalek and Jim Studee of Display Solutions. The Finance Committee unanimously recommended that the EDA consider awarding Display Solutions a $50,000 Supplemental Micro Loan for the purpose of acquiring equipment necessary to the operation. This recommendation was contingent upon American National Bank not charging a servicing fee for the participation loan. This fee has been waived. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER TVEITE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO APPROVE THE APPLICATION FROM DISPLAY SOLUTIONS FORA $50,000 SUPPLEMENTAL MICRO LOAN WITH THE FOLLOWING TERMS: • Personal guarantee from owners and spouses • Additional financing sources secured • Secured by second lien position on equipment • Term to be 10-year amortization, 3-year balloon payment at 1 point below prime with a 2 percent floor • Structured as participation loan with American National Bank • Job performance agreement (7 full-time jobs at no less than $12 per hour within 2 years). MOTION CARRIED 3-0-1 (Councilmember Motin abstained because he advises the owner and he felt there may be a perception of a conflict of interest.) 8. Other Business There was no other business. Adjournment The meeting of the Elk River Economic Development Authority adjourned at 6:13 p.m. ~.,~-~ Joan Schtnidt City Clerk