07-12-2004 EDA MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
MONDAY, JULY 12, 2004
Members Present: Vice President Dwyer, Commissioners Koenig, Kuester, Tveite, Motin
and Klinzing (5:45 p.m.)
Members Absent: President Gongoll
Staff Present: Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich, Assistant
Director of Economic Development Heidi Steinmetz, Director of
Planning Michele McPherson, and Recording Secretary Jessica Miller
1. Call Meeting To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Economic Development
Authority was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Vice President Dwyer.
2. Consider Agenda
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER TVEITE AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO APPROVE THE JULY 12, 2004 EDA
AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Consider Consent Agenda
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER TVEITE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS
FOLLOWS:
3.1. JUNE 14, 2004 REGULAR MINUTES
3.2. CHECK REGISTER
3.3. BALANCE SHEET
3.4. REVENUE/EXPENDITURE REPORT
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
4. Ooen Mike
No one appeared for Open Mike.
5. Strategic Industrial Marketing Activities Report
Assistant Director of Economic Development Heidi Steinmetz provided an update of
strategic industrial marketing activities. She stated that staff partnered with Gradient
Technology and Auth Consulting and Associates (Gradient Technology's construction
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managers) for the Gradient Technology groundbreaking event held on July 7th. Auth
Consulting provided the invitations and the City provided the refreshments,
videotaping, and photography. She noted that approximately 20 people were in
attendance.
Ms. Steinmetz indicated that the fifth edition of the Economic Development
Newsletter, the Progress Partner Dispatch, was distributed in early July to
approximately 500 people representing the following groups:
• Elk River manufacturers
• High-tech companies located in Anoka, Sherburne, and Wright Counties
• Anoka, Sherburne, and Wright County manufacturers with 20 or more
employees
• Past & present prospects/inquiries
• Key accounts (site selectors, etc.)
She explained that the purpose of the newsletter is to inform businesses of information
useful to their operations and present a "open for business" image. The newsletter is
distributed in the Economic Development marketing packets and is also available for
download on the City's Website.
Ms. Steinmetz stated that staff and Commissioner Tveite attended a BRE visit with Ed
Stoutenburg and Bill Helliwell of NRG on July 8th. She stated that the following
issues were discussed at the meeting:
• Company's unhappiness with the Main St./Hwy 10 intersection redesign
which has caused difficulty for trash haulers to maneuver through the
intersection
• Company would appreciate notification of city development issues, especially
as it relates to their transportation routes
• Company's concern that the city remain the core Energy City staff
• Mr. Stoutenburg's marketing idea for Energy City
• NRG's willingness to form future partnerships with the city (recycling
programs, etc.)
Commissioner Tveite added that NRG has concerns about the reduction in the
amount of garbage being brought to their plant because the garbage is used for energy.
Commissioner Kuester questioned the concern about the city remaining the core
Energy City staff. Ms Steinmetz stated that some Energy City members had expressed
interest in wanting more out of the brochures, minutes, website, etc. and staff
expressed their willingness to accept help but this may have been misconstrued as staff
not wanting to continue to work on Energy City items.
Ms. Steinmetz noted that staff will contact EDA Commissioners individually to
schedule future BRE visits.
6. Update on ABRA Auto Body
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July tz, 2004
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Director of Planning Michele McPherson stated that the owner of ABRA Auto Body
and Glass, located north of Main Street on Carson Street, has been searching for a
place to relocate within the city.
Ms. McPherson explained that staff provided the owners with a potential list of sites
along Highways 10 and 169 that would be zoned appropriately for such a use.
However, the property owner is interested in purchasing a site in Mulvaney Point
which is currently zoned BP, Business Park with an underlying land use of Light
Industrial. Ms. McPherson stated that motor vehicle repair shops are not allowed in
that zoning district either as a Permitted or Conditional Use.
Ms. McPherson indicated that the applicant's representative, P1anScape Partners, met
with the Planning Commission to determine the most appropriate method of
relocating ABRA to this site. She stated that the Planning Commission felt the most
appropriate method to utilize would be to amend the zoning ordinance text to include
this type of use with conditions. She stated that the Planning Commission approved
the text amendment at its June 22, 2004 meeting and the City Council will act on the
proposed text amendment at its July 19, 2004 meeting. She stated that the applicant has
applied for a Conditional Use Permit but if the Council denies the text amendment,
the applicant will be required to withdraw their request.
Vice President Dwyer stated that ABRA is a neat, clean business in their present
location but wondered if the text amendment would assure it stays clean. Ms.
McPherson stated that the text amendment has four conditions to help ensure the
business remains neat. She stated that if ABRA failed to meet any of the conditions,
the city could begin enforcement proceedings which may result in vacation of the
Conditional Use Permit.
The Authority reviewed the proposed text amendment and made a few changes. Ms.
McPherson stated that the changes will be made and the amendment will go before the
City Council on July 19, 2004.
Economic Development Strategic Plan Report
Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich provided an update on the
Economic Development Strategic Plan. Ms. Mehelich explained that the group
identified the following 2004-2007 priority issues in order of importance:
• Industrial Development
• Central Business District (CBD)
• Transportation
• Commercial Development
Ms. Mehelich stated that staff would like EDA feedback on the list of strategies
presented for addressing the Transportation and Commercial Development issues.
Discussion took place on the two issues and the EDA Commissioners provided
feedback to Ms. Mehelich.
Ms. Mehelich explained the timetable for review and adoption of the Economic
Development Strategic Plan. She stated that the hope is to have the Plan come back
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before the EDA in August and then be forwarded onto the Housing and
Redevelopment Authority and the City Council sometime in September or October.
8. Other Business
There was no Other Business.
9. Adjournment
There being no other business, the meeting of the Elk River Economic Development
Authority adjourned at 6:42 p.m.
~~
Jessica Miller
Recording Secretary