05-18-2015 EDA MINMembers Present:
Members Absent:
Meeting of the Elk River
Economic Development Authority
Meld at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, May 18, 2015
President 'I'veite, Commissioners Burandt, Dwyer, Westgaard, Provo,
Olsen, and Wagner
None
Staff Present: Economic Development Director Amanda Othoudt, Economic
Development Specialist Colleen Eddy, and Executive
Secretary/Deputy City Clerk Jessica Miller
Call Meeting to Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Economic
Development Authority was called to order at 5:30 p.m. bV President Tveite.
2. Consider 05 118 120IS Agenda
Public art artist agreement was added as item 3.5 on the consent agenda.
Moved by Commissioner Westgaard and seconded by Commissioner Dwyer
to approve the May 18, 2015, agenda as amended. Motion carried 7-0.
3. Consider Consent Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Wagner and seconded by Commissioner Westgaard
to approve the following consent agenda:
3.1 EDA Minutes:
April 13, 2015, Regular
■ April 13, 2015, Closed
• April 20, 2015, Regular
3.2 Check register as outlined in the staff report.
3.3 Balance sheet as outlined in the staff report.
3.4 Revenue/expenditure report as outlined in the staff report.
3.5 Public art artist agreement as outlined in the staff report.
Motion carried 7-0.
4. Open Forum
No one appeared for Open Forum.
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clay 18, 2015
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S. Public Hearings
There were no public hearing items scheduled for this agenda.
6.1 GATR Property Tax Abatement
Nis. Othoudt presented the staff report.
Moved by Commissioner Dwyer and seconded by Commissioner Provo to
recommend City Council approval of the tax abatement assistance for GATR
of Sauk Rapids, Inc. as outlined in the staff report. Motion carried 7-0.
5.2 Propose Date for EDA Budget Workshop
Nis. Othoudt presented the staff report.
Consensus was to set the EDA budget workshop for 5:00 p.m. Monday, July 20,
2015.
6.3 Propose Date for EDA Strategic Pian Workshop
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report.
Consensus was to meet at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, June 15 to review and update the
Strategic plan.
The EDA recessed at 5:38 p.m. to Upper "Town Conference Room for work session. The
meeting reconvened at 5:41 p.m.
6.4 Process Workshop Continued
Ms. Othoudt reconvened the discussion from last month.
She questioned if there were any additions or changes to the business survey
included in the packet.
Commissioner Westgaard felt the survey had a good variety of questions. He added
staff may want to follow-up depending on the type of responses received. 'ITlie
Commission concurred.
Commissioner Wagner stated if the business indicates staff expectations were not
met, the survey should allow for an explanation. She would life that option for all of
the questions where a negative response is indicated. Nis. Othoudt stated staff will
add an option to provide an explanation but it will not be mandatory.
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Mar 18, 2015
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Page 3
The EDA discussed only sending the surreys to businesses that have worked with
the city in some capacitv. They also discussed how far back to go to send the survey
out. Consensus was to send the survey to all businesses who have worked with the
city in the last 10 years. Nis. Othoudt added she would like to include an option to
rate other departments within the city. Commissioner Dwyer noted business
interaction with any department in the cite is important to be aware of.
Ms. Othoudt reviewed the points to consider as outlined in her handout.
She indicated she would like to rely more on state and federal financing programs
and less on tax abatement. She explained it can be as simple as being aware of
offered programs and putting businesses in touch with those organizations.
Commissioner Dwyer mentioned he discussed with Mr. Barnhart before he left
interest in obtaining information on what financial packages neighboring cities are
offering. The commission requested tax analysis on neighboring cities. Ms. Othoudt
indicated she has that information and will provide it to the commission.
7. Announcements
There were no announcements.
8. Adjournment
There being no further business, Chair Tveite adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River Economic Development Authority at 6:23 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jessica Miller.
Dan Tveite, EDI, President
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Anna Allard, C -I ji leikk
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