10-19-2015 EDA MIN • City of
Elk Meeting of the Elk River
River Economic Development Authority
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, October 19, 2015
Members Present: President Tveite,Commissioners Burandt,Dwyer,Westgaard, Provo,
Olsen,and Wagner
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Economic Development Director Amanda Othoudt, Economic
Development Specialist Colleen Eddy, and Recording
Secretary/Senior Administrative Assistant Jennifer Johnson
I. 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 5:47 p.m. by President Tveite.
2. Consider 10/19/2015 Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Wagner and seconded by Commissioner Olsen to
• approve the October 19,2015, agenda.
Motion carried 7-0.
3. Consider Consent Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Dwyer and seconded by Commissioner Westgaard
to approve the following consent agenda:
3.1 August 17,2015, EDA Minutes.
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 Budget amendment transferring$15,400 to the Other Professional
Services line item to pay for the Public Art Installation of the
Whimsical Windmill as outlined in the staff report.
Motion carried 7-0.
4. Open Forum
No one appeared for Open Forum.
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October 19,2015
5. Public Hearings •
There were no public hearing items scheduled for this agenda.
6.1 Marketing Update
Ms. Eddy presented the staff report.
Commissioner Wagner asked if staff was designing the ads for publications or if the
publisher for each marketing piece was involved in designing the ads. She also asked
if Prime Advertising can assist in ad creation to assist in establishing a consistent
brand message, or if Prime would provide a design template for future advertising
needs.
Ms. Eddy indicated staff has designed most of the ads with assistance from a
copywriter,noting each publication's message and focus will differ. She stated Prime
Advertising provided them with a quote for design services for future advertising
needs should publication deadlines require their assistance.
President Dwyer indicated he was pleased with continued regular contacts made by
staff.
6.2 Golden Shovel Agency •
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report.
Commissioner Provo asked if Golden Shovel has been reviewed against other similar
companies and wondered if the EDA would be able to stay within its budget
guidelines.
Ms. Othoudt stated staff reviewed several website companies with similar products
as well as the city's current website provider, CivicPlus,noting the Golden Shovel
Agency website platform aligns perfectly with the goals of the EDA and HRA. She
indicated the 2016 budget included funds to achieve the strategic goal to improve on
the website and offer a website with more fluid content.
Commissioner Westgaard asked about the details of the contract and when it would
begin.
Ms. Othoudt stated the contract would begin in January of 2016 at a rate of$950 a
month for an annual fee of$11,400. She stated the annual fee could be paid up front
or monthly,with funds to be split evenly between the two commissions.
Commissioner Wagner stated she has concerns with the amount and quality of the
content that would be populated into the new site and wondered if there was enough
time to curate quality data in time for the live launch. •
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October 19,2015
4111 Councilmembex Westgaard stated there would be approximately 15 weeks from
implementation of the site until the live launch.
Ms. Eddy indicated the content would be writted by herself and other staff members
Tina Allard and RaeAnn Gardner to generate content that meets the branding
standards.
Ms. Othoudt stated she felt comfortable with staff meeting the timelines that Golden
Shovel gave her to generate the content needed for each module.
President Tveite felt by hearing the presentation earlier that Golden Shovel would
provide an easier and more flexible way to add more content in using their platform
than the current web site provider,noting the desire to respond more quickly to
current market conditions by adding to the site in a more timely manner.
Ms. Othoudt noted the ease of adding an additional target industry to the four
already being targeted and the ease of making that change to the Golden Shovel site.
Councilmember Westgaard asked what would happen if the HRA didn't approve
splitting the cost with the EDA.
Ms. Othoudt indicated the EDA would be responsible in paying the remaining funds
should the HRA not approve payment of half the website hosting fee.
Commissioner Provo asked if the web site package was smaller,would it cost less
money.
Mr. Marshall indicated should the HRA chose not to financially support the website
redesign, they would offer a revised website concept geared towards EDA.
Commissioner Westgaard stated he would support this website redesign if staff felt it
would provide a more effective tools and analytics with no long-term obligation. He
stated if the EDA approved the contract with Golden Shovel Agency with or
without the support of the HRA, staff would provide a different price and type of
website to more align with the EDA's budget considerations.
Moved by Commissioner Westgaard and seconded by Commissioner Burandt
to approve the contract hiring the Golden Shovel Agency to host the EDA and
HRA website with costs to be shared equally between the two commissions,
with the option to have Golden Shovel Agency return to the EDA commission
to discuss a different website proposal targeted towards the EDA should the
HRA choose not to join in the redesign collaboration.
Motion carried 7-0.
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October 19,2015
6.3 Directors Report
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report.
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 6:28 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jennifer Johnson.
Dan Tveite, E►A President
Tina Allard,City Clerk
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