EDSR MEMORANDUM #2 11-15-1994 ELK RIVER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
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MEMORANDUM
TO: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
FROM: WILLIAM RUBIN,EXECUTIVE DIRECTO
DATE: NOVEMBER 15, 1994
SUBJECT: AGENDA MEMO FOR NOVEMBER 15, 1994
EDA MEETING
5. November Financial Update
The following is a summary from Finance Director Lori Johnson:
Micro-Loan Fund - On October 31, 1994, the Micro-Loan Fund had a cash
balance of $165,078.75. As of Thursday, November 10, all loans were
current with the exception of Alltool.
Block Grant Micro-Loan Fund
The Block Grant Micro-Loan Fund had a cash balance of$15,827.13 on
October 31, 1994. Tescom is current with its loan payment.
Action Requested
This is an informational item only and no action is requested.
6. Proposal from Training Networks
At the October meeting, Commissioners authorized its executive director to solicit
other proposals regarding an analysis of the City's review and permitting process.
A proposal has been received by Training Networks, 17130 Zeolite Street NW,
Ramsey,Minnesota. This company is owned by Ms. Sandra Bower, a customized
training consultant with 13 years of experience in adult education, instructing,
management, and marketing. Ms. Bower will be joined in this exercise by Ms.
Lee Colby, a senior consultant with the consulting firm of Leadership of the Twin
• Cities. Lee also provides independent consultation in the areas of team work,
P.O. Box 490 • 13065 Orono Parkway • Elk River, MN 55330-1743 • (612) 441-7420 • Fax: (612) 441-7425
Equal Opportunity Housing and Equal Opportunity Employment
communication, personal development, and career development. Clients include
• both private and public sector organizations, including recent work with the
Minnesota Department of Administration, Department of Natural Resources,
Minnesota State Lottery, and the City of Minneapolis.
The Review and Permitting Task Force met with Sandy and Lee on November 3,
1994 to receive an overview of its proposal to the Elk River EDA. Suggestions
and/or changes were made to it, and a revised copy of the proposal is included in
the agenda packet. To aid the task force members in its review of the revised
proposal, the following changes are noted:
• "step two"-page 3
• "possible steps"#4 -page 4
• "time"#6 -page 5
• "investment" -page 5
Given the revisions, the proposed contract with Training Networks has increased
from the initial fee of$3,950 to $4,490. The resume of Lee Colby and a 1-page
flyer from Training Networks are included the agenda packet.
Action Requested
• The EDA is asked to accept the process facilitation proposal from Training
Networks in the amount of$4,490.
7. Business Park Rezoning Action
At its meeting on November 17, 1994, the Elk River City Council approved the
rezoning of approximately 150 acres from Planned Unit Development (PUD) to
B-P, Business Park. Prior to that action, one of the primary property owners in
the B-P area (Country Ridge Partnership), had filed applications to amend the
comprehensive plan and to rezone a portion of its property to C-3 Highway
Commercial This request was to have been considered by the Planning
Commission at its meeting in October, and, was to have been considered by the
City Council at a Public Hearing in November. Following a meeting with City
staff,Country Ridge Partnership was agreeable to a 30-day delay in this process in
order to work with City staff in mutually agreeing to the basic land uses (limited
commercial vs. light industrial in the Business Park area). City staff is currently
working on a variety of master plans for the Country Ridge Partnership Property,
the Gagne Property, and the Hoyt Partners Property. These master plans will
eventually be submitted to Country Ridge and others for review. In addition,
these plans will be distributed and discussed at the public/private partnership
workshop immediately following the EDA meeting.
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8. Modification to EDA Enabling Resolution
The Elk River City Council conducted a public hearing on November 7, 1994 to
consider a modification to the EDA's enabling resolution. The proposed
modification relates to adding an additional resident of the City to serve in an at-
large capacity-thereby reducing the number of City Councilmembers on the EDA.
It is believed that a majority of the City Council supports the initiative to add an
additional non-elected resident to the EDA. Short of a vote in favor of this, City
staff was instructed to present a variety of options on who from the City Council
is not represented on the EDA. The City Council is expected to finalize action on
this at its meeting on November 14, 1994.
The EDA statute requires that the mayor appoint the new commissioner-with the
approval of the City Council.
9. Chamber of Commerce Task Force
Earlier this year, the Chamber leadership surveyed numerous business and
opinion leaders in the Elk River Area so as to ascertain emerging issues that the
Chamber of Commerce could assist in addressing. For example, one emerging
issue identified the relationship between local government and the development
illcommunity regarding the "user friendly process". A task force will be organized
to address this. The stated goals of this task force are:
• To improve communication between local government and the business
and development community:
• To ensure that all development processes are as user friendly and
timely as possible
EDA Commissioners should note that this task force understands that the City is
also conducting an internal review of its processes, too.
Another emerging issue was that of the vitality of the Central Business District
(CBD). Another task force will be established to address this, and, its goal is to
help retain the CBD as a focal point for Elk River. Likely candidates to serve on
this task force include CBD property owners, civic organizations, public
organizations (HRA, EDA, Planning Commission, etc.) and the Downtown
Development Corporation. As such, it is appropriate for the EDA to appoint a
Commissioner to serve on this task force.
410 Action Requested
The EDA has asked to appoint a Commissioner to serve on the Chamber of
Commerce Task Force on the vitality of the Central Business District.
12. Workshop
Please refer to a separate agenda for the EDA workshop immediately following
the November 15, 1994 meeting. The topic of the workshop is public/private
partnerships in the Business Park.
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