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9.0. EDSR 12-13-1994 EDA ITEM #9 Elk River City Council Minutes Page 9 February 1, 1993 CX 14O 'PU '('IG 14PANN6 To CanuiptcA MoDiF'jlN(( 'fb1� I/.,ti�c OnIPM.,c.IN(, AkSourrioni Mayor Duitsman indicated that this public hearing was continued from the December 7, 1992, City Council meeting. He indicated that it was the consensus of the City Council that the EDA remain as a seven member Commission with five elected members and two non-elected members for at least one year so that the newly elected members can have time to become familiar with the Economic Development Authority. He indicated that this issue will again be discussed at some time in the future prior to the next municipal election. Mayor Duitsman opened the public hearing. There being no one for or against the matter, Mayor Duitsman closed the public hearing. It was the consensus of the Council that no action be taken at this time. 8. Check Register COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE CHECK REGISTER. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. The Council recessed at 9:10 and reconvened at 9:14. 9.1. Code of Conduct - Mayor Duitsman distributed a code of conduct to the City Council for ‘`4 review. He indicated he felt it was important that the City of Elk River has a code of conduct. Councilmember Holmgren requested the City Attorney to review the draft code of conduct which is Sherburne County's code and to present a revised version which would fit the City of Elk River's needs. It was the consensus of the Council that this be presented to the City Council in about one month. 9.2. Motor Vehicle Councilmember Dietz informed the Council that he discussed the issue of the Motor Vehicle department moving to the new City Hall. He indicated that the Deputy Registrar has informed him that they must check with the State of Minnesota regarding this issue. 9.3. Garbage Billing Councilmember Dietz requested a presentation by the Elk River Utilities Commission or City Council regarding the issue of the garbage billing being combined with the utilities bill. The City Administrator indicated that City staff is working on this issue with the Utilities staff and will have a presentation to the Council in the near future. 10. Staff Updates The City Administrator informed the Council that March 29 has been approved by the County for a joint meeting with the Sherburne County Board of Commissioners and City Council. • 1994 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WORK PROGRAM CITY OF ELK RIVER 1 . MARKETING Continue to market Elk River as a growth-oriented community. Emphasis should be placed on Elk River' s position as a state-wide leader in business incentive and business financing programs . Specific marketing objectives include targeted mailings on the EDA Main Street redevelopment site and the Elk River Industrial Park. To supplement these marketing efforts, the ongoing distribution of the City' s brochure to developers, commercial realtors, and prospective businesses and industries will continue. Establishing a network for the distribution of the City's video presentation is also a priority in 1994 . In addition, the preparation and distribution of an annual novelty marketing item is a priority again in 1994 . 2 . ADVERTISING Periodic advertising in publications such as the Minnesota Real Estate Journal, Business Media, Minnesota Ventures magazine, etc. , will continue in 1994 . • 3 . DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT Staff will work in conjunction with the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) , civic groups, and prospective businesses in order to implement redevelopment opportunities in the Elk River Central Business District. A high priority is to complete the transaction on the EDA Main Street redevelopment site. Building on the improvements to the Jackson Square parking lot and the former railroad parking lot, the EDA will work in conjunction with the HRA to undertake additional improvements . Areas scheduled for improvement may include additional parking areas adjacent to the railroad tracks (post office area) , U.S. Highway 10 and Main Street intersection (former City Hall site) , walking path and observation stands along the riverfront, and additional landscaping enhancements . 4 . INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT a. Elk River Industrial Park - Continue to market the Elk River Industrial Park to commercial real estate agents, contractors, developers, and area • manufacturers. A high priority with staff is the sale of the remaining sites in the Industrial Park. Currently there are two EDA-owned sites that are vacant in the Park. In addition, there are two privately-owned sites that are available. b. Business Park Task Force - Significant progress was made in 1993 on the EDA initiative to expand the inventory of available industrial sites in the community. Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds have been committed by the Elk River City Council towards the purchase of additional sites in the community for this purpose. Funding sources for the infrastructure improvements will be finalized in early 1994, as will the negotiations with prospective sellers of the available vacant sites . Therefore, it is expected that the EDA will acquire one or more vacant sites by mid 1994 . This will likely enable the City-EDA to begin work on the infrastructure improvements . Issues of a new B-P Business Park Zoning District, Business Park Master Plan concept, engineer feasibility studies, and grant-loan programs for infrastructure improvements need to be resolved in early 1994 . 5 . STAR CITY RECERTIFICATION Staff will complete the Star City Recertification as required by the Department of Trade and Economic • Development (DTED) by mid February, 1994 . Other Star City activities include staff 's participation in various DTED-sponsored conferences throughout the year. During 1994, City staff and the EDA should also take time to reflect upon the City' s ongoing participation in the Star City Program. 6 . INDUSTRIAL COUNCIL During 1994, City staff will continue to participate in a liaison capacity with the Elk River Industrial Council. This is a group of area manufacturers brought together as a result of an initiative by the Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce. The group meets on a periodic basis and discusses topics that are relevant to their profession. This is an excellent opportunity for City staff to renew acquaintances with the industrial sector and to identify issues at an early stage. 7 . INDUSTRY CALL PROGRAM Staff will continue the informal program of contacting Minnesota industries to determine expansion, relocation, or consolidation plans . • 411 8 . ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEWSLETTER Staff will continue its preparation and distribution of a quarterly newsletter that is devoted to economic development topics in Elk River. An necessary, the mailing list will be updated and expanded. 9 . PERMITTING AND REVIEW TASK FORCE In early 1994, the EDA Task Force on the City' s permitting and review procedures will organize itself and develop strategies relative to a customer-friendly environment at City Hall . As necessary, input from area businesses and City employees will be sought, and a plan of action will be implemented. 10. COMMUNITY RELATIONS The EDA-City should consider sponsoring or jointly sponsoring workshops, speakers, forums, or seminars on topics of interest to specific groups (i .e. , retailers, service providers, industrial sector, lenders, etc. ) or to the general public. A good example of this was the EDA working in conjunction with the Area Chamber of Commerce to jointly-sponsor a box lunch meeting between the Elk • River manufacturers and E. Peter Gillette, Commissioner of DTED. In addition, information on business expansions, EDA loan approvals, etc. , should be disseminated to opinion leaders for publication. 11 . LEGISLATIVE ISSUES City staff will monitor proposed legislation during the upcoming session which may have an impact on economic development activities. Dissemination of this information will be made to the EDA, the City Council, City staff, and the business community.