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5.6. LIBSR 12-13-2016 12/13/2016 New members appointed to city's library board,EDA HA,j,L t; Government 5, 6 New members appointed to city's library board, EDA Published December 13, 2016 at 4:09 am By ECM Publishers by Rachel Minske Contributing Writer The Elk River City Council welcomed a new member to its Economic Development Authority and two new people to its Library Board. Charlie Blesener, a longtime employee of the Elk River Area School District, was approved for a seat on the city's Economic Development Authority Dec. 5 by the City Council. Mary Keifenheim and Margaret Stoffers were appointed to the Library Board. The EDA is composed of four council members and three residents. The term length for resident members is six years. The council members' term on the authority coincides with the office term on the Elk River City Council. Blesener wrapped up his 40-year career in community education earlier this year. He retired as District 728's director of community engagement and community education after serving 29 years in Elk River. He previously worked in Litchfield for 11 years. In a questionnaire submitted to the city about his experience as it relates to the opening, Blesener said expanding Elk River's tax base and creating and expanding jobs are some of the reasons why he was interested in the position. "I enjoy 'big picture' issues such as economic development and feel I can contribute positively to the dialogue," he wrote. He added that since his retirement, he's been cautious of accepting commitments, but the EDA interests him greatly and he's comfortable with the authority's attendance expectations. The EDA is the economic development arm of the Elk River City Council and handles projects like the acquisition, development and improvement of property, contracts and the operation and maintenance of public affairs. New faces on the Library Board Another Elk River resident, Mary Keifenheim, was appointed to the city's Library Board. The board consists of five members and requires a three-year term. In her application for the position, Keifenheim said she previously worked as a media director in a school library for 28 years and has since substituted in the Great River Regional Library system. "I am very interested in the role of the library in our community," she wrote. "Elk River has a long history of support for our library and its programs." httpl/erstarnews.com/2016/12J13/new-members-appointed-to-citys-library-boarci-edePutm_source=wysija&utrn_medium=email&utm cam pagrF Daly+New. 1/2 IL/1a1b New members appointed to city's library board,EDA Keifenheim has previously served on the library board, according to her application. Margaret "Mick" Stoffers, another area resident with a history of commitment to libraries, was also approved to the board Dec. 5. Stoffers, of Zimmerman, served as branch manager at the Elk River Library for 27 years. In that position, Stoffers said she dealt with maintenance issues pertaining to the library building and grounds. "I understand the importance of the Elk River Public Library being a facility that is well maintained, inviting to the public and an asset to the community," she wrote in her application to the city. A longtime member of the board, Jayne Dietz, married to Elk River Mayor John Dietz, has reached her nine-year limit on the board and will step down, accounting for one of the vacancies. The board is responsible for library building-related items including cleaning services, utilities, repair and maintenance of the structure. Further, library board members are expected to promote the best possible use of library resources. Terms for the newly appointment community members begin in January 2017. Filed Under: Economic Development Authority, elk river, Library Board TAR NEWS Advertising Rates & Info I Contact Us I Subscribe I E-Edition I Jobs &Classifieds Copyright ©2016 ECM Publishers, Inc. • All Rights Reserved http llerstarnews.ccen/2016/12/13/new-m embers-appointed to-citys-Ilbrary-board-eda/?utrn_source=wysija&utm_rnedium=email&utm carripaign=Daily+Nekc - 2/2 12/13/2016 Local banker will take a seat on council 1211 /1(41 Government Local banker will take a seat on council Published November 17,2016 at 12:05 pm By Joni Astrup by Joni Astrup Associate Editor Nate Ovall will join the Elk River City Council in January and plans to bring an open mind to the position. "I don't have an agenda," he said. "I'm pragmatic and I can see all sides of the issue." = 1,0,> nvot,, ttl-itf Nate avail Ovall was elected without opposition Nov, 8 to the Ward 3 seat being vacated by Council Member Barb Burandt, who won a close race for a position on the Sherburne County Board of Commissioners. Ovall will be sworn in during the first City Council meeting in January. He is a native of the Burns Township-Nowthen area, a 1996 graduate of St. Francis High School and a 2000 graduate of Winona State University, where he earned a degree in economics. He works as a vice president in commercial lending at The Bank of Elk River. Ovall also has served on the Elk River Economic Development Authority for about a year. The EDA is composed of four city council members and three residents. Ovall said Mayor John Dietz was one of the people who encouraged him to run for council. Dietz said he has been impressed by Ovall's work on the EDA and said he looks forward to serving with him on the City Council. hap llerstarnews com/2016/11/17/local-banker-will-take-a-seat-on-counctl/ 1/2 12/13/2016 Local banker will take a seat on council I "He is a very level-headed person that will do a great job for the citizens of Elk River," Dietz said. "He has great business experience and will bring a different perspective to the council." Ovall's family supported his venture into local politics as well. He and his wife, Jessica, have three kids, Ella, 12; Evan, 9; and Gemma, 6. Ella was especially interested in his run for office, telling him, "'Dad, you really need to do that,' Ovall said. He said Ella developed an interest in civics after being in Ron Hustvedt's class as a sixth-grader at Salk Middle School in Elk River last year. "He really had a profound impact on her," he said. Oval! said he wanted to be a good example to his daughter, and serving on the City Council will also be a great opportunity to learn more about how government works and a way to continue to contribute to the community where he lives and works. He and his family moved to Elk River from Ramsey about a year and a half ago. In his spare time, Ovall enjoys fishing, golfing, spending time with his family and strategy games. He plays games like Catan once a week with his parents and a group of friends. Ovall has worked for The Bank of Elk River since graduating from college. During college, he spent a year in Japan studying international business. He later interned at The Bank of Elk River, and when he graduated from college, the bank's president, Jim Simpson, offered him a job. Ovall joined the bank's staff in January 2001. As he looks forward to serving on the City Council, Ovall said he is someone who is willing to negotiate and compromise. "I'm always looking at how to make things better." he said. Filed Under: elk river, Elk River City Council STAR NEWS Advertising Rat es & Info I Contact Us I Subscribe J E-Edition J Jobs & Classifieds Copyright ©2016 ECM Publishers, Inc. • All Rights Reserved httpl/erstarnews.com/2016/11/17/local-banker-will-take-a-seat-on-council/ 2/2