3.1 EDSR 01-17-2017 MIN DRAFT
Meeting of the Elk River
Economic Development Authority
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, December 19, 2016
Members Present: President Tveite, Commissioners Burandt, Ovall, Westgaard, Provo, Olsen,
and Wagner
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Economic Development Director Amanda Othoudt, Eco
Development Specialist Colleen Eddy, and City Clerk Tina Allard
1.Call Meeting to Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk
Development Authority was called to order at 5:32 p.m. by President Tveite.
2.Consider 12/19/2016 Agenda
Chair Tveite added an announcement to Item 7. Ms. Othoudt stated Item 3.5 should read
Subordination Agreement.
Moved by Commissioner Burandt and seconded by Commissioner Olsen to
approve the December 19, 2016, agenda as amended. Motion carried 7-0.
3.Consider Consent Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Wagner and seconded by Commissioner Westga
approve the following consent agenda:
3.1 October 17, 2016, 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 Resolution 16-08 approving mortgage subordination Agreement for Yankee
Doodle Enterprises
Motion carried 7-0.
4.Open Forum
No one appeared for Open Forum.
5.Public Hearings
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December 19, 2016
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There were no public hearing items scheduled for this agenda.
6.1 Industrial Incentive Microloan Application for Heritage Millwork, Inc.
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report.
Chair Tveite discussed the finance committeeÔs review of the app
Commissioner Wagner stated she hopes to see Heritage move their
River in the future.
Moved by Commissioner Provo and seconded by Commissioner Olsen to approve
a $100,000 Industrial Microloan to Heritage Millwork, Inc. and authorize the
President and Executive Director to execute the loan agreement and any loan
documents to which the EDA is a party on. Motion carried 7-0.
6.2 City Beautification Subcommittee
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report.
Moved by Commissioner Westgaard and seconded by Commissioner Wag
create an EDA City Beautification Subcommittee as outlined in the staff report.
Motion carried 7-0.
Moved by Commissioner Westgaard and seconded by Commissioner Burandt to
amend the EDA bylaws. Motion carried 7-0.
6.3 DirectorÔs Report
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report.
Chair Tveite congratulated Ms. Othoudt on her Economic Developme
Profession Certification.
7. Announcements
Chair Tveite noted this meeting is CommissionerÔs Burandt last a
for her contributions.
Commissioners thanked Burandt for her service on the EDA.
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Commissioner Provo stated he was asked to remove himself from th
discussion, at the recommendation of the city EDA attorney due to a conflict of interest
regarding Spectrum School. He expressed concerns with the property value of his
business decreasing so he consulted with his own attorney who to
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December 19, 2016
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conflict of interest. Commissioner Provo stated he wants to participate in the discussion
and if the city doesnÔt want him to, then he wants a reason why
stated he doesnÔt stand to gain anything from the decision made
property discussion.
Attorney Beck stated the conflict of interest advice was provide
Bolton. He reviewed her email and concurs with her analysis. He discussed two points: 1)
the email states Commissioner Provo has personal interest in the
as a result of owning adjacent property; 2) Commissioner Provo should leave the room or
step down from the dais and abstain from any discussion or vote regarding the Spectrum
School property. Attorney Beck further commented he doesnÔt know how Commissioner
Provo's attorney interpreted the law to reach his conclusion.
Commissioner Provo stated the city should state on record that t
of interest is because of the city considering moving Spectrum adjacent to his property
which can potentially reduce the property value of his property.
Attorney Beck stated each commissioner should make their own dec
follow the advice of the city attorney.
Commissioner Provo stated he will not remove himself from the Sp
will participate at his own request.
The EDA recessed at 5:55 pm. and reconvened in worksession at 6:02 p.m.
8.1 Interview for Open EDA Finance Committee Seat
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report.
The EDA interviewed Jim Gromberg for the EDA Finance Committee.
Mr. Gromberg discussed his past experience.
Tim Dolan, resident, expressed conflict of interest concerns due to Mr. Grombergs work
with WSB Consulting, stating he does for-profit work in other su
and questioned where his loyalty would fall.
Commissioner Westgaard stated if conflict of interest situations arise, the EDA would
expect Mr. Gromberg to disclose them and recuse himself from the
Chair Tveite stated the finance committee is very diligent about the conflict of interest
laws and can have conflicts at various times with the bankers or
Mr. Gromberg noted this is a technical committee that reviews financials.
Chair Tveite further noted the committee is advisory and makes r
EDA.
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December 19, 2016
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Moved by Commissioner Westgaard and seconded by Commissioner Ova
appoint Jim Gromberg to the EDA Finance Committee. Motion carrie
8.2 EDA Property for Spectrum
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report. She stated institutional
in the business park zoning district. She stated Spectrum could purchase the city-owned
parcel and it could be converted into a Planned Unit Development. The institutional use
could then be removed from the business park zoning district.
Commissioner Westgaard noted a school is an allowed conditional use in the business park
and currently, at any time, Spectrum could purchase the city-own
school. Councilmember Westgaard questioned at what point the city maintains an
industrial or business park, due to Spectrums growth. He stated the two industrial parcels
would be put back on the tax rolls but the city would still be taking the other two business
park parcels off the tax rolls. He stated there will still be issues with school uses mixed
with industrial/business uses. He stated, ideally, we need to fi
for the school.
Ms. Othoudt stated the city owned parcel is very difficult to ma
to its shape and easements. She noted they have worked with surr
try and redevelop the city-owned site for potential expansion opportunities, but it has been
difficult.
Commissioner Provo disagreed with Ms. OthoudtÔs comments. He stated the parcels could
be reshaped to fit a business.
Commissioner Westgaard questioned if Spectrum would develop the
differently than a business.
Mr. Carlton stated the school has different needs than a business because they require
more open space, parking, playing fields, and donÔt need as larg
building.
Commissioner Provo questioned if there is anywhere else in town
options were discussed, but didnÔt seem viable.
Commissioner Westgaard further questioned how the traffic patter
area.
Mr. Carlton explained the parking, right-in, right-out access, and circulation on their own
property.
Commissioner Provo questioned if the surrounding businesses were
feedback.
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December 19, 2016
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Ms. Othoudt noted this is only a very preliminary discussion to
reaction. She further stated, in regards to property value, the county assessor says there is
evidence to show the school will not devalue surrounding properties. She provided the
example of the Coin-Tainer property.
Commissioner Provo discussed the Morrell Companies move from the
due to concerns with his business near schools.
Chair Tveite stated some good points have been laid out. He complimented staff on trying
to find a creative way to assist Spectrum on a challenging parcel. He stated the issues are
zoning, easements, access, and whether this is what the school desires; noting they are
going to outgrow these locations in a short time.
Commissioner Provo stated if the EDA property is available, then other city-owned
property should be considered such as parks or the golf course.
be willing to help find Spectrum the best location.
Commissioner Westgaard noted to Commissioner Provo that the obje
resources of the economic development department, who know all t
throughout the community, and would help Sepctrm long-term. He f
to find the best fit for everyone.
Commissioner Provo expressed further concerns with the school be
different industrial/business parks.
Ms. Othoudt stated the ultimate long-term goal is to try and get
Commissioner Wagner concurred with Commissioner WestgaardÔs comments at tonightÔs
meeting.
Commissioner Burandt concurred and would like the city to continue to help the school
with finding other locations.
9. Adjournment
There being no further business, Chair Tveite adjourned the meeting of the Elk River
Economic Development Authority at 6:55 p.m.
Dan Tveite, EDA President
Tina Allard, City Clerk