6.5 EDSR 05-15-2017Request for Action
ToItem Number
Economic Development Authority6.5
Agenda Section Meeting DatePrepared by
General BusinessMay 15, 2017Amanda Othoudt, EDD
Item Description
Reviewed by
City Beautification PolicyCal Portner, City Administrator
Reviewed by
Action Requested
Approve, by motion, the changes made to the City Beautification Award Policy
Background/Discussion
At their March 6 meeting, the City Beautification Committee met to discuss the program and revi
policy and application. The committee recommended including a sc
Staff hasnot received any applications for the City Beautification Award program. We haveadvertised on
all of our social media accounts and with the Chamber.
Feedback received indicated that individuals were hesitant to nominate any businesses because the
application asks for permission, via signature from the nominate
the business is selected as a winner.
Changes to the policy seek permission from the business owner after
This eliminates the need for sending rejection letters to the
doesnt create the expectation that they will win. The Beautification Committee recommended to approve
the changes to the policy.
It is expected that if the EDA approves to remove the requirement for permission, the city would receive
at least two nominations for consideration next month.
Financial Impact
None
Attachments
Revised City BeautificationPolicy and Scoring Rubric
City Beautification
Award Policy
1
City Beautification Award Policy
What is a City Beautification Award?
The City Beautification award serves to recognize those business owners, who have made an
effort to clean, repair, improve and enhance the overall aesthet
maintain the beauty of their neighborhood and surroundings. It is presented to encourage
community improvements, enhanceour citys visual image and economic vitality.
The city of Elk River Beautification Committee recognizes projec
appearance of local neighborhoods and the entire community. Examples
commercial/industrialsite improvements, commercial/industrialupgrades, landscapes,
renovations, restorations, and new structures that are architect
From May through October, one winner will be chosen each month with a grand prize
winner chosen in October. Business owners would receive public r
for making the city of Elk River beautiful!
Businesses can be nominated for this award by others within the community or they may
nominate themselves (self-nomination is encouraged!). Winning properties may be shown in
promotional materials with owners consent.
What does the Beautification Committee look for?
A major criterion is how the project visually enhances the surrounding neighborhood and
community. How the business incorporates design, maintenance, co
creativity within the existing community.Improvements to structures, outdoor spaces and
the landscaping are important elements for consideration.
Awards are given in two categories:
1.The first category is for businesses that have made substantial
exterior of their buildings and/or landscape in the last year.
2.The second category is for businesses that consistently maintain their properties in
an attractive and well-kept manner.
Nominations will be evaluated based on the overall visual appearance of the completed
project.
2
Application Requirements
1.Submit completed entry form plus two high quality digital photos, including a
before if available and after (if applicable) by the first Monday of each month
beginning in May through October of each year.
2.Deliver via email by the end of the business day on the first Monday of the month:
Subject: Attention City of Elk River Beautification Committee
Attach the completed and signed form and pictures to the
Economic Development Director: aothoudt@elkrivermn.gov
3.The Beautification Committee will meet and select a winner.
4.The winner would receive and engraved plaque to display at the f
meeting. The winner will also be recognized by the Mayor and Cit
Eligibility
Properties must be located within the corporate limits of the ci
Projects must be visible from a public street. Submissions must have t
the owner. Self-nominations are encouraged!
For new construction, a certificate of occupancy must have been
Public projects are not eligible.
Projects that have won in previous two years are not eligible.
City Beautification Award Entry Form
Nominee:
Business Address:
Email:
Office Phone: Cell
Description/Reason for the nomination:
3
Beautification Award Categories
The Business has made Substantial improvements to the exterior of their buildings
and/or landscape in the last year.
The Business has consistently maintained their properties in an attractive and well-
kept manner.
Permission:
I hereby allow the above property to be nominated for the Beauti
have no objection to judging or publication of the material subm
the Beautification Committee and City Staff to visit the property and take photographs if
necessary. I will allow my property to be shown in city promotio
Owners Name:
Owners Signature:
Phone:
Email:
Date:
4
Judging Rubric
Award recognizes commercial properties that contribute to the beautification of the city
through landscaping and architecture
Judging is limited to the property visible from the public right
1.The first category is for businesses that have made substantial improvements to t
exterior of their buildings and/or landscape in the last year.
2.The second category is for businesses that consistently maintain
an attractive and well-kept manner.
_____ Category
Scoring Rubric 01 2 3Total
Criteria Does not meet Unknown/ Meets the Exceeds the
the criteria Neutral criteriacriteria
The business visually
enhances the surrounding
neighborhood?
Thebusiness made
substantial improvements
to the exterior of their
building?
The property is well
maintained?
The property incorporates a
visually pleasing color
scheme?
The property incorporates
creativity and design?
The business submitted
5
photos with their
application?
The business made
substantial improvements
to their landscaping?
(only answer for criteria #1)
The business consistently
maintained their property in
an attractive and well-kept
manner?
(only answer for criteria #2)
Grand Total
City Beautification Award
Policy History
Adopted by: On (date) Item #
EDA 12/19/2016 6.2
EDA 4/17/2017 6.4
EDA 5/15/17 6.5
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