03-19-2018 EDA MINMeeting of the Elk River
Economic Development AuthoHf
Held at the Elk River City HzU
Mondzy, March 19, 2018
Members Present: President Tveite, Commissioners Provo, Olsen, Westgaard, Ovall
(out of the chambers at start of meeting, re-entered at 5:31 p.m.),
Wagner, and Blesener
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Economic Development Specialist Colleen Eddy, Executive
Secretary/Deputy City Clerk Jessica Miller, and Records Specialist
Katie Porath
0 < Ca01 Meeting to Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Economic
Development Authority was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by President Tveite.
2. Consider March 19, 2018 Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Olsen and seconded by Commission Wagner to
approve the March 19, 2018 agenda.
Motion carried 6-0.
3. Consider Consent Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Westgaard and seconded by Commissioner Olsen to
approve the following consent agenda:
3.1 EDA Minutes
■ February 20, 2018, Regular.
3.2 Check Register as outlined.
3.3 Balance Sheet as outlined.
3.4 Revenue/expenditure report as outlined.
Motion carried 6-0.
Commissioner Ovall re-entered the room.
4. Open Forum
No one appeared for Open Forum.
Economic Development Authority Minutes Page 2
March 19, 2018
Public Hearings
I'here were no public hearing items.
6.1 Youth Skills Training Program
Ms. Eddy presented the staff report.
Commissioner Provo asked if this program was dispersed over the entire ISD 728.
Ms. Eddy responded that it pertained to the entire ISD 728.
Commissioner Blesener asked staff if they were aware of any Elk River businesses
wishing to participate in the Youth Skills Training program. Ms. Eddy learned during
recent BRE visits that businesses want something like this due to labor shortage.
Commissioner Provo asked how this program is different than what has been
discussed by the school board subcommittee. Ms. Eddy responded that this program
is reinforcing skills training and is supported by Elk River. Commissioner Provo
asked if this is a funding support program or two separate efforts. Ms. Eddy
responded that it is two separate programs. The school district hopes to receive
additional funds to implement. President Tveite added that it seemed like everybody
wins.
Moved by Blesener and seconded by Wagner to approve the letter of support
for the Elk River School District grant application to the Department of Labor
and Industry's Youth Skills Training Program.
Motion carried 7-0.
6.2 Marketing Update
Ms. Eddy presented the staff report.
Commissioner Wagner asked if ads were specifically tailored to the publication that
they appear in. Ms. Eddy responded that staff worked with Gray Duck Media and
the ad in Growler Magazine was a product of their publisher and graphic designer
recommendations. Typically ads are tailored toward a specific audience such as the
ad featuring the NorthStar commuter train that appeared in the Minnesota Vikings
publication.
Commission Provo asked if site selection and availability was fixed on the internet.
Ms. Eddy said that a temporary fix had been reached.
Commissioner Provo asked for a customer satisfaction survey from last year and
suggested asking Deb Rydberg from the Elk River Chamber for nonbiased feedback.
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Economic Development Authority Minutes
March 19, 2018
Page 3
Commissioner Provo asked Ms. Eddy if she could schedule a work session prior to
the next month's meeting or a special meeting. He also suggested forming a sales
subcommittee to address specific issues that the EDA could then vote on during
their meetings. Commissioner Blesener supported Commissioner Provo's idea and
also wanted to establish a subcommittee to determine an inventory of current
properties for development as well as sources of funding. Commissioner Provo
expressed an interest in having a monthly sales meeting. President Tveite clarified
that the commissioners wished to have subcommittees similar to the finance
committee and stated that they should create a structure, approve, form the
subcommittees, and go from there. Ms. Eddy asked the EDA for direction on what
was requested of staff. President Tveite stated that the subcommittees would likely
be formed of three people and there should be a structure and goals established.
Mark Fisher, Blue 42, was in the audience and offered to assist the EDA in web
design, marketing, or other communication needs.
6.3 Director's Report
Ms. Eddy presented the staff report.
7. Announcements
There were no announcements.
8. Adjournment
There being no further business, President Tveite adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River Economic Development Authority at 5:56 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Katie Porath.
Dan Tveite, EDA President
Tina Allard, City Clerk
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