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06-18-2018 EDA MIN SPECIALSpecial Meeting of the Elk River Economic Development Authority Held at the Elk River City Hall Monday, June 18, 2018 Members Present: President Tveite, Olsen, Westgaard, Ovall (5:22 p.m.), Wagner, and Blesener Members Absent: Commissioner Provo Staff Present: Economic Development Director Amanda Othoudt, Economic Development Specialist Colleen Eddy, and Executive Secretary/Deputy City Clerk Jessica Miller I . Call Meeting to Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the special meeting of the Elk River Economic Development Authority was called to order at 4:00 p.m. by President Tveite. 2.1 Tax Rate Comparison Ms. Ziemer presented a tax rate comparison for 14 peer cities. The EDA discussed the report. Commissioner Blesener asked if the city's tax rate is where it should be. Ms. Ziemer indicated the tax rate has actually dropped as a result of the net tax capacity. President Tveite explained looking at tax rate alone is not a good picture because there are a myriad of other things that go in to looking at tax rate and levy, including how cities operate. 2.2 City Addressing Procedure Mr. Leeseberg presented information on addressing and map abbreviation for Elk River. Commissioner Blesener questioned the process for when a developer comes in with an idea. Ms. Othoudt stated typically certain staff including economic development, environmental, utilities, planning, and building will meet with the developer to discuss the idea or project and identify how to proceed. Mr. Leeseberg indicated staff can come back for further explanation if the EDA still has questions. 2.3 Review Goals and Strategic Plan ® Strategic Plan 2016-2020 Economic Development Authority Special Meeting Minutes June 18, 2018 ■ Current Goals and Performance Measures 2018 ■ EDA Developed Goals — May 25, 2018 ■ EDA Developed SWOT Analysis — May 25, 2018 Page 2 The EDA discussed prioritizing the EDA goals set at the last meeting. Identfed Goals by Year 1 The EDA felt goals 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 as listed were similar and should be combined in to one goal relating to customer service. Commissioner Blesener suggested a statement in the Strategic Plan informing people of the mission and goals. He would like people to feel like they were assisted by the city all the way through the process. Commissioner Westgaard indicated there is no step by step process defined for people who don't work with development all the time. Ms. Othoudt stated she ran across a developer pamphlet she can look at updating for distribution that may be helpful. President Tveite noted the guide should include realistic timeframes explaining to people the process takes time and why. Commissioner Blesener likes the idea of having a guide. Ms. Othoudt indicated she will work on putting something together. Commissioner Wagner questioned if the city could assign a project manager to people when they come in. She noted staff could alternate the position. Ms. Othoudt indicated if the project has a public financing component economic development assists and if not, planning assists. Consensus of the EDA was to combine the following goals in to one. 1. Clarify current city process for initial meetings with developers. 2. Identify three ways in which out process can be better. 4. Improve communication. 5. Articulate the process of how to get things done. 6. Improve our customer service. Identified Goals by Year 3 Commissioner Blesener stated he likes the SWOT goals and suggested they be included in Year 1 or Year 2 goals. Commissioner Westgaard believes it should begin with the Strategic Plan. Commissioner Westgaard questioned if goal 7, increasing land inventory, means the city owns all the land. Ms. Othoudt explained she would like to see some formal agreement in place with land owners such as a first right of purchase or for the city to assist in marketing their property. She noted the best way to approach this will have to be researched. President Tveite stated staff should evaluate what works best noting it may be a different process for individual property owners. 'NATURE Economic Development Authority Special Meeting Minutes June 18, 2018 EDA consensus was to identify land options possibly partnering with landowners to get more land in the city inventory. Identified Goals by Year S Commissioner Blesener indicated if economic development is successful with the year one and year three goals it may be beneficial to capitalize on the synergy and keep going with those goals. President Tveite noted the implications from the Corridors of Commerce project for Highway 169 should be included in all year one and year 3 goals. Ms. Othoudt indicated staff will bring back action steps for the goals at a later date. 2.4 EDA Marketing Discussion ■ Budget 2018 ■ Lead Forensics ■ Tracking Spreadsheets Ms. Othoudt distributed handouts for marketing/advertising, conferences, projected projects, and website information for the EDA to review. President Tveite indicated he appreciates when the jobs information is included in the breakdown. Commissioner Wagner questioned if any projected projects have come from marketing efforts. Ms. Othoudt outlined a few examples including Stream Data Center, another data center not listed, and CDI. 3. Adjournment There being no further business, President Tveite adjourned the meeting of the Elk River Economic Development Authority at 5:29 p.m. Minutes prepared by Jessica Miller. Dan Tveite, EDA President Tina Allard, City Clerk P 0 o E s E 1 / Y NATURE Page 3