12-17-2018 EDA MIN SPECIALCity of
Elk
River
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Special Meeting of the Elk River
Economic Development Authority
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, December 17, 2018
President Dan Tveite, Commissioners Jerry Olsen, Matt Westgaard,
Nate Ovall, Jennifer Wagner, and Charlie Blesener
Commissioner Provo
Staff Present: Economic Development Director Amanda Othoudt, Economic
Development Specialist Colleen Eddy, and Deputy Clerk Jessica
Miller
I . Call Meeting to Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Economic
Development Authority was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by President Tveite.
2.1 Energy Incentive Program
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report and a draft Energy Incentive Program policy.
Commissioner Westgaard questioned if we are missing out by not including existing
buildings.
Dan Weber, Assistant Sherburne County Administrator, indicated we are not
because no new property taxes would be generated from an existing building.
President Tveite stated this seems like a program that would help attract retail or
larger projects and any tool we can implement to assist in that is good. Ms. Othoudt
explained this program would be a tool used to seal the deal on larger projects,
something other cities don't offer.
Commissioner Wagner questioned if the business could apply for multiple programs
as it could cost the city a lot. Ms. Othoudt indicated businesses can apply for all
programs for which they qualify noting the City Council has final authority to
approve or deny requests.
Commissioner Blesener recommended recouping actual fees during the application
process. Ms. Othoudt explained the applications for this program could be handled
like other applications with an escrow up front with actual costs tallied and any
remaining money refunded after approval.
President Tveite indicated he would like to keep the fee structure similar to other
programs for consistency.
Economic Development Authority Minutes
October 15, 2018
Page 2
President Tveite stated he is in favor of moving forward allowing commissioners to
make any changes to the policy and bringing back under general business at the
January meeting.
Commissioner Ovall questioned if businesses must meet all the requirements to
qualify. He noted he doesn't want the program to be subjective and would like to
think about it and discuss later. Ms. Othoudt explained staff's intention was for
applicants to meet all the requirements for approval.
This item was continued to the January EDA meeting.
2.2 Public Art
This item was continued to the January EDA meeting due to time constraints.
3. Adjournment
There being no further business, President Tveite adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River Economic Development Authority at 5:32 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jessica Miller.
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Dan Tveite, EDA President
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Tina Allard, 3FTEIerk
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