4.1. EDA DRAFT MINUTES (2 SETS) 04-15-2019
Special Meeting of the Elk River
Economic Development Authority
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Tuesday, March 18, 2019
Members Present: President Dan Tveite, Commissioners Charlie Blesener, Garrett
Christianson, Matt Westgaard, and Jennifer Wagner
Members Absent: Commissioners Bryan Provo
Staff Present: Economic Development Director Amanda Othoudt, Economic
Development Specialist Colleen Eddy, ERMU Conservation and Key
Accounts Manager Tom Sagstetter, and Deputy Clerk Jessica Miller
1. 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. Work Session-Energy Incentive Program
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report.
It was questioned if the developer should be responsible for costs associated with
public hearings or legal fees.
President Tveite indicated public hearings are only required when financial assistance
exceeds $150,000 and suggested requiring legal fees for anything in excess of that
amount. Mr. Sagstetter explained a project requiring over $150,000 financial
assistance would be large and more than likely would require discussions a year or
two in advance.
Mr. Sagstetter suggested increasing the electric capacity for data centers to 500kW or
750kW per month. The EDA concurred.
Commissioner Blesener questioned if the requirement for data centers to create jobs
within two years should be included as it is for manufacturing. Ms. Othoudt
indicated she will add language.
Commissioner Ovall questioned if more general terms should be used for
manufacturing. He explained he’s envisioning distribution centers like Amazon or
FedEx and manufacturing may not be as inclusive for businesses we may wish to
attract. Commissioner Christianson concurred.
Ms. Othoudt suggested saying manufacturing and distribution. The EDA concurred.
Discussion took place on making it clear in the policy whether or not business
subsidy is required. Ms. Othoudt explained the attorney drafted the language. It was
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March 18, 2019
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noted economic development staff will be able to assist the applicant and let them
know what is required. The EDA concurred.
Commissioner Blesener questioned if the word “if” should be removed under item 9
for payback for not meeting the job requirements. Ms. Othoudt indicated the
attorney drafted the language so she will confirm. Commissioner Westgaard
suggested changing “if required” to “as required” under item 9.
Ms. Othoudt stated her next step is to incorporate changes discussed here tonight
along with changes from Sherburne County Assistant Administrator Dan Weber and
put on a future agenda for approval. Commissioners requested a clean copy be sent
out after changes are made.
3. Adjournment
There being no further business, President Tveite adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River Economic Development Authority at 5:34 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jessica Miller.
Dan Tveite, EDA President
Tina Allard, City Clerk
Meeting of the Elk River
Economic Development Authority
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, March 18, 2019
Members Present: President Dan Tveite, Commissioners Garrett Christianson, Matt
Westgaard, Nate Ovall, Jennifer Wagner, and Charlie Blesener
Members Absent: Commissioner Bryan Provo
Staff Present: Economic Development Director Amanda Othoudt, Economic
Development Specialist Colleen Eddy, and Deputy Clerk Jessica
Miller
1. 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 5:36 p.m. by President Tveite.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Consider March 18, 2019, Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Westgaard and seconded by Commissioner Wagner
to approve the March 18, 2019, agenda.
Motion carried 6-0.
4. Consider Consent Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Blesener and seconded by Commissioner Ovall to
approve the following consent agenda:
4.1 EDA Minutes
February 19, 2019, Special
February 19, 2019, Regular
4.2 Check register as outlined in the staff report.
4.3 Balance sheet as outlined in the staff report.
4.4 Revenue/expenditure report as outlined in the staff report.
Motion carried 6-0.
5. Open Forum
No one appeared for Open Forum.
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6. Public Hearings
There were no public hearing items.
7.1 EDA Bylaw Amendments
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report.
Moved by Commissioner Wagner and seconded by Commissioner
Christianson to adopt resolution 19-01 amending the EDA bylaws.
Motion carried 6-0.
Moved by Commissioner Ovall and seconded by Commissioner Christianson
to the role of assistant treasurer and secretary to the executive director
pursuant to recently amended bylaws.
Motion carried 6-0.
7.2 Business Subsidy Policy
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report.
Moved by Commissioner Westgaard and seconded by Commissioner
Christianson to adopt resolution 19-02 approving changes to the city’s
Business Subsidy Policy.
Motion carried 6-0.
7.3 Marketing Update
Ms. Eddy presented the marketing update as outlined in her staff report.
7.4 Director’s Update
Ms. Othoudt presented her director’s update as outlined in her staff report.
8. Adjournment
There being no further business, President Tveite adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River Economic Development Authority at 5:55 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jessica Miller.
Dan Tveite, EDA President
Tina Allard, City Clerk