4.1. DRAFT EDA MINutes 09-16-2019
Meeting of the Elk River
Economic Development Authority
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, August 19, 2019
Members Present: Vice President Jennifer Wagner, Commissioners Garrett
Christianson, Matt Westgaard, Nate Ovall, Jeff Hartwig, and Charlie
Blesener
Members Absent: President Dan Tveite
Staff Present: Economic Development Director Amanda Othoudt, Economic
Development Specialist Colleen Eddy, and City Clerk Tina Allard
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 5:31 p.m. by Vice President Wagner.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Consider Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Ovall and seconded by Commissioner Christianson
to approve the August 19, 2019, EDA agenda.
Motion carried 6-0.
4. Consider Consent Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Westgaard and seconded by Commissioner Ovall to
approve the following consent agenda:
4.1 July 15, 2019, Regular and Special Minutes.
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 YMCA Levy
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report.
Moved by Commissioner Blesener and seconded by Commissioner
Westgaard to adopt Resolution 19-03 establishing the 2019 referendum tax
levy as approved by voters for a recreational facility to be leased to the YMCA.
Motion carried 6-0.
7.2 2020 Budget
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report.
Moved by Commissioner Westgaard and seconded by Commissioner
Christianson to approve 2020 EDA budget as outlined in the staff report.
Motion carried 6-0.
Moved by Commissioner Westgaard and seconded by Commissioner
Blesener to adopt Resolution 19-04 establishing the tax levy for the Elk River
Economic Development Authority for the City of Elk River, Minnesota.
Motion carried 6-0.
7.3 Warehouse Uses in the BP Zoning District
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report. She discussed the Planning Commission
recommendation for not change to the ordinance. She further noted the number of
higher paying jobs attracted to a business park versus a warehouse.
The commission discussed the low vacancy rate in the business park district and
questioned what generated this request.
Mr. Carlton stated the applicant was having trouble filling his building space. He
stated the option has another to utilize the variance process.
The Commission questioned if the city needed to create more warehousing in the
industrial districts.
Mr. Carlton reviewed the zoning map, which outlined the industrial and business
park areas in the city.
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The Commission noted this is one request versus a large need for this type of use
throughout the city and suggested the proper channel may be the variance process
versus changing the uses in the business parks. The Commission noted these types
of changes have been made in the past, which has caused issues and there is a reason
the differing uses should be separated
Consensus of the EDA is for no change to the current ordinance noting the
applicant could pursue a variance.
7.4 Director Report
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report. She stated the joint finance committee has
one vacancy which is held by an EDA commissioner. The commission directed the
appointment discussion to the next meeting agenda.
The commission welcomed new EDA Commissioner Jeff Hartwig.
8. Adjournment
There being no further business, Vice President Wagner adjourned the meeting of
the Elk River Economic Development Authority at 5:56 p.m.
Jennifer Wagner, EDA Vice President
Tina Allard, City Clerk