7.1. EDSR 10-21-2019
Request for Action
To Item Number
Economic Development Authority 7.1
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
General Business October 14, 2019 Amanda Othoudt, ED Director
Item Description Reviewed by
EDA City Beautification Policy discussion Cal Portner, City Administrator
Reviewed by
Action Requested
Review the EDA City Beautification Policy.
Background/Discussion
At their October 14, 2019, meeting, the Beautification Committee provided a recommendation to revise
the beautification policy as follows:
1. Adding an interior beautification component.
2. Accepting nominations for finalists from May through October. All finalists will receive
public recognition, and one finalist will be selected in November to receive a plaque and a
planter from a local greenhouse.
3. Changes to the judging rubric.
At their June 17, 2019, meeting, the EDA indicated their support for policy discussions at the committee
level and encouraged the committee to discuss the policy and bring back to the EDA. Any changes to the
program and/or policy would be implemented in 2020.
Financial Impact
None
Attachments
DRAFT Beautification Policy
The Elk River Vision
A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional
service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity
City Beautification
Award Policy
1
City Beautification Award Policy
What is a City Beautification Award?
The City Beautification Award recognizes business owners and civic groups whose efforts to
clean, repair, improve and enhance the overall aesthetics of either the interior or exterior of
the business, property/ and/or space thereby maintaining the beauty of their neighborhood
and surroundings. It is presented to encourage community improvements, enhance our city’s
image and economic vitality.
From May through October, The Beautification Committee will accept nominations from
the public and/or self-nominations. Nominations meeting the , from
whichqualificationsjudging rubric of the Beautification Award finalist will be chosenwill
become finalists. All finalists would will receive public recognition for making and
continuing to help keep the City of Elk River beautiful!
Businesses can be nominated for this award by others within the community or they may
nominate themselves (self-nomination is encouraged!). Award finalists will be shown in
promotional materials.
In November of each year, the Beautification Committee will select one of the finalists to be
awarded The City Beautification Award. The City Beautification Award Recipient will
receive the award at the following EDA meeting presented by the EDA President and a
member of the Beautification Committee. In addition, The City Beautification Aaward
recipient will be recognized by the Mayor and City Council at their November meeting.
Businesses can be nominated for this award by others within the community or they may
nominate themselves (self-nomination is encouraged!). Winning properties Award finalists
may will be shown in promotional materials. with owner’s consent.
What does the Beautification Committee look for?
The City of Elk River Beautification Committee seeks to recognize commercial/industrial
site improvements, commercial/industrial upgrades, landscapes, interior/exterior
renovations, restorations, and new structures that are architecturally noteworthy and well
maintained.
A major criterion is how the project visually enhances the surrounding neighborhood and
community. How the business incorporates design, maintenance, color, organization and
creativity within the existing community. Improvements to structures, interior/exterior
spaces and the landscaping are important elements for consideration.
Applications will be evaluated based on the overall visual appearance of the completed
project.
2
Application Requirements
1. Submit completed entry form plus at least two high-quality digital photos, including a
“before” if available and “after” (if applicable) by the first Monday of each month
beginning in May through October of each year.
2. Deliver via email by the end of the business day on the first Monday of the month:
Subject: Attention City of Elk River Beautification Committee
Attach the completed and signed form and pictures to the
Economic Development Specialist: ceddy@ElkRiverMN.gov
Eligibility
SiteProperties must be located within the City of Elk River corporate limits.
Self-nominations are encouraged!
A photo release approval may will be needed to authorize the use of photos in
various social media and print forums. (IncorporateAdd release to application
For new construction or renovations, a certificate of occupancy must have been
issued.
Public projects are not eligible DO WE WANT TO REMOVE AND INCLUDE
VOLUNTEER GROUPS?.Public projects are not eligible.
Previous recipients of The City Beautification Award are ineligible to receive the
award in the succeeding two years at the same location.
City Beautification Award Entry Form
Nominee:
Business Address:
Email:
Office Phone: Cell
Description/Reason for the nomination along with work completed:
How does your business property/space meet the minimum scoring rubric?
3
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Judging Rubric
This award recognizes business, property and/or spaces commercial properties that
contribute to the beautification of the city through landscaping and architecture. Businesses
Applicants need to score a minimum of 10 points in order to qualify for the awardas a finalist.
Judging is limited to the business property/space visible from the public right of way
Scoring Rubric 0 1 2 3 Total
Criteria Does not meet Neutral Meets the Exceeds the
the criteria criteria criteria
The business
property/space visually
enhances the surrounding
neighborhood?.
The business
property/space is well
maintained?. (SAME AS
LAST QUESTINON)
The business
property/space
incorporates a visually
pleasing color scheme?.
The business
property/space
incorporates creativity and
design?.
The business made
substantial improvements
to their business
property/space, either
interior/exterior.
The business
property/space consistently
maintained their property in
an attractive and well-kept
manner?
Grand Total
4
5
City Beautification Award
Policy History
Adopted by: On (date) Item #
EDA 12/19/2016 6.2
EDA 4/17/2017 6.4
EDA 5/15/17 6.5
EDA 10/16/2017 3.5
EDA 12/17/2018 6.2
EDA 10/21/2019
6
City Beautification
Award Policy
1
City Beautification Award Policy
What is a City Beautification Award?
The City Beautification Award recognizes business owners whose efforts to clean, repair,
improve and enhance the overall aesthetics of either the interior or exterior of the business,
property and/or space thereby maintaining the beauty of their neighborhood and
surroundings. It is presented to encourage community improvements, enhance our city’s
image and economic vitality.
From May through October, The Beautification Committee will accept nominations from
the public and/or self-nominations. Nominations meeting the judging rubric of the
Beautification Award will become finalists. All finalists will receive public recognition for
making and continuing to help keep the City of Elk River beautiful!
Businesses can be nominated for this award by others within the community or they may
nominate themselves (self-nomination is encouraged!). Award finalists will be shown in
promotional materials.
In November of each year, the Beautification Committee will select one of the finalists to be
awarded The City Beautification Award. The City Beautification Award Recipient will
receive the award at the following EDA meeting presented by the EDA President and a
member of the Beautification Committee. In addition, award recipient will be recognized by
the Mayor and City Council at their November meeting.
What does the Beautification Committee look for?
The City of Elk River Beautification Committee seeks to recognize commercial/industrial
site improvements, commercial/industrial upgrades, landscapes, interior/exterior
renovations, restorations, and new structures that are architecturally noteworthy and well
maintained.
A major criterion is how the project visually enhances the surrounding neighborhood and
community. How the business incorporates design, maintenance, color, organization and
creativity within the existing community. Improvements to structures, interior/exterior
spaces and the landscaping are important elements for consideration.
Applications will be evaluated based on the overall visual appearance of the completed
project.
2
Application Requirements
1. Submit completed entry form plus at least two high-quality digital photos, including a
“before” if available and “after” (if applicable) by the first Monday of each month
beginning in May through October of each year.
2. Deliver via email by the end of the business day on the first Monday of the month:
Subject: Attention City of Elk River Beautification Committee
Attach the completed and signed form and pictures to the
Economic Development Specialist: ceddy@ElkRiverMN.gov
Eligibility
Site must be located within the City of Elk River corporate limits.
Self-nominations are encouraged!
A photo release approval will be needed to authorize the use of photos in various
social media and print forums.
For new construction or renovations, a certificate of occupancy must have been
issued.
Public projects are not eligible.
Previous recipients of The City Beautification Award are ineligible to receive the
award in the succeeding two years at the same location.
City Beautification Award Entry Form
Nominee:
Business Address:
Email:
Office Phone: Cell
Description/Reason for the nomination along with work completed:
How does your business property/space meet the minimum scoring rubric?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
3
Judging Rubric
This award recognizes business, property and/or spaces that contribute to the beautification
of the city through landscaping and architecture. Applicants need to score a minimum of 10 points
in order to qualify as a finalist.
Scoring Rubric 0 1 2 3 Total
Criteria Does not meet Neutral Meets the Exceeds the
the criteria criteria criteria
The business
property/space visually
enhances the surrounding
neighborhood.
The business
property/space is well
maintained.
The business
property/space
incorporates a visually
pleasing color scheme.
The business
property/space
incorporates creativity and
design.
The business made
substantial improvements
to their business
property/space, either
interior/exterior.
Grand Total
4
City Beautification Award
Policy History
Adopted by: On (date) Item #
EDA 12/19/2016 6.2
EDA 4/17/2017 6.4
EDA 5/15/17 6.5
EDA 10/16/2017 3.5
EDA 12/17/2018 6.2
EDA 10/21/2019
5