10-21-2019 EDA MINMeeting of the Elk River
Economic Development Authority
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, October 21, 2019
Members Present: President Dan Tveite, Commissioners Garrett Christianson, Matt
Westgaard, Nate Ovall, Jennifer Wagner, Jeff Hartwig, and Charlie
Blesener
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Economic Development Director Amanda Othoudt, Economic
Development Specialist Colleen Eddy, and Records Specialist Katie
Porath
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 5:30 p.m. by President Tveite.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Consider Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Wagner and seconded by Commissioner
Christianson to approve the agenda.
Motion carried 7-0.
4. Consider Consent Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Ovall and seconded by Commissioner Westgaard to
approve the following consent agenda:
4.1 September 16, 2019, 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 7-0.
S. Open Forum
No one appeared for Open Forum.
Economic Development Authority Minutes Page 2
October 21, 2019
6. Public Hearings
There were no public hearing items.
7.1 EDA City Beautification Policy Discussion
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report.
Commissioner Blesener verified the process of receiving submissions. Submissions
would be received from May -October and recognized each month as they occur.
One submission would be selected in November to receive a plaque and planter.
The EDA liked the change to include tenants and renters.
Motion by Commissioner Blesener, seconded by Commissioner Westgaard 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.
Motion carried 7-0.
7.2 Verizon Temporary Cell Tower Site
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report.
Commissioner Westgaard clarified that the governing body for granting this Interim
Use Permit (IUP) is the Planning Commission; however, the EDA needed to sign
off on it because they are owners of the property.
Commissioner Ovall asked if this was the best location since it is highly visible.
Brent Kabat, representing Verizon, stated the property is close to fiber optic lines
making it easy to connect.
President Tveite asked if this was a reasonable rent rate. He also wondered about
notifying neighboring properties and if Verizon would forfeit their rent if they
terminated the agreement prematurely.
Mr. Kabat requested the EDA make a decision that evening due to Verizon's
deadlines.
Motion by Commissioner Blesener and seconded by Commissioner
Westgaard to approve the execution of an Interim Use Permit to install a
1 0 f I E s E I I r
INATURE
Economic Development Authority Minutes
October 21, 2019
Page 3
temporary cell tower on the property located at 17610 Tyler St. NW to include
the following conditions:
1. Offer three options to renew in 6 month increments.
2. Verizon to pay for all costs of restoring the property to its original
condition.
3. Verizon to maintain the easement
4. Forfeit any payments made to the EDA, if Verizon were to cancel the
contract prior to the end of the lease
Motion carried 7-0.
7.3 Director Report
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report.
The EDA received four artist proposals for the public art initiative. The deadline to
receive the RFPs would be December.
8.1 EDA Strategic Plan Draft RFP
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report.
The EDA felt that the Request for Proposal (RFP) was quite robust and there was
not enough time to talk about it at this meeting. They suggested scheduling a work
session to discuss it and have commissioners pass on comments.
Commissioner Westgaard asked that the FAST study and the Comprehensive Plan,
as well as the 169 Redefine plan, be added.
9. Adjournment
There being no further business, President Tveite adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River Economic Development Authority at 6:02 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Katie Porath.
Dan Tveite, EDA President
-7
Tina Allard, City Clerk
P 0 V E 0 E 0 B 1
NATURE