11-18-2019 EDA MIN SPECIALSpecial Meeting of the Elk River
Economic Development Authority
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, November 18, 2019
Members Present: President Dan Tveite, Commissioners Garrett Christianson, Matt
Westgaard, Nate Ovall (5:15), Jennifer Wagner, Jeff Hartwig, and
Charlie Blesener
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Economic Development Director Amanda Othoudt, Economic
Development Specialist Colleen Eddy, and City Clerk Tina Allard
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. Consider Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Blesener and seconded by Commissioner Wagner to
approve the agenda.
Motion carried 6-0.
3.1 EDA Strategic Plan Draft RFP
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report.
Chair Tviete stated the timeline is crucial and the proposals should be due by early
March.
It was noted the entire commission would like to be part of the process versus
having a subcommittee.
Commissioner Wagner stated there are many items being requested in the proposal
and questioned whether the budget of $50,000 is reasonable.
Ms. Othoudt stated she included everything she could think of for the commission
to consider and they could pull items they didn't feel were important.
Commissioner Christianson questioned if it is common for an EDA to contract out
for strategic planning. He stated he believes the authority is already doing some of
the items and that others could be done in-house.
Economic Development Authority Minutes
November 18, 2019
Page 2
Ms. Othoudt stated a consultant would analyze what the commission is currently
doing and whether they could be doing certain things better. She further noted it is
common to contract out for this type of work. She stated these types of projects
have been done in house in the past with but not as robustly.
Commissioner Blesener stated there is value in getting a consultant's perspective and
they add a new set of eyes on the big picture.
Commissioner Wagner stated it should be contracted, noting the complexities of the
Highway 169 Redefine project.
Commissioner Blesener stated there should be a high value on engagement and
community assessment. He noted the Comprehensive Plan will be updated in 2020
and questioned how to incorporate the EDA Strategic Plan. He stated it is good to
have the proposal as large as possible and a consultant will often want to know what
resources the Commission can bring to the table. He suggested having goals with
deliverables under each of them. He stated the proposal should be reorganized to
categorize the items so they make sense and fit with each other. He noted he could
work with staff on streamlining the proposal.
4. Adjournment
There being no further business, President Tveite adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River Economic Development Authority at 5:34 p.m.
Dan Tveite, EDA President
Tina Allard, City Clerk
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