04-20-2020 EDA MIN City of
E Virtual Meeting of the Elk River
•
River Economic Development Authority
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, April 20, 2020
(Due to COVID-19 Pandemic)
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. Roll Call
3. Consider Agenda
Item 7.5 was added to the agenda.
Moved by Commissioner Christianson and seconded by Commissioner
Westgaard to approve the agenda. Motion carried 7-0.
4. Consider Consent Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Blesener and seconded by Commissioner Ovall to
approve the following consent agenda:
4.1 March 16,2020, Special Meeting 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.
5. Open Forum
• No one appeared for Open Forum.
Economic Development Authority Minutes Page 2
April 20,2020
6.1 Jobs Incentive Microloan Modification for Orluck Industries, Inc.
President Tveite opened the public hearing.
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report.Jeff Orluck,from Orluck Industries,was
present to answer questions from the EDA.
President Tveite closed the public hearing.
The Commission felt that Orluck Industries had given them a good faith response
and met their requirements in the past,therefore,the commission should give them
the opportunity to get back up to employment levels.
The Commission recommended extending the Microloan for 12 months.
Moved by Commissioner Westgaard and seconded by Commissioner
Christianson to approve compliance date extension with respect to business
subsidy provided to Orluck Industries, Inc. Motion carried 7-0.
7.1 Public Art RFP
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report.
Moved byCommissioner Blesener and seconded byCommissioner
Westgaard to approve the amended Public Art Request for Proposal. Motion
carried 7-0.
7.2 EDA Strategic Plan Contract with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc.
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report.
Commissioner Blesener asked if there had been any discussion on how to modify in-
person research and citizen engagement that may not be allowed due to social
distancing regulations.
Ms. Othoudt felt Stantec was as accommodating as possible and planned to have in
person meetings if allowed. Some aspects may need to be modified because of
COVID-19.
Moved by Commissioner Wagner and seconded by Commissioner Westgaard
to approve a professional service agreement with Stantec Consulting Services
Inc. Motion carried 7-0.
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Economic Development Authority Minutes Page 3
April 20,2020
S 7.3 Modification to the Jobs Incentive Microloan Policy funded by State
DEED Money
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report.
The Commission felt the item should be brought to a work session in the future.
Moved by Commissioner Westgaard and seconded by Commissioner Hartwig
to modify the Jobs Incentive Microloan Policy funded by State DEED money.
Motion carried 7-0.
7.4 Director Report
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report.
7.5 Keep Elk River Open Public Relations Campaign
Commissioner Wagner outlined a joint effort between the EDA and the Chamber of
Commerce to help encourage small businesses and restaurants in Elk River and
create a sense of community pride and unity. Different marketing tools would be
utilized and approximately$9,000 had been identified as a budget.
IIIDebbi Rydberg,Executive Director of the Elk River Chamber of Commerce,added
that the initiative would promote shopping and investing locally.While this
campaign may be reactionary to COVID-19,it would also help develop community
engagement for when the Highway 169 Redefine project started.
Commissioner Ovall wondered about tangible measures of success. He believed that
Elk River already strongly supported the idea of"shop local". He hoped for
something actionable such as a YouTube video of how a local business was adapting
or how customers could support them.
Commissioner Christianson agreed and suggested comparing what a dollar was
worth here versus somewhere else.
Commissioner Westgaard wondered if dollars could be repurposed such as a hiatus
on franchise fees or utility bills. He felt it was a bigger conversation than just the
EDA and should include a partnership with the HRA,Council,and Utilities.
Commissioner Blesener suggested addressing Commissioner Westgaard's suggestions
at a future work session. He cautioned using the term"open"since it was receiving
negative attention at governor protests.
President Tveite suggested using 1/3 to 1/2 of the allocated budget for the campaign
and retaining the remainder until they could discuss it more thoroughly.
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Economic Development Authority Minutes Page 4
April 20,2020
Commissioner Wagner stated she will work with the Chamber of Commerce and Ms.
Othoudt on the campaign. 110
Commissioner Ovall stated he was open to having special meetings in order to
expedite this plan.
Ms. Othoudt will discuss some possible dates for a special meeting with the
commissioners but there needed to be at least three days'notice before a special
meeting could be held.
8.1 Economic Development Business Microloan Fund Discussion
This item was tabled to a future meeting.
Moved by Commissioner Wagner and seconded by Commissioner
Christianson to table Item 8.1 until a future meeting due to time constraints.
Motion carried 7-0.
9. Adjournment
There being no further business,President Tveite adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River Economic Development Authority at 6:29 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Katie Porath.
< c P S
Dan Tye' ,EDA President
Tina Allard,City Clerk
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