4.1. EDA DRAFT MINUTES 09-21-2020 VA
City of
Elk Meeting of the Elk River
River Economic Development Authority
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, August 17, 2020
Members Present: President Dan Tveite, Commissioners Garrett Christianson,Nate
Ovall,Jennifer Wagner, and Jeff Hartwig
Members Absent: Commissioners Matt Westgaard and Charlie Blesener
Staff Present: Economic Development Director Amanda Othoudt, Economic
Development Specialist Colleen Eddy„Planning Manager Zack
Carlton, and City Clerk Tina Allard
1. Call Meeting to Order
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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 recite
3. Consider Agen
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Item 7.3 was removed from the ageri
Moved by Commissioner Wagner and seconded by Commissioner Ovall to
approve the agenda as amended.
Motion carried 5-0. .
4. Consider Consent Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Ovall and seconded by Commissioner Hartwig to
approve the following consent agenda:
4.1 Minutes
■ June 15, 2020 Regular
■ June 29, 2020 Special
■ July 6, 2020 Closed
■ July 15, 202 Special
■ July 20, 2020 Regular
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.
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August 17,2020
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Motion carried 5-0.
S. Open Forum
No one appeared for Open Forum.
6. Public Hearings
There were no public hearing items.
7.1 Chamber of Commerce Business Survey
Mr. Carlton presented the staff report.
Commissioner Ovall encouraged staff to make phone calls prior to sending written
letters,which can seem more impersonal. He stated people remember how you made
them feel and further will relay their opinions to neighbors.
Commissioner Wagner concurred. Noe
Mr. Carlton agrees when it comes to businesses° noting residential owners can be
more difficult to reach. He stated the initial letter is written softly to try an open a
conversation about issues.
Commissioner Christianson questioned )' S%uCc!ss§IshW'6uId be measured in 6-9
months noting he would like to see feedback.
Commissioner Ovall asked the Chamber of Commerce and businesses to provide
feedback. He further asked for communication with regards to specific issues and
examples, such as if the city timeline seems wrong,then he'd like to see specific
examples from another city to see what their process is and how their timing is
%;.different from Elk River.:;
emission consensus was e issues have been addressed and follow up will be
continuous.
7.2 Together Elk River Campaign
Ms. Eddy presented the staff report.
Commissioner Wagner modeled the branded face gator.
Moved by Commission Ovall and seconded by Commissioner Hartwig to
approve an additional$950 to the Together Elk River Campaign.
Motion carried 5-0.
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August 17,2020
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7.3 Public Art Contract with Milligan Studio
This item was removed from the agenda.
7.4 Strategic Plan
Ms. Eddy presented the staff report.
7.5 2021 EDA Budget and Resolution Establishing EDA Levy
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report.
Ms. Eddy discussed the need for drone footage and an interactive ARC GIS based
program. �� 'X
Commissioner Wagner questioned the return on investment and felt more
information was needed so she would like to see a demo about the drone program
before deciding.
Commissioner Ovall requested future discussion about the wetlands credit program.
He stated he is not sure how comfortable he is with using it and already having a
property in mind. He stated he would like to know what regulatory issues must be
considered, or if there is certain guidance on what to look for in acquiring a property
for wetland credit and allocation. He questioned if this is something that should be
opened to the community or if there are other properties that could use it verse
talking to only one property owner.
Moved by Commissioner Wagner and seconded by Commissioner Hartwig to
continue this item to the next meeting.
Motion carried 5-0
7.6 :`Resolution Establishing 2021 Referendum Tax Levy as Approved by
Voters for Recreational Facility Leased to the YMCA
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report.
President Tviete noted this was approved many years ago via voter referendum but
the Authority is required to approve each year.
Moved by Commissioner Wagner and seconded by Commissioner Ovall to
adopt Resolution 20-09 establishing the 2020 referendum tax levy as approved
by voters for a recreational facility to be leased to the YMCA.
Motion carried 5-0.
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7.7 Director Report
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report.
7.8 Covid-19 Small Business Emergency Microloan Program
Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report.
Commissioner Wagner expressed surprise that the CARES Act funds have been
identified for allocation and she questioned how it looks as she feels it is very
important to help businesses. She noted many businesses that did not qualify for this
program have seen a significant decrease in their revenues and are having to make
unexpected purchases for personal protective equipment, such as face masks and
plexi-shields. She asked if there is an opportunity to adjust the eligibility of the
program. She stated she was hoping the Authority could be reimbursed with CARES
funding.
Ms. Othoudt stated the loan program " e modified with the understanding the
Authority may not get CARES funds. She noted when the program was first created
the Authority knew they would be using their own funds. She questioned if the
Authority wanted to continue knowing the county has two programs available that
are robust. She stated the Authority *neebetwor
de onstrate a need for the
program extension.
President Tviete stated a lot of def 'ed out if the program is to be
expanded. He is unsure at this point of the direction to go.
Commissioner Ovall stated he is fine with what is currently allocated but he would
be willing to review further if the Authority would qualify for some CARES
reimbursement. He noted there will be impacts for the 169 Redefine project,which
are currently unknown.
Commissioner Wagner stated there are many businesses who do not qualify for the
current loan program but are still hurting.
Ms. Othoudt stated the Authority needs to identify the businesses who would qualify
under an expanded program. She stated there are some options to measure need,
such as gross revenue/loss,but more work would be required on how to implement
it.
Commissioner Ovall questioned if there was any pattern for the 6 applicants who did
not get approval.
Ms. Othoudt stated it was retail and a gas station.
Commissioner Christianson stated he is fine with the original loan program not
knowing about the CARES reimbursement.
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Ms. Othoudt stated she is not asking for more funding to be released but questioning
the business eligibility list.
President Tviete noted there is approximately$102,000 remaining in the loan fund
with three months into the program. He stated he would be open to getting some
recommendations on program expansion for businesses but limit it to the $200,000
already allocated unless CARE funding becomes available.
Commission consensus directed staff to come forward with a recommendation of
eligible uses.
8. Adjournment At
There being no further business, President Tveite adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River Economic Development Authority at 6:32 p.m.
Dan Tveite,EDA President
Tina Allard, City Clerk
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