07-15-2020 EDA MIN SPECIAL\-.
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Staff Present:
t.
Special Meeting of the Elk River
Economic Development Authority
Held at the Elk River City Hall
l@f,y, July 15, 2020
Weolnlact*2-
President Dan Tveite, Commissioners Garrett Christianson, Matt
Westgaatd, Jennifer Wagner, Nate Ovall, Jeff Hartwig, and Charlie
Blesener
None
Economic Development Director Amanda Othoudt and Economic
Development Specialist Colleen Eddy
2.
3.1
Call Meeting to Order
Putsuant to due call and nodce theteof, the meeting of the Elk River Economic
Development Authority was called to order at 5:30 p.m.by President Tveite.
Consider Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Blesener and seconded by Commissioner Wagner to
appfove the agenda.
Motion caried 6-0.
EDA 2021 Budget and Goals
Budget
Ms. Othoudt ptesented the saff report.
Ms. Othoudt discussed legal fees. Applicants are typically required to pay for their
own legal services and there is no retainer charged to the EDA.
Comrnissioner Blesener asked about expenses ftom the Strategic Plan.
Ms. Othoudt responded that a portion has been paid and the budget shows a
$10,000 allocadon for subsequent payments.
Commissioner lTagner asked about the budget for marketing mailings and if that
included Together Elk Rivet campaign materials.
Ms. Othoudt explained the line items relating to Together Elk River expenditures
and othet matketing materials.
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Economic Development Authority Minutes
Jdy 15,2020
Page 2
The Commission asked about the continuation of the Together Elk River program
as well as what to do about the database of business information they have been
collecting.
The Commission questioned if the database was a duplication of Elk fuver Chamber
of Commerce resources. Would Together Elk fuver eventually make the chamber
irrelevant?
Commissioner Wagner explained they had apptoached Together EIk fuver as a
partnership with the Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber lobbies at the state level
on behalf of businesses. The Together Elk River campaign will be more successfirl as
a group venture.
Commissioner Wagner stated she sees the EDA doing the same thing every year and
going to the same conferences and wanted to see something different.
The Commission felt that a database might help the EDA proactively work with the
business community.
Ms. Othoudt talked about the conferences staff were hoping to attend n 2021.
The Commission asked for information on these conferences and the retum on
investrnent for attending. They also stated the amount may need to be a placeholder
becaus e of potential con ference cancellations.
The Commission asked for metrics to help determine what type of businesses and
industries are interested in Elk fuver, what is done to reach them, and why they
potentially choose not to locate here so they can quanti$, the data. They also would
like to be cognizant of the EDA staff capacity of adding projects.
Commissioner Blesenet added that he would appreciate a nanadve to understand
what "seeds" have been planted for prospective new businesses or expansions and
the value in recurring presence at conferences.
Ms. Othoudt stated she could make summary rtformation available as part of the
Director's Report.
Commissioner Ovall asked for more informadon about wedand credits.
Ms. Othoudt will work with the Environmental department to provide this
information.
Commissioner Wagner asked if the Together Elk fuver subcommittee could operate
outside of open meeting laws as an advisory committee.
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Economic Development Authonty Minutes
Jdy 15,2020
Page 4
Commissioner Westgaard suggested printing off a company's stat sheet befote
visiting them for a BR&E visit and update their information during the visit.
The current database asks business owners to enter thetr own information.
Commissioner \Westgaard suggested adding the database to the goal of "Market the
City of Elk fuver and gain positive exposure for the city".
Commissioner $Testgaard felt that the specific tasks of the goal need to be
developed.
President Tveite added that the commission needs to be clear about what they are
t yi"g to get ftom the database information.
4. Adjournment
There being no further business, President Tveite adjourned the meeting of the EIk
River Economic Developmeflt Authority at 7:09 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Katie Porath.
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t0ttItt I
Dan Tveite, EDA President
City Clerk
Economic Development Authority Minutes
July 15,2020
Page 3
Ms. Othoudt stated that the EDA attomey has advised that these meetings need to
follow open meeting laws but scheduling regular meetings instead of special meetings
may be something to consider.
The Commission discussed the budgeted amount for drone footage. In addition to
video, the program could provide prospective business owners with simulated
buildings and walkthroughs of open areas in Elk fuver while adding voiceovers.
The Commission questioned if $2,000 would be enough fot this type of service.
Ms. Eddy explained that it would flot cover all of the service but would be a good
start.
The Commissioner asked for examples of the drone companies and services tlat
staff was interested in.
The Commission asked atrout the public art expenditure.
Ms. Othoudt explained the initial grant had been temporarily suspended but they
were aware of two additional grants that could be applied to in October and March
which would provide a total of $10,000 if awarded.
The Commission agreed to keep a $5,000 placeholder in case the grant was not
awarded.
Goals
Ms. Othoudt oudined the overatching goals of the EDA.
President Tveite added that goals could change with the 169 Redefine project.
The Commission discussed speci$ring types of industries to add "greefl jobs" tather
than speciS,ing a number of jobs. This is in conjunction with the goal to increase
eflergy efficiency.
President Tveite felt that over the next 3-5 years the goals of "169 Redefine
Project/Together Elk fuver" and "Begin implementation of Strategic Plan" would
have significant opportunities to impact the community.
Commissioner Ovall would like more measurable goals. He requested a dashboard
report to illustrate how the EDA is consistently working toward their goals.
Commissioner rilTagner discussed the database that was collected as part of Together
Elk fuver.
Commissioner Ovall asked about the format of the database and the resources to
keep it updated. Databases are only as good as the information that has been added.
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