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06-03-2020 EDA MINCity of Elk Special Meeting of the Elk River River Economic Development Authority Held at the Elk River City Hall Wednesday, June 3, 2020 Members Present: President Dan Tveite, Commissioners Garrett Christianson, Matt Westgaard, Nate Ovall (arrived at 5:34), Jennifer Wagner, Jeff Hartwig, and Charlie Blesener Members Absent: None Staff Present: Economic Development Director Amanda Othoudt, Economic Development Specialist Colleen Eddy 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. EDA Strategic Plan Discussion Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report. The following representatives from Stantec were present: John Shardlow, Tom Leighton, Lauren Walberg, and Heidi Pepper. The commission members and staff introduced themselves. Mr. Leighton facilitated the discussion. Traditional Economic Development focuses on attracting and retaining businesses to improve economic circulation. It is also important to consider human development - cultivated through education, training, healthcare, and food supply. Other factors include transportation and telecommunications, areas of character that support tourism, and real estate development. Commissioner Blesener asked if housing would be included in infrastructure. Mr. Leighton agreed housing development could be a way to encourage businesses to move in and also provide a work force. Commissioner Westgaard asked if Elk River should be defined as an urban or a rural community. Although Elk River borders the metropolitan area our transportation funding classifies the city as rural. How should Elk River identify and market itself? Economic Development Authonty Minutes June 3, 2020 Page 2 Mr. Leighton explained COVID-19 will make an economic impact including people who have jobs, impact on tourism and travel, retailers, construction, and manufacturing. He included a menu of responses that local governments have taken that Elk River may want to consider in addition to the things they have already implemented. Mr. Leighton started the workshop asking for a discussion on the economic Assets, Deterrents, and Threats. Chair Tveite stated one threat is the city's response to 169 Redefine project and how it works through this area. Should we incorporate the Parks and Recreation Commission or the HRA so that everything is coordinated? Mr. Leighton asked for clarification whether the 169 Redefine was a threat or an opportunity. Chair Tveite stated it was both a threat and an opportunity depending on how it is managed. Unless the city determines what direction they want to head with development, it may not end up being constructive or beneficial to the city or for developers. Mr. Leighton questioned how this project may bring more property on line. Commissioner Westgaard agreed with Chair Tveite and explained the 169 Redefine project will increase accessibility for business, residents, and visitors passing through. Increasing access will open up opportunities in business and housing including a large tract of land north of the city which may be available within the next decade. Mr. Leighton asked if there will be improved access to existing properties. Commissioner Westgaard stated humans naturally avoid places that are difficult to get into and out of. The same applies to businesses. There are large trucking firms and an energy company in Elk River whose trucks have to start and stop at many intersections. From a business perspective, if you are trucking out of your facility, you would want the easiest way to disperse your product. Commissioner Blesener added additional natural resources could be added to the map. He identified Woodland Trails, acreage along the Mississippi river, the Youth Athletic Complex (YAC), Hillside Park, the Multipurpose Facility, facilities maintained by ISD #728, the rivers, and Lake Orono as resources. There are several natural resources within one trip. Mr. Leighton asked Commissioner Blesener if he would add this detail to the map or make a bulleted list. Commissioner Wagner agreed Hwy 169 was an asset and the biggest catalyst in undertaking a Strategic Plan. The Active Elk River campaign is an important part of the future of Elk River. She asked about "Housing is Affordable" as an asset vs rrif[I[I "r NATURE Econorruc Development Authority Mmutes Page 3 June 3, 2020 "Enough Housing Options" as a deterrent. Similarly, "Land Affordability" vs "Industrial Land Availability". These areas seem to contradict each other. Mr. Leighton said he has heard from Ms. Othoudt there is great access to transportation corridors and land may be more affordable the more north of the Twin Cities you go. Commissioner Wagner felt Elk River has not seen as much industrial development as other cities due to land affordability or availability (or lack thereof). Is it because of urban service districts? Mr. Leighton encouraged the commission to send additional comments on the Assets, Deterrents, Threats chart to Mr. Othoudt. Mr. Leighton continued the workshop focusing on the range of potential the commissioners may see for Elk River. How does the commission see the list of opportunities as listed in the packet? Commissioner Westgaard discussed some possible additions to Catalyst Projects in the "What is the Opportunity for Elk River?" column listed in the packet including areas along Hwy 10 to 101, Hwy 10 to the eastern border, and city owned property adjacent to YAC. Mr. Leighton asked if these areas could be identified on a map. Commissioner Blesener asked if there are other redevelopment areas besides Main St and Gates Ave. Commissioner Ovall added Railroad Dr. Commissioner Blesener added the strip mall along Hwy 10 from the old elevator to the west across to Dairy Queen could use improvements. Commissioner Christianson agreed the strip mall seemed to struggle to keep businesses there. Mr. Leighton will compile a map that identifies the opportunities mentioned. Chair Tveite added the northwest corner of Proctor Rd and Hwy 10 across from Beaudry's should be added as well. Mr. Leighton asked about redevelopment projects and encouraged the commission to think about tools they may use and what might be required to do some of the work they are interested in doing. r� Commissioner Ovall wondered if it would be beneficial to have staff and Planning Commission members sit in on these meetings to avoid conflicting with the Comprehensive Plan and what the market is demanding. �1■EIEI �r NATURE Economic Development Authority Minutes June 3, 2020 Ms. Othoudt stated she could invite them to participate. Page 4 OR Commissioner Blesener asked about the best way to include Parks and Recreation Commissioners, the HRA, and staff. Would there be additional meetings with them or should the EDA get a list of priorities from them? Mr. Leighton stated it could be a mix. He suggested having them sit in on the meeting or having an internal conversation with them. It may be better to get Planning involved once they are at the point of determining what belongs in certain locations. Commissioner Ovall stated a strategic plan and vision needs to stick to the "long game". Mr. Leighton stated the EDA is the implementer. Different commissions or staff could help to flesh out certain aspects of the plan. Mr. Blesener was intrigued by how the EDA could assist with tourism. Mr. Leighton explained tourism and marketing may be narrowly defined and they may want to broaden them. Are there other aspects of tourism and marketing that may be opportunities? Commissioner Wagner added the Multipurpose Facility as a destination. Commissioner Westgaard added a physical barrier could be the river. In addition, when talking about marketing and tourism, should we leverage our city as being a waterfront community? Mr. Oeher asked if there was a trail system or amenities near the river. Commissioner Westgaard said there were some options to expand the trail system by the river. Perhaps Elk River should put focus on capturing the river as a physical amenity. Mr. Leighton asked if Active Elk River included trail expansions on the river. Commissioner Wagner responded citizens have been looking into putting a dock downtown. Active Elk River will address joining some disconnected trails in single family home areas. Mr. Leighton commented that, at this stage, the EDA does no have to sort out who would do what. The purpose is just to generate ideas and discuss them again in the future. Commissioner Christianson addressed retail vibrancy. He often hears Elk River needs more restaurants and local "mom and pop" retail. It would be useful to identify areas to target expansion in Elk River. MATURE Economic Development Authority Minutes Page 5 June 3, 2020 ----------------------------- -,—*N Mr. Leighton agreed these restaurants and stores could be a tourist draw. Commission Wagner questioned why the documentation mentions Elk River as a "regional destination". Mr. Leighton clarified this is one of the largest shopping destinations in the area except for Rogers. Commission Christianson commented on the ability to see what type of stores are available when driving the highways through Elk River. He felt it was important, during the planning of Hwy 169 Redefine, to keep retail areas visible. Mr. Leighton asked the commission to answer the following questions: "The direction I'd like the EDA to move forward is..." "The Economic Development opportunity I'm most interested in for Elk River is..." Chair Tveite said the direction he would like the EDA to move forward in is consolidating and incorporating other parts of the city so that there is a comprehensive, all-inclusive plan that includes parks. The biggest opportunity is coming up with a plan or guidance for 169 Redefine. Not necessarily plotting properties and deciding what goes where, but some guidance to make a workable ecosystem combining retail and housing. Commissioner Westgaard felt the opportunity was the 169 Redefine project and determining a direction for what the new Elk River may look like with this improved transportation plan. In addition, he does not want to forget about the older downtown areas, preserving a good mix of housing and retail opportunities. Elk River will take on a new look with Hwy 169 Redefine and the city will get new pressure from businesses, development, and housing once that is in place. Commissioner Christianson agreed the Hwy 169 Redefine project would change Elk River. He came back to the question of whether Elk River was considered rural. The 169 Redefine project will bring Elk River closer to the Twin Cities with more demand for housing and businesses. The city needs to be ready for what the new Elk River could look like while retaining the historic side. There should be a focus on tying the old and the new together. Commissioner Ovall felt the focus should be on Hwy 169 Redefine. However, COVID-19 has made this a risk as well. The city needs to be flexible in working with businesses who may be facing turnover or reinventing themselves as consumer's buying and travel patterns change, and will continue to change, with construction. Retail spaces may move to being experiential rather than consumption driven. Rather than focusing on expanding retail spaces, he would be interested in examining what we have within our existing boundaries, enhancing rather than adding parks, connecting trail systems, and making things more accessible. Instead of adding city sewer and water, focus on redeveloping areas that already have these installed. He rIN4;A�WREJ 11 Economic Development Authority Minutes Page 6 June 3, 2020 ----------------------------- also was interested in helping businesses move from a business model that may have been developed during a pre-COVID economy and updating it to the new market. Commissioner Wagner wanted to focus on reshaping the property tax pie and take some stress off homeowners by adding more commercial and industrial. She would like to emphasize how Elk River is neither metro nor rural. She wants to keep that feeling and be smart about growth instead of reactive. She would also like to see Elk River become a "youth sports hub" where regional sports tournaments bring in outside dollars. Commissioner Hartwig agreed the Hwy 169 Redefine development change would affect the outlook and appearance of businesses along the way. He would like to see existing businesses maintain what they have throughout this project. Commissioner Blesener stated the Hwy 169 Redefine project would be a big draw and the EDA should be ahead of it, guiding and being thoughtful about land use. He would also like to address signage and identification to make sure anything that comes off Hwy 169 comes back west. He felt there were areas that could be redeveloped and access could be improved. One example was the mall area along 169 with its back built to the highway. Commissioner Wagner asked that Stantec provide them with thought leadership to think outside the box and envision what "little Elk River" could be. Chair Tveite felt Elk River could be currently identified as a place where city and county collide rather than flow. 4. Adjournment There being no further business, President Tveite adjourned the meeting of the Elk River Economic Development Authority at 7:05 p.m. Minutes prepared by Katie Porath. Dan Tveite, EDA President Tina Allard, City Clerk MATURE