8.2 SR 04-04-2022
Request for Action
To Item Number
Mayor and City Council 8.2
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
General Business April 4, 2022 Brent O’Neil, Economic Development Director
Zack Carlton, Planning Manager
Item Description Reviewed by
Council Discussion: Jackson Hills Fishing Cal Portner, City Administrator
Pond/ Stormwater Pond
Reviewed by
Action Requested
Receive information, discuss and provide staff direction.
Background/Discussion
Ricky Solomon of the Elk River Boys and Girls Club (BGC), and Patrick Briggs, owner of property immediately
east of Lion John Weicht Park, have a submitted a proposal to the city for the formation of a fishing pond near
the BGC. The proposal would construct a fishing pond on low-lying land on the Briggs property and a portion of
the park. The pond would be operated by the BGC primarily for youth fishing programs.
The submitted proposal has two specific requests of the city. First, to consider donation of city property for part
of the pond. Second, consider utilizing Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to cover costs for the project. Specifically,
TIF 28 encompasses the Briggs property and Mr. Briggs is requesting a deviation from the city’s TIF policy to
extend the TIF 28 term from 15 to 20 years, which would generate additional funds for the pond construction.
Should the Council support additional review of this project, staff can conduct further investigation of project
impacts, which include coordination with the Department of Natural Resources, provisions of the Land and Water
Conservation Fund Grant with which the property was acquired, and requisites of using TIF to finance the pond
improvements.
Financial Impact
N/A
Mission/Policy/Goal
N/A
Attachments
Submission from proposers and conceptual site plan
The Elk River Vision
A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional
service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity.
Updated: August 2020
OF THE NORTH STAR
February 23, 2022
Elk River City Council
City of Elk River
13065 Orono Parkway
Elk River, MN 55330
Good afternoon,
Our mission is to inspire all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential
as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Assuring the safety of our Club members and applying the
highest level of integrity to our business practices has enabled the Boys & Girls Clubs of the North Star
Elk River Branch to remain a trusted and valuable community institution.
Boys & Girls Clubs of the North Star Elk River Branch is seeking a long-term community partnership
with Patrick Briggs, Briggs Companies and City of Elk River striving to have a positive impact on the
community and surrounding areas. ally excited for the opportunity to explore potential key
elements through a discussion between Council Members, Patrick Briggs and myself (Ricky Solomon)
next month. Goals of the discussion would include designing and construction of a potential fishing pond
near your local Boys & Girls Club, next to Lions Park and allowing Club aged kids closed proximity to
quality programs and activities, which would have a great benefit to our community as outlined below.
I believe that a fishing pond could be critical component in the development years of our youth, who need
us most. This creative and beneficial component would allow Boys & Girls Clubs of the North Star have
access to several impactful programs and activities pertaining to: outdoor environmental education,
Department of Natural Resources, hooked on fishing; not on harmful substances, financial literacy, family
cohesion and entrepreneurship type of opportunities. Example: The Ultimate Journey (listed below).
Boys & Girls Clubs of America has developed an amazing program called The Ultimate Journey. This
curriculum based program provides:
Opportunities for youth to take part in the healthy outdoor activities
Helping youth and teenagers become good stewards on the environment through fun and engaging
science activities
Connecting youth with local resources in the community, such as parks and green spaces, where
they can enjoy the outdoors
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On top of that, reports indicate that only 12% of American households have good diets. Then add in the
fact that people of color and low-income populations still face disparities regarding health and access to
parks. Furthermore, research indicates that interacting with nature can improve cognition for children with
attention deficits, and proximity to green space be associated with mental health benefits, such as lower
levels of stress, depression and anxiety.
Emphasizing this is only one program. Our organization has access to several proven-based programs.
Boys & Girls Clubs of the North Star Elk River Branch would take the lead role in quarterly planning,
implementing and evaluating all related programs and activities that the fishing pond would provide for
the community. Quarterly basis evaluation tools are provided through the Boys & Girls Clubs of America
will ensure a variety of programs and activities will be conducted year-round. Additional tools or
methods we plan to utilize for providing and enhancing outdoor environmental education for targeted
youth are as follows: Written action plan-annual, strategic plan, establishing Performance Targets
(measureable result), Commitment to Quality, monthly reports (includes contact hours), Boys & Girls
Clubs of the North Star Annual Program Report, Branch Director's weekly meetings In-Academy of Boys
& Girls Club Professionals settings. These tools will ensure related programs and activities will take
place year-round, for years to come.
Boys & Girls Clubs of the North star does not have the resources or knowledge to provide kids, teenagers
and families with a fishing pond. With the support of Patrick Briggs, Briggs Companies and City of Elk
River this opportunity is possible.
Your support would be extremely important to the work of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the North Star. On
behalf of many young people who continue to benefit on a daily basis, please accept our most heartfelt
thanks for a further discussion.
Cordially,
Ricky Solomon
President/CEO
rsolomon@izoom.net
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How it all started
From: Pat Briggs \[mailto:pat@thebriggscompanies.com\]
Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2022 11:23 PM
To: rsolomon@izoom.net
Subject: Confidential Briggs companies
Ricky,
I can help the kids. long term. I often hear people say that there
iver. More importantly if we can catch them now hopefully later in
life they will identify with the famous quote from Henry David Thoreau. men go fishing all of
their life without knowing that it is not the fish they are if you truly believe that a Stormwater
fishing pond could be critical experience in the development years of our youth. I will give you my
energy and commitment to try to make this a reality for your organization. A catch & release Storm
Water fishing pond is an exciting option for us to consider as an activity for our youth. If you can think of
another activity that would be more impactful, I would be happy to discuss it with you. As they say in
Real Estate, Timing is everything. The size of projects that we do on soils that have no value leave us
with the creation of financial instruments called TIF, to make infrastructure improvements, Public
Improvements within the scope of our project. My plan is to build a second phase of the Jackson
Residential Suites project. If the City Council approves a 20 Year TIF District we can utilize the creation
of 5 years of TIF towards the site preparation and improvements for stormwater/Fishing Pond. I will fund
the project up front and would be reimbursed in 15-20 years from the creation of the project. It will cost
between $300,000-$400,000 Present Value.
The city has the space on the east side of Lions Park. If they voted to donate a small portion of the park
back to us (My predecessors previously owned the park) we could accommodate an exclusive easement to
access the Stormwater fishing pond that could be helpful for the experience of youth through your
organization. The proposed Stormwater fishing pond is attached. I have worked with the DNR on the
details. talk soon if
Pat Briggs
612-919-1561
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The Response
From: Ricky Solomon <rsolomon@izoom.net>
Sent: Thursday, January 27, 2022 12:48 PM
To: Pat Briggs <pat@thebriggscompanies.com>
Cc: Ricky Solomon <rsolomon@izoom.net>
Subject: RE: Confidential Briggs companies
Good afternoon Patrick,
How true, referring to Henry David Thoreau quote. I appreciate you reaching out, as Boys & Girls Clubs
of the North Star Elk River Branch is seeking a long-term community partnership with someone like
you, striving to have a positive impact on the community and surrounding areas.
for the opportunity to explore potential key elements.
I believe that a fishing pond could be critical component in the development years of our youth, who need
us most. Developing a partnership with you Pat would allow Boys & Girls Clubs of the North Star have
access to several impactful programs and activities pertaining to: outdoor environmental education,
Department of Natural Resources, hooked on fishing; not on harmful substances, financial literacy,
entrepreneurship type of opportunities. Example: The Ultimate Journey (listed below).
Boys & Girls Clubs of America has developed an amazing program called The Ultimate Journey. This
curriculum based program provides:
Opportunities for youth to take part in the healthy outdoor activities
Helping youth and teenagers become good stewards on the environment through fun and engaging
science activities
Connecting youth with local resources in the community, such as parks and green spaces, where they can
enjoy the outdoors
On top of that, reports indicate that only 12% of American households have good diets. Then add in the
fact that people of color and low-income populations still face disparities regarding health and access to
parks. Furthermore, research indicates that interacting with nature can improve cognition for children with
attention deficits, and proximity to green space be associated with mental health benefits, such as lower
levels of stress, depression and anxiety. If you are interested I can go into more details when we talk.
I will give you a call later this afternoon. Have a wonderful day.
Ricky Solomon
President/CEO
Boys & Girls Clubs of the North Star
905 6th Street NW
Elk River. MN 5533
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The request from Council
1. A request to bring the questions #2& #3 to a public hearing for a formal vote?
2. Will the city donate a small portion of land back to PID # 75-134-2305 (see attached
highlighted area on Exhibit A)?
3. Will the city work with our team to support a 20 yr. TIF district #28 pay as you go? Per page
4 of TIF policy.
Below is page 4 of the TIF policy
1. Assistance for TIF is required to meet the uses identified by statute
including, but not limited to the following:
Public improvements
Land acquisition and land write down
Loans
Site preparation and improvement
Demolition
Legal, administration, and engineering
2. The preferred method of TIF is pay-as-you-go for eligible costs as
reimbursement, upfront financing maybe considered on a case-by-
case basis.
3. A maximum of ten percent (10%) of any tax increment received
from the district shall be retained by the city to reimburse
administrative costs.
4. All TIF assistance must be accompanied by a signed development
agreement including a minimum assessment value. The developer
must provide additional financing guarantees to ensure completion
of the project, including, but not limited letters of credit,
personal guarantees, corporate guarantees, etc.
5.
meet the project needs. Only projects exceeding the objectives
identified in this policy will be considered to exceed the following
general thresholds:
Redevelopment District 15 Years (Max is 26)
Housing District 15 Years (Max is 26)
Soils Condition District 15 Years (Max is 21)
Renewal and Renovation District 10 Years (Max is 16)
Economic Development District 8 Years (Max is 9)
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Exhibit A
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