4.1 BCSR 07-11-2022
Request for Action
To Item Number
Economic Development Authority Beautification Committee 4.1
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
General Business July 11, 2022 Joshua Mollan, Economic Development Specialist
Item Description Reviewed by
Beautification Award Policy Amendments Brent O’Neil, Economic Development Director
Reviewed by
Action Requested
Approve, by motion, modifications to the Beautification Award policy and application.
Background/Discussion
Staff has made minor amendments to the Beautification Award policy which are as follows:
Limiting application submissions to online only, therefore removing the entry form from the policy
document.
Staff will walk through suggested changes with the committee.
Financial Impact
N/A
Attachments
Redlined Beautification Policy
The Elk River Vision
A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional
service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity
City Beautification
Award Policy
13065 Orono Parkway
Elk River, MN 55330
763.635.1000
ElkRiverMN.gov
City Beautification Award Policy
What is the City Beautification Award?
The City Beautification Award recognizes businesses owners whose efforts to clean, repair,
improve and enhance the overall aesthetics of either the interior or exterior of the
businessbuilding(s), property and/or space thereby maintaining the beauty of their
neighborhood and surroundings. It is presented to encourage community improvements,
enhance our city’s image and economic vitality.
From May through October, The Beautification Committee will accept nominations from
the public and/or self-nominations. Nominations meeting the judging rubric of the
Beautification Award will become finalists. All finalists will receive public recognition for
making and continuing to help keep the City of Elk River beautiful!
Businesses can be nominated for this award by others within the community or they may
nominate themselves (self-nomination is encouraged!). Award finalists will be shown in
promotional materials.
In November of each year, the Beautification Committee will select one of the finalists to be
awarded The City Beautification Award. The City Beautification Award Recipient will
receive the award at the following EDA meeting presented by the EDA President and a
member of the Beautification Committee. In addition, the award recipient will be recognized
by the Mayor and City Council at their November meeting.
What does the Beautification Committee look for?
The City of Elk River Beautification Committee seeks to recognize commercial/industrial
site improvements, commercial/industrial upgrades, landscapes, interior/exterior
renovations, restorations, and new structures that are architecturally noteworthy and well
maintained.
A major criterion is how the project visually enhances the surrounding neighborhood and
community. How the business incorporates design, maintenance, color, organization and
creativity within the existing community. Improvements to structures, interior/exterior
spaces and the landscaping are important elements for consideration.
Applications will be evaluated based on the overall visual appearance of the completed
project.
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Application Requirements
1. Submit completed entry form plus at least two high-quality digital photos, including a
“before” if available and “after” (if applicable) by the first Monday of each month beginning
in May through October of each year.
2. Deliver via email by the end of the business day on the first Monday of the month:
Subject: Attention City of Elk River Beautification Committee
Attach the completed and signed form and pictures to the
Formatted: No bullets or numbering
Economic Development Specialist: Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.
Eligibility
Site must be located within the City of Elk River corporate limits.
Self-nominations are encouraged!
A photo release approval will be needed to authorize the use of photos in various
social media and print forums.
For new construction or renovations, a certificate of occupancy must have been
issued.
Public projects are not eligible.
Previous recipients of The City Beautification Award are ineligible to receive the
award in the succeeding two years at the same location.
City Beautification Award Entry Form
Nominee:
Business Address:
Email:
Office Phone: Cell
Description/Reason for the nomination along with work completed:
How does your business property/space meet the minimum scoring rubric?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
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Judging Rubric
This award recognizes businesses, whose building(s), property and/or spaces that contribute
to the beautification of the city through landscaping and architecture. Applicants need to score a
minimum of 10 points in order to qualify as a finalist.
Scoring Rubric 0 1 2 3 Total
Criteria Does not meet Neutral Meets the Exceeds the
the criteria criteria criteria
The business
building(s)/property/space
visually enhances the
surrounding neighborhood.
The business
building(s)/property/space is
well maintained.
The business
building(s)/property/space
incorporates a visually
pleasing color scheme.
Formatted Table
The business
building(s)/property/space
incorporates creativity and
design.
The business made
substantial improvements to
their business
building(s)/property/space,
either interior/exterior.
Grand Total
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City Beautification Award
Policy History
Adopted by: On (date) Item #
EDA 12/19/2016 6.2
EDA 4/17/2017 6.4
EDA 5/15/17 6.5
EDA 10/16/2017 3.5
EDA 12/17/2018 6.2
EDA 10/21/2019 7.1
EDA 7/18/2022 (Proposed)
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