05-16-2022 EDA MINMeeting of the Elk River
Economic Development Authority
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, May 16, 2022
Members Present: President Dan Tveite, Commissioners Garrett Christianson, Matt
Westgaard, Jennifer Wagner, Jeff Hartwig, and Charlie Blesener
Members Absent: Commissioner Mike Beyer
Staff Present: Economic Development Director Brent O'Neil, Economic
Development Intern Josh Mollan, and City Clerk Tina Allard
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. Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Consider Agenda
Mr. O'Neil introduced Economic Development Intern Josh Mollan. Mr. Mollan
discussed his education and desire to gain city government experience.
Moved by Commissioner Wagner and seconded by Commissioner Westgaard
to approve the agenda.
Motion carried 6-0.
4. Consider Consent Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Westgaard and seconded by Commissioner
Christianson to approve the following consent agenda:
4.1 April 18, 2022, regular minutes and April 18, 2022, joint meeting
minutes with the Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
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.
Motion carried 6-0.
Economic Development authority Minutes
May 16, 2022
S. Open Forum
No one appeared for Open Forum.
6. Public Hearings
There were no public hearing items.
7.1 EDA Committee Updates
Mr. O'Neil presented the staff report.
7.2 Placer.ai Software
Mr. O'Neil presented the staff report.
President Tveite asked if there would be staff time and benefit to having the
software.
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Mr. O'Neil stated with the new intern it would become priority to utilize the
product. He discussed product strengths and weakness and questioned the Authority
what the measurement would be for the return on the investment.
Commissioner Wagner stated there is tremendous benefit for purchasing the
product, noting it could help with local retail gaps, such as hotels. She further
suggested there could be some in-house traffic study and analysis.
Commissioner Christianson had mixed thoughts on the purchase noting companies,
like hotels complete their own analysis, but the city could do some of this work for
them. He concurred it may be beneficial for some traffic studies. He expressed
concerns with the return on investment and a possible request in the future to add
more staff to continually utilize the product. He stated he would support the
purchase if not locked into a contract for multiple years.
Moved by Commissioner Wagner and seconded be Commissioner
Christianson to fund a one-year subscription to Placer.ai.
Motion carried 6-0.
7.3 Website Reports
Mr. O'Neil presented the staff report. He stated Mr. Mollan would be able to
provide an outsider perspective in reviewing the website for needed updates.
Commissioner Wagner stated she'd like to see the Average Session Duration
increased from .50 seconds.
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May 16, 2022
7.4 EDA Incentive Programs and Fees
Mr. O'Neil presented the staff report.
Moved by Commissioner Wagner and seconded by Commissioner Hartwig to
approve a modification to the application fees for EDA loan programs in the
amount of $500.
Motion carried 6-0.
7.5 General Updates
Mr. O'Neil presented the staff report.
The commission recessed at 6:00 p.m. and reconvened in worksession at 6:02 p.m.
8.1 Existing Microloan Requests: Orluck Industries
Mr. O'Neil presented the staff report. He discussed the loan and the possibility in
the future to assign it to another company.
9. Adjournment
There being no further business, President Tveite adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River Economic Development Authority at 6:12 p.m.
Dan Tveite, EDA resident
Tina Allard, City Clerk
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