4.1. EDA DRAFT MINUTES 01-16-2024
Meeting of the Elk River
Economic Development Authority
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, December 18, 2023
Members Present: President Dan Tveite, Commissioners Cory Grupa, Matt Westgaard, Mike Beyer,
Jennifer Wagner, Jeff Hartwig, and Charlie Blesener
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Economic Development Director Brent O’Neil, Economic Development Specialist
Joshua Mollan, and Deputy Clerk Jolene Richter
1. 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 5:33 p.m. by President Tveite.
2. Pledge of Allegiance:
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Consider Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Beyer and seconded by Commissioner Westgaard to approve the
December 18, 2023, EDA agenda.
Motion carried 7-0.
4. Consent Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Westgaard and seconded by Commissioner Hartwig to approve the
following consent agenda:
4.1 June 20, 2023, Regular Meeting Minutes; August 21, 2023, Closed Meeting Minutes;
and November 20, 2023, Regular Meeting Minutes.
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 7-0.
5. Open Forum
No one appeared for Open Forum.
6. Public Hearings
There were no public hearings.
Economic Development Authority Minutes Page 2
December 18, 2023
-----------------------------
7.1 Presentation – Beautification Award Winner
Mr. Mollan presented the staff report.
Ryan Hardin, Beautification Committee, recognized The Edge Bar and Boutique for all their hard
work in turning the space into a great place for the community.
Nicole Smith, The Edge Bar and Boutique, thanked everyone for the opportunity to have their
business in this community, thanked the community for the support, and stated it is a great
community to be part of it.
Jennifer Wagner, The Edge Bar and Boutique, stated what a great community it is, and has been a
great thing to be part of and fun to see how the business has grown and to see all ages come and be
part of the space. She thanked the city and the Beautification Committee for recognizing that and
their hard work to make this space a place for everyone.
Dan Tveite thanked Jennifer and Nicole and stated it is the gateway to downtown and it really dresses
up the space and makes it look sharp. Mr. Tveite thanked the Beautification Committee for
recognizing the importance of what businesses do for the community and adding value to the
community.
President Tveite presented the 2023 Beautification Award to the owners of The Edge Bar and
Boutique, Nicole Smith, and Jennifer Wagner.
7.2 Committee Updates and Appointments
Mr. Mollan presented the staff report.
Moved by Commissioner Wagner and seconded by Commissioner Grupa to appoint Nic
Hahn to the Beautification and Public Art Committee.
Motion carried 7-0.
Mr. Mollan added that the committee is very close to submitting an RFP to secure some additional
public art within the community.
7.3 Electric Vehicle Charger Stations
Mr. O’Neil presented the staff report and invited Sara Youngs, Elk River Municipal Utilities (ERMU)
to present an update, background information, and to answer any questions.
Ms. Youngs provided information on why they would like to focus on other areas of conservation
efforts other than the electric vehicle charging stations. She explained that they are seeing more
residents bringing electric vehicles into their homes and ERMU would like to focus on supporting
those residents with their home chargers. She also gave some statistics on Station 1 in the downtown
Economic Development Authority Minutes Page 3
December 18, 2023
-----------------------------
parking lot which since 2017 has had 1,119 charging sessions. A person spends over an hour in the
downtown area while their vehicle is charging.
The commission discussed the EDA taking ownership of the two electric vehicle charging stations
from ERMU, which are in the King Avenue parking lot.
Mr. O’Neil stated one of the things that staff liked was that it would come with a low cost. ERMU has
offered within reason to relocate them within the parking lot. The Downtown Elk River Business
Association had also been asked and was happy to have them but thought they were tying up more
prime parking for the general population.
President Tveite stated he would like to investigate this further but maybe look at a less prime parking
spot. He would like to see the financials behind it, and he would like to see the financials to upgrade
the station to a fast-charging station.
Mr. O’Neil said they would bring this back to a work session for more discussion.
th
7.4 Update on 170 Avenue Property Sale
Mr. O’Neil presented the staff report as information for the commission.
7.5 Annual Meeting Agenda
Mr. O’Neil presented the staff report as information for the commission, stating the EDA will hold
its annual meeting on January 16, 2024, which includes agenda items related to the Authority’s
business operations for the coming year. Among the items are the designation of officers and
committee assignments, as well as annual review of the enabling resolution.
7.6 General Updates
Mr. O’Neil provided updates on the following:
TriMark signed and formally announced their lease for the space in the Shoot Steel building.
They will be a welcome part to our community and bring in about 6-10 jobs.
The Dye Concepts loan is looking at a January 2024 payoff date.
Staff is continuing to work with Shoot Steel.
Reminded the commission that the listing agreement on EDA properties will be expiring and
staff will bring that topic to the January 16 meeting.
Staff thought about restarting the ad with the Minnesota Twins regarding taking the North
Star Commuter line and highlighting Elk River. They will confirm that the train will run
before committing to anything.
Mr. Mollan provided updates on the following:
They posted another Development Minute featuring Plants and Things.
Invited the commission to attend the Home Grown event provided by the University of
Minnesota Extension at the Sherburne Government Center on February 15 from 10 a.m. -
2:00 p.m.
Economic Development Authority Minutes Page 4
December 18, 2023
-----------------------------
8. Motion to Adjourn Regular Meeting
Moved by Commissioner Westgaard and seconded by Commissioner Wagner to adjourn the
meeting of the Economic Development Authority.
Motion carried 7-0.
The meeting adjourned at 6:06 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jolene Richter.
___________________
Dan Tveite, EDA President
___________________
Tina Allard, City Clerk