11-18-2024 EDA MINMeeting of the Economic Development
Authority
Held at the Elk River City Hall
City of Monday, November 18, 2024
River
Members Present: Chair Dan Tveite, Commissioners Cory Grupa, Matt Westgaard, Jeff Hartwig,
Mike Beyer, and Jennifer Wagner
Members Absent: Commissioner Charlie Blesener
Staff Present: Economic Development Director Brent O'Neil, Economic Development Specialist
Joshua Mollan, and City Clerk Tina Allard
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. CONSIDER AGENDA
Moved by Commissioner Matt Westgaard and seconded by Commissioner Jeff Hartwig to
approve the agenda. Motion Carried 6-0.
4. CONSENT AGENDA
Moved by Commissioner Jennifer Wagner and seconded by Commissioner Mike Beyer to
approve the following consent items as outlined in their respective staff reports. Motion
Carried 6-0.
4.1 Draft EDA Minutes from October 21, 2024, Regular; November 4, 2024, Closed; November 4,
2024, Special
4.2 Check Register
4.3 Balance Sheet
4.4 Revenue/Expenditure Reports
5. OPEN FORUM
No one appeared for Open Forum.
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
Economic Development Authority Minutes Page 2 of 3
November 18, 2024
There were no public hearings.
7. GENERAL BUSINESS
7.1 Beautification Award Recommendation
The staff report was presented by Mr. Mollan. He noted the Beautification and Public Art Committee
reviewed and scored the applications and selected Wayne Swart State Farm as the winner.
Chair Tveite noted all the applications submitted this year were great, and he could see that it would be
a difficult decision to choose only one.
Moved by Commissioner Jennifer Wagner and seconded by Commissioner Matt
Westgaard to approve Wayne Swart State Farm Agency as the 2024 Beautification Award
winner as recommended by the Beautification and Public Art Committee. Motion Carried
7-0.
Mr. Mollan noted the agency would be in attendance at the December meeting to accept the award.
7.2 Public Art Funding
The staff report was presented by Mr. Mollan. He stated they were unable to obtain the additional
$2,000 they were hoping to receive from a private sponsor.
Moved by Commissioner Cory Grupa and seconded by Commissioner Jeff Hartwig to
approve an additional financial contribution of $2,000 to support the curation of Carey
Dean's Where Energy Flows. Motion Carried 7-0.
Mr. Mollan noted the art reveal is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on November 25 at the Furniture and Things
Community Event Center.
7.3 Committee Updates
The staff report was presented. Mr. Mollan stated the Together Elk River Committee is working on
post -construction marketing by offering up reels for businesses on social media. He noted they
currently have six businesses interested with more coming forward later. He stated they are working
on mobile marketing campaign in order to target specific audiences to shop Elk River as a holiday
shopping destination. He stated the Beautification and Public Art Committee would be reviewing their
Beautification Award policy in 2025.
7.4 General Updates
The staff report was presented. Mr. Mollan noted the Development Minute video for Heritage Millwork
was recently posted on social media.
Mr. O'Neil stated the parcels at 13530 and 13566 185th Avenue NW were sold to Java Companies for
a Kwik Trip. He also reached out to Mn/DOT to discuss the availability of surplus property located
along the highway now that they have completed the 169 Redefine project; hoping there could be some
developable commercial opportunities. He stated the Tipsy Chicken loan closed and they opened for
Economic Development Authority Minutes
November 18, 2024
Page 3 of 3
rA
business over the weekend. Mr. O'Neil stated he and Mr. Mollan attended the industrial summit event.
He further noted there was an inquiry into the property listed for sale at 828 4th Street, formerly Elk
River Machine, that could be a good fit for the site.
MOTION TO ADJOURN REGULAR MEETING
Moved by Commissioner Mike Beyer and seconded by Commissioner Matt Westgaard to
adjourn the meeting. Motion Carried 6-0.
The meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
Minutes prepared by City Clerk Tina Allard.
Dan Tveite, Chair Tina Allard, City Clerk