Economic Development Packet for April 21, 2025
Economic Development Authority
Regular Meeting
Agenda
Monday, April 21, 2025
5:30 PM
Elk River City Hall
▪ Regular meeting in Council Chambers
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. CONSIDER AGENDA
4. CONSENT AGENDA
Considered to be routine and noncontroversial and will be approved by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of
these items unless there is a request to remove the item from the consent agenda to the regular agenda.
4.1 Draft Minutes - March 17, 2025
4.2 Check Register
4.3 Balance Sheet
4.4 Revenue/Expenditure Reports
5. OPEN FORUM
An opportunity to provide comments and feedback regarding items not on the agenda. Information provided in Open Forum
will not be discussed at this meeting; rather, the information will be referred to staff and/or scheduled for discussion at a
future meeting.
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
An opportunity for the public to express their opinions and raise questions pertaining to the agenda item. All comments
become part of the official public record. For this reason, all comments must be made at the podium so they can be heard
and recorded. Comments may also be provided in writing. There will not be deliberations, discussions, or answers to
questions until the hearing is closed. It is important to be courteous and allow each presenter to comment before adding
additional testimony.
7. GENERAL BUSINESS
Items in which the information is presented by city staff or consultants, then deliberation and action occur. General Business
items are not opportunities to receive or provide public input. However, the presiding officer may, at its sole discretion,
solicit public feedback.
7.1 Consider Elk River Garden Gem Awards
7.2 Marketing Committee
7.3 General Updates
8. MOTION TO ADJOURN REGULAR MEETING
Page 1 of 22
Meeting of the Economic Development
Authority
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, March 17, 2025
Members Present: President Matt Westgaard, Commissioners Cory Grupa, Jeff Hartwig, Mike Beyer,
Jennifer Wagner, and Charlie Blesener
Members Absent: Commissioner J. Brian Calva
Staff Present: Economic Development Director Brent O'Neil, Economic Development Specialist
Joshua Mollan, and City Clerk Tina Allard
1.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 Charlie Blesener and seconded by Commissioner Jennifer
Wagner to approve the agenda. Motion Carried 6-0.
4.CONSENT AGENDA
Moved by Commissioner Mike Beyer and seconded by Commissioner Cory Grupa to
approve the following consent items as outlined in their respective staff reports. Motion
Carried 6-0.
4.1 Draft EDA Minutes from 01-21-2025
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
There were no public hearings.DRAFTPage 2 of 22
Economic Development Authority Minutes
March 17, 2025
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Page 2 of 3
7.GENERAL BUSINESS
7.1 Consent of Sale of Fox Haven Properties to Kwik Trip
The staff report was presented.
Moved by Commissioner Jennifer Wagner and seconded by Commissioner Charlie
Blesener to consent to the transfer of property between Java Elk River Retail, LLC and
Kwik Trip, Inc. Motion Carried 6-0.
7.2 Committee Updates
Mr. Mollan provided the following updates:
Beautification and Public Art Committee
The committee is discussing new programs. One is a landscape garden award to highlight
neighborhoods; the other for commercial business gardens/landscaping. For public art they are
considering grant awards to create new or maintain current artwork. There would be two award
periods a year at $2,000 each. This would leave $6,000 in the budget for other activities. It would be a
pilot program for one year.
Together Elk River
This committee is wrapping up the Highway 169 project with three last posts to address comments
heard from the public on speed limits, highway access striping, and Westbound Highway 101 to the
Highway 10 connection. They are discussing a mobile marketing campaign this summer to promote the
charm of Elk River with fun activities and visiting local businesses.
The Authority inquired as to the status of the blue business signage along Highway 169.
Debbie Rydberg, Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce, stated she will reach out MnDOT to find out
the status of this program.
7.3 General Updates
Mr. O'Neil provided the following updates:
▪Working on creating a marketing committee for destination marketing.
▪Received inquiries about the Tyler Avenue property.
▪Reviewing programs for handling vacant spaces. Initial work will start with the Joint Finance
Committee.
▪Update on J&J Machine expansion, which is still moving forward, but they are not looking to
pursue any incentives at this time.
8.MOTION TO ADJOURN REGULAR MEETING
Moved by Commissioner Mike Beyer and seconded by Commissioner Jennifer Wagner to
adjourn the meeting. Motion Carried 6-0.
The meeting adjourned at 5:47 p.m.DRAFTPage 3 of 22
Economic Development Authority Minutes
March 17, 2025
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Page 3 of 3
Minutes prepared by City Clerk Tina Allard.
___________________
Matt Westgaard, EDA President
___________________
Tina Allard, City Clerk DRAFTPage 4 of 22
CITY OF ELK RIVER Unpaid Invoice Report - EDA Page: 1
Report dates: ALL-ALL Apr 17, 2025 12:39PM
Report Criteria:
Vendor.Vendor number = {<>} 17420
Invoice Detail.GL account = {>=} "920"
Invoice Sequence Description Type Invoice Due Invoice Net Invoice GL Account
Number Number Date Date Amount Check Amount Number
CITY OF ELK RIVER
920
3-2025 EDA 1 EDA SALARIES - MAR 25 Invoice 04/14/2025 04/21/2025 9,979.11 9,979.11 920-4-6210-4101
3-2025 EDA 2 EDA SALARIES - MAR 25 Invoice 04/14/2025 04/21/2025 1,050.00 1,050.00 920-4-6210-4103
3-2025 EDA 3 EDA SALARIES - MAR 25 Invoice 04/14/2025 04/21/2025 763.44 763.44 920-4-6210-4104
3-2025 EDA 4 EDA SALARIES - MAR 25 Invoice 04/14/2025 04/21/2025 610.99 610.99 920-4-6210-4105
3-2025 EDA 5 EDA SALARIES - MAR 25 Invoice 04/14/2025 04/21/2025 147.21 147.21 920-4-6210-4107
3-2025 EDA 6 EDA SALARIES - MAR 25 Invoice 04/14/2025 04/21/2025 1,445.40 1,445.40 920-4-6210-4108
3-2025 EDA 7 EDA REIMB - WC APR/JUN Invoice 04/14/2025 04/21/2025 133.00 133.00 920-4-6210-4109
3-2025 EDA 8 EDA REIMB - SUPPLIES/STAPLES Invoice 04/14/2025 04/21/2025 12.11 12.11 920-4-6210-4201
3-2025 EDA 9 EDA REIMB - INS APR/JUN Invoice 04/14/2025 04/21/2025 27.00 27.00 920-4-6210-4361
Total 17440 CITY OF ELK RIVER: 14,168.26 14,168.26
Total 920: 14,168.26 14,168.26
JOSHUA MOLLAN
920
JM04112025 1 BENCH PLAQUE - LAZER PLATE Invoice 04/11/2025 05/11/2025 20.00 20.00 920-4-6210-4349
Total 14730 JOSHUA MOLLAN: 20.00 20.00
Total 920: 20.00 20.00
MID-AMERICA E D C
920
04112025 3 JOSH MOLLAN CONFERENCE REGI Invoice 04/11/2025 05/11/2025 695.00 695.00 920-4-6210-4331
04112025 4 BRENT O'NEIL CONFERENCE REGIS Invoice 04/11/2025 05/11/2025 695.00 695.00 920-4-6210-4331
04112025 1 JOSH MOLLAN MEMBERSHIP Invoice 04/11/2025 05/11/2025 125.00 125.00 920-4-6210-4433
04112025 2 BRENT O'NEIL MEMBERSHIP Invoice 04/11/2025 05/11/2025 62.50 62.50 920-4-6210-4433
Total 12561 MID-AMERICA E D C: 1,577.50 1,577.50
Total 920: 1,577.50 1,577.50
REDICOMPS
920
162814 1 ANNUAL DATA FEED Invoice 03/03/2025 04/01/2025 1,800.00 1,800.00 920-4-6210-4349
Total 30896 REDICOMPS: 1,800.00 1,800.00
Total 920: 1,800.00 1,800.00
E C M PUBLISHERS INC
920
1041048 1 2025 PROGRESS ADDITION Invoice 03/23/2025 04/30/2025 565.00 565.00 920-4-6210-4349
Total 14130 E C M PUBLISHERS INC: 565.00 565.00
Total 920: 565.00 565.00
Page 5 of 22
CITY OF ELK RIVER Unpaid Invoice Report - EDA Page: 2
Report dates: ALL-ALL Apr 17, 2025 12:39PM
Invoice Sequence Description Type Invoice Due Invoice Net Invoice GL Account
Number Number Date Date Amount Check Amount Number
GOLDEN SHOVEL AGENCY LLC
920
INV-2025102 1 GATEKEEPER SERVICE-EDA Invoice 01/19/2025 02/19/2025 6,047.00 6,047.00 920-4-6210-4349
Total 12878 GOLDEN SHOVEL AGENCY LLC: 6,047.00 6,047.00
Total 920: 6,047.00 6,047.00
PLANTS AND THINGS, USA
920
4092025 1 GARDEN BENCH - EDA Invoice 04/09/2025 05/09/2025 500.00 500.00 920-4-6210-4349
Total 14363 PLANTS AND THINGS, USA: 500.00 500.00
Total 920: 500.00 500.00
Total : 24,677.76 24,677.76
Grand Totals: 24,677.76 24,677.76
Summary by General Ledger Account Number
GL Account Number Debit Credit Net
920-4-6210-4101 9,979.11 .00 9,979.11
920-4-6210-4103 1,050.00 .00 1,050.00
920-4-6210-4104 763.44 .00 763.44
920-4-6210-4105 610.99 .00 610.99
920-4-6210-4107 147.21 .00 147.21
920-4-6210-4108 1,445.40 .00 1,445.40
920-4-6210-4109 133.00 .00 133.00
920-4-6210-4201 12.11 .00 12.11
920-4-6210-4331 1,390.00 .00 1,390.00
920-4-6210-4349 8,932.00 .00 8,932.00
920-4-6210-4361 27.00 .00 27.00
920-4-6210-4433 187.50 .00 187.50
Grand Totals: 24,677.76 .00 24,677.76
Summary by General Ledger Posting Period
GL Posting Period Debit Credit Net
00/00 24,677.76 .00 24,677.76
Grand Totals:
24,677.76 .00 24,677.76
Page 6 of 22
CITY OF ELK RIVER Unpaid Invoice Report - EDA Page: 3
Report dates: ALL-ALL Apr 17, 2025 12:39PM
Summary by General Ledger Posting Period
GL Posting Period Debit Credit Net
Report Criteria:
Vendor.Vendor number = {<>} 17420
Invoice Detail.GL account = {>=} "920"
Page 7 of 22
Page 8 of 22
CITY OF ELK RIVER
Balance Sheet
March 31, 2025
Fund 920 - EDA
Assets
920-1010 Cash - EDA 2,398,980.83
Total Assets 2,398,980.83
Fund Equity
920-2400 Fund Balance 2,418,623.64
Revenues over Expenditures - YTD (19,642.81)
Total Fund Equity 2,398,980.83
Total Liabilities & Equity 2,398,980.83
Page 9 of 22
CITY OF ELK RIVER
Revenues with Comparison to Budget
For the Months Ending March 31, 2025
Fund 920 - EDA
Period Actual YTD Actual Budget Unexpended PCNT
920-3-0000-3111 Property Taxes - - 427,000.00 (427,000.00) -100%
920-3-0000-3342 Other Local Grants - 1,600.00 - 1,600.00 0%
920-3-0000-3621 Interest Income 7,406.39 22,130.39 25,000.00 (2,869.61) -11%
920-3-0000-3949 Transfer-HRA - - 4,000.00 (4,000.00) -100%
Total Fund Revenue 7,406.39 23,730.39 456,000.00 (432,269.61) -95%
Page 10 of 22
CITY OF ELK RIVER
Expenditures with Comparison to Budget
For the Months Ending March 31, 2025
Fund 920 - EDA
Period Actual YTD Actual Budget Unexpended PCNT
920-4-6210-4101 Regular Pay 9,979.10 18,960.29 130,800.00 (111,839.71) -86%
920-4-6210-4103 Part-time Pay 900.00 2,100.00 12,600.00 (10,500.00) -83%
920-4-6210-4104 PERA 763.43 1,467.01 10,000.00 (8,532.99) -85%
920-4-6210-4105 FICA 635.79 1,204.68 8,800.00 (7,595.32) -86%
920-4-6210-4107 Medicare 153.04 294.79 2,100.00 (1,805.21) -86%
920-4-6210-4108 Insurance 1,445.40 3,970.80 25,500.00 (21,529.20) -84%
920-4-6210-4109 Workers Comp 133.00 133.00 650.00 (517.00) -80%
920-4-6210-4201 Office Supplies 14.99 73.93 3,000.00 (2,926.07) -98%
920-4-6210-4212 Fuels & Lubes - - 50.00 (50.00) -100%
920-4-6210-4304 Legal Fees - - 10,000.00 (10,000.00) -100%
920-4-6210-4319 Professional Services - - 25,000.00 (25,000.00) -100%
920-4-6210-4321 Telephone - - 400.00 (400.00) -100%
920-4-6210-4322 Postage - - 100.00 (100.00) -100%
920-4-6210-4331 Travel, Conferences & Schools 1,586.44 1,631.77 11,000.00 (9,368.23) -85%
920-4-6210-4349 Advertising/Marketing 2,543.00 2,543.00 73,600.00 (71,057.00) -97%
920-4-6210-4359 Publishing - 77.40 1,000.00 (922.60) -92%
920-4-6210-4361 Insurance 27.00 27.00 250.00 (223.00) -89%
920-4-6210-4404 Software Services - 3,600.00 15,000.00 (11,400.00) -76%
920-4-6210-4433 Dues & Subscriptions 500.00 4,289.53 4,650.00 (360.47) -8%
920-4-6210-4440 Miscellaneous - 3,000.00 73,500.00 (70,500.00) -96%
920-4-6210-4721 Transfer-General Fund - - 48,000.00 (48,000.00) -100%
Total Fund Expenditures 18,681.19 43,373.20 456,000.00 (412,626.80) -90%
Net Revenue Over Expenditures (11,274.80) (19,642.81) - (19,642.81) 0%
Page 11 of 22
The Elk River Vision
A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional service, and community
engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity
Request for Action
To
Economic Development Authority
Item Number
7.1
Meeting Date
April 21, 2025
Prepared By
Joshua Mollan, Economic Development Specialist
Item Description
Consider Elk River Garden Gem Awards
Reviewed by
Brent O'Neil
Cal Portner
Action Requested
Approve, by motion, the creation of Elk River Garden Gem Awards, a new landscape and garden recognition
program, in partnership with the Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
Background/Discussion
The Beautification and Public Art Committee has been working on an initiative to highlight and recognize
exceptional landscapes in Elk River. The Committee recommends adopting a new annual program to highlight
properties with significant landscape enhancements. This program is anticipated to be in partnership with the
Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA). While the Economic Development Authority would be
responsible for the recognition and awards for commercial property recognition, it is proposed that the
partnership with the HRA would provide the recognition and awards for non-commercial properties,
including single-family, townhome, and neighborhood categories.
Annual awards are proposed to be given to the winning gardens/landscapes in each category: a personalized
garden keepsake, a temporary yard sign, and an additional award/stipend as determined by the respective
Authorities at a later date.
While this is a proposed annual program, it should be noted that the Beautification and Public Art Committee
will plan on reviewing program guidelines after the first year to determine any changes that would be
necessary to better align with participation levels and feedback from the community.
If approved, staff will finalize marketing materials and be prepared to launch the program on May 1.
This program is inspired by Brooklyn Park's Summer Blossom Awards, which have been supported by the
community for over 25 years.
Financial Impact
Annual expense should be less than $500 drawn from the existing advertising and marketing budget.
Page 12 of 22
Mission/Policy/Goal
Support Elk River’s existing businesses through relationship building, programmatic offerings, and high-quality
city services. Attract new business development to Elk River to build the City’s economic vibrancy, job
offerings, and tax base.
Attachments
1.Draft Elk River Garden Gem Awards Program Guidelines
Page 13 of 22
Draft Updated April 2025
Elk River Garden Gem Awards
Program Guidelines
Program Overview
Established in 2025, the Elk River Garden Gem Awards highlights exceptional gardens and
landscaping in Elk River. Each year the Elk River Economic Development Authority (EDA)
and Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA), with recommendations from the
Beautification and Public Art Committee, recognizes residents, neighborhoods, and
businesses who have maintained beautiful gardens or landscapes, therefore adding to the
overall beauty and attractiveness of the city.
Nominations may be submitted by anyone including neighbors, contractors, friends, or the
gardeners themselves.
Eligible Categories
•Single Family built before 2000
•Single Family built in 2000 or later
•Townhome
•Neighborhood – Resident/volunteer managed monument sign landscape, cul-de-sac
landscape, or community garden
•Commercial – Professionally managed business, or retail/business park monument sign
landscape
Requirements
•Garden/landscape must be located in Elk River
•Garden/landscape must primarily feature flowering plants, trees, shrubs, ground cover,
perennials, retaining walls, arbors, or water features to create a visually significant
summer long display
•Garden/landscape must be well maintained through the growing season
•Garden/landscape must have a positive visual impact on the neighborhood by being
substantially visible from the right-of-way
•Previous winners are ineligible to win in the subsequent two years
Program Timeline
•Nomination period: May 1 to July 31
•Judges tour and evaluate gardens: August
•EDA and HRA formally recognizes winning gardens: September
Judging Criteria
Each garden/landscape nominated is visited and judged based on the following criteria:
•Overall attractiveness
•Design
•Plant variety
•Environmental impact
•Creativity
•Appropriate maintenance
Page 14 of 22
Draft Updated April 2025
Awards
Winners in each category receive:
•A personalized garden keepsake
•An additional award as determined by the EDA and HRA
•Formal recognition at an Authority meeting
•Award yard sign in garden/property for six weeks
Page 15 of 22
The Elk River Vision
A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional service, and community
engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity
Request for Action
To
Economic Development Authority
Item Number
7.2
Meeting Date
April 21, 2025
Prepared By
Brent O'Neil, Economic Development Director
Item Description
Marketing Committee
Reviewed by
Cal Portner
Action Requested
Designate, by motion, a temporary marketing committee and assign 2–3 members to the committee.
Background/Discussion
For 2025, the EDA budgeted $10,000 to explore and plan more targeted destination marketing efforts, with
the potential of developing a bona fide Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) in 2026. DMOs generally
take on marketing efforts to attract daytime and overnight visitors and consumers to a community. DMOs
may be likened to a convention and visitors bureau; however, they may have varying missions, and DMOs are
often a subset of a government unit, rather than an outside organization. A main role of this committee would
be to work through research, benefits, costs, and implementation of a more structured destination marketing
effort and whether the pursuit of a formal DMO is desirable.
In addition, it is anticipated that the committee will look at the marketing program in general for the EDA
ahead of the 2026 budget planning cycle and make recommendations on marketing strategy.
Financial Impact
N/A
Mission/Policy/Goal
Support commercial growth.
Attachments
None
Page 16 of 22
The Elk River Vision
A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional service, and community
engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity
Request for Action
To
Economic Development Authority
Item Number
7.3
Meeting Date
April 21, 2025
Prepared By
Brent O'Neil, Economic Development Director
Item Description
General Updates
Reviewed by
Cal Portner
Action Requested
This item is presented for information and discussion purposes.
Background/Discussion
This item is an opportunity to discuss relevant topics and other non-action items of the board.
Financial Impact
N/A
Mission/Policy/Goal
Support growth and development of the community.
Attachments
1.Q1 2025 Website Analytics
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QUARTERLY
ANALYTICS
REPORT:
Q1 2025
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GROUNDBREAKING ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT MARKETING &
COMMUNICATIONS
43 EAST BROADWAY
LITTLE FALLS, MN 56345
GOLDENSHOVELAGENCY.COM
Thank You
for Being a
Valued Client!
Confidential: This report is intended solely for the use of the addressee and may contain confidential
information. Any dissemination, distribution, copying, or other use of this document is strictly prohibited
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