Economic Development Authority Packet - October 20, 2025
Economic Development Authority
Regular
&
Closed Meeting
Agenda
Monday, October 20, 2025
5:30 PM
Elk River City Hall
▪ Regular meeting in Council Chambers
▪ Closed meeting in Upper Town Conference Room immediately following regular meeting
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 - September 15, 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 Beautification Award Recommendation
8. OPEN DISCUSSION
This section is reserved for the board and staff to discuss relevant topics, updates, and other non-action items of the board.
9. MOTION TO ADJOURN REGULAR MEETING
10. CLOSED MEETING - PID #75-00757-0105 - 17610 TYLER ST. NW
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The Elk River Vision
A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional service, and community
engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity
10.1 Statement to be read by the Chair:
"The Economic Development Authority will be closing the meeting pursuant to MN Statute
Section 13D.05, Subdivision 3(c)(1) to consider offers or counteroffers relating to the sale of PID
75-00757-0105, 17610 Tyler ST. NW."
10.2 Motion Calling Closed Meeting
10.3 Hold Closed Meeting
10.4 Motion to Adjourn Closed Meeting
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Meeting of the Economic Development
Authority
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, September 15, 2025
Members Present: President Matt Westgaard, Commissioners J. Brian Calva, Jeff Hartwig, Mike
Beyer, Jennifer Wagner, and Charlie Blesener
Members Absent: Commissioner Cory Grupa
Staff Present: Economic Development Director Brent O'Neil, Economic Development Specialist
Joshua Mollan, and Recording Secretary Jolene Richter
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting was called to order at 5:31 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 J. Brian Calva to
approve the following consent items as outlined in their respective staff reports. Motion
carried 6-0.
4.1 DRAFT Minutes - August 18, 2025
4.2 Check Register
4.3 Balance Sheet
4.4 Revenue/Expenditure Reports
5. OPEN FORUM
No one appeared for open forum.
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Economic Development Authority Minutes
September 15, 2025
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6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were no public hearings.
7. GENERAL BUSINESS
7.1 Presentation - Garden Gem Awards
The staff report was presented.
President Westgaard presented the Commercial Garden Gem Award winner to Alec Plaisted of
Plaisted Companies. Mr. Plaisted expressed his gratitude for the award.
7.2 Resolution 25-02: Levy for Debt Service on YMCA Bonds
The staff report was presented.
Moved by Commissioner J. Brian Calva and seconded by Commissioner Jeff Hartwig to
approve Resolution 25-02 establishing the 2026 referendum tax levy of $518,866 for debt
service on the YMCA facility. Motion carried 6-0.
7.3 General Updates
Mr. O'Neil provided the following updates:
▪ Regarding the budget, Mr. O'Neil caught something he had misrepresented to the board at the
July meeting. The final recommendation from the board was to leave out the $50,000 for future
land purchases; however, on the final spreadsheet, land was still included in there for $50,000.
He recommended moving forward with the number that was approved in July for the
preliminary levy tonight, then proceed to talk about the land item at the meeting in October.
▪ The Tyler Street project is still progressing and looking good. Every conversation Mr. O'Neil has
had has been positive. He thinks that in October or November, there will be a substantial
update or an action item, and a discussion regarding TIF. President Westgaard stated it is nice to
hear they are still engaged in the project.
Mr. Mollan provided the following updates:
▪ The Beautification award nomination period is almost up. As of right now, they have 6
nominations. They will look for the committees to judge the properties in October and look to
bring in the winner in November.
▪ Development Minute: Some of the most recent ones were Les Schwab Tires, Pickle Paradise,
and Spectrum Field House and some of the upcoming ones will be J & J Machine and MC's Pub.
8. MOTION TO ADJOURN
Moved by Commissioner J. Brian Calva and seconded by Commissioner Mike Beyer to
adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 6-0.
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Economic Development Authority Minutes
September 15, 2025
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The meeting adjourned at 5:46 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jolene Richter.
___________________
Matt Westgaard, EDA President
___________________
Tina Allard, City Clerk
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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
October 20, 2025
Prepared By
Joshua Mollan, Economic Development Specialist
Item Description
Beautification Award Recommendation
Reviewed by
Cal Portner
Action Requested
Approve, by motion, the 2025 Beautification Award winner as recommended by the Beautification and Public
Art Committee.
Background/Discussion
The Beautification and Public Art Committee marketed and accepted nominations for the Beautification
Award from May through September. Staff received and reviewed five nominees: Price Homes, Thunderstruck
Exteriors, Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce, Antiques Downtown, and NRH Plumbing.
The nominees are slated to be reviewed and scored during the October 20 Beautification and Public Art
Committee meeting. The Beautification and Public Art Committee will approve a recommendation which will
be shared with the EDA at this meeting.
If approved, we will invite the winner to be recognized and accept the award at the November 17 EDA
meeting. As part of the awarding process, staff will work with the awardee to place a fixture or furnishing
(garden bench) on the site with an engraving highlighting the EDA’s recognition of the business.
Financial Impact
The cost of a fixture or furnishing is estimated at $500 to $750.
Mission/Policy/Goal
The City Beautification Award recognizes business owners whose efforts to clean, repair, improve, and
enhance the overall esthetics of either the interior or exterior of the business, property and/or space thereby
maintaining the beauty of their neighborhood and surroundings. It is presented to encourage community
improvements and enhance our city’s image and economic vitality.
Attachments
1. Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce
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Elk River Area Chamber of
Commerce
509 US-10
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