Economic Development Authority Packet - February 17, 2026
Economic Development Authority
Regular Meeting
&
Work Session
Agenda
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
5:30 PM
Elk River City Hall
▪ Regular meeting in Council Chambers
▪ Work Session 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 Check Register
4.2 Balance Sheet
4.3 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 Resolution 26-02: Project Update and Commitment of EDA Funds for IBDPI Grant Application for
CDI
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. WORK SESSION
Work Sessions are less formal meetings to encourage dialog. Official action or votes are not typically taken. At the
conclusion of a discussion, a simple consensus provides staff direction for execution of the item. This portion of the agenda
is audio recorded but not video recorded or broadcast. Work Sessions are open to the public; however, visitors who wish
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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
to provide input must be invited by the presiding officer, assume a seat at the discussion table and provide their full name
and address for the official record.
10.1 Retail Recruitment Strategy and Consultant
11. MOTION TO ADJOURN
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CITY OF ELK RIVER
Balance Sheet
January 31, 2026
Fund 920 - EDA
Assets
920-1010 Cash - EDA 2,645,206.99
Total Assets 2,645,206.99
Liabilities
920-2020 A/P - EDA (142.00)
Total Liabilities (142.00)
Fund Equity
920-2400 Fund Balance 2,643,157.97
Revenues over Expenditures - YTD 2,191.02
Total Fund Equity 2,645,348.99
Total Liabilities & Equity 2,645,206.99
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CITY OF ELK RIVER
Revenues with Comparison to Budget
For the Month Ending January 31, 2026
Fund 920 - EDA
Period Actual YTD Actual Budget Unexpended PCNT
920-3-0000-3111 Property Taxes 6,989.27 6,989.27 429,850.00 422,860.73 2%
920-3-0000-3621 Interest Income 6,219.75 6,219.75 75,000.00 68,780.25 8%
920-3-0000-3949 Transfer-HRA - - 4,500.00 4,500.00 0%
Total Fund Revenue 13,209.02 13,209.02 509,350.00 496,140.98 3%
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CITY OF ELK RIVER
Expenditures with Comparison to Budget
For the Month Ending January 31, 2026
Fund 920 - EDA
Period Actual YTD Actual Budget Unexpended PCNT
920-4-6210-4101 Regular Pay - - 138,000.00 138,000.00 0%
920-4-6210-4103 Part-time Pay - - 12,600.00 12,600.00 0%
920-4-6210-4104 PERA - - 10,550.00 10,550.00 0%
920-4-6210-4105 FICA - - 9,250.00 9,250.00 0%
920-4-6210-4107 Medicare - - 2,200.00 2,200.00 0%
920-4-6210-4108 Insurance - - 31,100.00 31,100.00 0%
920-4-6210-4109 Workers Comp - - 650.00 650.00 0%
920-4-6210-4201 Office Supplies - - 2,000.00 2,000.00 0%
920-4-6210-4212 Fuels & Lubes - - 50.00 50.00 0%
920-4-6210-4304 Legal Fees - - 10,000.00 10,000.00 0%
920-4-6210-4319 Professional Services - - 25,000.00 25,000.00 0%
920-4-6210-4321 Telephone - - 700.00 700.00 0%
920-4-6210-4322 Postage - - 100.00 100.00 0%
920-4-6210-4331 Travel, Conferences & Schools - - 12,500.00 12,500.00 0%
920-4-6210-4349 Advertising/Marketing 6,228.00 6,228.00 115,500.00 109,272.00 5%
920-4-6210-4359 Publishing - - 1,000.00 1,000.00 0%
920-4-6210-4361 Insurance - - 300.00 300.00 0%
920-4-6210-4404 Software Services - - 17,500.00 17,500.00 0%
920-4-6210-4433 Dues & Subscriptions 1,790.00 1,790.00 6,200.00 4,410.00 29%
920-4-6210-4440 Miscellaneous 3,000.00 3,000.00 18,500.00 15,500.00 16%
920-4-6210-4721 Transfer-General Fund - - 49,900.00 49,900.00 0%
Total Fund Expenditures 11,018.00 11,018.00 463,600.00 452,582.00 2%
Net Revenue Over Expenditures 2,191.02 2,191.02 45,750.00 43,558.98 95%
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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
February 17, 2026
Prepared By
Brent O'Neil, Economic Development Director
Item Description
Resolution 26-02: Project Update and Commitment
of EDA Funds for IBDPI Grant Application for CDI
Reviewed by
Brent O'Neil
Cal Portner
Action Requested
Adopt, by motion, the attached resolution designating EDA funds as the source of matching funds for an
infrastructure grant application for the CDI project.
Background/Discussion
Crystal Distribution, Inc. (CDI) continues to pursue the expansion of its Elk River site. We will provide an
overall update on the project status and timelines. Additionally, we are finalizing an application to the state for
grant funds under the Innovative Business Development Public Infrastructure program, which would help
offset the cost of relocating public storm pipe through the site. A preliminary cost for the relocation is
$242,000, and it is estimated that $92,000 would be available through the state program. The attached
resolution commits the local match, $150,000, to the relocation project.
As previously discussed with the board, the land sale would be set at a negotiated basis of $1.70 per square
foot, or $518,000. The sale would include a provision that would provide an offset in the land price to
account for CDI's cost of relocating the public utilities if other incentives, including Tax Increment Financing
(TIF), were insufficient to cover all acquisition costs. This grant will lessen any offset needed in land price and
may result in eliminating any offset requirement. The attachment shows the present estimate of costs and
incentives related to the project.
Additionally, a City Council resolution of support is required for the grant, including a commitment of local
funds. A similar resolution will be considered by the Council.
Financial Impact
$150,000 in match would be pledged from EDA funds. It is likely, however, TIF would be sufficient to cover
this local match. If necessary, the land sale proceeds of $518,000 would be more than sufficient to cover this
match.
Mission/Policy/Goal
Support industrial development.
Attachments
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1. EDA IBDPI Resolution
2. Costs and Funding - Incentives
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City of Elk River
Economic Development Authority
Resolution 26-____
A Resolution of the Economic Development Authority of the City of Elk River
Commit Matching Funds for Grant Application.
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Innovative Business Development Public Infrastructure
grant program provides funds up to 50% to fund economic development
infrastructure needs and may be able to assist a public stormwater pipe relocation
to support the building expansion of Crystal Distribution, Inc. (CDI).
WHEREAS, the City of Elk River would be the grant applicant and would seek
$92,000 in grant funds to be matched by $150,000 in local funds to fund the
stormwater pipe construction estimated at $242,000.
WHEREAS, it is expected the local funds would be sourced from Tax Increment
Financing, land sale proceeds related to the CDI project, or a combination of both.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Economic Development Authority of
the City of Elk River, Minnesota, that it pledges $150,000 of EDA funds as local
match for this grant application and requests the City Council authorize the
submission of the application.
Passed and adopted this 17th day of February 2026.
Matthew Westgaard, President
ATTEST:
Recording Secretary
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2/13/2026
Proposed Incentive to CDI - Net Incentive for Acquisition Costs
DRAFT - Estimates Only
Best Estimate
Acquisition Costs
Land Acquisition 518,000$
Water Service Relocate 25,000$
Storm Water Relocate 220,000$
763,000$
Proposed Incentives
TIF 450,000$
State JCF 175,000$
State IBDPI 92,000$
717,000$
Delta
Land Price - Add'l Offset 46,000$
(mid-range)
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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
10.1
Meeting Date
February 17, 2026
Prepared By
Brent O'Neil, Economic Development Director
Item Description
Retail Recruitment Strategy and Consultant
Reviewed by
Cal Portner
Action Requested
This item is presented for information and discussion purposes.
Background/Discussion
During the 2026 budget, the Board discussed engaging a consultant to support retail recruitment. The Board
decided not to pursue this as a full-scale initiative, but did provide $30,000 in the current budget for similar
activities. We have received a proposal from Retail Strategies provide in-depth data research, psychographic
analysis, leakage analysis, and consumer expenditure analysis, as well as strategy and marketing expertise.
Further insight into this area can help direct strategy and resources. Board direction is requested, and a
contract can be drafted for a future meeting if supported.
Financial Impact
N/A
Mission/Policy/Goal
Support commercial development.
Attachments
None
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