EDA Minutes 01-20-2026
Meeting of the Economic Development
Authority
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Members Present: President Matt Westgaard, Councilmember Mike Beyer, Councilmember Cory
Grupa, Councilmember Jennifer Wagner, Commissioner Jeff Hartwig,
Councilmember J. Brian Calva, Commissioner Charlie Blesener
Members Absent: None
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 5:30 p.m..
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. CONSIDER AGENDA
Moved by Commissioner Cory Grupa and seconded by Commissioner Jennifer Wagner to
approve the agenda. Motion carried 7-0.
4. ANNUAL MEETING BUSINESS
4.1 Annual Election of Officers
The staff report was presented.
Moved by Commissioner Mike Beyer and seconded by Commissioner J. Brian Calva to
keep the officers the same as 2025, nominating Matthew Westgaard as EDA President,
Jennifer Wagner as EDA Vice President, and Jeff Hartwig as EDA Treasurer for 2026.
Motion carried 7-0.
4.2 Committee Appointments
Moved by Commissioner Mike Beyer and seconded by Commissioner J. Brian Calva to
keep the committee appointments the same as 2025, designating the following: Charlie
Blesener and Matt Westgaard to the EDA-HRA Joint Finance Committee; Jennifer
Wagner and Charlie Blesener to the Together Elk River Committee; J. Brian Calva and
Cory Grupa to the Beautification and Public Art Committee; and Jennifer Wagner,
Charlie Blesener, and J. Brian Calva to the Marketing Committee
Motion carried 7-0.
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4.3 Annual Review of Bylaws and Enabling Resolution
The staff report was presented.
There were no changes to the bylaws; no action needed.
4.4 2026 Meeting Schedule
The staff report was presented.
Mr. O'Neil posed the question for possible future meetings to either stagger the HRA and EDA times
so they are closer together on the same day, or have them both on a different night of the week, or
revamp the schedule completely.
President Westgaard stated that it makes sense for two purposes: one for efficiency for staff, and two,
there is overlap in discussion purposes. For example, if there is an application, then there would be
efficiency for the applicant as well.
Further discussion will be brought forward at a future meeting.
Moved by Commissioner Charlie Blesener and seconded by Commissioner Jennifer
Wagner to approve the schedule of regular EDA meetings for 2026. Motion carried 7-0.
5. 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 7-0.
5.1 DRAFT Minutes - December 15, 2025
5.2 Check Register
5.3 Balance Sheet
5.4 Revenue/Expenditure Reports
5.5 Mortgage Satisfaction - Preferred Powder
6. OPEN FORUM
No one appeared for open forum.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were no public hearings.
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8. GENERAL BUSINESS
No General Business items.
9. OPEN DISCUSSION
The staff report was presented.
Mr. O'Neil gave an update on the following:
▪ Kwik Trip wants to break ground in May.
▪ During the budgeting process, there was a marketing discussion. There is a company called
Retail Strategies that reached out to staff. The company does research to see what the city has
and needs, then goes to market on behalf of the community. Retail Strategies gave a proposal of
$10,000, which would include the research portion, but not the marketing portion. Mr. O'Neil
stated that it is something worth considering to have better data for retail improvement.
Commissioner Calva asked how they were gathering their information. Mr. O'Neil explained
that they have a multitude of data sources, specifically one that is very comprehensive and has
been able to pinpoint the flow of money and foot traffic. Mr. O'Neil has asked for a deliverable
that they have done for another community, so we can see the things they have been able to
track down and the sources they use. Mr. O'Neil would like to bring this discussion back to a
future meeting. Commissioner Calva suggested that if they could provide a community that is
local, in which they are familiar.
▪ Mr. O'Neil stated they have had a conversation with a hotel developer who has had some
progress on a property in Elk River.
10. MOTION TO ADJOURN REGULAR MEETING
Moved by Commissioner Mike Beyer and seconded by Commissioner J. Brian Calva to
adjourn the regular meeting. Motion carried 7-0.
The regular meeting adjourned at 5:49 p.m. President Westgaard called the work session to order at
5:50 p.m.
11. WORK SESSION
11.1 Tyler Site Project
The staff report was presented.
They received a call last week from DEED regarding one of the programs that has funding. DEED stated
that they have $92,000 available that could go towards the relocation of the pipes on the site. Staff is
working fast to get the application submitted; as of right now, it doesn't sound like there is competition
for the funding. The company for the site stated they have further good news to take additional steps
for advanced design to get the project going as quickly as they can, and are projecting for April to move
things forward. Mr. O'Neil asked the board if they needed to have any special meetings to move
forward with this project with the aggressive timeline and needing permission from the EDA and the
Council for the grant. He stated they would like to submit the grant application early in February. The
board discussed possibly meeting on February 2, 2026, if needed.
Mr. O'Neil explained the history of the property as it was asked about in an earlier conversation. He
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explained that in 1999, the EDA purchased a Contract for Deed from Leroy and Ruth Brown that was
about 80 acres. The EDA sold about half of that, which was wetland and unbuildable, and the rest of it
was developed, except for the current site. The price at the time was $470,000.
12. MOTION TO ADJOURN
Moved by Commissioner Jeff Hartwig and seconded by Commissioner Charlie Blesener to
adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 7-0.
The meeting adjourned at 5:57 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jolene Richter.
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Matt Westgaard, EDA President
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Jolene Richter, Deputy City Clerk