EDA Minutes 02-17-2026
Meeting of the Economic Development
Authority
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Members Present: President Matt Westgaard, Commissioners Cory Grupa, J. Brian Calva, Jeff
Hartwig, Jennifer Wagner, and Charlie Blesener
Members Absent: Commissioner Mike Beyer
Staff Present: Economic Development Director Brent O'Neil, Economic Development Specialist
Joshua Mollan, and Recording Secretary Katie Porath
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
Mr. O'Neil commented that the January minutes were not yet ready for approval.
Moved by Commissioner Wagner and seconded by Commissioner Grupa to approve the
agenda. Motion carried 6-0.
4. CONSENT AGENDA
Moved by Commissioner Blesener and seconded by Commissioner Hartwig to approve
the following consent items as outlined in their respective staff reports. Motion carried 6-
0.
4.1 Check Register
4.2 Balance Sheet
4.3 Revenue/Expenditure Reports
5. OPEN FORUM
No one appeared for open forum.
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were no public hearings.
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February 17, 2026
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7. GENERAL BUSINESS
7.1 Resolution 26-02: Project Update and Commitment of EDA Funds for IBDPI Grant Application for
CDI
Mr. O'Neil presented the staff report.
Mr. O'Neil stated that the plan for selling seven acres of Tyler St property was going forward. The
discussion would return to the EDA a final time and a TIF application would go to the council with a
potential groundbreaking in spring. The grant is for an offset of the cost to relocate the storm sewer
pipe and requires the City Council to be the applicant, therefore, a resolution is also on the February
17, 2026, City Council meeting agenda for approval.
Commissioner Wagner expressed support of the project and the grant application. Chair Westgaard
asked if staff had any concern about only having a preliminary cost estimate and any risk to the EDA
that the amount of matching funds for the grant would have to be increased. Mr. O'Neil stated the EDA
had discussed variables in the project previously and set a floor on how to work with the land sale price
to cover potentially higher utility costs.
Moved by Commissioner Wagner and seconded by Commissioner Calva to adopt EDA
Resolution 26-02 designating EDA funds as the source of matching funds for an
infrastructure grant application for the CDI project. Motion carried 6-0.
8. OPEN DISCUSSION
Mr. O'Neil stated that, after discussion with the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) board,
the HRA has decided not to change their meeting date or time.
Mr. O'Neil stated Sherburne County is initiating a billboard campaign in the metro area.
Mr. O'Neil reminded the Commissioners of the March 5, 2026 Commission Appreciation dinner.
Chair Westgaard stated he would not be available for the Joint Finance Committee meeting scheduled
the following week. Mr. O'Neil will follow up with committee members on potential meeting dates.
9. MOTION TO ADJOURN REGULAR MEETING
Moved by Commissioner Calva and seconded by Commissioner Blesener to adjourn the
meeting. Motion carried 6-0.
The regular meeting adjourned at 5:44 p.m. Chair Westgaard called the work session to order at 5:46
p.m.
10. WORK SESSION
10.1 Retail Recruitment Strategy and Consultant
Mr. O'Neil introduced Lizzie Sanders of Retail Strategies, who submitted a proposal to the EDA
to assist with retail recruitment. She gave a presentation on what services their company could provide
for the city including training on data interpretation.
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February 17, 2026
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Commissioner Blesener left the meeting at 6:08 p.m.
The Commissioners were interested in the concepts presented but agreed that the city needs to more
clearly define what they are looking for in their own brand. Commissioner Wagner suggested looking
for a local consultant.
Commissioner Grupa asked timeline of development along Highway 169 now that the project has been
completed.
Commissioner Grupa commented that the City of Otsego will be growing. Chair Westgaard stated that
Elk River should work on attracting more businesses.
Mr. O'Neil summarized for consensus that the EDA may be interested in Retail Strategies' services in
the future but, for now, wanted to evaluate retail needs in the community and set a path to better
defining the community goals for retail recruitment.
11. MOTION TO ADJOURN
Moved by Commissioner Grupa and seconded by Commissioner Calva to adjourn the
meeting. Motion carried 6-0.
The meeting adjourned at 6:23 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Katie Porath.
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Matt Westgaard, EDA President
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Jolene Richter, Deputy City Clerk