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EDA Minutes 08-17-2026 Meeting of the Economic Development Authority Held at the Elk River City Hall Monday, August 17, 2026 Members Present: Vice President Jennifer Wagner, Commissioners J. Brian Calva, Jeff Hartwig, Mike Beyer, and Charlie Blesener Members Absent: President Matt Westgaard, Commissioner Cory Grupa Staff Present: Economic Development Director Brent O'Neil, Economic Development Specialist Josh Mollan, and City Clerk Justin Dunford 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 Mr. O'Neil recommended the agenda be approved with modifications, by moving Item 7.2 to immediately after Item 7.4. Moved by Commissioner Mike Beyer and seconded by Commissioner J. Brian Calva to approve the agenda with the medications recommended by Mr. O'Neil. Motion carried 5- 0. 4. CONSENT AGENDA Moved by Commissioner Charlie Blesener and seconded by Commissioner Mike Beyer to approve the following consent items as outlined in their respective staff reports. Motion carried 5-0. 4.1 DRAFT Minutes - June 15, 2026 4.2 DRAFT Minutes - July 20, 2026 4.3 Check Register 4.4 Balance Sheet Economic Development Authority Minutes August 17, 2026 --------- Page 2 of 4 4.5 Revenue/Expenditure Reports 5. OPEN FORUM No one appeared for open forum. 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS There were no public hearings. 7. GENERAL BUSINESS 7.1 Presentation - Garden Gem Awards Economic Development Specialist Josh Mollan provided the staff report. The Garden Gem Awards program received 22 nominations across 6 categories. The Public Art and Beautification committee judged properties and recommended winners. Winners recognized during the EDA meeting were: Freeport Business Center, Dawn and Rich Schultz Cretex Companies, Dave Anderson The winners were recognized with a personalized garden stone and will have a winner's sign to place on the respective properties. Vice President Wagner confirmed that 2026 had the most nominations for the Garden Gems Awards to date. 7.3 Resolution 26-08 Adopting 2027 Budget Item 7.2 has been moved after Item 7.4. Moved by Commissioner Mike Beyer and seconded by Commissioner J. Brian Calva to approve, by motion, the attached resolution adopting the budget for 2027 and recommending $453,500 for inclusion in the 2027 levy. Motion carried 5-0. Staff recommended a 2027 budget of $533,000 and a levy of $453,500, which is on par with the work session in July. 7.4 Resolution 26-09: Adopting the 2027 levy for repayment of 2013 Refunding Bonds (YMCA) Moved by Commissioner Charlie Blesener and seconded by Commissioner Jeff Hartwig to approve, by motion, Resolution 26-09 establishing the 2027 referendum tax levy of $519,680 for debt service on the YMCA facility. Motion carried 5-0. Economic Development Authority Minutes August 17, 2026 --------- Page 3 of 4 Mr. Mollan presented the staff report. The board reiterated that this bond was voter approved and will mature in 2033. 7.2 Resolution 26-07 Approving Revised Purchase Agreement with O'Brien Holdings - 17610 Tyler St. NW Moved by Commissioner Charlie Blesener and seconded by Commissioner Mike Beyer to approve, by motion, Resolution 26-07 approving a revised purchase agreement with O'Brien Holdings. Motion carried 5-0. Mr. O'Neil introduced CFO Brad Martin of CDI. The agreement timeline had changed due to sanitary sewer lines and the agreement before the EDA included modified timing obligations and deadlines. CDI is looking to have work start on the site in early September. They will start with grading, underground utilities, then foundations. Staff pursued grant funding for stormwater work or to have the EDA share part of the costs. CDI will ultimately assume full responsibility for the underground utilities work. This releases the EDA from responsibility for constructing the pipeline. 7.5 Agreement for a Mutual Driveway Easement at 17610 Tyler Street NW Moved by Commissioner J. Brian Calva and seconded by Commissioner Mike Beyer to approve, by motion, authorizing a mutual driveway agreement with O'Brien Holdings. Motion carried 5-0. Mr. O'Neil presented the staff report. Construction of the shared portion of the road would be a 50/50 cost share between CDI and the City of Elk River for work on the EDA portion of the property, with the EDA to reimburse the company. Vice President Wagner expressed concerns over visibility and safety at this intersection with Twin Lakes and asked that signage be considered to help address safety. 7.6 Resolution 26-10 Accepting a Deed from the City of Elk River - 17610 Tyler St. NW Moved by Commissioner Mike Beyer and seconded by Commissioner Jeff Hartwig to approve, by motion, Resolution 26-10 accepting a quit claim deed from the City of Elk River for Lot 1, Block 1 Northstar Business Park. Motion carried 5-0. 7.7 Terminating a Mutual Access Easement Agreement at 17610 Tyler Street NW Moved by Commissioner Charlie Blesener and seconded by Commissioner Mike Beyer to approve, by motion, an agreement terminating a mutual access agreement at 17610 Tyler Street NW. Motion carried 5-0. 7.8 Granting a Drainage and Utility Easement Economic Development Authority Minutes August 17, 2026 --------- Page 4 of 4 Moved by Commissioner Mike Beyer and seconded by Commissioner J. Brian Calva to approve, by motion, the grant of permanent utility easement to the City of Elk River. Motion carried 5-0. Mr. O'Neil presented the staff report. It is typical to add a drainage and utility easement along property lines. Since the property line changed on this project and was done without a plat, this procedure achieves the goal of adding the easement. 8. OPEN DISCUSSION An update was provided on the property behind Elk Park Center, the former Dickinson property. Staff are speaking with property owners to try to figure out the best thing for the future of the property. There is openness for the EDA taking ownership of the property. There have been a few calls with a large manufacturing company and staff are researching if property can be identified and acquired so that this company could potentially move into the City of Elk River. Looking to accelerate discussion on how that could be planned for. An update was provided on the Beautification and Public Art Committee Meeting. Parks & Recreation Manager Jeff Shelby presented a potential wind-phone. It is an opportunity for residents to speak to those that they have lost during their life. The committee is looking to provide a nexus that combines the work of the Parks & Recreation Commission/Department and the Beautification and Public Art Committee. There was unanimous support from the committee. 9. MOTION TO ADJOURN Moved by Commissioner J. Brian Calva and seconded by Commissioner Mike Beyer to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 6:06 p.m. Minutes prepared by Justin Dunford. __________________________ Matt Westgaard, EDA President _______________________ Justin Dunford, City Clerk