07-16-1986 EDA MIN
Economic Development Commission Meeting
Held at the Elk River First National Bank Community Room
Wednesday, July 16, 1986
Members Present: Keith Holme, Carol Mills, Jerry Hagen, Frank Madsen, Dick Hinkle,
Dick Gongoll, Jackie Schuelein, Cliff Lundberg, Lloyd Brutlag,
Hank Duitsman
Staff Present: Patrick Klaers, City Administrator and Jon Glennie, St. Cloud
State Intern
1. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Dick Gongoll.
Chairman Gongoll discussed the responsibilities of the Economic Development
Commission, (a) recertification of the Star Cities program, and (b) working
toward more full-time involvement in the future economic development of Elk
River, both commercial and residential.
2. Future Meetings
Chairman Gongoll proposed that the Task Force meet once a month and the full
commission meet quarterly. The commission members expressed their agreement
with the proposed schedule.
3. Technical Assistance Grant
Mr. Jon Glennie, Intern presently employed by the City of Elk River, stated
that he had met with Mr. Pat Connoy of the Minnesota Department of Energy
and Economic Development. Mr. Glennie stated that Mr. Connoy will be working
with the City to establish a marketing strategy for the City of Elk River. Mr.
Glennie further stated that Mr. Connoy wanted information regarding what the
City wanted to do to bring in new business and to help businesses already
here.
Mr. Glennie explained that a project description for the technical assistance
grant was developed by former City Administrator Tom Bublitz.
Mr. Glennie further explained that Mr. Connoy would b~ providing approximately
32 hours of assistance to the City of Elk River.
Carol Mills asked how the information would be coordinated to carryover to
each respective committee. Chairman Gongoll explained that a record of
committee and Task Force meetings should be kept and that copies of the minutes
would be distributed to all commission members. Chairman Gongoll explained
that it was important to have coordination of information between the various
committees, as some of the work of the committees would be interrelated.
Chairman Gongoll further explained that a chairperson for each committee
would be elected tonight.
Economic Development Commission Meeting
July 16, 1986
Page Two
4. RDF
A discussion of the proposed RDF facility in Elk River followed. Mayor Dick
Hinkle stressed that he felt it was very important that all members of the
Commission become knowledgeable on the subject of the RDF processing plant
and burn unit. Mayor Hinkle explained that the RDF has become .a very controversial
issue and there seems to be much conflicting information being passed around.
Mayor Hinkle discussed the apparent confusion of mass-burn units and RDF and
the difference between the two types of operations.
Chairman Gongoll stated that he felt the issue has become a very emotional
issue and the facts are being swept aside. Chairman Gongoll stated that he
felt that there are many U.P.A. people who are residents of Elk River and
that it would seem unlikely for them to be involved in a project that would
be detrimental to their own community.
Mr. Glennie stated that he felt other industries interested in Elk River would
be observing the City's position in this issue, as the RDF would be classified
as industrial development.
Keith Holme stated that he was concerned about groundwater pollution and that
the RDF appears to be a favorable alternative to landfills.
Mayor Hinkle discussed the reasoning behind selecting Elk River as a site;
that NSP was looking for a site in close proximity to the burn unit. He stated
that the 37 acre site happened to come up for sale and appears to be a logical
site for an industry of this type. He commented that if this facility proves
to be economically feasible and environmentally safe, it would be a definite
asset to the City's tax base and a boost to the City's general fund.
Frank Madsen discussed his concerns regarding landfills.
Discussion was carried on regarding the Elk River Landfill and the City's
plans to test for groundwater pollution. Frank Madsen stated that approximately
$4,000-$5,000 has been budgeted by Sherburne County for well testing. Pat
Klaers, City Administrator, stated that their consultant will submit a report
to determine the extent of the problem of groundwater pollution.
Discussion was carried on regarding phone surveys being conducted.
Jackie Schuelein expressed her feeling that it was important that those in
favor of the proposed RDF facility be represented at the public hearings to be
held.
It was the consensus of the Commission Members that they would like a condensed
EIS Report if available, and also information on the conditions of the City's
Conditional Use Permit for the RDF facility.
5. Chairman Gongoll stated that there is some expansion being planned in the Elk
River Industrial Park, and that Alltool has already expanded as well as Elk
River Machine.
Economic Development Commission Meeting
July 16, 1986
Page Three
6. Committee Chairpersons
Larry Toth elected as Chairperson of the Economic Development Planning and
Research Committee. Carol Mills was elected to serve as Co-Chairperson and
will record minutes of that Committee's meetings.
Lloyd Brutlag was elected Chairperson for the Finance Committee.
The Marketing Committee decided to elect a Chairperson at their committee
meeting to be held the following Thursday evening.
The Task Force will meet August 28th at 4:00 p.m. at the Bank Building.
Chairman Gongoll asked that the committees try to meet before that date, and
also, that they need to present their budgets.
Chairman Gongoll further stated that the committees should also begin formulating
their one year work plans for presentation by September.
7. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
lJt&trLcJv i~
~
Deborah Kleckner
Recording Secretary
4 ,
CITY OF ELK RIVER
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
RESEARCH AND PLANNING PROMOTION PR & FINANCE
COMIITTEE MARKETING COMMITTEE COMMITTEE
Lundberg, Cliff Anderson, Doris Brutlag, Lloyd
441-1251 W 441-2572 441-1D03 W
441-3684 H 441-2549 H
Anderson, Elaine
Madsen, Frank 441-2612 Duitsman, Hank
441-2400 w 540-3520 W
441-1764 H Hagen, Jerry 441-.3717 H
441-1400 W
Oliver, John Houlton, Bud
441-2072 W Hinkle, Dick 441-2200 W
441-2239 H
Plaisted, John Mills, Carol
441-2261 H Holme, Keith 441-1213 W
441-1353 W 856-4186 H
'Schuldt, Gene 441-2150 H
441-1711 W Simpson, Jim
441-1269 H VanValkenburg, Rob 441-1000 W
441-1371 W 441-1756 H
Stegner, Virgil 441-4776 H
441-5535 H
Boedigheimer, Phyllis
Toth, Larry 441-2052 W
441-1581 w
441-2840 H
CHAIRMAN - Dick Gongoll
441-2200 W
441-2362 H
Vice Chaii-man - John Pearce
441-2600