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12-10-1990 EDA MIN . e e MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1990 Members Present: Chairman Tralle, Commissioners Holmgren, Kropuenske, Schuldt, Dwyer and Gongoll Members Absent: Commissioner Dobel Staff Present: Pat Klaers, Executive Director; Bill Rubin, Economic Development Coordinator; Lori Johnson, Finance Director; Mike Mulrooney, Economic Development Consultant; Sandy Thackeray, City Clerk 1. Call Meetin~ To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Economic Development Authority was called to order by Chairman Tralle at 7: 12 p.m. 2. Consider 12/10/90 EDA A~enda Item #10 was deleted from the agenda and Item #12 was moved to Item 5.1. COMMISSIONER SCHULDT MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED. COMMISSIONER GONGOLL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 3. Consider 11/5/90 EDA Minutes COMMISSIONER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO APPROVE THE 11/5/90 EDA MINUTES. COMMISSIONER DWYER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 4. Open Mike No one appeared for this item. 5. Financial Update and Transfer COMMISSIONER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO APPROVE THE TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM THE EDA TO THE CITY GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $13,429.43. COMMISSIONER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 5.1 Jenne Site Update on Environmental Issues The Executive Director indicated that the City has received a letter from Bruce A. Liesch Associates, Inc. He further indicated that the MPCA has visited the Jenne site and has determined that no further action other than tank abandonment is necessary. The letter from Liesch indicated that the MPCA is waiting for completion of a report on Hetrick's Amoco station at 308 Jackson Place to see if it impacted the Jenne site. Mr. Klaers stated that once this letter is received, Economic Development Authority Minutes December 10, 1990 Page 2 e another letter will be sent approving the report and the corrective action plan. Pat Klaers stated that he had received a letter, dated December 10, 1990, from Dan Anderson. Dan Anderson is an agent of Century 21 White Dove Realty and is representing Irma Jenne in the sale of her property. The letter proposed a counter offer to the City for the purchase of the Jenne site. Commissioner HOlmgren questioned whether there was a consensus of the EDA to pursue the purchase of the Jenne property providing there is a clean bill of health regarding the environmental issues. He indicated that he did not want to put the property owner in limbo for another month or longer, while waiting for report on the environmental issues, if there is no possibility of the EDA purchasing the property. Commissioner Holmgren stated that he would be supportive of purchasing the Jenne property if the environmental issues were cleared up. Commissioner Kropuenske concurred with Commissioner Holmgren. He stated that it would be in the City's best interest to have the title to the property. Chairman Tralle also concurred and stated that he would support the purchase of the Jenne site. e After further discussion it was the consensus of the EDA to continue on with the negotiations for the Jenne site with the understanding that the site is environmentally clean. 6. Prospect Report Bill Rubin, Economic Development Coordinator, and Mike Mulrooney, Economic Development Consultant, discussed the prospect report with the EDA. The report consisted of 7 prospects that have been in contact with the EDA. 7. Financial 19901 Work Plan . Bill Rubin reviewed the 1991 Work Plan. Commissioner Gongoll commented on an article he read in the City Business magazine regarding proactive roles in attracting large retail business. He stated that this was something the EDA could consider. Commissioner Kropuenske stated that this issue is being discussed at the Chamber Board meeting. Mike Mulrooney indicated that so far the Economic Development Authority has been involved in industrial development. He stated that if the EDA wishes to become involved in retail development, there are certain issues, such as competition against other retailers, which must be considered. e Commissioner Kropuenske stated that attracting retail development would require involvement by the Marketing Committee. Economic Development Authority Minutes December 10, 1990 Page 3 e Commissioner Dwyer suggested that the EDA take a proactive role in contacting both retail and commercial business. He suggested contacting the businesses even if they do not choose Elk River, to find out what can be done to make the City more attractive to retail and commercial business. Mayor Tralle indicated that the newsletter is a high priority and would also like to see some type of a "gimmick" or marketing tool/token distributed prior to the newsletter. He felt this would make businesses more aware of Elk River. It was also suggested that the City add a spec building to the work list. After further discussion, it was the consensus that the work list consist of: e Marketing and City Fact book Advertising Initiation of an Economic Development Newsletter Star City activities (recertification and business retention) Downtown redevelopment Industrial Park activities Monitoring 1991 Legislative Issues Pro-active retail development Involvement of Marketing Committee Spec Building The EDA recessed at 8:20 p.m. and reconvened at 8:30 p.m. 8. Staff Updates Bill Rubin indicated that he and Commissioner Kropuenske had attended two Chamber meetings regarding a marketing strategy by the Monticello Chamber of Commerce. He stated that the purpose of attending the meeting was to look at what neighboring communities were doing in regard to economic development marketing. Bill Rubin reviewed the Economic Development Newsletter concept with the EDA. He indicated that he is considering a quarterly newsletter with a possible final draft to be before the EDA at the January meeting. It was the consensus of the EDA to receive a quote from both the Star News and the Best Seller for the newsletter. Chair Tralle indicated that recently approved legislation has authorized the extension of Internal Revenue Bond Financing through December of 1991. e Bill Rubin reviewed the 1991 advertising schedule with the EDA. He indicated that the estimated cost for the advertising in the Minnesota Real Estate Journal and City Business during 1991 would be approximately $5200. 9. Proposed Amendment to EDA Bylaws Economic Development Authority Minutes December 10, 1990 Page 4 e Bill Rubin indicated that the EDA has previously discussed changing the bylaws to allow an additional non-elected member to serve as a Commissioner (and replace one of the Council representatives). Chair Tralle indicated that he had initiated this proposed change and stated that he felt elected officials do not always have the necessary background for the EDA. Commissioner Gongoll stated that there are people in the community that have certain expertise which would benefit the EDA. Therefore, he supported the amendment to the bylaws. Commissioner Kropuenske indicated that he also supported the concept of appointing a non-elected EDA member. He indicated that this way the Council could appoint people that have skills which the EDA requires. Commissioner Dwyer stated that he felt there is a need in the marketing area and that he would like to see somebody with marketing expertise as a member of the EDA. e Commissioner Holmgren stated that he did not feel the EDA would gain any great expertise or benefit by appointing a "civilian" at this time. He stated that there is currently good representation on the EDA from the banking community and further that the EDA gains expertise from both the Economic Development Coordinator and the Economic Development Consultant. He further stated that this is a concept that could be looked at, but indicated that there was a need for the new EDA (with the newly elected official) to get settled in. He further stated that if the group did decide to add another non-elected member to the EDA, his first choice would be someone to take over the Mayor's term as he also serves on the Utility Commission. Commissioner Schuldt stated that he felt there was no great urgency at the present time to make a change in the EDA. He stated that he would like to wait about six months in order to let the Economic Development Coordinator and the newly-elected official get settled in. Mike Mulrooney suggested that the EDA not make any changes at the present time. He indicated that while putting this on hold, the EDA will be able to see who emerges as leaders in the EDA committees which may help the selection process. It was the consensus of the EDA to make no decision at this time regarding the addition of another non-elected EDA member; and that this item will be returned to the EDA at the June, 1991 meeting. 10. Reaffirm EDA Direction Re~ardin~ the Loan with Roma Tool and Plastic This item was withdrawn from the agenda. e 11. Items for January EDA Meetin~ Bill Rubin explained that the annual meeting for the EDA will be held on January 14. He indicated that the election of officers will take place at this meeting. Since new committee appointments would take Economic Development Authority Minutes December 10, 1990 Page 5 e place at that time also, he suggested that the EDA begin thinking about who they wished to appoint. Commissioner Kropuenske stated that he would like to see the Chair of the EDA be a non Council official. 12. Other Business The Executive Director indicated that he has no further update on the proposed incubator facility. He stated that staff is recommending that the EDA not move forward on a spec building until the City receives prospects for a building. Bill Rubin indicated that he is researching whether or not an EDA can own a facility and that this information will be coming from the City Attorney. The Executive Director indicated that this issue will be back on a future agenda. Sandra Thackeray, City Clerk, informed the EDA that there has been money budgeted for Elk River metal pins in the 1990 EDA budget. She indicated that she has researched the purchase of metal pins in the same style as the plastic pin which the City currently has. Ms. Thackeray indicated that the companies she has been in contact with are having difficulties in trying to reproduce the plastic pin into a metal pin. Ms. Thackeray indicated that she has contacted Glen Quist wi th a request to redesign a City of Elk River pin which would be made into metal. The City Clerk presented four designs by Glen Quist to the EDA. - It was the consensus of the EDA to order the metal pins with a new design created by Glen Quist. The City Clerk indicated that this would not eliminate the use of the plastic pins and that the design of the plastic pins would remain as it currently exists. The Executive Director requested permission from the EDA to spend $3,200 for the lighting of the Elk River signs. It was the consensus of the Economic Development Authority to spend $3,200 from the 1991 EDA budget to go to the Chamber of Commerce for the lighting of the Elk River signs. 13. Adjournment There being no further business, COMMISSIONER GONGOLL MOVED TO ADJOURN THE EDA MEETING. COMMISSIONER DOBEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. The meeting of the Elk River Economic Development Authority adjourned at 9:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, c;;j;~ d1c:'j>luA_dC.7"- Sandra Thackeray City Clerk e