7.1. SR 05-15-2006
Item Description
Consider Nominations for Sherburne County Economic
Develo ment Enti Committee
Item Number
7.1.
Prepared by
Catherine Mehelich, Director of If J!/
Economic Develo ment J l
Reviewed by
Scott Clark, Community Development
Director
City of Elk River
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Agenda Section Meeting Date
Administration May 15, 2006
Introduction
Sherburne County is establishing a committee to explore and recommend the type of entity appropriate
for a county economic development service provider that will work to guide the County's recently
adopted economic development strategic plan.
Discussion
State statutes dictate the process required for a county to establish an economic development authority
(EDA). One of the process requirements is the membership composition of the committee.
Representatives of local governments must be selected by their local governing body, in this case the City
Council.
Financial Impact
None
Attachments
. Correspondence from County Administrator dated May 3, 2006.
Action Requested
Staff recommends the Council consider approval of the following nominees, who have expressed interest,
to serve on Sherburne County's Economic Development Entity Committee:
. Jerry Gumphrey (City Official, if there is not another interested Councilmember)
. Stewart Wilson (HRA Official)
. Pat Dwyer (EDA Official)
. Catherine Mehelich (EDA Staff Representative)
Council Action
Motion by _
Second by _
Vote
Follow Up
S:\EDA \SCEDA \5.15.06 County ED committee. COUNCIL ACTION.doc
Sherburne. County
ADMINISTRATOR
BRIAN BENSEN
~~, ~\((\a lG06
May 3, 2006
Mr. Cathy Mehelich
City of Elk River. . .
13065 Orono Parkway
Elk River, MN 55330
.13880 Highway 10
Elk River, MN 55330-4601 .
(763) 241-270 1Q 1-800-433-5229
website: www.co.sherbUrne.mn.us
email:admin@co.sherburne.mn.us .
Dear Ms. Mehelich,
....' . -'.- '. ........ ",' '.. '. . .. .'.. .'. ,-, . ...... .. -....
Sherburne Coiliity is establishing a cormnittee pursuant totvIN Statutes 469.1 082 to explore
and recol111TIendthetype of entity appropriate fora countyeeonomicdevelopment service
provider (referto attached Resolution #0411 06:-AD-l 089).
. .
The Sherburne County Commissioners approved an econqnllc development strategic plan
inApri12005.... freparationof the. strategic plan took place September 2004-March. 2005
. and involVed.anumber of stakeholders from throughout the county, including city and
. township officials, Sherburne County Econonllc Development Alliance (SCEDA),
membersoflocal. economic development. authorities, development organizations, utilities,
and the County Board. Janp.a King, with Economic Development Services, facilitated the
planning process. and prepared the plan.
. The county'.sfocusis to work cooperatively with local governments to build a strong tax
. l">ase and. encourage the dev~lopinentofqualityemploymentopportunities in SherblJl11e
County: Strategic goals are sUll1Ii1arizedas follows. .
1. Preserve landforfutureindustrial an~ commercial growth in key locations
through planning, zoning, and land acquisition in cooperation with affected
communitiesto eDsurea strong and balanced tax base, a healthy employment
base, and convenient access for residents to goods and services.
2. Advocatefor transportation 3ndother infrastructurecriticalto the county's ..
economic c()mpetithieness:
Integratece>nsideration of economic development into other county planning
and decision:-rTIaking... .. . ... . .
. .
4. Support local government efforts to plan and implement economic development
initiatives throughout SherbumeCounty~
5. Markett~ecounty forecon()mic development.
6. Createth~ organizational capacity to effectively implement the 2005-2007
workplan.
An AffIrmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer
May 3, 2006
Page 2
Theeounty began implementing the strategy in the summer of 2005, undertaking a variety .
of activities that lay a sound foundation for achieving Sherburne County's. economic
development goa.ls." Activities to date include:
o Preparation of market analyses that focus on long term development potential and
landfequirements for retail, office, and industrial development.
o Workshop sessions with local planning and economic development officials
regarding the market stUdies as well as design of high quality commercial and
industrial development areas. " .
o Meetings with cities regardingdevelDpment goals, especially business and industrial
park developme:nt. .
o Exploration of the opportunity for a logistics/distribution oriented in4ustrial parknear
the S1. Cloud airport.
o Suppo:rtforcities with near-tennbusiness/industrial park development projects.
o Begindiscussion regarding long-terin changes resulting from the proposed new river
crossing at Clear. Lake
o Meetings with department heads and other county staff to begin integrating
consideration of economic development into other county planning and decision-
making processes.
To fully implementthe economic development strategy and goals adopted by the County
Board in Apri12005, weare creating a committee with 11 :-15 members to explore the type
. of entity best suited to guiding this effort as we move forward.1]!sLcommittee will
undertake a short-term process (estimate: 90 days) to:
,-
o Review current economic, housing, and commtuiity developll,1ent ~genc;ies and the
services they provide;
o Identify gaps in these programs and services;
o Evaluate the capacity of existing agencies to expand their services; and
o Recommend an organizational option for providing needed economic development,
ho~sing, and COl11D1unity develQpment services in the most efficient and effective
way.
We invite youto nominate individuals to serveon this, committee who have background
and interest in economic development. Because of the county's desire for geographic
. distribution and because the committee size. and composition are specified by MN Statutes
469.1082 (see below), we may not be able to appoint all nominees.
The committee must include"ll to 15 members- appointed by the County
Board. The membership must include: a) at leastone city official, b) at least
one housing and redevelopment , authority official, and c) at least one.
May 3, 2006
Page 3
.. township officiaL The county may also appoint a) school district
representative,. b) representatives. from political .subdivisions that have
HRAs,c) nonprofit or for-profit housing and economic development
organizations, d) business, e) labor unions, and!) no more than twocounty
commissioners. Representatives of local governments must.be selected by
their local governmenfand local govemnients must constitute at leasthalfof
the committee membership. .
Please submit nominees in writing no later than Tuesday. May 30.2006 to:
BrianBensen _
County Administrator
Sherburne County Government Center
13880 Highway 10
-. Elk River, MN55330
The county board expects to make committee appointments at the meeting on June 5, 2006.
Thank you for your consideration of this matter and for your commitment to the economic-
vitality of Sherburne County.
Sincerely,
/J/IxA 4~ /7'
Brian Bensen
County Administrator
Sherburne County Board of Commissioners
Resolution (p.moic.-AO-iD!fJto create
A Committee to Recommend a County Economic Development Service Provider
WHEREAS, in April, 2005, the Sherburne County Board approved an economic
development strategy plan; and
WHEREAS, under that plan, the primary focus of economic development activities
within Sherburne County is to work cooperatively with local governments to build a strong tax
base and encourage the development of quality employment opportunities within Sherburne
County; and
'VHEREAS, one of Sherburne County's strategic economic goals, as included in the
Sherburne County economic development strategy, is to preserve land use for future industrial
and conm1ercial growth through planning, zoning, and land acquisitions; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes Section 469.1082, Subdivision 2, authorizes a County
to adopt a resolution creating a committee to recommend options for a county economic
development service provider; and
WHEREAS, the statute mandates the committee be composed of between 11 to 15
members, all appointed by the County Board, and comprised of representatives appointed from
entities such as municipalities, townships, housing and redevelopment authorities, economic
development authorities, and school districts; and
WHEREAS, the committee, if approved, will present a report to the County Board
within 90 days from its initial meeting, subject to extension approved by the County Board;
which will (1) Review current economic, housing, and cOlmnunity development agencies and the
services currently provided; (2) Identify gaps in existing services and programs; (3) Evaluate the
capacity of existing agencies to expand their services; and (4) Recommend an organizational
option for providing needed economic, housing, and community development in the most
efficient and effective ways; and
\VHEREAS, the creation of such a committee is entirely consistent with, and will
facilitate, achieving the goals identified in the Sherburne County economic development strategy
plan;
1. Be It Therefore Resolved that the Sherburne County Board of Commissioners
hereby declares that, in accordance with Minnesota Statutes Chapter 469.1082,
Subdivision 2, a committee is hereby created to explore and recommend the type
of entity appropriate to serve as the Sherburne County economic development
authOlity.
Pursuant to MN Stat. 375B.06, this resolution shall be published in the official county
11ewspaper for three consecutive weeks and become effective 30 days after initial publication.