05-13-1996 EDA MIN - SPECIAL
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SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER ECONOMIC DEVElOPMENT AUTHORITY
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
MONDAY, MAY 13, 1996
Members Present:
President Gongoll. Commissioners Duitsman. Bender. Scheel.
Dwyer. Farber. and Holmgren
Members Absent:
None
Staff Present:
Pat Klaers. Executive Director; Sandra Thackeray. City Clerk
1. Call Meetina To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof. the meeting of the special meeting of
the Elk River Economic Development Authority was called to order at 5:20 p.m. by
President Gongoll.
2. Consider May 13, 1996, EDA Aaenda
The May 13. 1996. EDA agenda was approved by EDA consent.
3.
Discussion on Develooment Proiects and Inauiries
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Med Link Medical. Inc. - Harlan Jacobs introduced the EDA to Med Link Medical.
Inc.. a small company that is located in the Columbia Heights business incubator.
Mr. Jacobs indicated that the company is considering leaving the Columbia
Heights incubator within the next six months and is interested in exploring a
possible relocation to Elk River. Mr. Jacobs suggested that the EDA and staff
meet with representatives of the company to discuss opportunities that the city
may have to offer. It was the consensus of the EDA to have Harlan Jacobs. Pat
Klaers. and Mayor Duitsman meet with representatives of the company.
Scott AbernethY - Executive Director Pat Klaers indicated that Scott Abernethy of
the Keewaydin Group represents a pOlycarbonate manufacturer of prescription
lenses. He indicated that Mr. Abernethy has informed the city that the
polycarbonate lens manufacturer is seeking a site to develop a new
manufacturing distribution facility. He indicated that the Wilson property in Elk
River is one of the final locations being considered.
Pat Klaers reviewed a letter which he drafted to Scott Abernethy in response to
Mr. Abernethy's request relating to water quality. electrical service information.
and city economic development incentives. The Executive Director also
reviewed a letter to Mr. Abernethy from City Engineer Terry Maurer in response to
questions relating to the Elk River water system and a letter from the city to Mr.
Wilson regarding future sewer and water improvements.
It was the consensus of the EDA to support both letters to Mr. Scott Abernethy
drafted by the city administrator and the city engineer and to support the letter
to Mr. Wilson.
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Gaane Property - Executive Director Pat Klaers informed the EDA that the city has
requested a purchase option for 30 days from Mr. Gagne for property located
north of Sandpiper Estates. east of the Government Center. and west of the
Special EDA Meeting
May 13,1996
Page 2
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existing Business Park. He indicated that the city has requested the purchase
options in order to ensure that a site will be available for TL Feeding Systems.
Pat Klaers indicated that E & 0 Tool is also considering a relocation out of the
Industrial Park to the Gagne property. The Executive Director indicated that the
city's proposal is to purchase the Gagne property, complete the lateral sewer
and water extension, and connect the frontage road to the county driveway.
Business Park lots would then be available for these two companies. He further
indicated that this would be a tax increment financing project for E & 0 Tool and
TL Feeding in order for the city to recapture the costs for the land and
improvements.
Tim Osterman indicated that E & 0 Tool presently has 35, 000 square feet and is
considering constructing a new building with 60-70,000 square feet. He stated
that their options were to build a satellite plant in a different state, purchase the
building behind them and expand into that building, or to expand into the
Business Park. Mr. Osterman suggested that the city consider using the old E & 0
Tool building as an incubator site. The Executive Director indicated that he did
not feel the existing facility would be conducive to an incubator building. He
further indicated that the city would be very interested in working with E & 0 Tool
to sell their existing building so that they could expand into the Business Park.
It was the consensus of the EDA to recommend to the Council that the city
pursue the option to purchase the Gagne property.
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Truckina Ooerations - The Executive Director reviewed the issues of the LeFebvre
and Morrell trucking operations relocation to 171 st Avenue. Pat Klaers indicated
that the biggest issue for LeFebvre relocating is a signal at the intersection of
Highway 10 and 171 st A venue. He stated that the city cannot be certain that a
signal will be installed at the site until approval is received from MnDOT. This
approval could be five years away, even if 171 st A venue is extended across the
railroad tracks and connected to the road to the north. He further indicated that
LeFebvre has requested the city to consider buying their land and selling it back
to them and then doing a tax increment financing project. Pat Klaers indicated
that ~ T!IF project would not be legal as LeFebvre Trucking would not be able to
meet the state requirement of increasing personnel.
It was the consensus of the EDA to not consider a TIF project for either trucking
company.
4. Adiournment
There being no further business, COMMISSIONER FARBER MOVED TO ADJOURN THE
MEETING. COMMISSIONER DWYER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
7-0.
The special meeting of the Elk River Economic Development Authority was
adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
~CIfUIIY submitted,
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City Clerk