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02-12-1996 CC MIN - SPECIAL SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1996 Council Members Present' Mayor Duitsman, Councilmembers Dietz, Scheel, Farber and Holmgren EDA Members Present: Jeff Gongoll, and Tom Bender HRA Members Present: Dick Hinkle, Duane Kropuenske and Gene Schuldt, Stewart Wilson Utilities Commission Representative Present: George Zabee .Chamber of Commerce Representatives and Invited Guests Present' Kermit Body, Rich Duggan, Charlie Houle, Dennis Chuba, Jacki Schuelein, Jim Simpson, and Dick Gongoll Staff Present: Pat Klaers, City Administrator, Sandra Thackeray, City Clerk o Call Meetinq To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the special meeting of the Elk River City Council was called to order at 7:12 p.m. by Mayor Duitsman. Consider Aqenda COUNCILMEMBER SCHEEL MOVED TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 12, 1996, CITY COUNCIL AGENDA. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Consider February 5, 1996, City Council Minutes COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 5, 1996, CITY COUNCIL MINUTES. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Discuss Economic Development Pro.qram Mayor Duitsman indicated that he called this meeting to discuss several issues pertaining to economic development in the City of Elk River. He indicated that the two main issues he wished to discuss were 1) How the City should fill the position of economic development coordinator; and 2)priorities of development in the City of Elk River. Some other questions the Mayor put on the table for discussion pertained to whether the City should consider using a consultant; who the economic development coordinator should report to (chain of command); and whether this person would be a spokesperson for the developers in City Hall. The Mayor indicated that communications between the economic City Council Minutes February 12, 1996 Page 2 development coordinator and city council is vitally important. He further indicated that communication between the economic development coordinator, depc~rfment heads, developers, chamber of commerce, etc. is also very important. Mayor Duitsman suggested appointing a task force to write a job description and to interview perspective candidates. He suggested that the task force consist of two councilmembers, two EDA members, one HRA member, the City Administrator and the Assistant City Administrator. Mayor Duitsman indicated that he wants the economic development coordinator to report to the City Administrator and that the City Administrator should attend all economic development authority meetings. Mayor Duitsman stated that the economic development coordinator would continue the role of making presentations to the EDA, HRA, and City Council. The Mayor also indicated that he would like fo be kept abreast of developer meetings and contacts made with businesses. Jeff Oongoll indicated that the position of economic development coordinator must be a major position in the City. He also suggested that he provide an exit interview with Bill Rubin. Dick Gongoll indicated that he agrees that the coordinator should hold a strong position in the city. He stated that the city would be moving backwards if a consultant were hired instead of a coordinator because the City started its economic development program with a consultant. Rich Duggan indicated that he also would be concerned about using only a consultant. He felt that o consultant would not be as readily available as a staff person. It was suggested by Dick Gongoll that if a consultant is hired that if be used only for cedain issues. Duane Kropuenske indicated that he felt the City needed to continue with a strong economic development coordinator that is available to respond to the business people. He indicated that he would not want to see the city lessen the role that has been established. He further suggested that the economic development coordinator report to the city administrator. Dennis Chuba agreed that economic development coordinator should be a strong position in the City and the person filling the position should be able to relate to the local busnisses. He indicated his concern about keeping the process streamlined to allow developers to move forward in a reasonable timeframe. Councilmember Diefz indicated that he sees the role of economic development coordinator as assisting people with business financing. Mayor Duitsman agreed but indicated that he has also heard the concern that the position should be a spokesperson for developers in City Hall. Chadie Houle indicated that the position should reflect the development philosophy of the council. He indicated that this should be addressed in the job description. City Council Minutes February 12, 1996 Page 3 Councilmember Holmgren discussed the role of the economic development coordinator when o torge project comes to town that does not need financial assistance. He suggested that the economic development coordinator be the first contact person for these types of situations. Mayor Duitsman questioned whether the position should spend time to help commercial development or industrial development. After discussion it was suggested by several of those present that there should be a balance between commercial and industrial economic development assistance, but that industrial development was the highest priority. Jeff Gongoll suggested that the city try to obtain a job description from other cities. Tom Bender suggested having a mission statement on economic development in Elk River. He further indicated he felt that about 90% of the coordinators job should be spent on industrial development. Jim Simpson suggested that the job description and advertisement for the position be worded to' attract applicants who are experienced in the field of economic development; that the mission statement should be layed out first: and that the city may want to use a headhunter to steal a good employee from another city. Mayor Duitsman questioned whether the group would like the position to continue work with the downtown businesses. It was the consensus that the downtown area is important and that the coordinator should continue work in this area. Councilmember Farber indicated that he agrees that the City should hire an experienced person for the position and that the position should report to the City Administrator. Councilmember $cheel concurred. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO PLACE AN AD IN THE MINNESOTA L[AGUE OF CITIES MAGAZINE AND TO HAVE THE TASK FORCE REVIEW THE APPLICANTS AND FURTHER TO CONSIDER USING A SEARCH FIRM AT A LATER DATE. The motion died for lack of a second. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO APPOINT A TASK FORCE TO WORK ON A JOB DESCRIPTION AND TO BE INVOLVED IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR WITH THE TASK FORCE TO CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING: 2 CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS; 2 EDA MEMBERS; 1 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEMBER; 1 HRA MEMBER; THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR AND THE ASSISTANT CITY ADMINISTRATOR. COUNCILMEMBER SCHEEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO NOMINATE MAYOR DUITSMAN AND COUNCILMEMBER FARBER TO THr. TASK FORCE. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. City Council Minutes February 12, 1996 Page 4 Mayor Duitsman indicated that the economic development work plan should discuss where the industrial base shoUld be located in the City of Elk River. He indicated that the City's current industrial park and the McChesney industrial park are both nearly full. Dick Hinkle indicated that the city should look at some property that does not need to be served with sewer and water. He suggested looking at property near the Edison Street area. He indicated that the mold has been set in this area for industrial development. He indicated that he does not see this area as a good location for highway commercial. Discussion was held regarding an industrial park near County Road 1. Dick Hinkle indicated that it would be imperative that an industrial park be located along a major highway for the purpose of easy access. Mayor Duifsman questioned whether the group wanted to seek another proposal for the downtown study other than from the Hoisington Koegler group. Dennis Chuba indicated that the Hoisington Koegler Group has come up with some good ideas for downtown. He questioned the purpose of looking for another proposal as he felt it would delay the process. Gene SchuIdt indicated his concern about the Hoisington Koegler Group's process which did not include any communications with MnDOT. He suggested on waiting on the downtown study until the new Economic Development Coordinator is hired. Jeff Gongoll suggested that the Council hold another worksession similar to the one this evening with specific issues such as "the downtown" on the agenda. Mayor Duitsman thanked all who were present for their input regarding economic development in the city. Jeff Gongoll indicated that he would appoint himself and Pat Dwyer, with Tom Bender as an alternate, to the task force. It was the consensus of the HRA members present to appoint Chair Duane Kropuenske to the Task Force. The Council will officially make the appointments to the economic development task force at the next city council meeting. The appointments to be made will be as follows: Mayor Hank Duitsman Councilmember Larry Farber EDA Chairman Jeff Gongoll EDA Commissioner Pat Dwyer (Tom Bender as alternate) HRA Chair Duane Kropuenske Chamber of Commerce Representative (to be decided) City Administrator Pat Klaers Assistant City Administrator Lori Johnson The first task force meeting will be held on February 19, 1996, at 3:30 p.m. City Council Minutes February 12, 1996 Page 5 5. Adjournment There being no further business, COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO ADJOURN. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED .~-0. The special meeting of the Elk River City Council was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, City Clerk