4.0. SR 02-12-1996:ty of
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Economic Development Authority
Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Mayor & City Council
Utilities Commission
Chamber of Commerce Representatives
Other Interested Parties
Pat Klaers, City Administrator
February 7, 1996
February 12, 1996, Meeting on the
Economic Development Program
Mayor Duitsman has requested a joint meeting and worksession between all
of the above listed parties in order to have an open discussion on the city's
economic development program. The Mayor and City Council are strongly
committed to continuing an economic development program and would like to
receive input from the people that are most directly affected by these
economic development programs and efforts.
The city, chamber, and business leaders all have a wide range of economic
development goals for Elk River. At this time, the city needs to receive some
feedback on what the priorities are for the community. The Mayor and
Council are looking forward to a discussion on how the city should apply its
financial resources towards economic development and the city is open to
exploring all options and any combination of approaches to enhance our
economic development activities and efforts. The City Council would like to
hear from leaders in the community on what is believed to have worked well
in our economic development program and in what areas we should be
working on that are now high priorities.
The City Council is planning to advertise and hire a new employee to manage
the city's economic development program. The Mayor has indicated that one
of his goals for this meeting is to receive input on what the job description
should be for the city's economic development staff member. The Mayor
wants to make sure that the job description responds to and reflects the
identified needs and desires of the community. All of the input received on
Monday will be helpful in this regard. Attached for your review is the job
description for the Economic Development Coordinator and the 1996
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
Economic Development Work Program that was reviewed by the EDA in
January.
The City Council looks forward to seeing everyone on Monday, February 12,
1996, immediately following the EDA meeting (approximately 6:45 p.m.) for
an open and positive discussion on the city's economic development program.
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1996 Economic Development Work Program
Elk River, Minnesota
1. INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
A. Elk River Industrial Park:
In late 1995, the Elk River EDA sold its last publicly-owned
parcel to the Elk River Area public schools (District 728). The
remaining vacant parcel in the Industrial Park is a 2.39-acre lot
that is privately owned. A buyer has emerged for this parcel
and has it under option until the end of March, 1996. While
success is wished upon this company, the economic development
department stands prepared to actively recruit other light
manufacturing companies to ensure that this site is sold.
B. Other Industrial Areas:
The department will continue to work with owners/developers of
other industrially-zoned areas in the community. These areas
include the McChesney Industrial Park, Ar-Mort Commercial
Park, and RR Industrial Park. During 1995, Rail 10 Park sold
its remaining parcels and is now considered fully developed.
Prospects that have specific sites/facility needs that represent a
good match for the above-referenced industrial areas will be
referred to the respective owners.
C. Business Park Area:
1995 witnessed the development of the initial phase of the Elk
River Business Center (Business Park). Joplin Street was
constructed and it now connects Mississippi Road to US
Highway 10. In addition, a frontage road, known as Business
Center Drive, was constructed. Municipal water and sewer lines
were also installed to the Center's initial 37.5 acres. This was
done without the benefit of city funds to underwrite a portion of
the infrastructure costs. A 20,000 square foot convenience
center was constructed and is ready for occupancy. In addition,
the Center's first hght manufacturing company obtained tax
increment financing (TIF) assistance to support the construction
of its facility on a 3.0-acre lot. To continue with this momentum,
1996 Econo~nic Development Work Program Page 2
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the city and EDA will likely continue to provide public financing
programs and incentives on a case by case basis.
1996 may not be too early to begin discussions with the adjacent
owner of Business Park property to ensure that it is available
for immediate development as more and more light
manufacturing companies are attracted to the Center's initial
phase.
CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT ACTIVITIES
Bo
County Administration Building:
The department will continue to work with the listing agents as
well as the inquiries it receives on the Sherburne County
Administration Building in downtown Elk River. The building
may require extraordinary costs due to its rehabilitation for a
prospective user. Therefore, public financing and/or incentives
from, say, the Elk River HRA may be necessary.
King Avenue/Main Street Redevelopment Area:
Three contiguous parcels in the northwest quadrant ~)f King
Avenue and Main Street in downtown Elk River continue to be
listed for sale. The 32,400 square foot site (180 feet by 180 feet)
is ripe for redevelopment as two of the three parcels are
currently vacant. The remaining parcel has reverted back to a
residential use and serves as a non-homesteaded apartment.
Because of the extraordinary costs associated with site
assembly, demolition, and site preparation, a TIF District may
have to be created to assist with this area's successful
redevelopment. The department will continue to solicit
developer interest in order to encourage private sector
reinvestment into this area.
Mississippi Riverfront Pathway Project:
The department will continue to build upon the momentum of
the efforts of the Riverfront Corridor Committee. By April or
May of 1996, it is expected that the city will learn of its fate with
the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA)
Grant application.
1996 Economic Development Work Progra~n Page 3
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D. Downtown Events:
The department will continue to work with downtown
businesses and the Area Chamber of Commerce in the planning
of various special events/activities in the central business
district throughout the year.
BUSINESS RECR UITMENT/ B USINESS RETENTION
The department will continue to work in a proactive way to recruit
new businesses to Elk River. The retention of existing businesses also
remains a high priority. Now that Sherburne County has hired a full
time economic development coordinator, it may be appropriate to
evaluate and undertake a county-wide survey of manufacturers. A
similar survey was done in 1992.
The Elk River manufacturing companies continue to meet on an '~
informal basis and the economic development department has been
included in many of the meetings. This represents a great opportunity
to network with the industrial leaders to learn firsthand of specific
issues facing them. It also represents an opportunity for the business
leaders to learn about various state and local financing programs and
incentive programs to assist with upcoming expansions.
STAR CITY RECERTIFICATION
The department will continue to participate in the Star City Program
as sponsored by the Department of Trade and Economic Development
(DTED). In 1996, the economic development department will
determine Elk River's eligibility for one or more of DTED's special
recognition awards. If applicable, the awards/recognitions will be
pursued.
Although the Star City Program has evolved since its inception, it
continues to be a very beneficial program. Many of its principals
would be implemented with or without the Star City designation.
RETAIL SALES ESTIMATES AND EMPLOYMENT ESTIMATES
The department will continue to provide estimates of the growth in
retail sales and full time employment opportunities in Elk River. This
information is annually obtained through the Minnesota Department
of Revenue and the Minnesota Department of Jobs and Training.
1996 Econo~nic Develop~nent Work Program Page 4
DEMOGRAPHIC STATISTICS AND COMMUNITY PROFILE
Demographic statistics are updated at the first of the year and serve a
useful purpose to those individuals and companies seeking specific
information on construction activity, population distribution, and
disposable income estimates, etc.
The department will continue to work with the Chamber of Commerce
in a collaborative effort to prepare and distribute the 1996 Community
Profile.
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10.
OUTREACH~PROMOTIONAL A CTII, rITIES
The department will continue to market the City of Elk River as a
growth-oriented community with an exceptional variety of business
incentive and business financing programs. To support this initiative,
periodic advertising in publications such as the Minnesota Real Estate
Journal, Business Media, Corporate Report Ventures, and Twin Cities
Business Monthly, etc., will continue. An east way to supplement the
advertising efforts is to undertake periodic mailings of the city's
marketing brochure, video presentation, and other targeted mailings.
LEGISLATIVE ISSUES
The department will continue to monitor proposed legislation during
the upcoming session which may have an impact on economic
development activities. This information will be disseminated to the
EDA, City Council, city staff, HI~, and the business community.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEWSLETTER
The department will continue to prepare and distribute the quarterly
newsletter that is devoted to economic development topics in Elk
River. The newsletter's mailing list contains just under 1,800 names
and will be refined and expanded upon as necessary in 1996.
COMMUNITY RELATION, q
As opportunities present themselves, the cityfEDA should continue its
leadership of sponsoring or jointly-sponsoring workshops, speakers,
forums, or seminars on topics of interest to specific groups in the
community.
1996 Eco~wmic Develop~nent ~'brk Program Page 5
In addition, information on business expansions, EDA Micro Loan
approvals, and redevelopment activities, etc., will be disseminated to
opinion leaders for publication.
11. WORKSHOPS
The department will continue to schedule workshops with the EDA,
HRA, and other civic-based organizations during 1996. Workshops
were introduced in 1995 and proved to be a successful way to present
issues for broad discussion at a less formal forum.
THE MOTION AS AMENDED WAS APPROVED 7-0.
Page 3
Bv-laws/Enablin.cl Resolution
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There were no changes made to the by-laws or enabling resolution.
Consider 1996 EDA Work Pro,qram
Executive Director Bill Rubin reviewed the 1996 Economic Development Work
Program. The categories listed under the Work Program for 1996 are as follows:
· Industrial Development
· Central Business District Activities
· Business Recruitment/Business Retention
· Star City Recertification
· Retail Sales Estimates and Employment Estimates
· Demographic Statistics and Community Profile -
· Outreach Promotional Activities
· Legislative Issues
· Economic Development NeWSletter
· Community Relations
· Workshops
Bill Rubin added two other items to the 1996 Work Program; Focus Area Study for
Downtown, and Internet Evaluation.
Commissioner Dwyer talked about the absence of a light industrial area in the
city, and suggested that an area in the eastern part of the community be
evaluated for development in 1996.
It was the consensus of the EDA to accept the 1996 Work Program as presented
by the Executive Director..
Other Business ·
There was no other business.
10.
Adjoumment
There being no further business, COMMISSIONER FARBER MOVED TO ADJOURN THE
MEETING. COMMISSIONER BENDER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
7-0.
The meeting of the Elk River Economic Development Authority was adjourned at
6:53 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sandra Thackeray
City Clerk
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CITY OF ELK RIVER POSITION ANALYSIS
Adopted Date:
Revised Date:
Position Title -- Economic Development Coordinator
Department-- Administration
Position Title of Immediate Supervisor: City Administrator
FLSA Status -- [x] Exempt [] Non-Exempt
Purpose Statement: The Economic Development Coordinator supervises
and coordinates economic development planning activities for the City
including, but not limited to, marketing, analysis of financial assistance
resources, and acting as a resource to commerce and industry developers.
TYPICAL DUTIES PERFORMED
Dutie s/Responsibilities
Perform economic development administrative activities.
A. Assist in preparation, updating, and implementation of various
economic development plans.
B. Supervise and coordinate work of consultants involved in
economic development activities.
C. Compose documents and miscellaneous written material.
D. Develop and monitor departmental budget.
Promote and maintain community/business contact.
A. Assist and advise businesses locating or expanding in the City.
B. Explain the requirements of the development code and facilitate
the development review process.
C. Work closely with the Finance, Planning, Zoning, and Building
departments.
Perform data base management activities.
A. Maintain various promotional material and data base including
inventory of properties available for industrial and commercial
development.
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Prepare and provide information regarding land availability,
markets, work force availability, taxes, transportation, utilities,
and financing to City businesses.
Perform marketing and finance activities.
A. Work with economic development consultants in marketing and
promotion of the community to prospective businesses and
encourage the expansion of existing businesses.
B. Work with the Finance Director to develop strategies for the
allocation and delivery of City financial assistance including tax
increment financing, industrial revenue bonds, community
development block grants, and applicable federal, state, and
local programs for commercial, industrial, housing projects, and
the City's revolving loan fund.
Perform staff liaison activities.
A. Provide staff liaison support to community development
organizations including Economic Development Commission,
Housing and Redevelopment Authority, local development
corporations, Chamber of Commerce, and Economic
Development Authority.
B. Develop strategies for working with appropriate commissions
and task forces as needed.
The duties and responsibilities above are not intended to be all
inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or
responsibilities that the City of Elk River may deem necessary from
time to time.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
· Knowledge of public and private financing techniques for economic
development.
· Ability to use spreadsheet, word processing, and data base software
proficiently.
· Ability to effectively coordinate support from City staff and outside
consultants to ensure successful completion of economic development
activities.
· Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
· Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
· Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with
others.
· Ability to work independently.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree in business administration or public administration with
extensive course work in economics, marketing, and finance. Three to five
years experience in economic development with emphasis on marketing and
public/private financing. Three to five years experience in municipal
government desired.
ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Revised November, 1995
This job description does not constitute a contract of employment.
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