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Special City Council Meeting <br />April 21, 1997 <br />Page 2 <br /> <br /> -Utilities Commission <br /> -Downtown Representatives <br /> -Local Business Representatives <br /> <br />Paul reviewed the Strategic Plan Mission Statement developed by the Strategic <br />Planning Task Force. <br /> <br />Paul explained that Mr. Brimeyer led the Task Force through the planning process <br />and helped develop four major issues which affect the economic growth of the <br />City of Elk River. These major issues and their supporting goals, in order of priority, <br />are as follows: <br /> <br />· Issue-Industrial Base <br /> -Goal- Attract new businesses to increase the city's industrial <br /> base. <br />· Issue- Business Retention and Growth <br /> -goal - Retain and grow the city's existing business/industry. <br />· Issue- East Highway 10 development/redevelopment <br /> -goal - Redevelop the east Highway 10 corridor <br />· Issue- Downtown Redevelopment <br /> -Goal - Attract reinvestment in the Elk River central business <br /> district <br /> <br />Specific action items to address these major issues were identified which will be <br />implemented over the next several years. Paul noted adoption of the Plan will <br />provide direction to staff to research initiatives such as rezonings, land purchases, <br />a new transportation corridor, marketing and financial commitments, and <br />subsequently recommend actions to the responsible boards, commissions and <br />the City Council. <br /> <br />Mayor Duitsman asked for comments from the public. <br /> <br />Dick Gongoll stressed the importance of planning for the future to preserve <br />opportunities for industrial growth. Mayor Duitsman added that if no plan is in <br />place for industrial development, residential development will overcome any <br />industrial opportunities. George Zabee explained industrial development is <br />needed to broaden Elk River's tax base, since residential development does not <br />support itself. Councilmember Holmgren felt taxes will greatly increase if <br />residential development continues at its current pace. He supported the need to <br />plan and encouraged the Council to initiate industrial development on the west <br />Highway 10 corridor as soon as possible. <br /> <br />Duane Kropuenske felt there is increasing competition from other communities <br />and encouraged the City Council to adopt the Plan. <br /> <br />Rich Duggan indicated he was informed it costs approximately $6,000 per year to <br />educate a child in the public school system and since residential taxes do not <br />support these costs, industrial development is critical to keep the city's economic <br />base from falling apart. <br /> <br /> <br />