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Economic Development AuthotityMinutes December 13, 2004 Page 2 encourage industrial development. Ms. Mehelich explained the City's objectives in creating a level "playing field" for end users to select a site based on location and amenities, rather than on price. She reviewed the table in the staff report to the EDA which provided information regarding industrial/business park land prices in neighboring communities as it compazes to Elk River. As a result of staff's meeting with Sid Inman of Ehlers & Assoc, they are proposing a mazketing strategy for development of the EDA Brown property. Sid Inman, Ehlers & Assoc., explained the request-for-proposals (RFP~ process. He felt that the EDA/City will receive the highest price for the property, development to the highest and best uses, and allows the EDA/City to control the process. Ms. Mehelich noted that staff would prepare the RFP, which would then be reviewed by the EDA and City Council for approval. Mr. Inman reviewed his recommendations for the RFP process. He noted that a master development agreement would be prepazed with well defined goals and specific dates for developer performance, and that the EDA/City can temunate the agreement and select another developer if these performance goals are not met. President Gongoll asked what would be the timeframe for the RFP process. Mr. Inman stated that the response time could be fairly quick. President Gongoll asked if both the Cargill and Brown property would be included. Mr. Inman stated yes. Commissioner Dwyer asked how this process would be different from Elk Path Business Park. Ms. Mehelich stated that in this case the City would carry the costs until a new developer has actually purchased the property. Mr. Inman noted that they will figure out the best way for the City to carry the costs. Discussion followed regarding options that could be used for installing improvements. Commissioner Motin stated that their objective is to have a level playing field and get the lots available as quickly as possible. Mr. Inman stated that if the City installs the improvements, the developer would be ready to go the next day after purchasing the property. Commissioner Dwyer asked what if the developer put in the roads and utilities. Mr. Inman stated that they would need to calculate when the developer would be responsible for assessments, so that they would know upfront. Ms. Mehelich asked for direction from the EDA. She stated that staff could put together some concept layouts, get feedback from the Commission utilities, the utilities could be stubbed in, and the City could market the lots. Staff would need to know if they would like to see layouts of both the Brown property and Cargill property. Commissioner Gongoll stated that he was leaning toward utilizing the RFP process and would like to see layouts of both sites. Commissioner Tveite asked if Mr. Inman felt the quality of responses on the RFP would be different if they only did the Brown property. Mr. Inman stated that they may want the option to continue to develop the properties independently. Mr. Inman asked if the EDA would like to interview the prospective developers. He felt there would be some advantage of having this discussion on public record. Commissioner Dwyer stated his support for the RFP process, and stated that developers will come up with their own design. Ms. Mehelich noted that the 10 acres on the north side of the EDA Brown property is planned for the new YMCA.