06-13-2005 EDA MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Economic Development Authority Minutes June 13, 2005 Page 3 Ms. Mehelich stated that Faribault Foods has asked to take over the obligations of the original TIF agreement SoftPac has with the City. She stated that SoftPac has exceeded the job and wage requirements of 60 new jobs at $10.00 - $12.00 per hour. She stated that the only other remaining condition is the requirement to stay in Elk River five years and SoftPac had one year left. She stated that documents for reassignment of the TIF Agreement to Faribault Foods were prepared by the City Attorney and executed by the City Administrator. Ms. Steinmetz expressed thanks on behalf of the EDA to the presidents and administrators of the businesses for taking the time to meeting with staff. She noted that a visit to Elk River Machine is scheduled for Wednesday, June 15~ at 11:30 a.m. Ms. Steinmetz provided background information regazding the proposal to establish an Energy City Commission and to seek the "Energy City" designation. Commissioner Dwyer stated that he fek a 15 member commission was huge. President Gongoll stated that he usually cannot attend the Action Committee for Energy (ACE) meetings. Commissioner Klinzing stated that is the reason the Commission is so large; many of its members often cannot attend meetings. She stated that the Committee has been operating since 1996 with the lazge membership, but that all the members do not attend every meeting. She felt that reducing the size of the committee would leave a lot of people out of the process. Commissioner Motin stated that he had concerns about making the committee a City Commission and questioned what the benefit would be. Commissioner Klin>ing stated that a presentation will be made at the June 13~h City Council meeting and she felt they may be surprised to Team what the committee has accomplished. She stated that they have done a number of things to help the city to become a name that people recognize; they provide tours many times a year to people from all over the State and the world interested in energy efficienry and renewable energy. She noted that Elk River had the first atomic plant in the nation, and that the RDF, Great River Energy, and Elk River Landfill are involved in the Energy City program. She stated that an addition is proposed for the methane gas recovery facility at the Elk River Landfill. Commissioner Klinzing noted that the high performance schools are also patt of the Energy City. Commissioner Tveite stated that he felt it was a minimal investment on the pan of the City. He noted that he talks io people all across the United States who are interested in what Elk River is doing, such as the energy efficient stop lights. Commissioner Klinzing stated that she felt the City would be better able to promote the purpose of the committee by establishing it as a commission. 6. Northstaz Business Park Development Update Ms. Mehelich provided background information regazding the EDA's recommendation to the City Council for platting of the Northstaz Business Park property and proceeding with underground utilities m the first phase. She noted that on June 6~h, the City Cotmcil action was to receive the feasibility study and order a public hearing for July 5~, and to order preparation of plans and specs and begin the platting process. Since that time, staff has received interest from three prospects as noted in the staff report to the EDA. Staff is working to obtain a letter of intent from the interested prospects to present to the City Council in July. Ms. Mehelich stated that it is the City's intent that the lots be purchased by