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DEVELOPMENT FORUM <br />HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL <br />WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2006 <br />SUMMARY OF DEVELOPER COMMENTS <br />Staff Present: Community Development Director Scott Clark, Director of Economic <br />Development Catherine Mehelich, Assistant Director of Economic <br />Development Heidi Steinmetz, City Engineer Terry Mauxex, Environmental <br />Administrator Rebecca Haug, Building Official Bob Ruprecht, Senior <br />Planner Scott Haxlickex, Park Planner/Planner Chris Leeseberg and <br />Administrative Planning Assistant Debbie Huebner <br />Kon Touchette, Kock Solid Aealty <br />He feels the process is somewhat fragmented, which caused him to keep going back to his <br />client, saying the City needed additional items/information. <br />Victor Pacheco, Nety Century Land Development <br />He suggested pre-meetings with staff when bringing in applications. This method is used in <br />other cities in which he has done work. Staff in other cities gives him '/z hoax. He hears <br />what staff has to say and they hear what others on their team have to say. <br />Kon Touchette <br />The Planning staff was good to work with. Other divisions need to be involved early on in <br />the development process. He also felt it would be good to sit down with staff to get their <br />ideas and opinions because the purpose is to provide clients what they want. He feels the <br />City needs to be more aggressive about getting new businesses, such as providing case <br />smdies. He noted that residents aren't aware of the magnitude of the Target project. <br />Heidi Steinmetz <br />She explained that industrial case studies axe posted on the Economic Development Website <br />and have proven to be a good tool for attracting interest Target wishes to keep low profile, <br />which is the reason the City hasn't done much PR on the project. <br />Kachael Leonard, Sherburne County Commissioner <br />She explained Target's site selection process. The County/City were contacted only after the <br />site was selected from a total of six sites. <br />Jim Tndd, Kyan Companies <br />Staff was wonderful to work with. Ryan Companies requested individual meetings with staff <br />and they were accommodated. City staff, including the Fire Department and Municipal <br />Utilities, were also nice to work with. Target is a very secure site and did not want to attract <br />attention to the project. Inspections have gone well. Compared to other cities they haven't <br />had any problems. <br />Marty Fi.rber, Premier Commercial Propertier <br />Big Lake has weekly sessions for developers to meet with staff. The Elk River Community <br />Development staff is good about accommodating pre-meetings and the meetings have gone <br />