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Special City Council Meeting <br /> April21, 1997 <br /> Page 2 <br /> -Utilities Commission <br /> • -Downtown Representatives <br /> -Local Business Representatives <br /> Paul reviewed the Strategic Plan Mission Statement developed by the Strategic <br /> Planning Task Force. <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 /> • 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 /> 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 /> Mayor Duitsman asked for comments from the public. <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 /> Duane Kropuenske felt there is increasing competition from other communities <br /> and encouraged the City Council to adopt the Plan. <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 />