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Economic Development Authority Page 3 <br />July 15, 2019 <br />----------------------------- <br />Commissioner Westgaard said that the council revisits their comprehensive plan <br />every seven years. Now that the city has new value drivers in the form of <br />transportation improvements it is even more important to revise it. <br /> <br />Ms. Othoudt confirmed the comprehensive plan is required to be updated and the <br />EDA supports the comprehensive plan. It is important to have this plan for growth, <br />especially with the 169 Redefine and Active Elk River projects starting soon. A <br />comprehensive plan is a community engagement piece. <br /> <br />Commissioner Ovall asked about the goal to expand wetlands. Is it a new goal to <br />grow and enhance our wetland bank? <br /> <br />Commissioner Westgaard agreed with Commissioner Ovall on ways to determine <br />goals. How should goals be measured, by percentage or by a certain number of <br />additional properties? <br /> <br />Commissioner Blesener said that the EDA’s role should be to plant seeds, promote <br />and encourage growth, to “matchmake” businesses with opportunities and ideas. <br /> <br />Commissioner Westgaard agreed that the city does not need to be the owner of the <br />land to help promote the land use and zoning of it. <br /> <br />Commissioner Ovall asked what type of calls we are getting on what properties? <br />What type of properties are we short on? Are people wanting larger or smaller sized <br />properties or unhappy that some are awkwardly shaped? He would be interested in <br />knowing what type of gap we have that needs to be filled with a certain size building <br />and business. <br /> <br />Commissioner Westgaard agreed that this could be determined through a survey of <br />the market. What are people looking for? <br /> <br />Vice President Wagner returned to the idea of developing a strategic plan. Would the <br />$10,000 proposed placeholder amount be enough to finance a strategic plan that <br />could be $40,000 or more? Is the goal of the EDA to continue doing what they have <br />been doing or do they want 2020 to look different? Is a strategic plan the impetus to <br />that change? <br /> <br />Commissioner Westgaard felt staff needs to attend shows and conventions in order <br />to stay connected to existing businesses, not only look for new businesses. He feels it <br />is important to develop a strategic plan but it may have to wait until late 2020 after <br />the city’s comprehensive plan has been completed. <br /> <br />Ms. Othoudt offered a suggestion to shift balance amounts from the wetland bank to <br />cover a well done strategic plan. <br /> <br />Commissioner Blesener asked about the last time the wetland bank funds needed to <br />be used. <br /> <br />