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Economic Development Authority Minutes Page 3 <br /> May 18,2020 <br /> ----------------------------- <br /> It was consensus of the Authority that current rebate programs are adequate <br /> with room for improvement and continual review, given how the city markets <br /> Elk River as Energy City. <br /> Concern# 9 ): Can there be a proactive approach to business development such as <br /> educating builders, contractors, owners before a project is submitted? <br /> Ms. Othoudt outlined current approaches utilized by staff as noted in the staff <br /> report. <br /> Commissioner Christianson stated business retention visits are great when trying to <br /> capture expansion but asked how staff engages with b ders new to the construction <br /> process in Elk River. <br /> Ms. Othoudt stated a meeting is scheduled with the buil\ariousff such as <br /> planning, economic development, and building. <br /> Commissioner Christianson asked if this was sufficient. <br /> Mr. Carlton stated business cards are given to prospective developers and they are <br /> free to call at any time with questions. Follow-up letters are sent after meetings <br /> outlining the discussion and expectations. He stated staff is considering a <br /> requirement for a pre-application meeting for large scale projects. He discussed <br /> setting aside a specific date and time each month for developers to visit and ask <br /> questions regarding their projects. <br /> Chair Tviete noted he experienced the city process when the Elk River Golf Course <br /> was considering construction of condos. He stated economic development staff <br /> acted as the liaison and scheduled the meeting with various staff. It was an incredibly <br /> helpful meeting,resolved a lot of questions, and laid things out very effectively for <br /> his group. He said it was a good experience noting staff does a good job He noted <br /> applicants will get good information if they reach out to staff. He stated you can't <br /> make everyone happy all the time and it is not our role to hand hold people through <br /> the whole process. <br /> Commissioner Wagner stated the site plan review meetings are a good process but <br /> the issues are occurring prior to them. She questioned if there could be a proactive <br /> approach to business development, such as educating builders/contractors. She read <br /> one comment that stated, "... if the city process was clear and well communicated <br /> there wouldn't be such a need for independent consultants." She stated business <br /> retention visits don't belong under Concern # 9 as they are not proactive. She asked <br /> if we could hold meetings a few times a year such as `Opening a Business in Elk <br /> River 101' type course. <br /> Mr. Carlton stated there could be a monthly meeting open and available for anybody <br /> to attend and ask questions no matter where they are at in their business <br /> development process. He noted an`open a business' section was added to the city <br /> P 0 W I R I U 9 Y <br /> itm§A UREJ <br />