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The Elk River Vision <br />A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional service, and community <br />engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity <br /> <br />Request for Action <br />To <br />Economic Development Authority <br />Item Number <br />7.1 <br />Meeting Date <br />April 21, 2025 <br />Prepared By <br />Joshua Mollan, Economic Development Specialist <br />Item Description <br />Consider Elk River Garden Gem Awards <br />Reviewed by <br />Brent O'Neil <br />Cal Portner <br />Action Requested <br />Approve, by motion, the creation of Elk River Garden Gem Awards, a new landscape and garden recognition <br />program, in partnership with the Housing and Redevelopment Authority. <br />Background/Discussion <br />The Beautification and Public Art Committee has been working on an initiative to highlight and recognize <br />exceptional landscapes in Elk River. The Committee recommends adopting a new annual program to highlight <br />properties with significant landscape enhancements. This program is anticipated to be in partnership with the <br />Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA). While the Economic Development Authority would be <br />responsible for the recognition and awards for commercial property recognition, it is proposed that the <br />partnership with the HRA would provide the recognition and awards for non-commercial properties, <br />including single-family, townhome, and neighborhood categories. <br />Annual awards are proposed to be given to the winning gardens/landscapes in each category: a personalized <br />garden keepsake, a temporary yard sign, and an additional award/stipend as determined by the respective <br />Authorities at a later date. <br />While this is a proposed annual program, it should be noted that the Beautification and Public Art Committee <br />will plan on reviewing program guidelines after the first year to determine any changes that would be <br />necessary to better align with participation levels and feedback from the community. <br />If approved, staff will finalize marketing materials and be prepared to launch the program on May 1. <br />This program is inspired by Brooklyn Park's Summer Blossom Awards, which have been supported by the <br />community for over 25 years. <br />Financial Impact <br />Annual expense should be less than $500 drawn from the existing advertising and marketing budget. <br />Page 12 of 22