07-29-2013 EDA MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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crYlkSpecial Workshop Meeting of the Elk River River Economic Development Authority Held at the Elk River City Hall Monday,July 29, 2013 Members Present: President Dwyer,Commissioners Westgaard,Provo,Tveite,Wilson and Motin Members Absent: Commissioner Burandt Staff Present: Economic Development Director Brian Beeman,Assistant Economic Development Director Clay Wilfahrt;Finance Director Tim Simon I. Call Meeting to Order The workshop meeting of the EDA was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by President Dwyer. 2. Consider 07/29/2013 Agenda The workshop agenda was approved. 3. Discuss 2014 EDA Budget Goals & Preliminary Budget Brian Beeman reviewed the following: • EDA tasks outlined in the City's 2013-2014 Goals adopted by the City Council III • Economic Development Measures and Goals for 2014 Mr.Beeman noted that there is some overlap of HRA and EDA tasks in the 2013-2014 City goals. He stated that the HRA has applied for a$1.2 million housing grant to take care of some rehab of housing, also covers some commercial property. Discussion by the EDA included the following items: • Appropriateness of funding for marketing to attract hotel,banquet facility or fine dining. • Appropriateness of financial support to Art Soup—consensus to • Importance of BRE visits • Expenditure for promotional/advertising products • Funding of intern position • Possibility of protecting city's interest when investing in employee education by means of employment contract • Appropriateness of branding expenditures proposed • The following suggestions were offered: 1. Funds proposed to be invested in trying to attract a hotel,banquet facility or fine dining could be better spent elsewhere, since these types of businesses will come when the demographics are "right". • 2. look at moving these sponsorships to an advertising line item and determine which requests best qualify the goal of marketing the city and Powered by Nature 3. Funding of community gathering/events should be looked at on a case-by-case basis.