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<br />Special Meeting of the Elk River <br />Economic Development Authority <br /> <br />Held at the Elk River City Hall <br />Tuesday, March 18, 2019 <br /> <br />Members Present: President Dan Tveite, Commissioners Charlie Blesener, Garrett <br />Christianson, Matt Westgaard, and Jennifer Wagner <br /> <br />Members Absent: Commissioners Bryan Provo <br /> <br />Staff Present: Economic Development Director Amanda Othoudt, Economic <br />Development Specialist Colleen Eddy, ERMU Conservation and Key <br />Accounts Manager Tom Sagstetter, and Deputy Clerk Jessica Miller <br /> <br />1. Call Meeting to Order <br /> <br />Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Economic <br />Development Authority was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by President Tveite. <br /> <br />2. Work Session-Energy Incentive Program <br /> <br /> Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report. <br /> <br />It was questioned if the developer should be responsible for costs associated with <br />public hearings or legal fees. <br /> <br />President Tveite indicated public hearings are only required when financial assistance <br />exceeds $150,000 and suggested requiring legal fees for anything in excess of that <br />amount. Mr. Sagstetter explained a project requiring over $150,000 financial <br />assistance would be large and more than likely would require discussions a year or <br />two in advance. <br /> <br />Mr. Sagstetter suggested increasing the electric capacity for data centers to 500kW or <br />750kW per month. The EDA concurred. <br /> <br />Commissioner Blesener questioned if the requirement for data centers to create jobs <br />within two years should be included as it is for manufacturing. Ms. Othoudt <br />indicated she will add language. <br /> <br />Commissioner Ovall questioned if more general terms should be used for <br />manufacturing. He explained he’s envisioning distribution centers like Amazon or <br />FedEx and manufacturing may not be as inclusive for businesses we may wish to <br />attract. Commissioner Christianson concurred. <br /> <br />Ms. Othoudt suggested saying manufacturing and distribution. The EDA concurred. <br />Discussion took place on making it clear in the policy whether or not business <br />subsidy is required. Ms. Othoudt explained the attorney drafted the language. It was <br /> <br />