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<br /> <br /> Staff Report <br /> <br /> <br />To: EDA President Fischer and Officers of the Economic Development Authority <br /> <br />From: Ben Harrington, AICP, Community Development Director <br /> <br />Date: January 28, 2026 <br /> <br />Re: Economic Development Authority Reintroduction <br /> <br />Actions To Be Considered <br />To review <br />• Proposed bylaws for the Little Canada Economic Development Authority. <br /> <br />Background <br />The City of Little Canada established an Economic Development Authority pursuant to Minnesota <br />Statutes, Chapter 469, by enabling resolution adopted in 1989. <br /> <br />Under state law, a city may determine whether the governing body of an economic development <br />authority consists of appointed commissioners or the City Council. The City elected to have the City <br />Council serve as the governing body of the Authority, with Council members acting in different <br />statutory capacities depending on the action under consideration. <br /> <br />While the Economic Development Authority has existed in law for several decades, it has historically <br />been used on a limited, as-needed basis. As the City begins to engage more actively in economic <br />development activities, including management of City-owned land, evaluation of development <br />proposals, and use of financing tools such as tax increment financing, staff are bringing forward <br />foundational governance items to establish a clearer structure and expectations for how the Authority <br />operates. <br /> <br />The proposed bylaws are intended to provide procedural clarity and organizational structure when the <br />City Council is acting in its capacity as the Economic Development Authority. The bylaws do not <br />expand or alter the statutory powers of the Authority. <br /> <br />In addition, the City Attorney is preparing a new enabling resolution for the Economic Development <br />Authority. The original enabling resolution did not include the full range of statutory powers available <br />under state law, including housing and redevelopment authority (HRA) powers. The updated enabling <br />resolution will be brought forward as a Council item in February. <br /> <br />What the Economic Development Authority Can Do <br />The Economic Development Authority may undertake the following types of activities, subject to <br />applicable statutory requirements: