Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br /> Staff Report <br /> <br /> <br />To: EDA President Fischer and Members of the Economic Development Authority <br /> <br />From: Ben Harrington, AICP, Community Development Director <br /> <br />Date: February 25, 2026 <br /> <br />Re: Economic Development Authority Bylaws <br /> <br />Actions To Be Considered <br />To adopt/adopt with amendments/not adopt <br />• 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 Minnesota law, a city may determine whether the governing body of an economic development <br />authority consists of appointed commissioners or the City Council itself. The City elected to have the <br />City Council serve as the governing body of the Authority, with members acting in different statutory <br />capacities depending on the action under consideration. <br /> <br />Although the Little Canada Economic Development Authority has existed in law for several decades, it <br />has historically operated on a limited and as-needed basis. As the City begins to engage more actively <br />in economic development activities, including management of City-owned land, evaluation of <br />development proposals, and use of financing tools such as tax increment financing, staff have begun <br />bringing forward foundational governance items to establish clearer procedural structure, expectations, <br />and long-term direction for how the Authority operates in practice. <br /> <br />Adoption of bylaws represents an initial step in that effort. The proposed bylaws do not expand or <br />modify the statutory powers of the Authority. Rather, they provide procedural clarity and <br />organizational structure when the City Council acts in its capacity as the Economic Development <br />Authority. <br /> <br />Staff have worked with the City Attorney to review and vet revisions requested during the January 28, <br />2026 meeting, when the bylaws were first discussed. <br /> <br />Changes Since January 28 Meeting <br />• Per EDA request, regular meetings are quarterly not monthly. <br />• Per EDA request, compensation for members is only for special meetings. This was approved <br />by the City Attorney as acceptable compensation. <br />• The City Attorney made non-substantive tweaks to align the bylaws fully with State Statute. <br /> <br />Recommendation <br />Staff recommends that the Economic Development Authority adopt the proposed bylaws for the <br />Authority.