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Draft EDC Minutes <br />December 20, 2013 <br />Page 2 of 3 <br /> <br />Motion/Second: Commissioner Helgemoe moved and Commissioner Freichels seconded <br />the recommendation to the EDA to reappoint Commissioner Dan Larson and to appoint new <br />member Jessica Birken to the Economic Development Commission. <br /> <br />Motion Carried: 4 Ayes, 0 Nays <br /> <br />The Commission asked Ms. Birken, who was in attendance, to share a little bit about herself. <br /> <br />Jessica Birken thanked the Commissioners for their support and looked forward to working <br />on economic development issues and serving the community. <br /> <br />B. Review Unobligated TIF Balance Sheet, Presentation by Finance Director Mark Beer <br /> <br />Finance Director Beer reviewed the financials associated with the three TIF Districts, <br />indicating that TIF District #1 will be decertifying at the end of the year, TIF District #3 will <br />decertify at the end of 2014, and then TIF District #2 will decertify at the end of 2015. <br />Finance Director Beer reviewed how TIF has been spent in the community and described <br />legislatively authorized eligible uses. He indicated that there is minimal unobligated TIF <br />remaining however there are projects identified in the Five-Year Plan that are funded using <br />TIF, such as median enhancements and gateway features, that could be reconsidered or <br />reallocated. There are no remaining funds in the TIF District #1 account. <br /> <br />Mr. Beer referenced TIF District #5, the Medtronic District, however the increment generated <br />is limited to about $65,000 per year which is used for administrative activities. <br /> <br />Mr. Beer indicated that if there are funds remaining in TIF Districts #2 or #3 that the fallback <br />position of the City Council is to allocate the funds to the City’s street improvement program, <br />and confirmed that the increment cannot be utilized for “signage”. <br /> <br />The Commission thanked Mr. Beer for his report. <br /> <br />C. Review Vacant Economic Development Specialist Position <br /> <br />City Administrator Ericson indicated that it had been the Council’s direction to leave the <br />Economic Development Specialist open through the rest of the year, and with the end of the <br />year fast approaching, he asked for input from the Commission as to their expectations or <br />desires regarding the position. He expressed support for the position and that he feels there <br />is a need to have someone in the position moving forward. Administrator Ericson shared the <br />job description for the position. <br /> <br />Chair Belting and the Commission talked about the position. They suggested business <br />recruitment and retention efforts are very important—the City needs a liaison to the business <br />community. Commissioner Freichels indicated that the only reason he is on the Commission <br />is through efforts of Ms. Steinmetz. Commissioner Stevenson also pointed out that <br />marketing is also very important and we need someone to do this. <br /> <br />The Commission wondered whether someone could effectively do everything that’s <br />necessary working part time hours. <br /> <br />Chair Belting expressed optimism that someone might prefer a more flexible, part time <br />position and that this position could be exactly what they’re looking for. <br />