Date: October 26, 2017
To: Members of the Economic Development Authority
From: Nate Carlson, Economic Development Coordinator
Chris Heineman, Community Development Director
Title
EDA Business Subsidy Policy Action
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield Economic Development Authority is requested to consider a motion to recommend approval of the revised City of Northfield Business Subsidy Policy.
Summary Report:
Following the July EDA work session on the City of Northfield Business Subsidy Policy, the EDA Board directed staff to make significant revisions to the Business Subsidy Policy. A primary concern was the level of detail and complexity included in the current draft. Staff explained that a majority of the language added by the City Attorney mirrored state statute. The EDA Board chose to make revisions that simply references state statute.
The EDA Board arrived at a consensus on the meaning of "Living Wage Job" and agreed upon the following definition: "Shall mean a job which pays wages that total at least the rate of 150-percent of the current poverty level for a family of four." EDA Board members reviewed the final draft at the September meeting and made an amendment that it should be defined that the wage is based on the "federal poverty level for a family of four."
Other specific changes were to include language representative of the Council's strategic planning efforts and continued support for workforce development between the colleges and public school system. After drafting the revised policy, it was forwarded to the City Attorney for review. The current draft has been approved by City Attorney Chris Hood.
Included as attachments are a draft copy of the amended Business Subsidy Policy, minutes from the July EDA work session, and both the Lakeville and Farmington Business Subsidy Policy. Both the Lakeville and Farmington policies were referenced heavily during the work session.
Timeline:
The City Council retains the authority ...
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