DATE: January 23, 2020
TO: Members of the Northfield Economic Development Authority
FROM: Nate Carlson, Economic Development Coordinator
Title
Establish EDA Sub-Committees
Body
SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUESTED:
The EDA is asked to discuss the role of sub-committees and identify members for the EDA Loan Review Sub-committee and additional sub-committees for 2020.
BACKGROUND:
The EDA has typically appointed a Loan sub-committee to review EDA Revolving Loan and micro-grant requests. The Loan Review Committee meets on an as-needed basis to review revolving loan and micro-grant applications and forwards a recommendation to the full EDA board for consideration.
Staff is requesting the EDA identify members for the Loan sub-committee for 2020. Sub-committees could be two or three members and meet on an as-needed basis. The EDA President shall serve as a first substitute for any sub-committee member.
2019 Loan sub-committee members:
• Enoch Blazis
• Britt Ackerman, Treasurer
• Andrew Ehrmann, President
The EDA, in 2018, appointed Board members to a Socio-Economic sub-committee. The sub-committee meets on a regular basis to review and establish goals pertaining to EDA Work Plan items. All recommendations from the sub-committee are forwarded to the EDA Board for full consideration.
Staff is requesting the EDA identify members for the Socio-Economic sub-committee for 2020. Sub-committees could be two or three members and meet on a regular basis. The EDA President shall serve as a first substitute for any sub-committee member.
2019 Socio-Economic sub-committee members:
• Andrew Ehrmann, President
• Mike Strobel, Vice President
• Jessica Peterson-White
The EDA is also asked to discuss whether additional sub-committees are desired as a way to accomplish additional items on the work plan. In prior years, several additional sub-committees were utilized to evaluate proposals and make recommendations to the EDA Board of Directors. The following sub-committees were utilized in the past as a way to provide additional focus on key areas of the EDA work plan:
• Transportation Sub-committee
o Tasked with identifying key transportation needs for local workforce, commercial activity, development, etc.
• Business Park Sub-committee
o Tasked with reviewing potential business park activities
• Business Retention and Expansion Sub-committee
o Tasked with review of BR & E initiatives
The EDA Enabling Resolution and Bylaws were adopted in December of 2011, and further consideration by the EDA Board is recommended based on preliminary staff review. According to the enabling resolution, within 60 days of the anniversary date [September 17, 1990] of the first adoption of the enabling resolution, the EDA shall submit to the City Council a report stating whether and how the enabling resolution should be modified. The EDA Bylaws are attached for further information.
Additional sub-committees related to transportation issues, business park activities, and business retention and expansion may be added in the future but are not recommended at this time. Additional sub-committees may be established at any time.
RECOMMENDATION:
Identify members for the EDA Loan Review and Socio-Economic Sub-Committees.