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03. EDA Draft Minutes 02 05 2025Page 1 of 2 Scandia Economic Development Authority 14727 209 th St. N., Scandia, Minnesota 55073 Phone : (651) 433 -2274 | Fax : (651) 433 -5112 |Web: www.visitscandia .com City of Scandia Economic Development Authority Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes Wednesday, February 5, 2025 Attendance: Mayor Steve Kronmiller, Council members Jerry Cusick, Kirsten Libby, Mike Lubke. Council member Jim Gribble was present over Zoom. Also in Attendance: Executive Director Kyle Morell, City Administrator; Brenda Eklund, City Clerk Call to Order: Executive Director Morell called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m. Approval of Agenda: Motion by Lubke, seconded by Libby, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously. Approval of Minutes: March 6, 2024 meeting minutes. Motion by Kronmiller, seconded by Lubke, to approve the minutes. Motion carried unanimously. General Business: a) Elect Officers Motion by Kronmiller, seconded by Lubke, to nominate Mayor Kronmiller as President of the EDA and Council member Libby as Vice President. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Kronmiller, seconded by Lubke, to nominate City Administrator Morell as Secretary and City Treasurer Veronica Kolby as Treasurer of the EDA. Motion carried unanimously. b) Future of the EDA Mayor Kronmiller opened a discussion about the future of the EDA. Should the EDA come back as a separate entity, or should the City Council continue to act as the EDA Board? Kronmiller introduced Tourism Committee Chair Sue Dickens to join the discussion, saying the Tourism Committee has picked up some of the functions such as hosting business breakfasts. Kronmiller asked the Council to consider what can we do to help the business community. Kronmiller identified two goals he would like to see the EDA work on: #1) Life cycle housing needs for young families and older residents/retirees who want to downsize and stay in Scandia. This could include talking with the Met Council and discussing feasibility of affordable housing with developers. Kronmiller said we need to get the conversations for these needs going. Page 2 of 2 Scandia Economic Development Authority 14727 209 th St. N., Scandia, Minnesota 55073 Phone: (651) 433 -2274 | Fax: (651) 433 -5112 |Web: www.visitscandia.com #2) Do a better job of supporting our local businesses: identify the valuable assets in town (services, retail, home-based businesses) and reach out to them and offer assistance to promote them. What are their websites; can the city website can expand on this? Kronmiller said the city should have more regular meetings with the businesses and get them more engaged. This may be minimal work and yet bring value to residents and businesses. Kronmiller questioned who does this: the City Council, the Tourism Committee, a separate committee? Libby said she would be more interested in digging into the lifecycle housing. Tourism is doing a good job and engaging with the Gammelgarden Museum and Scandia Heritage Alliance on promotions. Sue Dickens stated that small businesses were not being addressed by the past EDA, and sees a need for the EDA now; housing is a need, and the EDA could strategize and coordinate the businesses. Kronmiller noted that there seems to be an interest to reestablish the EDA as it was and to pursue both goals, but should it be separate from the Council? Gribble agreed that housing needs to be addressed. Kronmiller said he will work with City Administrator Morell and restore the EDA charter with a Board of five members. Kronmiller said the EDA will have a focus and meaningful duties such as input into the 2050 Comp Plan. Staff was directed to advertise for EDA Board members. Next EDA Board Meeting Date: The City Council will meet as the EDA after the March 5, 2025 Council Work Session, then establish a regular meeting schedule. Applicant interest in the EDA will be evaluated at that time. Motion by Lubke, seconded by Kronmiller, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m. Respectfully submitted by: Brenda Eklund, City Clerk Scandia Economic Development Authority Mission Statement: The Scandia EDA strives to enhance Scandia’s long-term prosperity and enrich the quality of life of residents by retaining and growing existing businesses, recruiting new businesses and expanding life-cycle housing opportunities for residents.