3. EDA Minutes 05 09 2022Page 1 of 2
Scandia Economic Development Authority
14727 209th St. N., Scandia, Minnesota 55073
Phone: (651) 433-2274 | Fax: (651) 433-5112 |Web: www.cityofscandia.com
CITY OF SCANDIA
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
MINUTES
Monday May 9, 2022 at 6:30 P.M.
Location via Online Streaming (Boxcast and Zoom) and the Scandia Community Center
Members in Attendance: President Greg Amundson, Vice President Heather Benson,
Commissioner Sue Dickens, and Commissioner Mike Lubke.
Members Absent: Commissioner Brad Borg.
Others in Attendance: Executive Director Ken Cammilleri.
Call to Order – Called to order by Amundson at 6:40pm
Approval of Agenda – Motion by Benson, seconded by Dickens to approve the agenda. Motion
carried.
Approval of Minutes – No action was taken on the meeting minutes from April 12, 2022.
Director’s updates – Cammilleri provided the Commission with the April Financial Report and
informed the Board of their opportunity to get involved in Forest Lake Area Chamber of
Commerce as EDA Board members. The Board requested to be added to the mailing lists by
unanimous consent. Cammilleri reported that there will be an additional 8 housing units that will be
considered for buildout for the Tii Gavo on the northside of Big Marine Lake.
Business and Development Discussions – Amundson reported that Prairie Restorations had
reopened their retail store for the season. Cammilleri noted that Better Place Forest has been
expanding their advertising profile and has finished acquisition of all of the properties associated
with their project. Cammilleri also reported on other housing development discussions and
activities of the Washington County Community Development Agency.
Discussed Business Retention and Expansion Survey – Benson noted that there was originally a plan
to provide attendees of the Breakfast a single questionnaire, but the decision was made not to do so.
The Commission went on to discuss the 2-page existing questionnaire used by the EDA when
typically conducting direct visits. The Commission agreed that this document was adequate.
Amundson noted even though the EDA has not been able to get out to do the BRE, he has heard
from his fellow business owners that the biggest challenge facing many of Scandia’s businesses is the
difficulty filling labor shortages.
Update to the Façade Improvement Program – Cammilleri was tasked to prepare a discussion of the
existing Façade Improvement Program and the EDA’s underwriting proceeding. The
DRAFT
Page 2 of 2
Scandia Economic Development Authority
14727 209th St. N., Scandia, Minnesota 55073
Phone: (651) 433-2274 | Fax: (651) 433-5112 |Web: www.cityofscandia.com
DRAFT
Commissioners also decided that they will try to consider other possible uses for the program’s
funding, if a decision is made in the future to eliminate the program.
Discussion of Heritage Alliance Request for Letter of Support for the Regional Arts and Heritage
Center Watertower Barn Project. Amundson noted that he received a request from the Scandia
Heritage Alliance to provide a letter of support for the Arts and Heritage Center for grant
applications. Motion by Amundson to authorize the President to provide the Scandia Heritage
Alliance with a letter of recommendation from the EDA for their upcoming grant application,
seconded by Benson. Motion carried.
Next Meeting – the Commissioners reported that their next meeting will be on Monday, June 13,
2022 at 6:30pm. The decided by unanimous consent to revisit the Façade Improvement Program
Discussion as determined earlier in the meeting.
Discussion of EDA Business Breakfast Scheduled for June 15 - The Commissioners noted that this
upcoming event will feature: Breakfast catered by Your Home Café, there will be a presentation on
online business fraud prevention from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and an update on
developments at Rustic Roots Winery. The Commissioners discussed the possibility of
reintroducing the question concept for Breakfast. Lubke recommended a question that would ask
for recommendations on what types of EDA programming would be most useful. It was agreed
that this might be a good option to consider during the breakfast.
Adjournment – Motion by Dickens, seconded by Benson to adjourn at 8:04 PM. Motion carried.
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.