North St. Paul City Council — Transcript
Saturday, March 15, 2025
EDA Membership Structure and Future Operations
Facade Improvement Program
EDA Financials and Staffing Costs
Votes (3)
EDA Membership Transition and Economic Development Commission Proposal
Dissent: None
The core debate centered on whether the EDA should remain an independent authority or transition into an advisory commission with the City Council serving as the primary economic development body. Speakers highlighted the historical success of the EDA in project development (e.g., Anchor Block, Lily building) due to institutional knowledge and independent budget control. A major concern was the lack of a dedicated 'cheerleader' or full-time staff to actively solicit businesses, regardless of the structure. Comparisons were drawn to neighboring cities' models. The consensus was to maintain the current EDA structure for now and prioritize filling vacant board seats, along with exploring options for dedicated economic development staffing or consultants.
Election of EDA Officers
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Representative Cole [00:54:00] · Seconded by Member Matthews [00:54:00]
Following the decision to retain the EDA structure and fill vacant seats, the immediate need for officer positions (President, Vice President) was addressed. The Assistant Treasurer position was also discussed, with clarification that the Treasurer must be an Eda representative and Assistant Treasurer How (staff) can fulfill assistant duties.
Facade Improvement Program
Dissent: None
The program, previously discussed, outlined an ongoing application process, exclusion of signage as an eligible cost, and a two-tiered grant structure (mini-grant without match, larger grant with 1:1 match). Concerns about the budgetary impact, especially with potential new hires (consultant/staff) for economic development, led to a decision to delay further action. The lack of recent inquiries for the program was noted, suggesting a need for proper advertisement once fully established.
Notable Quotes (6)
The staff report that's included in your Eda packet was presented to the city council on February 20th so the information that's included within the packet summarizes the the beginning of the Eda the purpose of the Eda The Proposal that was put on on the table by the mayor to modify the the membership of the Eda to transition it from this body to be the city council and then to establish an economic development Commission in in its place.
We need a strong cheerleader... speaking from Council I don't have time your council member don't have the time in in all honesty the bandwidth or the knowledge of the Eda so whatever the decision forward is either that committee's got to be strong with a strong cheerleader Advocate that has measurable objectives is as far as bringing things to the city whatever it comes out with I'm fine with but to your point I think that's the number one thing that that we need as a city.
The difference between working with the cities that that I do with the authority and commission one's kind of in control of a budget has a little more Authority the other one doesn't so in in some scenarios I've seen over the last eight eight and a half years where Council and Authority are in complete separate wavelengths of of how to attack projects that's where sometimes the authority can come into being more positive because that money is separate they control that money.
The treasurer must be an Eda representative.
The only other thing that's hanging out there is the two-tiered Grant opportunity so there was suggestion that there would be a mini Grant the dollar amount to be decided where there would be no requirement for repayment or no match in the larger tier Grant they would have a a one-time match in other communities often those larger dollar values are kind of 25,000 and up and the smaller value would be one to 1 to 5,000.
As far as bringing more information forward as well on budgetary items would it matter first we talk to the finance director to find out how is that going to change if the Ada or Eda money is going to go towards a potential employee for this then that takes the way money from the general fund that then would have to be so there's going to be swapping of funds there to know what's going to be available if we're going to do these loans end funds especially if it's a a grant a grant type deal that would come from our budget.
Ordinances & Resolutions (4)
Packet provided to members including the staff report and information about the EDA's history and purpose.
Included in the city council packet to transition EDA membership to city council and establish an EDC.
Document outlining the existing rules for the EDA, specifically regarding meeting frequency.
Report included in the EDA packet, presented to the city council on February 20th, summarizing EDA's purpose and proposed modifications.