C Economic Development AuthoritCITYO
690 Cio, Center Drive
PO Box' 147
~hanhassen, Minnesota 55317
Phone
952.937. I900
General Fm'
952.937.5739
5~gineering Department Fax
952.93Z9152
~ Building Dqaronent
952.934.2524
II3b Site
wu,tv, ci. chanhassen~ m)~.us
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
Mayor
City Council
_
Scott A. Botcher, City Manager
DATE: March 29, 2001
SUB J:
Economic Development Authority (EDA)
As I referenced when I recommended the creation of a City Manager liaison
situation, I believe its ultimate success will be reached after years of
incorporation into the culture of this organization. Additionally, however, the
Council needs to stand willing to walk away from some things that it currently
does and has done for rnany years. 'It is hoped that through streamlining its o~vn
_
operational practice, the COuncil can become more efficient, not only for-its own --
good, but also for the citizens that come before us._ An example of this would be--'
a reconstruction of the Economic Development Authority.
Immediately prior to starting my emPloyment, the City Council sat itself as
(largely) the Economic Development Authority. I am not pri,~j to the reasons
for this decision. At this point, I think it to be prudent to go back to the structure
under which the spirit of state statute and local ordinance communicates.
We have a broad range of talents in our community. We are fortunate that our
citizens are educated, intelligent people, who, if utilized in the appropriate
fashion, can bring great benefit to the City and its citizens. The Economic
Development Authority is no different. The Economic Development Authority
could easily be staffed by those members of the community wishing to focus
solely on economic development and the powers of the EDA as created under its
enacting legislation. Additionally, there is some benefit to having a dichotomy
of perspectives between that of the EDA and that of the City Council. Under the
current situation, the EDA might be construed as simply a body that is there to
rubber stamp whatever the Council's wishes may be without an intelligent
debate of the merits of any specific proposal before both the EDA and the
Council. Much like any other issue, through this debate and sharing of ideas we
can improve what we do for our community.
Mayor & City Council
March 29, 2001
Page 2
To that end, I would recommend that the City Council develop a plan and a
timeline for filling their seats on the EDA with non-elected members of our
community. As a closing note, I might recommend that two members of the
EDA remain members of the City Council. Who the two elected members are is
solely up to the Council, but five of the seven members of the EDA should be
private citizens.
I look forward to discussion this issue with you at the work session. Thank you.
c: Todd Gerhardt, Assistant City Manager
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