HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.20.23 EDA Minutes City of Farmington
Economic Development Authority
Regular Meeting Minutes
Monday, November 20, 2023
The Farmington Economic Development Authority met in regular session on Monday,
November 20, 2023, at Farmington City Hall, 430 3rd Street, Farmington, Minnesota.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Wilson called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chair Wilson lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ROLL CALL
Members Present: Chair Steve Wilson
Commissioners Holly Bernatz, Joshua Hoyt, and Nick Lien
Members Absent: Commissioner Katie Porter (excused absence)
Also Present: Lynn Gorski, City Administrator
Julie Flaten, Asst City Administrator/HR Director
Deanna Kuennen, EDA Executive Director
Stephanie Aman, Economic Development Coordinator
Kim Sommerland, Finance Director
Gary Rutherford, Police Chief
Shirley Buecksler, City Clerk
4. APPROVE AGENDA
Motion was made by Commissioner Hoyt and seconded by Commissioner Bernatz to
approve the agenda, as presented.
Motion carried: 4 ayes / 0 nays.
5. CITIZEN COMMENTS
No one addressed the Commission to speak.
6. CONSENT AGENDA
6.1 Minutes of the September 18, 2023 Economic Development Authority Meeting
6.2 Monthly Financial Statement
6.3 Open to Business — Q3 Report 2023
Motion was made by Commissioner Hoyt and seconded by Commissioner Bernatz
to approve the Consent Agenda, as amended.
Motion carried: 4 ayes / 0 nays.
Economic Development Authority Meeting Minutes of November 20,2023 Pa,-�e 1 o f 3
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were no public hearings.
8. DISCUSSION ITEMS
8.1 My Town Docuseries Discussion
Director Kuennen introduced Emmy award winner Cory Hepola of Brookshire
Company.
The EDA challenged Staff to go out, be bold, and pursue opportunities to attract
people and businesses to our community. Farmington, along with seven (7)other
rural communities will be participating in the docuseries, "My Town."
Mr. Hepola presented his vision with "My Town," discussed how we can break
down any misconceptions of what it is like to 'be rural,' and asked the EDA about
people and stories that exist in Farmington to help him better understand the city
of Farmington. He will masterfully weave these stories together in a purposeful
way. His success with his first docuseries "Rural by Choice" and passion for rural
communities is evident in the work he chooses to do every day. The goal of
creating this marketing video with Mr. Hepola, along with the communities of
Perham, Chisholm, and Willmar, Minnesota, Rugby, North Dakota, the Iowa
Lakes Corridor, and Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, is a next step in elevating
Farmington to be top of mind for business and industry projects.
The tentative timeline is:
• November— December: pre-production planning, video with Mayor Hoyt
• January 1 —June 30: window open for taking video
• July— mid-September: production team, writing, editing
• Mid-September: soft launch
• October 6: first episode; each community will get its own episode
Commissioners asked questions and received answers.
Motion carried: 4 ayes / 0 nays.
9. DIRECTOR'S REPORT
9.1 Director's Report
Director Kuennen provided the October 2023 Director's report with project
highlights and a summary of economic development activity for the Commission.
Economic Development Authority Meeting Minutes of November 20,2023 Page 2 of 3
10.ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Commissioner Bernatz and seconded by Commissioner Lien to
adjourn the meeting at 6:49 p.m.
Motion carried: 4 ayes / 0 nays.
Respectfully submitted,
ley feksler
City Clerk
Economic Development Authority Meeting Minutes of November 20,2023 Page 3 of 3