The Economic Development Plan Review Committee voted Friday to forward a package of recommendations to Minot City Council that includes a requirement for MAC EDC to provide more detail on how City of Minot funds are spent yearly, continued investment in consolidated data for site selection, and a recommendation that the council consider creating a Land Development Partnership Committee to speed private development on underused parcels.

The committee said the proposals aim to address a tight market for buildable lots and the high cost of bringing properties to shovel‑ready status. Committee members repeatedly tied the recommendations to efforts to accelerate housing and commercial development while preserving transparency for taxpayers.

Committee Chair Blessom opened the discussion by walking members through the draft recommendations and the highlighted items for possible elevation to primary recommendations. Multiple members pressed for more specificity on accountability. "The conversation about having transparency in government is an important one," said Mark Lyman, representing the Chamber/EDC, during the meeting.

Why it matters: Minot faces limited immediately developable lots and rising infrastructure costs. Committee members and staff described a gap between parcels that are theoretically developable and parcels that actually pencil out for builders because of upfront infrastructure and permitting costs. The committee’s recommendations are advisory; the council will decide whether to adopt any changes to contracting, funding or committee structure.

Key details and what the committee voted on

- MAC EDC transparency: The committee adopted a motion requesting that MAC EDC provide greater annual detail on how City of Minot funds are spent. Members framed the request as a transparency measure rather than a punitive audit. The motion passed on a recorded roll call (Nelson, Pittner, Blossom, Howe voted yes).

- Land Development Partnership Committee (LDPC): Committee members reviewed a proposed concept for a Land Development Partnership Committee whose goals would include maintaining a public inventory of developable parcels, matchmaking landowners and developers, recommending policy or zoning amendments where appropriate, and considering financial incentives to reduce project barriers. The committee voted to forward a recommendation to council to consider establishing the LDPC. Members discussed eligibility criteria (open, vacant or underutilized land within Minot city limits), and example incentive tools including tax abatements, impact‑fee waivers, predevelopment grants, density/height bonuses, expedited permitting, site preparation or utility hookup assistance, special‑assessment financing and annexation when relevant. The motion to send the LDPC recommendation to council passed by roll call (Pitner, Wesson, Howe, Nelson yes).

- Consolidation and committee roles: As part of the LDPC discussion the committee voted on some housekeeping motions, including striking redundant bullets from the draft and recommending that council consider whether the Magic Fund Screening Committee and the Renaissance Zone advisory functions could be consolidated or otherwise aligned with a new land‑development body. Committee members noted that the Renaissance Zone has statutory elements under state law and that the municipal Magic Fund committee is created by local ordinance; staff were asked to verify any statutory or ordinance constraints before the council acts. Motions to strike and to consolidate were passed on recorded votes.

- Continued investment in data collection and presentation: The committee voted to recommend continued investment in consolidated, up‑to‑date site‑selection data and public presentation (for example the statewide LOIS platform and commercial site‑selection products such as Lasso or retail‑coach style services). Committee members and outside staff said quality, visible data is often the first filter for site selectors and potential employers. The motion to recommend continued investment in data and presentation passed on roll call.

- Facade grant survey: City staff presented a brief survey of the downtown facade program. Brian (city staff) told the committee the program had 13 applicants and 11 survey responses. The total project value for those applications totaled about $2.7 million; roughly $1.8 million of that was paid by the city program while private/owner contributions were about $900,000. "We received 11 responses, which was great," Brian said. Committee members noted the program’s visible effect downtown while discussing whether cost‑share or sunset provisions should be considered when council reviews the program.

Discussion vs. decision: Most items the committee advanced were recommendations to council rather than final policy changes. The committee approved motions sending those recommendations to council; the council will have authority to adopt, modify or reject them. Committee members repeatedly emphasized the difference between directing council and simply forwarding options for council consideration.

Votes at a glance

- MAC EDC: "MAC EDC provides more detail on how City of Minot funds are spent yearly." Outcome: approved. Roll call recorded: Nelson — yes; Pittner — yes; Blossom — yes; Howe — yes.

- Establish Land Development Partnership Committee: "Recommend Council consider establishing a Land Development Partnership Committee to accelerate development and consolidate functions." Outcome: approved. Roll call recorded: Pitner — yes; Wesson — yes; Howe — yes; Nelson — yes.

- Consolidate Magic Fund Screening Committee role / strike draft items: Several related motions to remove or consolidate draft bullets and to roll the role of the Magic Fund Screening Committee into broader deliberations were adopted on roll calls (see provenance entries below).

- Continued investment in consolidated data collection/presentation: "Recommend continued investment in consolidated data and public presentation for site selectors (LOIS/Lasso etc.)." Outcome: approved on roll call; proponents said such data is essential to attract retailers, manufacturers and workforce.

- Send report and recommendations to Council: "Send the committee’s final recommendations to Minot City Council for review." Outcome: approved on roll call.

What was not decided: The council will decide whether to create an LDPC, whether to require specific reporting formats from MAC EDC, and whether to alter the facade program’s cost‑share or sunset language. The committee did not adopt any binding incentive program (tax abatements or special assessment program) — it only discussed examples for council consideration.

Context and background: Committee members cited a prior housing assessment and repeated statements from local builders and bankers that inventory of buildable lots is constrained. At the meeting, one builder referenced by name was Mike Hayes of 4 Seasons Construction; staff and members said spec homes and in‑progress new homes are selling quickly where lots are available. Multiple members said the city should view some incentive options as long‑term investments in the tax base rather than only as short‑term subsidies.

Next steps: The committee forwarded the packet to City Council. Staff were asked to check statutory and ordinance constraints related to Renaissance Zone and Magic Fund committee functions, and to return any clarifying language to council staff prior to council consideration.

Ending note: Committee members asked that the council hearing include an opportunity for public comment and for absent committee members to address council before final decisions are made.