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EDC Minutes March 17, 2010 Page 5 of 6 A. TCAAP Other Projects (continued) Community Development Director Lehnhoff reported the Council had a concept review with Roberts Development at the last worksession meeting. Roberts Development has proposed renovating an existing building at 3920 Northwoods Drive into a 51 -unit senior apartment building. The overall response from the Council was encouraging. Additional comments will be taken from the EDC at the April meeting. Community Development Director Lehnhoff encouraged the EDC members to further review the zoning regulations and forward any comments or questions to him prior to the meeting. This would allow staff to bring all necessary information to the April worksession meeting. B. Commission Members There was nothing further. C. Council Liaison Council Liaison Harpstead reported economic development for the region was critical. He presented information on the initiatives of the Regional Council of Mayor's. This organization involved 35 metropolitan cities and works with the Department of Economic Development to gather information on the regions workforce and business types. Council Liaison Harpstead indicated the Itasca Project involves 30 -50 community leaders that look into the local jobs and economic development diving deep into data. He further reviewed the levers that make areas successful and how the City of Arden Hills rated in each area. The Itasca Project would continue to work on how to draw businesses into the area while addressing the necessary process changes to create vision and long term growth. In the end the region would like to increase jobs. Council Liaison Harpstead noted the Brookings Institution decided to look nationally at how to create relationships between the Federal Government and metropolitan regions. This has become a world of cities and not a world of nations. Council Liaison Harpstead indicated he would be willing to present the local business owners with this information if the EDC found interest. Mr. Davidson explained the recession has magnified the need for public and private sectors to work together to foster development and employment. OTHER BUSINESS There was nothing at this time.