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EDC Minutes <br />May 2, 2012 <br />Page 4 of 7 <br />economic development activities would be promoted on the City's website. She indicated that <br />the website project is not just about design, but determining what the City can and should do for <br />economic development and how to communicate with the business community. <br />C. Website Design Project <br />Community Development Director Hutmacher indicated she understands that the <br />Commissioners are not website designers, but that was not what was intended. She indicated <br />that currently there is nothing on the website for businesses and this is the first place someone is <br />going to look, before they even call, if they have a question (i.e. zoning for property, permits <br />needed, how to get a business license). She indicated the information that is on the current <br />website is not organized into one package for businesses and that is what is trying to be <br />accomplished with the redesign. <br />Community Development Director Hutmacher stated she has spent a lot of time looking at <br />other websites to try to get the feel on what other cities are doing, what kind of information they <br />have out there, and what kind of programs they are offering. She indicated that a main point of <br />the website project is communicating to businesses and offering services that help them do <br />business in Arden Hills. She understands that it may be frustrating to Commissioners because it <br />is not what they want to do, but feels it is the bedrock of what the EDC needs to do and that they <br />can build from there after they have the bedrock. <br />Community Development Director Hutmacher indicated she did send out e-mails to get the <br />Commissioners' priorities and did not receive any responses. Therefore, she went ahead and <br />included items, from website discussions over the past few months. <br />Community Development Director Hutmacher then showed an example of a website that she <br />felt was well designed and indicated that "Business" would be included on the City's global <br />navigation bar which is at the top of every page on the website. <br />Community Development Director Hutmacher stated that her goal is to have everything for <br />the businesses in one place so that businesses do not have to search for what they are looking for. <br />Commissioner Huninghake stated he liked the idea. <br />Commissioner Davidson asked about the idea of having available properties in Arden Hills <br />listed and how that was actually going to function. <br />Community Development Director Hutmacher indicated she realized they would like that on <br />the website but does not know yet how it will function. She suggested maybe they develop it but <br />not turn it on until they figure out how to work it. She stated the company that is being used has <br />a real estate module, and she thinks it is a great idea, but does not know how they can get the <br />information on an updated basis. <br />