08-1-12 EDC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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EDC Minutes August 1, 2012 Page 2 of 4 businesses already see and use the internet as the first source for information. For businesses, the goal of the website is to provide the information they need in a format with which they are already familiar and which is most convenient for them. Community Development Director Hutmacher added that she will review the information that is currently in the business packets to ensure that the information is included on the new website. A. EDC 2012 Work Plan Community Development Director Hutmacher presented a status report on the approved 2012 EDC Work Plan. She stated that the Work Plan is consistent with the City Council goals that were established in 2012. The EDC is on -schedule with the Work Plan. Commissioner Huninghake asked whether the EDC had been informing the business community of TCAAP issues as is stipulated in the Work Plan. Community Development Director Hutmacher responded that the State of the City event would have been the appropriate forum for that update, but the EDC recommended that the City forego that event this year since there is currently no big issue that would draw attendance. Hutmacher added that there is not much new information presently to give the business community about TCAAP. If Ramsey County moves forward with acquisition of the property, then some sort of update would be appropriate. Chair von Holtum suggested that the description of the TCAAP Development Goal, "Communicate TCAAP development issues with the business community," be revised in the 2013 EDC Work Plan. Discussion ensued regarding the recruitment of new EDC Commissioners. Commissioners remarked that they had approached individuals who had expressed frustration with how government works. These individuals were unwilling to consider an EDC position due to their feelings about government in general. City Administrator Patrick Klaers stated that commission and committee members are allowed to serve on multiple committees. He suggested that one or more members of the Financial Planning and Analysis Committee (FPAC) might be interested in serving on the EDC as well. Chair von Holtum remarked that he believed that there was synergy between the goals and mission of FPAC and the EDC, and he supported further consideration of overlapping membership between these two groups. B. Business Outreach Community Development Director Hutmacher provided a progress update on the business outreach goal in the 2012 EDC Work Plan. In addition to the objectives already underway, Hutmacher asked whether the EDC had additional ideas for business outreach in 2012.