08-1-12 EDC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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EDC Minutes August 1, 2012 Page 3 of 4 Commissioner Erickson asked whether business visits were regularly made to new businesses. Community Development Director Hutmacher replied that although staff makes regular business visits, no special effort is made to visit new businesses. Hutmacher added that focusing on new business visits was an excellent idea, and she would work with Buildings and Inspections staff to identify new or significantly expanding businesses as priorities for business visits. Discussion ensued on options to promote the City's new website and URL address, www.cityofardenhills.org, to the business community. EDC Commissioners decided that they would resume Commissioner business visits in 2013 to promote the new website. Community Development Director Hutmacher noted that the City Council had directed staff to research local options for an on-line city tour video that would not require advertising to be placed on the City's website. After discussions with CTV, staff believes that a video tour could be created primarily using the City's 100-hour annual CTV labor allotment. Because economic development will be featured in the video, the EDC will be asked to consider the topic at a future meeting as a business outreach opportunity. C. B-2 Implementation Plan Community Development Director Hutmacher updated the EDC on the City Council's July 30, 2012, discussion on the B-2 District Implementation Plan. Bolton & Menk, the City's consultant for the Plan, attended the meeting and reported the findings from the individual business meetings that had already been held. Marcus Thomas, Bolton & Menk, reported that businesses saw a need for reduced vacancies and improved aesthetics along the corridor, but were wary of making a large infrastructure investment without knowing whether it would attract significant new development. Mr. Thomas recommended completing the individual business meetings, and then considering an incremental approach to district improvements. Consensus among the City Council supported this approach. 4. UPDATES A. TCAAP Community Development Director Hutmacher updated the EDC on the status of Ramsey County's potential acquisition of the TCAAP site. Staff assisted Ramsey County in drafting an application for DEED funding authorized by the State Legislature. The funding is very competitive as grant requests are many times more than available funds. Final funding decisions will be made by the Governor and announced in August or September. Community Development Director Hutmacher added that the City Council had authorized staff to obtain legal services to assist with negotiating and drafting an agreement with Ramsey County that would outline each party's respective obligations and authority with respect to TCAAP development. Staff is currently reviewing an outline of the document.