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EDC Minutes November 6, 2013 Page 4 of 5 Chair von Holtum stated that the Revolving Loan Fund should not take too much time for the EDC. He believed that a Business Retention and Expansion Program is a priority. Commissioner Altstatt asked about the role of the EDC in completing the tasks on the work plan. Chair von Holtum responded that there is a feeling among Arden Hills businesses that they don't know how to approach the City. He believed that may be due in part to past staff turnover and the lengthy Walgreens/CVS approval process. He felt that the presentation of BRE research to the EDA in the fourth quarter of 2014 may be too ambitious given other work load demands. Commissioner Heikkila commented that the BRE program work would require a lot of research and a concerted effort to distill information. Commissioner Erickson believed that the draft 2014 Work Plan was very do-able and did not include anything too daunting. Chair von Holtum added that staff has been more productive in the last few years. A lot of work is done and prepared for EDC consideration. 4. UPDATES A. Commission Members None. B. Council Liaison Councilmember Werner notified the EDC that Bethel University was considering purchasing the Country Financial building. The City Council is considering a conditional use permit to allow educational uses as a principal use at 2 Pine Tree Drive. Councilmember Werner added that the City has been contacted by several parties which are interested in reusing the Carroll's Furniture property. Councilmember Werner stated that the City Council is considering enacting a franchise fee through Xcel Energy. The fee would be charged to every user of electricity or natural gas including entities that are exempt from property taxes. The City Council has discussed the potential franchise fee with Xcel Energy at three work session meetings. Public hearings are tentatively scheduled for the regular City Council meetings on February 10 and 24, 2014.