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EDC Minutes October 1, 2014 Page 2 of 6 Associate Planner Bachler explained that at the previous EDC meeting on August 26, 2014, staff presented a preliminary proposal from the University of Minnesota Extension for a customized BR&E program for the City. He indicated staff discussed this proposal with the EDC and there were concerns regarding the number of meetings that would be required to implement the program, the scope and length of the survey that was to be administered, and the cost of the program which was approximately $9,000. He explained that staff had done research on alternative BR&E programs and has had a chance to meet with Jonathan Weinhagen of the SPACC. He commented that the SPACC has submitted a formal proposal which was included in the packet and the cost of that program would be approximately $5,000. He also indicated that staff reviewed the proposal and believes it addresses many of the concerns that had been raised by the EDC with the prior proposal. Associate Planner Bachler asked Jonathan Weinhagen from the SPACC to provide some more information on the proposal. Jonathan Weinhagen stated that the SPACC has a long history of providing BR&E services to communities throughout the east metro and was a founding member of the “Grow Minnesota!” program. He commented that the SPACC shares the same concerns as the City with regards to BR&E services, not only in the planning and implementation, but in the survey and how that is received by the business community. Mr. Weinhagen indicated the survey used by the SPACC is relatively short and direct in comparison to the one used by the University of Minnesota Extension. He explained that the SPACC is proposing a two phase approach to the BR&E program. First there would be an initial survey of 20-30 companies that would be visited to collect information, and the secondary piece would be putting in place a sustainable approach for ongoing visits. He also explained that the SPACC would do some non-intensive training with the Task Force on effective business interviewing and relationship building. Commissioner Radziej asked whether the visits would be a blend of the “Landmark” and “Emerging” businesses or if they would be focused on the “Landmark” businesses only. Mr. Weinhagen indicated it would be a blend of the “Landmark and “Emerging” businesses but anticipates the initial visit would be with the “Landmark” businesses only. Commissioner Heikkila questioned if the training mentioned for Phase Two would allow City staff to take on the ongoing visits or if there would still be participation from the Chamber. Jonathan Weinhagen indicated that a manageable approach would be to visit 10-12 companies a year which can be sustained without additional consulting services. He commented that what has worked well in other communities is an hour visit consisting of one or two City Councilmembers, a member from the Chamber, and a member or two from the EDC.