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'It -A ENN HILLS CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION November 16, 2005 7:30 A.M. CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS-- 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 Mayor Aplikowski called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m. Those in attendance: Ray McGraw, Chris Ashbach, Dale Beane, Ed Werner, Rob Davidson, Jim Paulette, and Mayor Aplikowski. Staff. Community Development Director Karen Barton and City Administrator Michele Wolfe Minutes from the September meeting will be presented for approval at the next meeting. Mayor Aplikowski introduced Karen Barton, the City's new Community Development Director. Wolfe gave an update on the City Planner and Engineer recruitments. It is expected that we will have the Planner on board in the next several weeks, and the Engineer shortly thereafter. Wolfe gave a brief update on TCAAP, indicating that the appraisal was received late Monday, and the Council has reviewed the appraisal in a closed session Monday evening. There will be another closed session strategy meeting on the 21St, and Response Action Agreement • negotiations on the 28th, followed by sale price negotiations on the 29tH Mayor Aplikowski stated much of the negotiations would be focused on the wildlife corridor and the Primer Tracer area. Both Wolfe and the Mayor indicated they are optimistic about the upcoming negotiations. Although Wolfe is anticipating a continued"two-steps forward, one and a half steps backward"progression throughout the remainder of the process. Mayor Aplikowski suggested sending an update letter to the Guard as a"neighborly" gesture. Marketing Discussion Wolfe gave a brief background of the economic development plan and hiring of a facilitator to develop. A draft RFP was distributed for review, along with a draft resolution. Wolfe indicated that the RFP incorporated portions of the Milaca economic development plan, which the EDC had previously stated a preference towards. Wolfe had contacted the consultant who had prepared the Milaca plan to inquire about cost. The consultant indicated it would cost the City of Arden Hills roughly$5,000 to $7,500 to develop a similar plan. Jim Paulette indicated that by developing a business plan, it would provide the City with a"map" to get our economic development efforts started and focused. . Rob Davidson supported the idea recognizing that we need a city-wide economic development plan; not just a plan for TCAAP. There are other areas in the City, specifically the area on Lexington,between 694/10 and County Road E, which needs attention.