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ARDEN HILLS EDA MEETING – JANUARY 25, 2016 4 <br /> <br />Mr. Weinhagen encouraged the City to continue having conversations regarding transit and for <br />the Council to ramp up its knowledge in this area. <br /> <br />Commissioner Holmes did not believe all of the comments from the businesses were properly <br />captured. She understood that the City needed more restaurants but did not believe the City was <br />lacking in part-time help. <br /> <br />Mr. Weinhagen commented that he could work to identify further recommendations. He <br />discussed the importance of City staff and the Council to continue its communication and visits <br />with local businesses. <br /> <br />EDA President Grant thanked Mr. Weinhagen for his thorough report to the City Council. <br /> <br />B. 2015 EDC Report and 2016 Work Plan <br /> <br />Executive Director Hutmacher stated that the Economic Development Authority approved the <br />2015 EDC Work Plan at the January 26, 2015, joint meeting with the Economic Development <br />Commission. The EDC made significant progress on its 2015 goals as summarized as follows: <br /> <br />New Member Recruitment <br /> Three new members have been appointed to the EDC in 2015. <br /> <br />Business Retention and Expansion Program <br /> Recommended to the EDA that the City obtain consulting services from the St. Paul <br />Chamber of Commerce (SPACC) <br /> Worked with SPACC to compile a list of all businesses in the City of Arden Hills <br /> Created an interview questionnaire <br /> Selected businesses to interview based on industry and job growth <br /> Participated in BRE interviews <br /> Monitored process of BRE program <br /> Received the Leaders in Local Government Award from the St. Paul Area Chamber of <br />Commerce in the category of Business Retention and Expansion <br /> <br />Marketing and Outreach <br /> Worked with the Communications Committee to assign business-related newsletter topics <br /> Edited, finalized, and posted the City Video Tour on the City’s website and YouTube <br />channel <br /> Provided feedback on installed Gateway Signs and possible locations for additional signs <br /> Planned and promoted State of the City events on September 29 and October 1 <br /> <br />Executive Director Hutmacher explained that the EDC approved a 2016 Work Plan on January <br />6, 2016. <br /> <br />Staff requested that the EDA review and approve the work plan.