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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL EDA MEETING – MARCH 28, 2016 3 <br />implementation plan for the priority projects identified by the EDC. Staff is requesting that the <br />EDA provide comments on the draft implementation plan. <br /> <br />Mr. Weinhagen added that the recommendations listed in the BRE Report were generated out of <br />conversations that were held with the business community. <br /> <br />Commissioner Holmes supported the recommendations and understood that there was a need <br />for rapid transit. She believed that the provided goals or priorities were realistic, but should be <br />more focused. <br /> <br />Mr. Weinhagen understood that much of these goals could not be achieved in one year. He <br />added that having an implementation plan would help the City move forward in addressing these <br />goals. <br /> <br />EDA President Grant commented on the recommendations and believed that the transit line <br />was TCAAP related. He believed recommendation #3 would be good for the City to track. <br /> <br />Executive Director Hutmacher indicated that the recommendations were based on national best <br />practices for BRE. <br /> <br />Mr. Weinhagen encouraged the Council to consider the document as a report based on <br />community research and not as a plan that needed implementation. <br /> <br />Commissioner Holmes believed that the priorities should be tied to the report. She did not <br />support all of the recommendations being made in the report and thought there was a disconnect. <br /> <br />Commissioner Wicklund stated that he saw the document as a compilation of information by an <br />outside consultant who is providing the Council with a report that should be received and <br />adopted. He indicated that a second step for the Council would be to review the priority projects <br />and respond. <br /> <br />Commissioner McClung agreed with this assessment and discussed his view on the report. He <br />did not believe that the City had to follow each of the prescribed recommendations, but rather <br />could review and analyze the report and decide how to move forward as policymakers. He <br />supported the Council accepting the document and was in favor of setting its own priorities at a <br />future time. <br /> <br />Commissioner Wicklund was in agreement with this direction of the Council. <br /> <br />Commissioner Holmes commented that she would not be voting to accept the report. <br /> <br />Further discussion ensued regarding the recommendations within the report. <br /> <br />EDA President Grant stated that perhaps the Chamber of Commerce should have brought <br />forward a list of ideas, along with recommendations from the EDC.