01-25-16 Joint Meeting w EDC - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS EDA MEETING—JANUARY 25, 2016 3 Executive Director Hutmacher reported that the Red Fox area has peak traffic counts at mid- day which suggests restaurants and other local businesses are visited by employees. Mr. Weinhagen discussed the number of employees that come into Arden Hills on a daily basis, and noted the number of Arden Hills residents that work within the community. He explained that the City was unique given the large number of employees that came into the community on a daily basis. He reported that there was a growing trend for employees to live closer to their work and commented on how this would impact employee populations. He was proud to report that the business community ranked Arden Hills as having an excellent quality of life. He congratulated the Council for setting the proper culture within the business community. Another positive indicator for local businesses was that they are growing, which also grows the employee population. Mr. Weinhagen indicated that the City had an opportunity to advocate for expanded public transit service. He discussed how this would positively impact local businesses and their employees. He encouraged the EDA to dig into this further, and possibly pursue the extension of the A Line to TCAAP. He then provided comment on the importance of a skilled workforce. Commissioner Holden questioned how the City could get involved in growing the local skilled workforce. Mr. Weinhagen stated that he believed that the City should work to have the right resources and relationships established and in place to point companies in the right direction to find skilled laborers. The City should work to leverage employees for its local businesses. Commissioner Holden saw the importance of extending the A Line up Lexington Avenue and not just to TCAAP, given the number of major employers in Arden Hills. Executive Director Hutmacher stated that staff and the Chamber have been involved in conversations about incremental expansion of the A Line to service these companies and their employees. Mr. Weinhagen encouraged the City to continue having conversations regarding transit and for the Council to ramp up its knowledge in this area. Commissioner Holmes did not believe that recommendations were provided for all of the comments received from the businesses. She understood that the City needed more restaurants but did not believe the City was lacking in part-time help. Mr. Weinhagen commented that he could work to identify further recommendations. He discussed the importance of City staff and the EDC to continue its communication and visits with local businesses. EDA President Grant thanked Mr. Weinhagen for his thorough report to the EDA.