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EDC Minutes December 2, 2015 Page 3 of 5 Community Development Director Hutmacher stated that when it comes to the BRE program, the EDC may need to tweak its Work Plan recommendations before presenting them to the EDA. She stated the EDC may be tasked to work on certain items. Commissioner von Holtum asked about other City Council priorities such as TCAAP, filling the vacant Council seat, the vacant City Administrator position and the vacant Public Works Director position. Community Development Director stated the City Council does have a lot on their plate. She said that the EDC’s 2015 accomplishments are impressive despite that a large amount of Community Development staff time was spent on TCAAP. Commissioner Erickson suggested that the EDC reassess the 2016 Work Plan goals once the BRE report is received. Commissioner Erickson referenced item 4.a. Work with the Newsletter Committee on business- focused articles. He asked if the EDC would submit business articles for publication in 2016. Community Development Director Hutmacher suggested that going forward, instead of the EDC writing articles, that they submit suggestions/ideas to the Communications Committee for the newsletters. A discussion ensued regarding the City newsletters and the process for handling the newsletter articles in 2016. Commissioner Erickson referenced item 4.c. Track and visit new businesses. He asked if there is a way to determine which new businesses have opened in Arden Hills. Community Development Director Hutmacher stated that she has spoken to Dave Scherbel, the Building Official, about tracking new businesses based on the assumption that most new businesses will eventually pull a permit of some type. A discussion ensued regarding how to create and maintain a current list of businesses in the city and also the EDC’s role regarding outreach to the new businesses. Community Development Director Hutmacher indicated that communities along Highway 96, potentially Arden Hills, Shoreview, North Oaks, and Vadnais Heights, are collaborating on a series of small business workshops. The workshops are intended to take the place of the now- defunct Shoreview-Arden Hills Business Council. Commissioner Erickson agreed that while the larger businesses such as Land O’ Lakes and Boston Scientific do not attend this type of event, they may be interested in being a sponsor. He said Deluxe does small business outreach and that they may be interested in being involved in this type of event. A discussion ensued about the EDC’s role regarding this type of collaboration and outreach effort.