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EDC Minutes <br />May 6, 2015 <br />Page 2 of 5 <br /> <br />BRE participants would be acting as representatives of the City, but that they should not try to <br />resolve problems brought up during the interviews. <br /> <br />Mr. Weinhagen noted that the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce (SPACC) would handle <br />contacting and scheduling meetings with businesses, but that BRE participants would need to <br />confirm the visits in advance. The goal is to have the schedule for interviews finalized by the end <br />of May and to complete the visits in the months of June, July, and August. <br /> <br />Mr. Weinhagen stated that participants should introduce themselves at the beginning of the <br />interview and at the end thank the business for their time and investment in the City. He <br />recommended that participants request a tour of the facilities as part of their visit. <br /> <br />Mr. Weinhagen noted that SPACC would provide businesses with a follow-up questionnaire <br />and that any issues identified during the interview would be forwarded to City staff. He added <br />that each company would receive a final copy of the BRE program results later in the year. <br /> <br />City Administrator Klaers asked how participants should respond to breaks in the conversation <br />during interviews. <br /> <br />Mr. Weinhagen commented that SPACC would be providing a one-page handout with sample <br />questions to help facilitate conservation. <br /> <br />Commissioner Erickson questioned if there was a minimum amount of time needed for an <br />interview to be worthwhile. <br /> <br />Mr. Weinhagen noted that a minimum of 30 minutes would be needed to go over the questions <br />on the survey. He commented that he expected the interviews to take approximately one hour. <br /> <br />Council Liaison Woodburn requested that SPACC provide the City Council with an update on <br />the progress of the business interviews at a future work session meeting. <br /> <br />Mr. Weinhagen commented that he would work with City staff to schedule a time to update the <br />City Council on the BRE program. <br /> <br />Jim Huninghake requested information on how the priority visit list was created. <br /> <br />Mr. Weinhagen noted that priority visit list includes companies within projected high growth <br />industry sectors, major employers in the City, and landmark businesses that have operated in the <br />City for a long period of time. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Hutmacher requested that Commissioners and participants <br />provide staff with any additional businesses they know of with high growth potential. <br /> <br />Roberta Thompson asked how participants should respond if the person being interviewed is <br />not familiar with the City’s BRE efforts.