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EDC Minutes <br />February 6, 2019 <br />Page 2 of 3 <br /> <br /> <br />City Planner Mrosla said he would ask the universities if they would have a staff person that would <br />want to join the commission, and down the road consider adding a student. <br /> <br />City Planner Mrosla asked what they thought the City has done well in the past regarding economic <br />development. <br /> <br />Commissioner Brendan O’Meara said he hadn’t really seen much get done. <br /> <br />Commissioner Williams said they talk about things but not sure what they’ve actually <br />accomplished. <br /> <br />Commissioner David Radziej noted they had started a project to connect with local businesses by <br />meeting them but that seemed to have drifted, although it was a worthwhile project. <br /> <br />Commissioner Williams thought the City learned about issues businesses were having when they <br />did visits but many visits did not happen. <br /> <br />City Planner Mrosla suggested that staff do the business visits, bring the concerns back to the <br />Commission and the Commission potentially make recommendations to the City Council. He would <br />also like to develop an online tool to show vacant space and update the website with critical <br />information for business owners. <br /> <br />Commissioner Williams suggested staff schedule a business visit and then available <br />Commissioners could attend. <br /> <br />City Planner Mrosla asked if they would be interested in going on business tours some months in <br />place of having a regular meeting. He would like to have an article each month in the newsletter <br />highlighting a local business. He’d also like to create a map showing Arden Hills’ location, <br />proximity to things such as the airport and downtown, and travel times. <br /> <br />Council Liaison Steve Scott said the Council would like the Commission to make <br />recommendations. <br /> <br />City Planner Mrosla said he would like to refine business licensing program and fees. He’d like <br />the Commission to look at the program to make recommendations for potential changes. <br /> <br />Chair Dan Erickson said hosting a broker and small business networking event had been discussed <br />but to his knowledge, one had never happened. <br /> <br />Council Liaison Steve Scott noted that the Twin Cities North Chamber is having an open house <br />March 14 and everyone is welcome to attend. <br /> <br />Chair Dan Erickson thought it would be nice to get a list of Arden Hills businesses that are <br />members of that Chamber. <br /> <br />City Planner Mrosla said there would not be a March meeting due to the upcoming birth of his <br />son, but he plans to keep the Commissioners updated via emails.