06-20-23-WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — JUNE 20, 2023 3 Councilmember Rousseau asked if they could have it later in the day, maybe 5:00 or 6:00 p.m. or does 7:00 a.m. work better for attendance? Mayor Grant said it seemed to work better for the business community. The last one was at Boston Scientific and he didn't particularly like the venue. They have tried meetings at night but no one showed up. At 7:00 they can have refreshments and that's a draw for people. Mornings seem to work better based on their history. Councilmember Monson felt 7:00 a.m. was a little too early, do they have coffee until 7:30 and then it starts? Mayor Grant said they could have casual discussions between 7:00 and 7:30, and the formal presentation at 7:30. Councilmember Monson thought even 8:00 would be OK. It might be particularly hard for people with children to be there at 7:00. She liked the morning meeting. Councilmember Holden said she thought they should have it this fall and it should be at Flaherty's or the Tavern Grill. Councilmember Fabel suggested they have the event in January. Mayor Grant explained that they will go through the budgeting process, then they get to construction season, and in September kids are back in school and it seems like sweet spot; they have things to talk about and people want to go. He recommended early September. Councilmember Fabel said he agreed with an evening event as last year's meeting wasn't well attended. Councilmember Holden mentioned that last year they didn't send postcards and advertise like they had in the past. Mayor Grant felt the issue was in part due to the venue. Flaherty's and the Tavern Grill are always packed. It also could have been a little of residual COVID. After further discussion it was determined to hold the event in the fall with a slightly later start time. The venue should be somewhere people could easily find. Mayor Grant said he'd like to follow the same format as last year where everyone gets a topic. B. Twin Cities Gateway Grant Discussion Mayor Grant stated there is a balance of $15,380 to use. He suggested allocating half to the ribfest and half to Bethel College. Councilmember Holden said the Quality Inn is hurting because of the construction on Lexington and she wondered if there was something they could do for this small hotel in the community to help them survive.