05-2-12 EDC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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EDC Minutes May 2, 2012 Page 2 of 7 • Community Development Director Hutmacher asked the Commission for input on whether a business-focused State of the City event should be held in 2012. Commissioner Huninghake felt the event was beneficial and well attended because of the focus on the stadium. He indicated he was not sure if it would be beneficial cost-wise for 2012. Commissioner Davidson stated he agreed with Mr. Huninghake and did not feel it would have the same draw since the stadium was no longer an issue. Council Liaison Werner questioned the cost of the event. Community Development Director Hutmacher stated the main cost was for catering and technical expenses and believes the cost would be less this year. Chair von Holtum asked how soon they needed to decide on whether or not to hold the event and felt they would need to contemplate a reason to get people to attend, like possibly the B2 district. Community Development Director Hutmacher indicated she would like to bring this to Council in May or June and would like to know if they recommend holding the event for 2012. • She indicated there would already be two public meetings regarding B2 before the State of the City event and questioned if the interest would be such that businesses would want to attend another meeting if already attending the public meetings. Discussion ensued on the current traffic issues in the B2 district and the effect on the businesses. Commissioner Erickson suggested, since the main cost was for the catering, they adjust according to the RSVP list. Community Development Director Hutmacher indicated they did adjust according to the RSVPs but that they still over-estimated because staff did not know if additional people would be showing up because of the stadium, and felt they would have a closer assumption this year. Commissioner Erickson suggested they send out the RSVPs earlier and indicate a threshold date and if not getting X amount of responses by that date, cancelling the event. City Administrator Klaers indicated the Council may then go back to a residential State of the City event. Commissioner Huninghake agreed that they hold a residential State of the City as opposed to a business State of the City. • City Administrator Klaers indicated that staff will give Council feedback on this discussion and then the Council can decide how the City should proceed.