05-2-12 EDC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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EDC Minutes May 2, 2012 Page 4 of 7 • economic development activities would be promoted on the City's website. She indicated that the website project is not just about design, but determining what the City can and should do for economic development and how to communicate with the business community. C. Website Design Project Community Development Director Hutmacher indicated she understands that the Commissioners are not website designers, but that was not what was intended. She indicated that currently there is nothing on the website for businesses and this is the first place someone is going to look, before they even call, if they have a question (i.e. zoning for property, permits needed, how to get a business license). She indicated the information that is on the current website is not organized into one package for businesses and that is what is trying to be accomplished with the redesign. Community Development Director Hutmacher stated she has spent a lot of time looking at other websites to try to get the feel on what other cities are doing, what kind of information they have out there, and what kind of programs they are offering. She indicated that a main point of the website project is communicating to businesses and offering services that help them do business in Arden Hills. She understands that it may be frustrating to Commissioners because it is not what they want to do, but feels it is the bedrock of what the EDC needs to do and that they • can build from there after they have the bedrock. Community Development Director Hutmacher indicated she did send out e-mails to get the Commissioners' priorities and did not receive any responses. Therefore, she went ahead and included items, from website discussions over the past few months. Community Development Director Hutmacher then showed an example of a website that she felt was well designed and indicated that "Business" would be included on the City's global navigation bar which is at the top of every page on the website. Community Development Director Hutmacher stated that her goal is to have everything for the businesses in one place so that businesses do not have to search for what they are looking for. Commissioner Huninghake stated he liked the idea. Commissioner Davidson asked about the idea of having available properties in Arden Hills listed and how that was actually going to function. Community Development Director Hutmacher indicated she realized they would like that on the website but does not know yet how it will function. She suggested maybe they develop it but not turn it on until they figure out how to work it. She stated the company that is being used has a real estate module, and she thinks it is a great idea, but does not know how they can get the information on an updated basis.