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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – JUNE 25, 2025 5 <br />That’s when EDC would want to have input to say what information we specifically want to know <br />that will help us structure our outreach efforts. <br /> <br />Commissioner Gronquist said she agrees. She and Commissioner Bonine have been passionate <br />about making changes to the business license process. The people who show up to an event, will <br />be the ones who are more involved. If we have the event and it’s poorly attended, then we know <br />having quarterly events may not be the best direction to go. It will give us access to the people that <br />we can tap into to get more resources. It doesn’t make sense to put energy into connecting with <br />businesses that clearly aren’t interested in making the connection. Then once the event is over, the <br />focus will shift to business licensing. Staff could attend a meeting and discuss what the process is <br />so everyone has clarity on what we do. They can help the commissioners understand why certain <br />businesses are charged a fee and/or which ones are state mandated fees. That way the EDC won’t <br />be making suggestions that can’t be changed. We can look at the data and say all of the businesses <br />have to pay something, at that point the EDC could possibly have a little bit of that fee to help with <br />the initiatives on the work plan. If there is a way to create a business fund that can be used to help <br />promote businesses then maybe owners would be more inclined to participate. <br /> <br />Chair Murchie said for the event we will need volunteers. The key component is the agenda and <br />how we get learnings out of the event. It’s up to us to determine what we want to know from people <br />so that can inform the work plan which will then, inform what we work on next year. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bonine suggested EDC should focus on the business event for now and put the <br />business licensing conversation on hold. He asked how many meetings will be required to have <br />this discussion and he wondered how soon before the next round of licensing staff would need the <br />EDC’s feedback. <br /> <br />Senior Planner Fransen said if the group wants to say we’re doing the event this year and we can <br />look at the business license process next. Then we can systematically work on those in subsequent <br />meetings. There is the option for EDC to schedule more meetings that may allow us to take those <br />two items and move them forward. She would recommend updating the work plan to highlight the <br />two items the commission want to work on in 2025. Today’s presentation on the Business <br />Licensing is just some background information to get the conversation started. Discussions will be <br />at a future meeting. We can bring back milestones that the group can be aware of for the fee <br />schedule and adoption at the City Council. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bonine asked how soon the business licensing feedback would be needed. <br /> <br />Senior Planner Fransen said if that City Council conversation takes place in November, then the <br />EDC would have the August or October meetings to discuss. There is the opportunity to add a <br />meeting in July and September, if more time is needed for these agenda items. <br /> <br />City Administrator Jagoe said she is hearing interest in looking at the business licensing. That <br />may be fees or the form or any variety of things. We have enough at the Staff level to work with <br />the Council Liaison to try to present something at one of the July work sessions. We can do a quick <br />update to the Council explaining the strategies the commission want to discuss at their August <br />meeting. That will give us a check point. It will help inform the work that needs to be done in <br />November. <br /> <br />Commissioners agreed with that strategy. <br />