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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – JULY 23, 2025 12 <br />Senior Planner Fransen said the ask for the next meeting is being prepared with how you can be <br />involved in the outreach. How do we get bodies in chairs? How are we leveraging existing <br />connections? How are we creating new connections? <br /> <br />4. COMMENTS AND REPORTS <br /> <br />A. Report from the City Council <br /> <br />Council Liaison Rousseau said Council is starting budget discussions. One rule is we have to set <br />a preliminary levy. We set that higher because once the preliminary levy is set, there is no option <br />to go higher than that. It can be reduced, but not increased. She said this is a good time to discuss <br />any funding needs the Commission may want to request. She said there was $300,000 budgeted <br />for gateway signs, about half of that was moved to a different fund to offset the levy increase. If <br />there is an appetite to explore gateway signs in the future, that can be built back up. <br /> <br />Council Liaison Rousseau said the Council has been discussing zoning updates at the work <br />sessions. She encouraged the commission to look at the proposed changes to the Business Districts. <br />If there are any concerns, Council can take a second look at some of those changes. She encouraged <br />them to email her if there are any concerns. <br /> <br />Council Liaison Rousseau said the Park Survey is available on the website. They would <br />appreciate as much participation as possible. <br /> <br />Commissioner Poelzer wondered if one of the yard signs could be placed in the garden so people <br />would see it when they are coming and going. <br /> <br />Council Liaison Rousseau said Staff is sending out a post card with a specific QR Code for that <br />mailing. So Staff can discern how many responses were received based on that unique code. That <br />may be something for EDC to consider for future mailings, if this is successful. <br /> <br />Commissioner Poelzer said she talked with someone on the PTRC and they said the QR Code is <br />extremely important. She thought we could ask businesses to post it in their window so their <br />customers will see it, even if they aren’t actively using the parks and trails. <br /> <br />B. Economic Development Commission Comments <br /> <br />Commissioner Poelzer said the Arden Hills Verizon will be having a backpack give away on <br />Sunday, July 27. They are looking for businesses to support them with facepainting and other <br />activities. <br /> <br />ADJOURNMENT <br /> <br />A motion was made by Chair Brausen and seconded by Commissioner Gronquist to adjourn. <br />Motion passed unanimously <br /> <br />The meeting adjourned at 9:07 a.m. <br />