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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – SEPTEMBER 17, 2025 3 <br />When they turn that in, they get entered for the raffle drawing. She said Attachment C is a quick <br />check-box survey that will only take a minute to complete at their table. The handout that Senior <br />Planner Fransen passed out today will help facilitate the table discussions. <br /> <br />Senior Planner Fransen said the table discussion questions are intended to gather more <br />qualitative information and generate a conversation. She asked if anyone had any comments about <br />the questions. <br /> <br />Commissioner Daniels said as we are trying to create connections and a sense of community, she <br />thought the questions were more informative, rather than a tool to get everyone talking amongst <br />themselves. She wondered if there is a way to make a stronger connection or build comradery. <br /> <br />Senior Planner Fransen said the intention was for everyone to introduce themselves and answer <br />the questions. That could lead into the larger discussions. She asked what types of questions will <br />make that connection. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bonine said it can be as simple as asking “what brought you here today?” after the <br />introductions. As moderators, the EDC Members need to be ready to keep engaging, once the <br />attendees open and ask follow up questions. He thinks commissioners sharing why we joined the <br />EDC and our experiences, will drive conversations, too. <br /> <br />Commissioner Daniels said it would be good to ask questions that make it clear that the people <br />at the tables are a resource for them. <br /> <br />Chair Murchie asked if it would be helpful for the commissioners to start off with that, during <br />their introductions at the table discussions. <br /> <br />Commissioner Daniels thought yes. The follow-up prompts can be to ask if they know anyone <br />experiencing similar situations. She hopes people walk away feeling like they got to know other <br />business owners in Arden Hills or even learning about a business they didn’t know about before. <br />They can make those connections so if they have a similar issue, the will know who has been in a <br />similar situation and can learn what they did. <br /> <br />Senior Planner Fransen said the goal with having a set number of questions is that we have a <br />similar discussion happening at each of the tables. She asked if there were any questions that <br />should be added. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bonine said after the intro, it would be good to have simple questions that give <br />the attendees a chance to talk about themselves. A question like “Where are you from?” can lead <br />to a story that details how they are tied to Arden Hills. That along with “What brought you here <br />today?” will go well with the structured questions regarding topics discussed earlier in the event. <br />It can help connect everyone and humanize the situation. <br /> <br />Chair Murchie said the commissioners just need to be prepared to facilitate the intro. <br /> <br />Commissioner Daniels agreed. She said if commissioners prescriptively read through the <br />questions, it won’t be fun or help with community building. <br /> <br />Chair Murchie said he will connect with Senior Planner Fransen to discuss how we can shape the <br />script for the opener of the conversations.