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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – SEPTEMBER 17, 2025 4 <br /> <br />Senior Planner Fransen confirmed. There will be emailed communication between this meeting <br />and the event, since there are no scheduled meetings before the event. <br /> <br />Chair Murchie asked if it would be helpful to schedule a virtual meeting before the event to touch <br />base with everyone. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bonine said we can determine if that is needed as the event gets closer. A 30- <br />minute call can be thrown together at the last minute, if needed. <br /> <br />Commissioner Poelzer thought the commission could gather for a meeting after the event. She is <br />wondering if having the opening speakers outline that the EDC wants to know more about them <br />and that we want to encourage networking. That would help puff up the stage, implying more to <br />come. <br /> <br />Senior Planner Fransen said she planned to put together some talking points for the opening <br />presenters to include their “why” for being in Arden Hills and sharing the history of Main Street. <br /> <br />Commissioner Poelzer thinks it will be good for newer businesses to know the established <br />businesses are also looking to do some networking and are interested in learning about resources. <br /> <br />Senior Planner Fransen asked for any other input on the questions. <br /> <br />The commission agreed the question list is good. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bonine asked if the commissioners should be taking notes at the tables. <br /> <br />Senior Planner Fransen said that segways perfectly into confirming facilitators and note takers. <br />She said if we have our full commission of EDC members, we will have eight. It could be four <br />tables that has a facilitator and a note taker. We could split off to more tables if the turnout is high. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bonine said if something tangible comes up, we will plan to follow up with the <br />businesses. He would like there to be some paper at the table with columns where the facilitator <br />can list who spoke, what action they are seeking, and noteworthy info. He thinks if someone is <br />looking down at the paper taking notes, it can make it feel like we aren’t connecting. He’s happy <br />to take notes but they won’t be detailed. Having a form with some columns to capture the basics <br />of the conversation would be helpful and allow for follow up after the event. <br /> <br />Discussion ensued about a note sheet that somehow connects to who answered the survey <br />questions at the table so we can connect the business with the notes. <br /> <br />Commissioner Poelzer said we can provide bullet points of what we are hoping they will tell us. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bonine said there will be a time to follow up on more in-depth questions. This <br />event is trying to identify who is interested in engaging. If someone is asked a bunch of technical <br />questions they may be less likely to engage. It would be good to have an idea of what we are <br />hoping to take back, so all facilitators know to lead the discussion toward those answers. How it <br />is documented should be consistent with the other tables. <br /> <br />Chair Murchie said he will work with Staff to create an abbreviated note structure.