Laserfiche WebLink
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – JANUARY 28, 2026 6 <br />of the work plan to check in in September and maybe the EDC talks to different businesses before <br />the renewal process. There may be some opportunities for the EDC to be a part of that existing <br />process beyond the process that happens in the City Clerk’s office. She asked how EDC can help <br />if a new business comes into town. She asked if there are steps the EDC can take to learn more <br />about new businesses. How can EDC involvement amplify the impact of the current process? Are <br />there handouts, documents or web pages that the EDC might suggest or offer ideas on content that <br />could help with the process? <br /> <br />Commissioner Bonine thinks we should create a subcommittee. He knows there is a lot of <br />information that will spark further discussion and conversation. We want to respect the existing <br />process in place. We gather information every time a new business comes in. It would be a <br />disservice to the city to nit-pick the process. We have to honor what is there and make subtle shifts. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Reilly said the EDC cannot change the city’s process. We <br />have an adopted standard operating procedure. We are asking EDC to help us understand how we <br />can have a better understanding about who is here. We have a 96% response rate to the annual <br />request for registrations. <br /> <br />Discussion ensued regarding how many businesses are on the list and how many of them are paying <br />a license fee. Staff is asking EDC to help find all of the businesses we are missing. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bonine asked who controls the flow of information regarding who is operating in <br />the city. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Reilly said typically cities have no idea how many <br />businesses operate in the city. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bonine said that is what we’re trying to figure out. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Reilly said the standard is that municipalities generally have <br />no idea about the number of businesses operating in their cities. This city has a great list. A retailer <br />can leave and a new retail business can move in. We have a system that requires them to talk to <br />us. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bonine thought the process is that they have to apply for something. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Reilly said it could be. There are a large number of ways that <br />the city learns about a new business. This registration process is fairly unique. Very few cities have <br />a registration program. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bonine is sensing resistance to having the EDC involved in the standard process. <br />He wondered why the city wouldn’t be open to that. He asked when was the last time the process <br />was reviewed. EDC tried in-person visits, which wound up being a lot of effort with little return. <br />The way the city communicates with the businesses is different from how EDC is looking to. The <br />city has a healthy inventory of the businesses we know of and there’s a gap. We don’t know what <br />that number is. If there is an application, why can’t we capture some of the things in the survey? <br /> <br />Community Development Director Reilly said he read the meeting minutes to understand the <br />history of this conversation. He thinks the desired outcome is to have a more complete list of <br />businesses.