05-27-26 EDC Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – APRIL 22, 2026 4 and locations. She understands this is an additional meeting. If the EDC meeting falls on the same day as the months when Arden Hills hosts, that can count as the EDC meeting. Discussion ensued regarding the Fire Department presentation at the event. Commissioners think the public would be interested in knowing how many calls the fire department answers and the mutual aid calls they go on in support of other cities. Further discussion ensued on the communication coordinator position. Chair Murchie asked how EDC can play a role in these business events. Are the chamber meetings of value to business owners? How can the EDC use those meetings to build the bridge between businesses, residents and the city? Commissioner Bonine said visibility is important for the city at those events. Business owners will attend based on their schedule and on the topics. It’s a marketing event. If the topic isn’t relevant owners just won’t go. He thinks targeted meetings would be a better way: realtors one time, maybe restaurants. Otherwise, it’s a variety show where you sit through an hour meeting and 15 minutes were relevant. Council Liaison Rousseau said she is interested in identifying businesses with targeted meetings. Commissioner Shrom said most attendees were there to network and the presentation filled the majority of the scheduled time. If she were a business owner she thinks she would attend such events to network, not necessarily to hear the speaker. Senior Planner Fransen asked if the city presentation portion was of interest to those that attended. Commissioner Brausen noted the fire department has a really good rating which is helpful for businesses because that lowers the insurance rates for businesses. Commissioner Shrom said the fire department was talking about the new building. She thinks it would be better to highlight the low rating. Business owners talk about money. Council Liaison Rousseau said there is a franchise fee on resident’s utility bills that is paying for the fire department building. Commissioner Poelzer said we had the Sheriff at the October gathering. They did a really good lead and then reinforced with examples. It’s important for speakers to include why it matters to business to keep attendees interested. She said she would like to see networking opportunities at the beginning and another time at the end. Having a table with printed information can make a difference. Council Liaison Rousseau said if you are going to carve out time the speakers need to be aware of what they have for time. Community Development Director Reilly said the Business Connect event is free because it’s sponsored by the city. We have control over how the Arden Hills meeting runs. We have no control when it’s Shoreview’s turn. He agreed the presentation was long in Shoreview. The EDC needs to decide if we want to have the EDC meeting in June or replace the June meeting with the Business Connect event.