HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-20-11EN HILLS
CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
APRIL 20, 2011 8:00 AM
CITY HALL - -1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Chair von Holtum called the meeting to order at 8:10 a.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Ed von Holtum, Commissioners James Huninghake and Dan Erickson.
Commissioner Rob Davidson arrived at 8:15 a.m.
Also Present: Council Liaison Brenda Holden, City Administrator Pat Klaers, and Community
Development Director Jill Hutmacher.
Absent: None.
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
It was the consensus of the EDC to accept the agenda as presented.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was the consensus of the EDC to accept the January 12, 2011 EDC minutes as presented.
UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS
Discussion took place on the interviews with local business owners and managers that the EDC
members conducted in 2009. These business contacts resulted in limited feedback that could
help in forming EDC goals for business development. Good points about the interviews include
having direct contact and "face time" with the owners and managers plus the EDC had an
opportunity to distribute the new City brochures.
Discussion took place on the business breakfast meetings that were held a few years ago. The
first breakfast was well attended but participation dropped off significantly for the follow -up
breakfast meetings. The EDC expressed interest in trying to hold the breakfast meeting again;
but doing only one per year around a "State of the City" address /theme or having high -level
elected officials as guest speakers.
EDC Minutes
April 20, 2011
Page 2 of 3
In order to improve communication between the development committees and commissions in
the City, it was decided to exchange FPAC packets with the EDC and vice versa. Having the
EDC attend the May 10 FPAC meeting to discuss TIF was discussed.
The commission discussed identifying business needs and trying to help the business address
these needs as an EDC goal. The development of plans for the B2 district was offered as an
example of this effort and that now the next step for the City was to implement the B -2 district
plan.
Gateway signage and community identity was discussed as an EDC past and current goal.
Discussion took place as to whether or not the Red Fox /Grey Fox area had any real business
needs that the EDC could help the owners as a group address.
The EDC discussed their role in helping foster business development in the City.
Commissioners stated that they feel comfortable meeting with the business community and being
the "face of the City" to the businesses.
The EDC commented that developing and improving relationships with elected officials at the
State and Federal levels could help when programs and funding are needed to help local
businesses.
Commissioner Davidson commented that because the City is aging, a goal of the EDC should be
to help advance business redevelopment proposals.
Staff commented that it plans to do some targeted research on development commissions and
structures in other cities to see how Arden Hills compares.
City Administrator Klaers noted that the meeting discussion didn't really follow the agenda and
that the commission conversation generally centered on goals and developing a work plan. It
was the consensus of the EDC to meet in June and to consider meeting more frequently than on a
quarterly basis.
3. UPDATES
A. TCAAP & Other Projects
B. Commission Members
B. Council Liaison
(No discussion took place on these topics)
EDC Minutes
April 20, 2011
Page 3 of
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m.
Minutes approved by:
Ed von Holtum, Chair
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Jill
tmacher
Co unity Development Director