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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-19-11� EN HILLS CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION OCTOBER 19, 20118:00 AM CITY HALL --1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 CALL ME�TING TO ORDER Chair Ed von Holtum called the meeting to order at 8:08 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: Chair �d von Holtum, Commissioners Jim Huninghake and Rob Davidson. Also Present: Council Liaison Brenda Holden, City Administrator Patrick Klaers, and Community Development Director Jill Hutmacher. Absent: Commissioner Dan Erickson. 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Davidson moved and Commissioner Huninghake seconded a motion to approve the agenda as presented. The motion was approved unanimously 3— 0. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Huninghake moved and Commissioner Davidson seconded a motion to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was approved unanimously 3— 0. 3. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. State of the City Event Discussion took place regarding the State of the City event. Commissioners were pleased with the event and the turn-out from the business community. Approximately 50 businesses and residents attended. Including Councilmembers, commission and committee members, and staff, the State of the City event had approximately 78 attendees. Councilmember Holden asked commissioners whether a similar event should be held next year. Commissioners responded that the City should hold a State of the City event, but it will be important to choose a topic such as TCAAP development or the B-2 Implementation Plan that is a draw to the business community. Generally Commissioners preferred a narrow focus on EDC Minutes October 19, 2011 Page 2 of 4 specific topics of interest to the business com�nunity. Transportation is always a concern of businesses. Commissioners discussed options for promoting the event. Staff and Commissioners may consider going door-to-door to each business next year. Commissioners acknowledged that it is difficult to get beyond the general indifference of businesses to the community in which they are located. B. B-2 District Implementation Plan Community Development Director Hutmacher presented a"virtual tour" of streetscape and corridor projects in Shakopee, Hopkins, St. Louis Park, and Osseo that was provided to the City Council at the October 17, 2011 work session meeting. At that meeting, the City Council directed staff to negotiate a contract with Bolton & Menk for Phase I of the B-2 Implementation Plan. EDC Commissioners urged that the City do everything possible to promote businesses along the County Road E corridor. Commissioners acknowledged that new streetscape does not necessarily lead to redevelopment, but cautioned that if the City: does not invest in the B-2 District, it will continue to deteriorate. Hutmacher noted that the timeline for the B-2 Implementation Plan will be aligned to the reconstruction of the bridge over Highway 51 in 2014 or 2015. C. 2012 EDC Work Plan Community Development Director Hutmacher presented potential items for the 2012 EDC Work Plan and asked for Commissioners' feedback. Commissioners generally supported the work plan proposal but questioned whether Gateway Signs should be included in the work plan. Hutmacher responded that it had been identified as a City Council goal for 2012, and staff would appreciate EDC feedback on issues related to Gateway Signs as that project moves forward. EDC Commissioners discussed opportunities for business outreach. Commissioners are strongly in favor of using the City newsletter to highlight and promote local businesses. A newsletter initiative was previously pursued by the EDC, but was discontinued due to Communications Committee content guidelines. In 2012, EDC Commissioners would like to revisit the issue of using the City newsletter for economic developnnent. Commissioners would like to review and possibly update the business information packet in 2012. Hutmacher added that the website redesign project provides an apportunity to promote businesses and provide economic development information on the City's website. EDC Minutes October 19, 2011 Page 3 of 4 Staff will present a draft 2012 EDC work plan for Commissioners' consideration at the December meeting. Council Liaison Holden noted that the work plan does not need to go to the City Council for approval. D. EDC Meeting Schedule The revised EDC meeting schedule was reviewed. Commissioner Davidson moved, and -- Commissiorier Huninghake seconded- a�notiori to k61d; starting in December, EDC meetings on the first Wednesday of the month, 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in the Arden Hills Council Chambers. The motion carried unanimously 3— 0. 4. UPDATES A. TCAAP & Stadium Development Community Development Director Hutmacher summarized the findings of the Metropolitan Council's Stadium Proposal Risk Analysis. She added that the Governor had announced his intention of calling a special legislative session for November 21 through 23 prior to the Thanksgiving holiday. B. City Website Redesign Project Community Development Director Hutmacher asked Commissioners to review websites of Plymouth, Maple Grove, Woodbury, Brooklyn Park, and other municipal websites to get ideas of how cities use their websites for economic development and business promotion. The December EDC meeting will be focused on the website redesign process and developing recommendations for using the website as an economic development tool. C. Commission Members Chair von Holtum said that he has attempted to recruit new commissioners, but has so far been unsuccessfuL D. Council Liaison Councilmember Holden asked that copies of the business information packets and a list of business owners that attended the State of the City event be provided to EDC Commissioners. Councilmember Holden updated the EDC on Bethel University's master planning process and their acquisition of the former library site on County Road E2. EDC Minutes October 19, 2011 Page 4 of 4 s � E. Staff Comments The next EDC meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 7, 20ll, at 8:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers. 5. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Davidson moved, and Commissioner Huninghake seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously 3— 0. The meeting adjourned at 9:32 a.m. Minutes approved by: � � ry f� _ _.. / Z _ _.� Ed von Holtum, Chair Jill H acher Co unity Development Director •