HomeMy WebLinkAbout2E, State of the City -Al ENJ�HILLS
Request for Council Action
2E
Prepared By: Jill Hutmacher, Community ' Work Session Date: May 21,2012
Development Director
State of the City
Budgeted Amount: Actual Amount: Funding Source:
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Discussion Topic:
1. Should a business-focused State of the City event be held in 2012? Should a resident-focused State of
the City or Town Hall event be held?
2. If so,when and where should the event be held?
3. What presentation topics should be considered?
Supporting Documents:
1. Memorandum dated May 21,2012, from Jill Hutmacher, Community Development Director.
EN HILLS
MEMORANDUM
DATE: May 21, 2012
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Jill Hutmacher, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: State of the City
Background
In 2011, the Economic Development Commission worked with staff and the City Council to hold
the City's first business-oriented State of the City event. The event was held on September 14,
2011, the Wednesday prior to Celebrating Arden Hills. Presentation topics included:
• Economic development goals;
• Financial management, property taxes, and the 2012 budget;
• Transportation improvements;
• Parks and trails plans;
• City business districts;
• Development projects; and
• The stadium proposal.
Approximately 50 people, in addition to staff and Council, attended the State of the City. The
event was well-received, and attendees reported that it was helpful.
2012 State of the City
At the May EDC meeting, Commissioners considered whether to hold a business-oriented State
of the City event in 2012. The consensus of Commissioners was that the stadium proposal was a
major draw for the 2011 event. Without a significant draw, Commissioners did not think the
event would attract enough people to make it worthwhile. Although the B-2 District
Implementation Plan is a significant project, separate public meetings will be held for that
project. The EDC suggested that a bi-annual business-oriented State of the City may be more
City of Arden Hills
City Council Work Session Meeting May 21, 2012
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likely to attract enough people to justify the expense. The cost of the 2011 State of the City
event, including advertising and catering, was approximately $2,700.
The EDC suggested that the City Council may want to consider alternating years between
business-focused and resident-focused events.
City Council Discussion Questions:
1. Should a business-focused State of the City event be held in 2012? Should a resident-
focused State of the City or Town Hall event be held?
2. If so, when and where should the event be held?
3. What presentation topics should be considered?
City of Arden Hills
City Council Work Session Meeting May 21, 2012
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