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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-06-13 EN HILLS CITY OF ARDEN HILLS,MINNESOTA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION FEBRUARY 6, 2013 8:00 AM CITY HALL -- 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair Ed von Holtum called the meeting to order at 8:08 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Ed von Holtum and Dan Altstatt. Also Present: Council Liaison Ed Werner and Community Development Director Jill Hutmacher. 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA It was the consensus of the Commission to accept the agenda. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was the consensus of the Commission to accept the December 5, 2012, meeting minutes as presented. 3. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. New Member Recruitment Chair von Holtum reported that at the January 28, 2013, Economic Development Authority (EDA) meeting, EDA Commissioners had suggested that a letter to the editor promoting EDC membership be submitted to the Shoreview Arden Hills Bulletin. Commissioner Altstatt inquired what the EDC is asking of new members. Chair von Holtum replied that the City has a diverse business environment with many large and small businesses. As the City Council makes decisions regarding businesses, they ask for input from the EDC on the effect of Council decisions. More information and input from the business community leads to better outcomes. Chair von Holtum volunteered to draft a letter to the editor for submission to the Shoreview Arden Hills Bulletin. EDC Minutes February 6, 2013 Page 2 of 4 Chair von Holtum suggested that each EDC member bring two names of potential EDC members to each meeting. EDC Commissioners will decide how best to recruit potential members. It was the consensus of the Commission to bring names of potential new members to the next EDC meeting. B. Newsletters Community Development Director Hutmacher noted that the 2013 EDC Work Plan includes two items related to newsletters: 1) Use the City newsletter to highlight local businesses, and 2) Explore publishing an economic development newsletter. Hutmacher added that a Business News page had been added to the City website. Chair von Holtum suggested that the City newsletter articles be used to emphasize positive news on economic development. The TCAAP project is an example of a positive economic development story that is of interest to the community. Councilmember Werner offered that he could focus his annual Councilmember column in the newsletter on economic development. Commissioner Altstatt suggested that an article be written that explains why the City's local businesses are important to the City's financial stability. Chair von Holtum added that a follow-up article about the City's business districts including how they enhance the City's livability may be appreciated. After further discussion, the Commission agreed to the following newsletter schedule. Newsletter Submission Topic Assigned To Issue Deadline March February 1 Delkor Systems Jill Hutmacher May April 5 Gradient Center Jill Hutmacher June May 3 Business Contribution to the City Commissioner Dan Altstatt July June 7 Business Districts Chair Ed von Holtum Aug/Sept July 19 State of the City Promotion Jill Hutmacher October September 6 Report on State of the City TBD November October 4 Letter on Economic Development Councilmember Werner It was the consensus of the Commission to postpone discussion of an economic development newsletter until a meeting when more Commissioners could be in attendance. C. EDC Meeting Schedule EDC Minutes February 6, 2013 Page 3 of 4 Chair von Holtum reported that Commissioner Huninghake had indicated that his work conflict with regular EDC meetings is likely to end soon. It was the consensus of the EDC that the current EDC meeting schedule should not be changed for the time being. 4. UPDATES A. TCAAP Community Development Director Hutmacher reported that Ramsey County has issued a Limited Notice to Proceed to Bolander & Sons, Inc. This allows Bolander to begin working on the permitting process and work plan so that they are ready to begin site work shortly after closing which is anticipated to occur in April The Request for Proposals for the TCAAP Alternative Urban Areawide Review(AUAR), Master Plan, and Regulations & Policies was posted on the City's website on February 1, 2013. The deadline for responses is March 15, 2013. B. Business Retention and Expansion(BRE) Community Development Director Hutmacher reported that Greater MSP, the regional public-private economic development partnership, hosted a Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) meeting on January 17, 2013. The purpose of the meeting was to coordinate business visits by Greater MSP, Chambers of Commerce, cities, and other economic development entities. City staff will work with the Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce to schedule a business visit with Boston Scientific. The City will also work to schedule business visits with Smiths Medical, Exos Medical (which was recently sold to an out-of-state company), and other Arden Hills businesses. Commissioners offered to accompany City staff on business visits. C. Commission Members None. D. Council Liaison Councilmember Werner reported on recent City Council actions and the Economic Development Authority meeting that was held on January 28, 2013. The EDA approved the 2013 EDC Work Plan as well as the 2013 EDA Work Plan. EDC Minutes February 6, 2013 Page 4 of 4 Councilmember Werner reported that the City Council interviewed four candidates for the City-appointed chair of the Joint Development Authority. It was the consensus of the City Council that David Sand should be appointed. Mr. Sand has served the City as Chair of the Planning Commission and Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee. Mr. Sand is a retired attorney. The Councilmember appointments to the Joint Development Authority will be announced at the February 11, 2013, City Council meeting. E. Staff Comments Community Development Director Hutmacher notified the Commission that the March 2013 meeting will be cancelled. Community Development Director Hutmacher noted that a new agenda format is being used for Commissions and Committees, and will possibly eventually be used for City Council agendas. The City's new website includes software that makes compiling and web-posting agendas much more efficient. The software also allows agendas to be posted on the City's website that is more user-friendly for residents seeking information about items on agendas. It was the consensus of the Commission that the new agenda format was easy to use and should be used for all future EDC agendas. 5. ADJOURNMENT Chair von Holtum adjourned the meeting at 9:20 a.m. C�;eli� Ed von Holtum, Chair Jill utmacher C mmunity Development Director