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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-05-17�T_ -ARENHILII CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION APRIL 5, 2017 8:00 AM CITY HALL -- 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair Erickson called the meeting to order at 8:04 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Dan Erickson, Commissioners David Radziej, Kyle Lassen, Liz Johnson, and Rob Williams Also Present: Council Liaison Dave McClung, Senior Planner Matthew Bachler, and Deputy Clerk Jolene Trauba 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA It was the consensus of the Commission to accept the agenda as presented. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was the consensus of the Commission to accept the March 1, 2017 meeting minutes as presented. 4. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. Business Retention and Expansion Senior Planner Matthew Bachler stated that the Red Fox/Gray Fox business district will be the focus of the BRE visits this year. He noted that the priority business list and survey have been updated. He discussed the sample questions provided as guidelines. He suggested that one person be the coordinator for each business visit and that there be two Commissioners and/or staff at each visit. Chair Dan Erickson wondered if they were going to be meeting with all of the businesses on the list. Senior Planner Bachler said that the goal would be to visit all ten of the businesses on the list. EDC Minutes April 5, 2017 Page 2 of 3 Commissioner Liz Johnson suggested that when setting up the visits, the businesses should be told the topics that will be addressed. Discussion ensued regarding relationships with businesses on the list and it was determined who would be the lead Commissioner for each business visit. It was decided that the lead Commissioner will schedule the interview, then send an email to the rest of the Commission to see who would be available to participate in the visit. Senior Planner Bachler will send a list of the businesses and the corresponding lead Commissioner. Council Liaison Dave McClung stated that he would be available to go to any visit, but noted that it could change the dynamics of the meeting because he is a City Council member. B. State of the City Senior Planner Bachler reviewed the memorandum and said the purpose of the discussion was to discuss what was done in previous years at the State of the City event and begin to plan for the 2017 State of the City. Discussion ensued regarding costs of food and venue, and suggestions were made for possible new locations, including the Tavern Grill. Council Liaison McClung felt we should have a morning and evening event to reach businesses and residents. Commissioner Rob Williams wondered if the City could provide child care at the evening meeting. Chair Erickson suggested that the main focus for the morning meeting should be businesses and topics should include road construction and city projects/updates. He added that a representative from a local business could also be invited to present. Council Liaison McClung thought Land O'Lakes may be interested in coming to talk about their construction project. Commissioner David Radziej wondered if the City engineer could talk about work being done in the City instead of a representative from MNDOT. Chair Erickson noted that time set aside for business networking was essential at the morning meeting. Commissioner Williams suggested that someone from the Mounds View School District talk about how they are planning for the influx of new students from the TCAAP development. Consensus was that the morning event should focus on TCAAP and business issues, and the evening event should focus on housing and schools. EDC Minutes April 5, 2017 Page 3 of 3 5. UPDATES A. Commission Members None B. Council Liaison Council Liaison McClung stated that the Commissioners should have received an email regarding representation on the task force that will be discussing the civic property use on the TCAAP property. He suggested that the Chair be a part of the committee and one other Commissioner. He noted that the City is not a part of the Master Development Agreement discussion between Ramsey County and Alatus, but the Council is hoping for news in early May. He noted that the County Road I roundabout should be completed by the end of 2017. Chair Erickson inquired about the status of the joint meeting between the EDC and the City Council. Senior Planner Bachler said that meeting was scheduled for February but had been postponed. Council Liaison McClung noted that the Council has no issues with the Business Retention and Expansion visits going forward. C. Staff Comments The Oath of Office was given to Chair Erickson and Commissioner Lassen. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9: a.m. an Erickson, Ch 4JoInejTi-auba(, Deputy Clerk