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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06 01 16EN HILLS CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION JUNE 1, 2016 8:00 AM CITY HALL --1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair Erickson called the meeting to order at 8:05 am ROLL CALL Present: Chair Dan Erickson and Commissioners Liz Johnson and David Radziej Also Present: Senior Planner Matthew Bachler; Council Liaison Brenda Holden; and Deputy Clerk Julie Hanson 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA It was the consensus of the Commission to accept the agenda as presented. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was the consensus of the Commission to accept the May 4, 2016 meeting minutes as presented. 3. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. State of the City Senior Planner Bachler stated that this year's State of the City event will consist of a business - focused event in the morning at Flaherty's, and he noted there are four proposed dates for the event in September. The resident -focused event will take place in the evening in August or September and will have an open house format with an emphasis on the TCAAP redevelopment proj ect. Senior Planner Bachler indicated that advertising and promotion would be similar to methods used previously, but noted that the City now has a larger social media presence, and so Facebook and Twitter would be relied on more heavily than in past years. He noted that Chair Erickson suggested the City consider using an online reservation system such as Eventbrite for the business event. This system would provide not only a registration feature but would also generate reminders to those that signed up. EDC Minutes June 1, 2016 Page 2 of 3 A discussion ensued regarding delivery of postcards regarding the State of the City events and it was noted that property owners, both residential and commercial, receive this notification. The EDC members will also go directly to the businesses to deliver the postcards in person. Chair Erickson asked for statistics regarding Facebook and Twitter outreach. Senior Planner Bachler stated he could provide this information at a future meeting. Chair Erickson suggested a stronger online presence regarding event promotion such as a separate page on the City's website. Council Liaison Holden asked about notifying employees of local businesses, versus notifying one individual only within the company by postcard. Chair Erickson stated that an online tool such as Eventbrite would increase the outreach potential as it would also allow any business professional within the organization to access the information. Senior Planner Bachler stated notification is generally provided to the community relations individual at the larger companies such as Land O' Lakes and Boston Scientific. A discussion ensued regarding potential topics that Land O' Lakes or Boston Scientific could present at the business -focused event. A discussion ensued regarding the format for the business -focused event, noting that the program will include a presentation from the TCAAP Master Developer (Alatus), MnDOT/Ramsey County, and either Boston Scientific or Land O' Lakes (or potentially both companies), as well as time for networking and Q&A sessions. B. Business Retention and Expansion Program Senior Planner Bachler stated the EDC previously supported the recommendation that the City focus on the Red Fox -Grey Fox Business District for its business visits in 2016. The visits will include non -retail businesses that were not visited in 2015 and include three new businesses expected to move into this district. Senior Planner Bachler indicated the targeted businesses would receive the general BRE survey questions as well as supplementary questions that include transportation issues, changes in the business district, and why new companies have chosen to locate to Arden Hills. He also said the visits would be coordinated with the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce (SPACC) and Greater MSP to determine if either has plans to visit the same companies in order to avoid duplication. Senior Planner Bachler stated City staff will notify the EDC of all scheduled visits and while not required, Commissioners would have the option of attending if they so choose. A discussion ensued regarding relating questions from the general BRE survey to each individual company's services and needs. EDC Minutes June 1, 2016 Page 3 of 3 4. UPDATES A. Rice Creek Commons (TCAAP) Update Senior Planner Bachler stated the Joint Development Authority (JDA) selected Alatus as the Master Developer for the TCAAP redevelopment project and noted the JDA will enter into a Master Development Agreement with Alatus. Following finalization of a Master Development Agreement, Ramsey County will enter into a Purchase Agreement with Alatus. A discussion ensued regarding residential and commercial development in the TCAAP area. B. Commission Members Chair Erickson stated that Evan Cordes has expressed interest in becoming an EDC member. Senior Planner Bachler noted that he would contact Mr. Cordes, Chair Erickson, and Council Liaison Holden to schedule an interview. None. C. Council Liaison D. Staff Comments Senior Planner Bachler stated the next EDC meeting is scheduled for July 6. He said typically in the past this meeting was cancelled due to being a holiday week. He noted that the next regular meeting would be on August 3. It was the consensus of the Commission to cancel the July 6, 2016 meeting. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned x):10 am an Erickson. Chair ue Iverson Interim City Administrator