HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-02-2018 EDC MinutesIt
-AR HILLS
CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MAY 2, 2018 8:00 AM
CITY HALL -- 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96
SUMMARY OF MEETING -- NO QUORUM
Present: Commissioners Brendan O'Meara and Rob Williams
Also Present: City Planner Matthew Bachler and City Administrator Dave Perrault
Meeting opened at 8:15 a.m.
City Planner Matthew Bachler stated that there was an absence of a quorum of EDC
Commissioners. He noted that no motions or voting would occur until a quorum was recognized.
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
No quorum present
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
No quorum present
4. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS
A. State of the City
City Planner Bachler provided background information on the State of the City event and
discussed the attendance numbers, cost, and focus areas of the event in recent years.
City Planner Bachler asked whether the EDC supported holding a morning and evening State of
the City event in 2018.
Discussion ensued regarding the format of the morning and evening events. The EDC supported
holding a morning event that focused on business topics. The EDC recommended that the evening
event have a format and cover topics more suited to residents instead of businesses.
City Planner Bachler asked whether the EDC had recommendations on locations for the event.
The EDC was supportive of holding the morning event at the Tavern Grill restaurant. It was
suggested that the evening event could be held at Mounds View High School or Valentine Hills
Elementary School.
EDC Minutes
May 2, 2018
Page 2 of 2
City Planner Bachler requested that the EDC provide any other feedback on how to improve the
success of the State of the City.
The EDC suggested ways to improve the Q&A section at the morning event. One suggestion was
to have question forms that could be filled out during the presentation and reviewed by staff.
Responses could be provided for general questions relevant to local businesses, and staff could be
directed to follow-up on more specific questions or concerns.
B. Business Retention and Expansion Program
City Planner Bachler reviewed the priority visit list for the BRE program. He asked the EDC
about the progress on setting up business visits.
Commissioner Williams noted that he had a phone conversation with the owner of Northwestern
Foods. He added that he would be sending Northwestern Foods an email with follow-up questions.
C. New Business Visits
City Planner Bachler noted that staff had finished the new business brochure. He requested
volunteers to visit two new businesses that recently opened.
Commissioners Williams and O'Meara volunteered to visit the new businesses and provide
them with a copy of the brochure.
5. UPDATES
A. Commission Members
None
B. Council Liaison
Not present
C. Staff Comments
None
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 a.n
Erickson, Chair Matthew Bachler, City Planner