HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-28-26 EDC Agenda Packet
Chair:
• Jud Murchie
Commissioners:
• Ted Brausen
• Bobby Bonine
• Jessica Daniels
• Kyle Sorenson
• Kristine Poelzer
• Ihsan Isak
• Kayleigh Shrom
Council Liaison:
Councilmember Emily
Rousseau
Arden Hills
Economic
Development
Commission Meeting
January 28, 2026
1245 W. Highway 96
Arden Hills, MN 55112
651.792.7800
www.cityofardenhills.org
City Vision
A strong community that values our unique environment, our fiscal soundness,
and our tradition as a desirable city in which to live, work, and play.
Agenda
Regular Economic Development Commission Convenes 7:30 AM
Call to Order
1. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. December 17, 2025
3. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS
A. 2026 Meeting Schedule
B. EDC Vice Chair
C. 75th Anniversary Feedback Recap
D. EDC Work Plan
4. COMMENTS AND REPORTS
A. Report from the City Council
B. Economic Development Commission Comments
5. ADJOURNMENT
A quorum of the City Council may be present at this meeting.
Meeting materials are available online at:
http://www.cityofardenhills.org/agendacenter
CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA
Special ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
DECEMBER 17, 2025
7:30 A.M. – ARDEN HILLS COMMUNITY ROOM
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Jud Murchie, Commissioners Ted Brausen, Julie Gronquist, Kristine
Poelzer, Bobbie Bonine, Ihsan Isak, and Youth Commissioner Kayleigh Shrom
Absent: Commissioners Jess Daniels and Kyle Sorenson
Also Present: Senior Planner Elena Fransen, Community Development Director Jake Reilly,
Council Liaison Emily Rousseau, Councilmember Tena Monson and
Councilmember Brenda Holden
1. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Chair Murchie called the meeting to order at 7:38
A motion was made by Commissioner Poelzer and seconded by Commissioner Brausen to
approve the agenda as amended. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Poelzer would like to add an update on Accessory Dwelling Units to the agenda.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. November 5, 2025
A motion was made by Commissioner Brausen and seconded by Commissioner Gronquist
to approve the November 5, 2025 minutes, as written. Motion passed unanimously.
3. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS
A. 75th Anniversary Update
Councilmember Holden outlined that the Arden Hills 75th Anniversary Celebration will be on
Friday, July 17. It will be at Cummings Park; the Penny Carnival will be first. There will be a band
for younger age groups. A car show will be held and another band will play later in the evening.
The drone show will last about 15 minutes. Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce will fund
the drone show. Their logo will be shown during the display on the drones. She is seeking input
on what we should charge for sponsors at the different levels.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – DECEMBER 17, 2025 2
Discussion ensued about the large corporations in Arden Hills and which ones may sponsor certain
portions of the celebration.
Commissioner Brausen said we can put it out there and see what the reaction is.
Councilmember Monson said we don’t have time to start high and lower it. It may be better to
have smaller amounts available to sponsor some of the amenities like bounce houses.
Commissioner Gronquist thinks $5,000 seems like a reasonable ask for the drone sponsor as long
as there are smaller opportunities for the smaller businesses.
Commissioner Bonine said he has seen $1,500 for petting zoo and a score board sponsorship is
about $5,000 for a season. He thinks it would be good to have other places where the company is
mentioned.
Discussion ensued regarding who to contact at the big businesses. Staff may have some contact
info.
Councilmember Monson said the big companies are hit up all the time. There may be restrictions
in their policies.
Chair Murchie asked if volunteers are needed. He said some companies may be more likely to
provide bodies. Maybe the employees volunteer and have T-shirts. He pointed out banks and
financial institutions often have programs that encourage their employees to volunteer.
Commissioner Poelzer said an Old National employee attended the Flaherty’s business event.
She said Transwestern is a very large employer with buildings everywhere.
Councilmember Holden said they are getting a list of the businesses as well as non-profits that
the surrounding cities use. Councilmember or EDC Member can reach out to those businesses.
Commissioner Bonine said some businesses may prefer to just write a check. He said it feels good
to know where the money is going. He said we should outline what the money is going toward.
Smaller donors may donate if there are smaller amounts available.
Councilmember Holden said the bands are $6,000 each, the drone show is $20,000. This will all
go toward the event.
Commissioner Brausen said getting the message out sooner rather than later will be key.
Discussion ensued that the Gateway funds can only be used for advertising the event and cannot
be spent on supplies, attractions or activities.
Councilmember Monson said she thinks we need to reach $20,000, not including the drone show.
She said they are hoping there will be a beer garden.
Councilmember Holden said there is security required. We are getting up to around $40,000. She
said she doesn’t think there is really a big need for volunteers.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – DECEMBER 17, 2025 3
Commissioner Poelzer asked if there will be a commemorative T-shirt that could list all of the
sponsors on the back.
Councilmember Holden said there will be a poster for the sponsoring businesses to display. There
will be signs that show sponsors, as well.
Commissioner Poelzer said the T-shirts can be giveaways or maybe they are for sale for a $10 or
$20 with the anniversary logo. She thinks it is a revenue pull for small businesses. She visited
smaller businesses for the October EDC event and she would be happy to reach out to businesses.
Commissioner Bonine said the sponsorship form shows a kid area. He asked what that is. He
thinks the booth space seems light. He thinks the kids’ activity area could ask for $500 for the
bounce house. If there is a table there maybe that’s $250.
Chair Murchie thought there could be a 5K walk the next day that could go from Cummings to
Lindy’s. That would bring walkers right past all of the businesses.
Councilmember Holden said she is interested in finding ways to get people to the business area.
Discussion ensued regarding how the booth space can be higher price because they’ll be there all
day. Most places are going to prefer to write a check vs. setting up a 10x10 booth.
Councilmember Monson would like to see this be a launching point for an annual event. She said
the role of the EDC is to support this event. She said we can build our team that way.
Discussion ensued regarding how much is needed. Commissioners thought $40,000 sounds like a
small amount.
Commissioner Poelzer said we can go to the businesses and ask how much they would donate
and what they would expect for that amount.
Commissioner Bonine said he thinks the band sponsor should be $2,500. He said the form doesn’t
outline what each sponsor level gets the business. He said if we need $40,000, we can back into
what we need with smaller amounts.
Chair Murchie said the purpose of the EDC is to build connections in the business community.
Having an Arden Hills walk the next day could help build a bridge with the business community
and it helps people see what and where the businesses are.
Commissioner Bonine agrees we want something more sustainable for the businesses rather than
just a logo.
Chair Murchie suggested an Arden Hills Business Day on the following day. We can do a
business passport. That would help attract sponsors and would benefit the business.
Commissioner Bonine said there could be a passport that includes all participating businesses.
Commissioner Brausen said the sponsorship opportunities should be offered to Arden Hills
businesses first.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – DECEMBER 17, 2025 4
Councilmember Monson said encouraging people to visit the businesses is a great idea. Is this
swag, is it the passport? We want to do the advertising throughout the year.
Commissioner Poelzer said branding could be offered on various merchandise. Some people like
a hat, some want T-shirts and sweatshirts. Most people don’t have stock. They take orders and
order the amount paid for so you don’t have left overs. She thinks people would purchase items
like that.
Senior Planner Fransen said there are a lot of great ideas. She said we can summarize the
discussion and share the recommendations with the 75th Anniversary Committee. We want to
engage businesses during the event and after.
Councilmember Monson thinks a 5K walk may be difficult, logistically. She said she would like
EDC to help with outreach.
Discussion ensued regarding promoting bicycling to the event and having extra bike corrals.
Commissioner Poelzer said maybe we want to consider something special for only Arden Hills
residents or Mounds View students.
Senior Planner Fransen will follow up with Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky about the
sponsor amounts discussed here. She will bring this back to the January EDC meeting.
Discussion ensued regarding how the drone show works. Will the logos be shown the whole time
or will it just be flashed for a few seconds?
Commissioner Bonine said that should be clarified before we ask companies to sponsor.
Commissioner Poelzer asked if the band in the evening could be set up on the tennis courts where
there could be a dance floor. It would be a cool thing.
Councilmember Monson said it may be good to have EDC members on the 75th committee. It
could fast track some of these things. She asked commissioners to connect with Staff if they are
interested.
B. EDC Work Plan
Senior Planner Fransen said the draft work plan is in the agenda packet. She said there are three
buckets that were identified. She called out some specifics under each bucket. She said the list is
long. Her goal is to pare it down a bit and prioritize the plan.
Senior Planner Fransen said a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) can be established for some
of these items. She said we can be in contact with the communications coordinator. The adopt a
park program was identified as something the EDC can help with but it still falls under the PTRC.
Commissioner Bonine thinks the business license/registration process is priority. He said
outreach to businesses is difficult when we don’t have a system in place that gathers information.
At minimum every business in the city should have to submit their information. We have a roster.
Staff needs to manage that program. It is not about chasing the businesses down; it’s reminding
them about it.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – DECEMBER 17, 2025 5
Commissioner Poelzer agrees. She thinks the fees need to be clarified. The fees aren’t welcoming.
This looks like we’re doing a money grab. Without a registration fee, we ask they just tell us
they’re here. She agrees we need to have a way to have everyone included.
Commissioner Gronquist said we have talked about the licensing fees but keep missing the
window. We may need to start earlier to make any change.
Chair Murchie said individual sub committees may help keep things moving between meetings.
Council Liaison Rousseau said sometimes the Chair will come to City Council and share the
work plan for approval. That discussion may give guidance on prioritization.
Chair Murchie said he thought there is a plan to bring it to Council.
Senior Planner Fransen outlined the draft work plan should be complete by March and the EDC
can bring it to Council in April. The final work plan can be approved by June. She said drilling
down what is NOT working will be important. The EDC can help with identifying and contacting
businesses that aren’t being reached.
Commissioner Bonine asked if the City is open to have it be a requirement. It has to be a Staff
decision.
Community Development Director Reilly said that is an excellent point. How do we become an
effective municipality with business participation? For the first time in a while, we are fully staffed.
There is great intention but no follow-through.
Councilmember Monson said we also had strategic planning.
Community Development Director Reilly agreed this fits into the strategic plan by the buckets
that Senior Planner Fransen created. We have to work through this first year. It may be 6 months
into the year before we start working on it. He said possibly by the July meeting.
Commissioner Bonine said the work plan is empty. We have been blindly walking through this
process. The City has to know who is in the buildings. If there is a consistent pattern with the
landlords we need to have something that is enactable. He feels like the EDC is just waiting for
their terms to end. There has to be a purpose.
Community Development Director Reilly said that is what we are looking at today.
Discussion ensued regarding who is responsible for compliance.
Council Liaison Rousseau said the EDC can bring those process failures to City Council.
Councilmember Monson said Council will support this. She isn’t a fan of someone turning in a
blank form to a business to have them complete it. She said she supports committee members
bringing concrete info.
Council Liaison Rousseau said staff can’t move forward without Council approval.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – DECEMBER 17, 2025 6
Commissioner Bonine said this is a big lift. Maybe EDC brings info forward. What holds this up
is there are so many unknowns.
Senior Planner Fransen said there have been discussions regarding the process. She thought we
can put together a better visual of the process and look for weak links and then suggest how it can
be improved. We can talk about what is missing.
Commissioner Bonine understands EDC is just starting back up. This hasn’t been a priority.
Chair Murchie said businesses don’t understand what benefit they may get by registering. What
is the value for the business? We can say its required. But if there were a benefit to the business it
would feel more welcoming and help connect businesses to the City.
Councilmember Monson said newsletter features are difficult because it can be seen as the
government supporting certain businesses.
Chair Murchie said there are different businesses. We could highlight certain businesses based
on the season. He said you can highlight how each business may be able to help fulfill a need.
Commissioner Poelzer said it is hard to see business items take space in the newsletter. She
envisions an insert. She thinks it needs to go to the residents as well as anyone who frequents the
businesses. We can outline business details.
Chair Murchie said the point is businesses need to see a benefit. How can we create that bridge?
If the work plan makes sense to us, we can build out the proposal. That’s the whole point.
Commissioner Brausen said a welcome package can be offered to new businesses.
Senior Planner Fransen said discussion on the licensing and registration will be in January.
C. 2026 Meeting Schedule
The next meeting will be on January 28, 2026. Staff has identified monthly meetings would be
beneficial. She will incorporate the dates for the chamber meetings.
4. COMMENTS AND REPORTS
A. Report from the City Council
Council Liaison Rousseau said there will be two openings on the EDC. She said the Economic
Development Authority (EDA) can help guide economic development. Council opened two spots
to include two EDC members on the EDA. The Mayor will determine the selection process. She
asked if there are any commissioners interested.
Chair Murchie and Commissioner Brausen said they would be interested.
Council Liaison Rousseau will touch base with the commissioners who aren’t present. The Mayor
will make his recommendation and the full council will approve.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – DECEMBER 17, 2025 7
B. Economic Development Commission Comments
Commissioner Poelzer would like to discuss Accessory Dwelling Units at a future meeting
and how they relate to what the EDC does.
5. ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Commissioner Brausen seconded by Commissioner Gronquist to
adjourn at 9:04. Motion passed unanimously
Page 1 of 2
EDC AGENDA ITEM – 3A
MEMORANDUM
DATE: January 28, 2026
TO: Economic Development Commission Chair and Commission Members
FROM: Elena Fransen, AICP, Senior Planner
SUBJECT: EDC Meeting Frequency in 2026
Requested Action
The Economic Development Commission to consider the frequency of meetings in 2026 and
moving from meeting on the 4th Wednesday of even months to the 4th Wednesday of every month.
Background
In 2025, the EDC met monthly except at the beginning of the year (January, March, May).
Meetings became more frequent as the EDC prepared to hold an event with local businesses in
October. The October 8 meeting was partially remote and allowed for two commissioners to join
via Microsoft Teams.
The proposed monthly meeting dates for 2026 are as follows:
January 28
February 25
March 25
April 22
May 27
June 24
July 22
August 26
September 23
October 28
November 18 (moved from November 25 so as not to fall on the day before Thanksgiving)
December 16 (moved from December 23 so as not to fall on the day before Christmas Eve)
*December 16 is likely the date of the December Arden Hills/Shoreview Twin Cities North
Chamber of Commerce business event as it is the third Wednesday of the month. Alternative
options for a December EDC meeting are:
Wednesday, December 8
Tuesday, December 15
Thursday, December 17
Page 2 of 2
Meeting dates may be subject to change depending on agenda topics, other EDC related events,
EDC commissioner availability. In 2025, the EDC adopted a meeting policy that any additional
meetings would require three weeks’ notice to commission members.
Options
- Adopt the proposed meeting schedule
- Amend the proposed meeting schedule
Next Steps
Staff will take the recommendation from the EDC and update the meeting schedule.
Page 1 of 1
EDC AGENDA ITEM – 3B
MEMORANDUM
DATE: January 28, 2026
TO: Economic Development Chair and Commission Members
FROM: Elena Fransen, AICP, Senior Planner
SUBJECT: EDC Vice-Chair
Requested Action
Staff is requesting the Economic Development Commission discuss Vice Chair appointment for
2026.
Background
The roles of Chair and Vice Chair for the Economic Development are appointed annually. The
Chair facilitates the EDC meeting by working through the agenda and guiding Commission
meetings. The Vice Chair is available to fill in if the Chair is absent. The Chair role is appointed
by the City Council and the Vice Chair is selected by members of the Commission. The term length
for both roles is one year.
At the January 12 City Council meeting, Jud Murchie was appointed to the role of Chair. Staff is
asking the Economic Development Commission members to consider if they are interested in the
Vice Chair role and would like to be considered for appointment for the 2026 term.
Next Steps
The EDC shall discuss selections for Vice Chair.
Attachment
N/A
Page 1 of 2
EDC AGENDA ITEM – 3C
MEMORANDUM
DATE: January 28, 2026
TO: Economic Development Commission Chair and Commission Members
FROM: Elena Fransen, AICP, Senior Planner
SUBJECT: 75th Anniversary Feedback Update
Requested Action
Review compilation of EDC feedback about the 75th Anniversary Celebration sponsorship policy.
Background
At the December 17, 2026 EDC meeting, Council Members Monson and Holden asked the EDC
for feedback on the sponsorship policy for the 75th Anniversary Celebration. The Council Members
sought feedback on the sponsorship tier levels and how best to involve local businesses in the
event.
Discussion ensued with several suggestions and staff shared that they would work on consolidating
the feedback to share back to the EDC before passing along to the 75th Anniversary Committee.
Discussion
Staff reviewed meeting notes and minutes and came up with the following notes:
Sponsorship levels –
Increase the booth space level to $250
Increase the Kid’s Activity level to $500
Increase the Band level to $2,500
Include the number of sponsorships available at each tier.
Connecting to businesses
Produce a poster that business sponsors can display within Arden Hills locations.
Create a T-shirt that can include sponsor information on the back, could also be a source
of revenue. Individuals could preorder the T-shirt before the order is placed to manage
costs.
Coordinate with businesses to encourage event attendees to shop in Arden Hills the
weekend of the event, possibly with a business passport that businesses could stamp.
Page 2 of 2
Other suggestions
Committee could work with nonprofit organization to provide bike corrals at the event to
encourage attendees to bike.
Consider a fun run/walk the weekend of the event to encourage participants to explore
Arden Hills areas with stops near business areas.
Next Steps
Staff will make updates based on the EDC discussion and verify the final draft with a designated
EDC member. Once the final draft is solidified, staff will share the feedback with staff liaison for
the 75th Anniversary Committee.
Attachments
None
Page 1 of 3
EDC AGENDA ITEM – 3D
MEMORANDUM
DATE: January 28, 2026
TO: Economic Development Commission Chair and Commission Members
FROM: Elena Fransen, AICP, Senior Planner
SUBJECT: EDC Work Plan: Business License and Registration process
Requested Action
Revisit the Business License and Registration process and continue the discussion about work plan
ideas for the EDC.
Background
The City Council’s Strategic Plan includes the adoption of an Economic Development
Commission work plan. In 2026, the City Council is tentatively scheduled to review the work plan
at an April 2026 work session and adopt the work plan at a City Council meeting in June 2026.
Next steps for preparing the work plan include prioritizing the goals and themes, identifying
resource needs from City staff and members of the EDC, budget requests, and standard operating
procedure needs. Metrics and a timeline must also be established.
At the December EDC meeting, the work plan discussion focused on the business license and
registration process. Several commissioners agreed that this process of gathering information
about local businesses is an EDC priority and is critical to the EDC fulfilling its responsibilities to
connect businesses to the city. Members of the EDC identified in past conversations about the
business license and registration process that it offers an opportunity to learn more about local
businesses and inform the EDC’s work.
Discussion
Staff asks the EDC to review the business license and registration process with the following
considerations:
• How could the EDC help communicate with local businesses about the business license
and registration process?
• Are there steps where the EDC could learn more information about new businesses?
• How could EDC member involvement amplify the impact of current steps in the process?
Page 2 of 3
•Would it be helpful to create any new handouts or documents to aid in understanding and
sharing the process?
The EDC may also consider how the business license and registration process relates to the draft
work plan.
While reviewing and refining the draft work plan, consider and discuss the following topics:
-Considering the stated duties and goals, does the draft accurately reflect the EDC mission?
- Are there desired outcomes and/or goals missing the EDC would like to consider?
What approaches to rank or organize the duties and goals are most useful from your perspective:
- Based on level of importance to the EDC mission
- Based on the available resources required of staff and members of the EDC
- Based on new budget needs (to be identified)
- Based on perceived need to identify and create a standardized approach
- Based on something else
Next Steps
Staff will review the EDC suggestions and draft a proposal for where and how the EDC can assist
supporting business outreach within the established business license and registration process.
Following internal review with the City Clerk’s office, the EDC will review the revisions at a later
meeting. Below is a tentative timeline for the EDC work plan.
Timeline (tentative)
Meeting Proposed Tasks Tasks
January EDC Meeting Review draft work plan; coordinate
next steps for drafting EDC tasks
Review business
license/registration
February EDC
Meeting
Review draft SOPs for prioritized items
March EDC Meeting EDC confirms draft to be shared with the
City Council
April CC Work
Session
EDC and City Council discuss draft EDC
Work Plan
April EDC Meeting EDC reviews Council feedback about the
Work Plan
May EDC Meeting EDC review updated Work Plan for
consideration at Council
Page 3 of 3
June CC Meeting City Council adopts EDC Work Plan
Attachments
A – Business License and Registration Process
B – Draft EDC Work Plan for discussion
C – Work Plan Ranking sheet
Business applies for sign/building
permit
Business submits/renews
application
City Clerk’s office issues
license/registration to business
City Clerk’s office adds business
to list posted on website
City Clerk’s office contacts
business for renewal
October/November
Staff identifies
applicant as a new
business
City Clerk’s office provides
application to businessBusiness applies for zoning review
Business sets up utility billing
Other (social media, word of mouth,
etc.)
New business moves into Arden Hills
Business inquires about required
license
Possible EDC action?
New business moves into Arden Hills
Staff identifies a new
business and sends info to
City Clerk’s office
City Clerk’s office contacts
business for initial
license/registration
Possible EDC action?
City Clerk’s office contacts
business for initial
license/registration
Business submits a
license/registration application
Possible EDC action?
City Clerk’s office issues
license/registration to
business and posts to website
City Clerk’s office contacts
business to renew (Oct/Nov)
Possible EDC action?
Economic Development Commission (EDC)
2026-2027 Work Plan (Draft)
EDC Purpose and Mission
The mission of the Arden Hills Economic Development Commission is to build lasting
connections with and support for the local business community to foster a thriving local economy
and to advise the City Council and Economic Development Authority on economic development,
redevelopment, and related community development issues.
Main Duties
Create intentional spaces for Arden Hills business community to connect
Support City business engagement operations
Increase awareness of Arden Hills as a distinct destination for patrons and businesses
Meetings
• Fourth Wednesday of the month at 7:30 a.m.
2026-2027 Goals
Connection: Create intentional spaces for Arden Hills business community to connect
- Newsletter – Feature Arden Hills businesses in X issues of the Arden Hills Notes
Newsletter
- Social Events – Coordinate X social events for businesses
- Knowledge sharing events – Coordinate X knowledge sharing events for businesses
City Engagement: Support City business engagement operations
- Adopt a Park – Promote the program with businesses with the goal to see X parks
adopted each _______.
- Sponsorships – Identify what can be sponsored by business owners and promote the
program with businesses with the goal to see X new business sponsors each year
- Business License/Registration – Partner with the City Clerk to facilitate the continued
participation of at least X% of Arden Hills businesses year over year
- New Businesses – Partner with the City Clerk to contact new businesses about the City’s
license/registration processes and other resources or processes relevant to new businesses
- Zoning Code Updates – Support engagement and feedback from business community on
draft code
Arden Hills as a place: Increase awareness of Arden Hills as a distinct destination for
patrons and businesses
- 75th Anniversary Event – Promote the event and encourage business participation through
sponsorship with the goal to recruit X sponsors
- Gateway Signage – Develop recommendations for gateway signage within City
- City emblem – Explore program to engage local businesses and increase physical
representation of City
2026 Timeline (tentative)
January EDC
Meeting
Review updated draft work plan; coordinate next steps for drafting SOPs
February EDC
Meeting
Review drafted SOPs for prioritized items
March EDC
Meeting
EDC confirms draft to be shared with the City Council
April CC
Work Session
EDC and City Council discuss draft EDC Work Plan
April EDC
Meeting
EDC reviews Council feedback about the Work Plan
May EDC
Meeting
EDC reviews updated Work Plan with Council feedback incorporated
June CC
Meeting
City Council adopts EDC Work Plan
Draft EDC work plan (December 2025)
Duties Tasks Importance to
EDC mission
Staff/EDC
resources
Relationship to
other initiatives
Budget
(Y/N)
SOP
(Y/N)
Connection:
Create
intentional
spaces for Arden
Hills business
community to
connect
Newsletter – Feature Arden Hills businesses in issues of the
Arden Hills Notes Newsletter
Social Events – Coordinate social events for businesses
Knowledge sharing events – Coordinate knowledge sharing
events for businesses
City
Engagement:
Support City
business
engagement
operations
Adopt a Park – Promote the program with businesses
Business License/Registration – Partner with the City Clerk
to facilitate the continued participation of Arden Hills
businesses year over year
New Businesses – Partner with the City Clerk to contact new
businesses about City license/registration processes and
other applicable applications relevant to new businesses
Zoning Code Updates – Support engagement and feedback
from business community on draft code
Arden Hills as a
place: Increase
awareness of
Arden Hills as a
distinct
destination for
patrons and
businesses
75th Anniversary Event – Promote the event and encourage
business participation through sponsorship
Gateway Signage – Develop recommendations for gateway
signage within City
City Emblem – Explore program to engage local businesses
and increase physical representation of City
Review work plan
timeline, update draft
work plan Review updated draft
work plan, coordinate
next steps for drafting
SOPs
Review drafted SOPs for
prioritized items
Submit draft to City
Council
Review and Incorporate
City Council feedback
Submit final draft to City
Council
Begin work plan
implementation
We are here
March -Finalize draft
work plan
April -City Council
Work Session
May -Finalize work
plan
June -City Council
Adopts EDC Work
Plan
10/20/2025 12/9/2025 1/28/2026 3/19/2026 5/8/2026 6/27/2026 8/16/2026
Economic Development Commission Work Plan