2024-02-20 EDA Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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City of Centerville EDA Meeting Minutes January 29, 2024 1. Website Enhancements Executive Director Lewis reviewed changes that have been made to the EDA pages of the website. New content, such as sell sheets and EDA program information have been added. Discussion ensued about the updates and the EDA requested adding a link to the new Quad Area Chamber website. 2 2024 Goals and Priorities Executive Director Lewis introduced this item as presented in the packet. Discussion ensued about goals one through four. Goal 1: Guide Redevelopment Î President Remillard introduced this item as presented in the packet. Executive Director Lewis reported that the two-year agreement for holiday decorations has expired. Discussion ensued about holiday decorations for this year and off-season decorations. Ideas for off-season decorations include lights that could be used in an expanded capacity (certain lights on during specified times), flag-type decoration, flowerpots, etc. Staff will bring back more information for board consideration. The EDA also discussed a toolkit of available business and policy resources. Goal 2: Spur New Development Î President Remillard introduced this item as presented in the packet. Discussion ensued about pursuing an incubator space or landlord-tenant space. Discussion also ensued about the boardÓs limited powers. The EDA would like to put a plan together outlining the boardÓs options for this goal. Executive Director Lewis reported that the city council would be holding their retreat over the weekend and that they were planning to discuss EDA powers. Staff will provide an update on the retreat next month, so the EDA can resume their discussion on this goal. Goal 3: Increase Business Engagement Î President Remillard introduced this item as presented. Discussion ensued about this yearÓs Business Appreciation event. The board would like to check availability at the Southern Rail on a Monday in November. Staff will follow up with the business owner and report back to the EDA. The budget and speaker for this event will be discussed later. Goal 4: Market & promote our city Î President Remillard introduced this item as presented. Discussion ensued about the Center Stage program, reviewing program guidelines and participation. Staff will review the cost spent on ads in 2023. Michelle Koch, President of Quad Area Chamber of Commerce, added that repetition, i.e., the same ad every week in the newspaper is key. She thinks advertising on the insert in the paper and on social media would be good. Discussion ensued about a monthly business spotlight and/or including an insert in the utility bill. The EDA will discuss the Center Stage program further at another EDA meeting. Discussion also ensued about swag bags for Fete des Lacs. Board members asked staff to bring back some ideas for board consideration. The board also noted that adding a game component to win swag at upcoming exhibits could be fun. One other idea was to include an EDA-logoed key chain in each swag bag that is handed out at Fete des Lacs. Discussion also ensued about helping partners via business-related sponsorships. 3