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RHRA Meeting <br />Minutes – Monday, August 29, 2016 <br />Page 20 <br /> <br />Twin Lakes and SE Roseville area; choice of cities surveyed representing the <br />only ones currently doing business visitations in the metropolitan area with <br />other cities contacted to make that determination; and how the database and <br />information would be used going forward. <br /> <br />Specific to next steps, President Roe clarified the REDA would need to <br />determine the city’s follow-up with businesses and direct staff accordingly. <br /> <br />Ms. Collins admitted her initial reaction to staff capacity was similar to that of <br />the REDA. However, Ms. Collins noted that staff contact could be any <br />member of the internal economic development team defined as priorities are <br />identified, with some of those adjustments in staff already being reviewed and <br />realigned as changes are ongoing in the planning division. Ms. Collins noted <br />this could also involve other city staff beyond the Community Development <br />Department or a combination of representatives that would further reduce the <br />burden for follow-up from one or two people. <br /> <br />Ms. Kelsey agreed staff was being intentionally aggressive with this initiative <br />and overshooting goals. Ms. Kelsey stated staff’s preference to bring this back <br />to the REDA on a quarterly basis. Ms. Kelsey stated there may be challenges <br />in getting businesses interested in having a site visit, but noted the importance <br />of building the business database while also receiving feedback from <br />community businesses that would provide city and regional information shared <br />with Grow Minnesota! and ultimately helping local businesses be more <br />successful and provide assistance as needed. <br /> <br />Member Laliberte expressed interest in how staff intended to involve City <br />Council representation to assist in those visits; and suggested moving beyond <br />just ambassador visits to also visit existing business in addition to new <br />businesses. <br /> <br />President Roe agreed that there was a need for something beyond just <br />ambassador type visits; but providing retention efforts with information <br />provided through the experiences of large, long-term businesses in the <br />community. <br /> <br />Ms. Kelsey agreed with that process following the initial visitation, suggesting <br />that first visit as an opportunity to get know the business better and see if they <br />were interested in more representation from the City Council or City Manager <br />even. While wanting to provide an opportunity for the REDA, Ms. Kelsey <br />noted other communities had alerted Roseville to some of these issues, as well <br />as scheduling conflicts holding them back from doing more than they were <br />already doing. <br /> <br />Member Laliberte asked if staff was planning to identify these new sectors, or <br />incorporate this information as part of the 2014 efforts and build on that. <br /> <br />