HomeMy WebLinkAboutEDAC Meeting Notes 06-05-09
CITY OF PRIOR LAKE
Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting
Friday, June 5, 2009
Meeting Summary
Present:
Committee Members – Presler, Viereck, Fleck, Muench, Henry, Plaisted,
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Jader, Ceminsky, and Capra.
Council Liaison - Erickson
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Staff – Parr
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1. Approved June 5, 2009 agenda
(9-0).
2. Approved April 24, 2009 meeting summary with one correction
(9-0).
Reviewed the 2009 Prior Lake Board of Equalization Report.
3.
Committee members commented that it was a worthwhile effort to educate
businesses about the differences between taxes and valuation.
4. Reviewed the 2009 EDAC Objectives/Duties:
Serve as a liaison between City government and the community;
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In conjunction with the City Council, Economic Development Authority and
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staff, facilitate economic growth and redevelopment activities for the City
of Prior Lake;
Work with citizens, City staff, business owners, property owners,
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prospective developers, the Chamber of Commerce, and other economic
development stakeholders on a variety of economic development and
redevelopment activities;
As requested, provide review and comment on economic development
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and redevelopment policies to the City Council and Economic
Development Authority;
Make recommendations to the City Council and Economic Development
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Authority regarding economic development issues, strategy development
and implementation and other initiatives that can be undertaken by the
City to expand and strengthen its economy, inclusive but not limited to
business retention & expansion, targeted business attraction / recruitment,
new business / entrepreneurial development, and redevelopment;
Assist the City Council and Economic Development Authority to identify
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funding sources for economic development and redevelopment;
Work to keep commercial and industrial tax rates at a reasonable level;
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Stay informed on transportation and other issues related to business
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development; and
Be aware of incentives and financing tools for new businesses.
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The EDAC members and Council Liaison discussed each of the above objectives
and asked staff to check with the City Attorney to see if all were appropriate.
It was determined that the EDAC Objectives would be presented to the City
Council on July 20, 2009.
5. Reviewed Subcommittees (Recruitment and Retention):
Business Retention Subcommittee
Bill Henry (communication contact)
Ron Ceminsky
Bruce Capra
Business Recruitment Subcommittee
Sandy Fleck (communication contact)
Erik Plaisted
Mary Viereck
Bob Jader
John Muench
Troy Presler
Dave Chromy and Deno Howard will assist both subcommittees as needed.
6. Future meetings were discussed
The committee members determined that it will likely be worthwhile to dedicate a
portion of future EDAC meetings to talking in the subcommittee groups.
7. Discussed how the EDAC wants to function in relation to business
recruitment and retention:
Recruitment:
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Want a focus on the process for new business owners and how to handle
new opportunities that come in.
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Multiple subcommittee members will meet with the prospective business
owner.
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Look for ways to find prospective businesses.
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Need to look for leads/
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Once we have the leads, we need “sell” Prior Lake through the “sales
pitch approach”.
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Need to talk to future businesses about their needs.
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Need to create marketing material for prospective new businesses. Staff
will start the set-up and bring back to the group to consider details and
what specific information to include (i.e: demographics, transportation,
etc).
Retention:
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Taxes
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Understand what they do or don’t like about Prior Lake…what has kept
them here all this time.
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How do we make them happy and keep them happy?
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Survey of their plans for the future-meet them one on one.
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Database as to when we talk to people and develop a profile of existing
businesses (i.e.: when leases are up, etc).
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Establish which businesses the committee may want to focus on (1 a
month).
8. Discussed the need to recruit more EDAC Members.
Members were asked to have possible candidates contact Danette.
9. Adjourned (9-0)