HomeMy WebLinkAboutEDAC Report-3a (05-23-13)
4646 Dakota Street SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT
MEETING DATE: May 23, 2013
AGENDA #: 3.a.
PREPARED BY: Casey McCabe, Community Development Specialist
AGENDA ITEM: BUSINESS & INDUSTRY FORUM
DISCUSSION:
Introduction
On April 25 the EDAC hosted the 2013 Prior Lake Business & Industry (B&I) Forum at
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le attended from 5:00-7:00 PM.
The primary purpose of this event was to provide an open forum for business leaders, prop-
erty owners, developers and local elected and appointed officials to gather and discuss
concerns or issues facing Prior Lake businesses as well as promote the positive steps taken
by the EDAC and the City of Prior Lake to address concerns and issues identified during
previous events.
History
The B&I Forum helps fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the committee outlined in the
EDAC Bylaws, including; 1) serving as a liaison between city government and the communi-
ty; and 2) making recommendations to the EDA or City staff regarding economic develop-
ment issues, strategy development and implementation and other initiatives that can be un-
dertaken by the EDA to expand and strengthen business retention & expansion.
Current Circumstances
The EDAC began reviewing and discussing B&I Forum comments during the May 2 meet-
nd
ing. Approximately 40 comments were received during the event and the EDAC reviewed
and discussed roughly half of the comments. Due to time constraints, EDAC members de-
ferred the review of the remaining comments until a future meeting.
During the May 2 meeting, EDAC members also directed staff to place the comments into
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categories prior to the next meeting. Attached is a revised list of comments which have
been divided into the following categories, i) Downtown & Economic Development; ii)
Transportation & Parking; iii) Tourism & Visitors; and iv) General/Miscellaneous. The com-
ments previously reviewed by the EDAC are highlighted in gray.
Conclusion
The EDAC should continue to review the comments and begin discussing a process where-
by it will review, evaluate and respond to the submitted comments and identify opportunities
to provide follow up information to the public and meeting attendants. The EDAC may also
consider separating the comments into short- and long-term goal categories.
ISSUES:
During their May 20 meeting, the EDA approved a motion to direct the EDAC to evaluate
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the comments received through the Business & Industry Forum and formulate responses to
be considered by the EDA before sending, as well as recommendations for the assistance
and promotion of small business.
The EDAC should develop a report or process to address the B&I Forum comments for EDA
approval prior to taking any action.
FINANCIAL
Some issues may need to have financial resources included as part of the solution or as
IMPACT:
part of further analysis.
ALTERNATIVES:
Discussion Only.
RECOMMENDED
Discussion Only.
MOTION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1.Summary of Business & Industry Forum Comments
2