HomeMy WebLinkAbout09 01 2015 EDAC minutes
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4646 Dakota Street SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372
CITY OF PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES – September 1, 2015
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 a.m. in the Wagon Bridge Conference Room at Prior Lake City Hall. Members
present: Lloyd Erbaugh, Bill Henry, Wade Larson, Jim Mahoney, Chamber of Commerce Liaison Sandi Fleck and EDA
Liaison Michele Choudek. Members absent: Thane Tande, Kim Prchal, Mike Stout and Marisa Colby. Staff present:
Dan Rogness and Casey McCabe.
2. Approval of Meeting Minutes
a. July 23, 2015
MOTION BY HENRY and SECOND BY ERBAUGH to approve the July 23, 2015 meeting minutes. Motion
adopted unanimously.
3. Old Business
a. Prior Lake Community Assets and Sharpening of Message
McCabe: reviewed the marketing focus topics suggested by the EDAC during the July meeting, including a
business focus and residential focus. EDAC members reviewed the agenda report and attachment which
provided specific suggestions to sharpen Prior Lake’s message. Committee members provided additional
‘sharpening’ direction to staff. Members were encouraged to email staff with additional suggestions and staff
will bring a final draft report to the EDAC at their next meeting prior to presenting the report to the EDA.
4. New Business
a. Guest – Thane Tande Knotty Oar
Mr. Tande was not in attendance so this item was not presented.
b. Social Media Strategies – Discussion
EDAC Members: discussed the city’s current social media activities and commented that the city’s Facebook
page is more informational whereas the Prior Lake Chamber Facebook page is more interactive. EDAC
commercial area liaisons were encouraged to connect to the businesses in their area via Facebook, Twitter,
LinkedIn, and other social media resources. Staff added that the city’s Communication Coordinator position is
currently vacant and once the position is filled the new staff member may have a preferre d social media
approach or other suggestions to assist the EDAC with promotion of the city and its businesses through social
media.
5. Other Business
a. EDA Meeting Update
Rogness: provided a summary of the August 17, 2015 EDA meeting topics, including:
Stacy Crakes, Business Development Manager, Scott County First Stop Shop
EDA/EDAC Discussion
Resolution to Approve the Proposed 2016 EDA Tax Levy and Budget
Downtown Planter Program (Discussion Postponed)
Commercial & Industrial Development Update (Discussion Postponed)
Economic Gardening Program (Discussion Postponed)
i. Joint EDA/EDAC Meeting Follow-Up
EDAC Members: commented that the joint meeting felt more like a wok session than a joint
informal discussion. The First Stop Shop presentation was interesting; however, EDAC members
hoped for more time devoted to discussion between the two groups. Committee members felt the
EDA supported the commercial area liaison program and encouraged the EDAC to build upon this
program and report results to the EDA. The committee also discussed how the EDA felt the focus
of the EDAC was on business retention and the focus of FSS was on business attraction. FSS
and EDAC have a different focus so interaction between the two organizations will be limited.
b. Residential and Commercial Activity Update
EDAC Members: reviewed the residential and commercial activity update as of July 31, 2015. .
c. Staff Updates
i. Planning Process for Fall 2015 Community Event
McCabe: provided an update of the planning process for the fall business event. Mr. McCabe
stated the event will be called the Prior Lake Business Mixer, it will be held at The Wilds on October
29th and the meeting format is still being finalized; however, it may be similar to the previous
Business & Industry Forum.
d. EDAC Commercial Area Liaison Updates
i. Welcome/Deerfield Area (Bill Henry)
Henry: provided an update of commercial liaison visits in the Deerfield Industrial and Welcome
Avenue area. Mr. Henry asked how the EDAC could help keep businesses up to date with
activities in the city without inconveniencing them. Mr. Henry shared some of the common
concerns he has heard from the businesses in this area; including, need for an additional
driveway, need for signage along CH21 and need for common enforcement of city ordinances.
Mr. Henry expresses a desire to get these businesses involved to ensure they feel part of the city.
e. Member Ideas/Recommendations
None.
6. Next Meeting Date. The next regular meeting of the EDAC will be on Thursday, September 24, 2015 at 7:30 a.m.
7. Adjourn. MOTION BY HENRY and SECOND BY MAHONEY to adjourn the meeting. Motion adopted unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 9:03 a.m.
Submitted by: Casey McCabe