HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 25 2018 BEC minutes
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4646 Dakota Street SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372
CITY OF PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA
BUSINESS ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES – January 25, 2018
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:33 a.m. in the Wagon Bridge Conference Room at Prior Lake City Hall. Members
present: Kim Prchal, Wade Larson, Thane Tande, and Ron Martin. Staff present: Casey McCabe and Amanda Schwabe.
2. Approval of Meeting Minutes a. December 7, 2017
MOTION BY LARSON and SECOND BY PRCHAL to approve the December 7, 2017 meeting minutes. Motion
adopted unanimously.
3. Old Business a. None.
4. New Business a. Prior Lake Business Pages Newsletter
MCCABE summarized the proposed Winter 2018 Business Pages e-newsletter content including Talk of the
Town follow-up, intersection improvement updates associated with TH13/CH21 and TH13/Duluth Ave, 2017 new
Commercial/Industrial construction update as well as partnership opportunities with the City of Prior Lake
Recreation Sponsorship Program. MCCABE stated that Staff anticipates sending out the e-newsletter by the
end of January.
PRCHAL suggested adding the date of the TH13/CR 21 intersection improvement Open House on March 15,
2018 at Club Prior to the e-newsletter as well as information related to the 1st Annual Prior Lake Palooza event.
MOTION BY PRCHAL and SECOND BY MARTIN to approve the proposed e-newsletter content presented by
staff, subject to the addition of information as discussed at the meeting. Motion adopted unanimously.
b. Business Mentorship Program (verbal report)
MCCABE discussed a possible Business Mentor program, which was previously identified by the BEC and would
provide an opportunity for existing business persons to be community advocates to new commercial/industrial
business owners.
PRCHAL questioned if this program concept has been presented to the EDA.
MCCABE stated that the EDA is aware that it was one of the 2018 BEC goals.
PRCHAL suggested adding this as a discussion item for the February 12, 2018 joint EDA/BEC meeting.
LARSON suggested reaching out to the Chamber of Commerce for potential volunteers. He also recommended
adding information regarding this program to the Winter 2018 e-newsletter.
PRCHAL stated she will develop a proposal for the February 12th joint meeting.
c. Joint EDA/BEC Meeting, Feb. 12th
MCCABE stated that one of the 2018 EDA goals was to increase partnerships and collaboration with other
committees, including the BEC. The EDA is planning to invite the Chair and/or full BEC to a minimum of four
meetings a year. The EDA has extended the first such meeting invitation to the BEC to attend the February 12th
EDA meeting. Primary discussion items will be the City of Prior Lake Community Profile along with the proposed
Business Mentorship Program.
LARSON suggested inviting First Stop Shop to the EDA meeting on February 12, 2018 to discuss marketing
materials as well as a future BEC meeting to provide information about business funding programs.
5. Other Business
a. EDA Meeting Update
MCCABE informed the committee that the January 22, 2018 EDA meeting was canceled due to weather.
b. Residential and Commercial Activity Update
BEC members received a copy of the residential and commercial activity update as of December 31, 2017.
c. Staff Update
i. FAST-TRACK Business Challenge
MCCABE informed the committee that the Scott County First Stop Shop and Prior Lake Technology Village
received the 2018 Program of the Year Award from the Economic Development Association of Minnesota
(EDAM) for the FAST-TRACK Business Challenge. The Program of the Year Award recognizes a creative
new program or initiative that has been developed to help businesses and a community to thrive, grow and
prosper. The FAST-TRACK Business Challenge was a successful, Scott County-wide, collaborative effort to
encourage economic development and aid start-up businesses through a Shark Tank style competition
designed to put new and emerging businesses in Scott County on the fast-track to success, creating jobs
and enhancing economic development in the county.
ii. BEC Student Membership
MCCABE informed the BEC that a suggestion has been made to appoint a student liaison to the BEC.
MCCABE shared that the current bylaws do not allow for a student liaison; however, the bylaws can be
updated to accommodate, if desired.
BEC Members were supportive of a student liaison on the BEC.
PRCHAL suggested speaking with Minnesota Center for Advanced Professional Studies (MNCAPS) program
as well as the Chamber regarding potential student recommendations.
d. Member Ideas/Recommendations
None
6. Next Meeting Date.
The next regular meeting of the BEC will be on Thursday, February 22, 2018 at 7:30 a.m.
7. Adjourn.
MOTION BY PRCHAL and SECOND BY MARTIN to adjourn the meeting. Motion adopted unanimously. The meeting
adjourned at 8:14 a.m.
Submitted by: Amanda Schwabe