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-204 <br />City of Ramsey <br />Council /Staff Retreat <br />February 1, 2, 2008 <br />OBSTACLES <br />Toward Meeting Goals and Priorities <br />#1 Perception (Negative) Of Residents, <br />Developers And Media <br />a. Setbacks in Town Center have <br />made developers wary of <br />working in Ramsey. <br />#2 Lack Of Community Consensus <br />b. Not letting the <br />antidevelopment group take <br />control. <br />c. Resident opposition to change. <br />#3 Weakening of the Economy <br />#4 The Funding To Complete Our Goals <br />Without Large Tax Increases. <br />- Creative financing without giving up <br />position. <br />STRATEGIES <br />For Overcoming Obstacles <br />Perception <br />• Educate media - be more proactive - <br />press releases /pitch story ideas <br />• Provide information to residents - <br />transparency- frequent messages - ex. <br />Ramsey Town Center <br />• As progress happens promote it - provide <br />information to media /residents <br />• Encourage community involvement <br />engage residents <br />Invest in physical image - entries & <br />corridors <br />■ Consider renaming Ramsey Town Center <br />Community Consensus <br />• Balance expectations • <br />■ Open, honest communication <br />• Neighborhood meetings <br />• OST <br />• Clear, consistent messages <br />• "Something for everyone" mind -set <br />Intrinsic conflict, develop consensus <br />building process <br />The group did not explore because there is a <br />limited role the city and staff can have in <br />overcoming this obstacle. It is important, <br />however, to recognize the impact of a <br />weakening economy on the City's ability to <br />meet its goals. <br />Funding <br />• Know where we stand financially /update <br />fiscal impact <br />• Public /private (inc. grants) & <br />public /private partnerships <br />• Franchise fee <br />• Tax incentives <br />• Consider long -term costs of development <br />10 <br />