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<br />Motion by Member Steffen, seconded by Member Skaff, to adopt the amended 2009 EDA Work <br />Plan as presented. <br /> <br />Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Riley, Members Steffen, Skaff, Elvig, and Look. <br />V oting No: None. Absent: Member LeTourneau. <br /> <br />Case #4: <br /> <br />Authorize Economic Development Coordinator to Attend International <br />Conference of Shopping Centers <br /> <br />Economic Development Coordinator Sullivan reviewed background information regarding the <br />EDA hiring the Buxton Group to conduct a market study for Town Center and the l6ih <br />Commercial node. He stated the International Conference of Shopping Centers (lCSC) is an <br />important venue to meet representatives of retail businesses that are being sought for the City of <br />Ramsey. The conference also serves as an educational tool to help staff become more effective in <br />marketing the City. Buxton has a booth and meeting space available and will allow the City to <br />use that space to meet with prospective clients. The cost for registration to the conference is <br />$397. Complete packages that include conference registration, travel and lodging start at $972. <br />This conference comes highly recommended by Buxton. Staff is asking for the EDA to authorize <br />the funding of conference registration, travel and lodging at a cost not to exceed $1,400 for the <br />Economic Development Coordinator and other staff and/or city officials that the EDA deems <br />appropriate. <br /> <br />There was discussion on the importance of the City being represented at the conference and <br />getting in front of the players. The importance of the educational tool.was also noted. <br /> <br />There was discussion on the options of the Economic Development Coordinator attending the <br />conference alone or with another staff member or City Council member. <br /> <br />Economic Development Coordinator Sullivan stated there is a possible joint EDNCity Council <br />meeting in March. He suggested authorization of funding for the Economic Development <br />Coordinator and a second individual to attend the conference, with the second individual to be <br />discussed further by the City Council. <br /> <br />Motion by Member Elvig, seconded by Member Skaff, to authorize funding to attend the <br />International Conference of Shopping Centers for the Economic Development Coordinator and a <br />second individual to be named at a total cost not to exceed $3,000. <br /> <br />Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Riley, Members Elvig, Skaff, Look, and Steffen. <br />Voting No: None. Absent: Member LeTourneau. <br /> <br />Further discussion: City Council Member McGlone suggested Economic Development <br />Coordinator Sullivan prepare a checklist of information to bring back from the conference and <br />report to the EDA. Member Look asked Economic Development Coordinator Sullivan if there <br />will be a focus at the conference on businesses that are in a current expansion mode. Economic <br /> <br />Economic Development AuthoritylFebruary 12, 2009 <br />Page 3 of5 <br />