Minutes - Council Work Session - 11/27/2012

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Councilmember Wise agreed that the Game Fair is a better use of the City's time and money and asked if there had been formal feedback from past North Suburban Home Shows. City Administrator Ulrich stated staff talked about feedback and know that people from Ramsey do stop by the booths and have building construction questions. Development Services Manager Gladhill stated the Committee was asked to gauge how many Ramsey residents participate but that can only be determined by the number of returned surveys. He estimated 300 -400 out of the 1,300 to 1,500 attending the event, but attendance depends on the weather so it fluctuates from year to year. Councilmember McGlone stated City Hall now has the Department of Motor Vehicles so anyone who needs to talk to a building inspector can do so without attending an event outside the borders of Ramsey. He noted the North Suburban Home Show only attracts several hundred Ramsey residents and he preferred an event held in Ramsey such as the Game Fair, Business Expo, and/or Happy Days. Councilmember Elvig stated he thinks there is benefit to Home Shows but maybe not a direct benefit to Ramsey. He stated he would like an event where Ramsey could boast about its SAC /WAC programs and EDA programs. Councilmember McGlone noted that recently Sam Leon, Acapulco Mexican Restaurants, hosted a restaurant mixer and maybe Mr. Leon would put on another event where all restaurateurs can be told about Ramsey's new SAC /WAC program. Councilmember Strommen stated she has not attended the North Suburban Home Show but if the Council wants more opportunities to market the City, perhaps the Council should step back and discuss what to market and how to do it most effectively. She indicated she has no strong feelings about it but would like discussion on the focus of the message and how to communicate more generally, not which show is better than the other. Councilmember McGlone stated he was talking about this type of marketing and advocated to do it at an event within Ramsey where more of its own residents attend. Councilmember Strommen suggested the Council consider if there is another or better way to do that and to take the conversation a step further in how to market the SAC /WAC program as mentioned by Councilmember Elvig. City Administrator Ulrich agreed there is need for a policy decision on how many events Ramsey can afford and commit staff resources. He stated it currently participates in six to eight events and should determine how to best manage those events, and what the City is trying to accomplish as mentioned by Councilmember Strommen The North Suburban Home Show attracts 1,500 people but the audience reaches residential people to educate in how to go about the building process. It is not an audience of restaurateurs, business people, or CEOs. City Administrator Ulrich agreed with the need to look at getting the best value for the dollar and staff effort. City Council Work Session / November 27, 2012 Page 6 of 8