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Regular Meeting Minutes dated January 28, 2014 <br />Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Backous, Commissioners Riley, LeTourneau, Johns, <br />Kuzma, Strommen, and Tossey. Voting No: None. <br />5. HRA BUSINESS <br />5.01: The Draw Summer Event Series <br />Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood reviewed the staff report and <br />advised that park participation at The Draw has increased by 30% in 2013 over 2012, perhaps in <br />part because of the upgrade in performers secured by the City of Ramsey Foundation. He <br />displayed slides depicting each event and thanked the sponsors of each. Parks and Assistant <br />Public Works Superintendent Riverblood described the advertisement and exposure provided for <br />the sponsors to build community connections. He stated the concerts and Farmer's Market have <br />a favorable economic impact for the community while also building familiarity with The COR, <br />The Draw, and sponsoring businesses. Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent <br />Riverblood asked the HRA to consider a $1,500 sponsorship for a Beatles tribute band on August <br />7, 2014. He indicated this amount was factored into the approved HRA. budget. <br />Commissioner LeTourneau thanked Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent <br />Riverblood and the Foundation for their work on the summer activities and stated he shares in <br />the anticipation of the events. He stated he supports the HRA sponsoring an event and also sees <br />the value provided to other businesses in the area that are sponsoring so he does not want the <br />HRA's sponsorship to stand in the way of that occurring for another business. <br />Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated the cost for the performers <br />(without donated time) will be double in 2014 when compared to 2013 so staff will have to pay <br />attention to all their contacts to receive full funding. He stated in the future, it may be possible <br />for the HRA to step away from funding an event when the businesses take over. <br />Commissioner Strommen stated she also supports this sponsorship and had enjoyed the 2013 <br />summer events. She noted the HRA does not need to brand itself within a sponsorship but she <br />understands funding is important to fill a gap, so maybe that could be thought of differently <br />should another business step forward. <br />Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated it may be a good transition <br />to shift towards the Economic Development Authority (EDA) to call attention to what the EDA <br />does and to also highlight and feature the business of the year. <br />Chairperson Backous stated the Foundation has done a fantastic job to spearhead this effort and <br />the City was blessed in 2014 with beautiful weather during the summer events. <br />Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood agreed it takes a great deal of <br />effort to put these events together, including the City's intern and Foundation. <br />Housing and Redevelopment Authority / February 25, 2014 <br />Page 2 of 4 <br />