Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 02/09/2004

Home

Business Communication Initiatives: Staff will be meeting with Pete Turok, from the Anoka Area Ch~mbe~ of Commerce, on Wednesday, February 4, 2004, to discuss possible ideas and initiatives that~ would result in a better connection to the Ramsey business community. The Chamber recently established a Communications Committee and it is Staff's opinion that this' committee could provide some insight on how to better initiate and implement the EDA's business outreach objective for 2004. Staff is also interested in finding out what projects and initiatives the City and thc Chamber would be better served to work together to be more effective. EDA Proiects: Zip Code Request: Staff is continuing to pursue avenues that will ultimately lead to the City of Ramsey obtaining a Zip Code seperate from Anoka. Reviewing the current data consisting of: delivery routes, delivery points, scheme items and number of sectors, leads to the conclusion that the Zip Code of 55303 has not reached the threshold necessary of splitting. Discussions with the Minneapolis US Post Office have been promising in that it appears as if it won't be long until we reach the necessary numbers that warrant a split of the current zip code. Staff will continue to pursue this endeavor and will work with the US :Postal service and other avenues that are necessary to accomplish our goal of an individual identity. CDBG ! The pre-demolition survey has been completed by ProSource Technologies and the City will be obtaining bids for the demolition and dean up of the Chies and Morrell sites. As projected earlier, it appears as if these two properties will be ready for development come Spring 2004. There have been many inquiries as to the availability of these properties and this should lead to their redevelopment his year. It is important to note that the City needs to adhere to the standards set forth by the CDBG process and make sure we create the jobs specified by the program. Rum River Commercial Area: HKGi is busy working on concept plans for the subject area. Staff hopes to meet with the consultant in the next few weeks and then coordinate a business focus group meeting to present the concept plans. Miscellaneotls: U.S. Highway #10: The Tinklenberg Group will be facilitating an Open House on February 19, 2004 from 6:00-8:00pm. The purpose of the open house is to allow business owners the opportunity to ask questions and obtain information in an informal setting.