Laserfiche WebLink
4. EDA BUSINESS <br />4.01: 2015 Annual EDA Business Expo <br />Economic Development Manager /Assistant City Administrator Brama presented the staff report. <br />Member Skaff stated that the event does work and noted that he built a patio in his backyard <br />which arose from discussions with a vendor at the event. He stated that perhaps the fee to join <br />the event should be $50 for Ramsey businesses and $65 for those outside of Ramsey. <br />Chairperson Steffen questioned if vendors have been turned away from the event and whether <br />the fee has ever been raised. <br />Economic Development Manager /Assistant City Administrator Brama stated that they do not <br />turn away Ramsey businesses but they do turn away approximately 10 potential vendors /crafters <br />each year. He stated that the fee had not been raised in the past three years but acknowledged <br />that an increased budget could assist in marketing efforts. <br />Chairperson Steffen believed that increase to $50/$65 would be fair. He questioned if BOB FM <br />had been brought in to increase marketing. <br />Economic Development Manager /Assistant City Administrator Brama confirmed that staff could <br />reach out to BOB FM for the event. <br />Chairperson Steffen stated that perhaps "fifth annual" or whatever the year may be should be <br />included on the event marketing <br />4.02: Review Future Business Park RFQ and Updates <br />Economic Development Manager /Assistant City Administrator Brama presented the staff report. <br />He reviewed the recommendation from staff for the EDA to narrow the two finalists down to one <br />and noted that staff is recommending to choose Bolton and Menk. He stated that both groups are <br />qualified but noted that Bolton and Menk stood out because of the amount of background <br />information they gathered and the detailed information they provided. He noted that Bolton and <br />Menk also have a lot of in house experts while the other candidate would have to go outside of <br />their company to receive that expertise. <br />Chairperson Steffen questioned where the range of 40 to 60 percent sharing for the landowners <br />was derived from. <br />Economic Development Manager /Assistant City Administrator Brama advised that calculation <br />was taken from another road improvement project along Bunker Lake Boulevard. <br />Chairperson Steffen stated that perhaps one third from each of the three landowners would make <br />sense. He questioned if a train track study had been conducted with any of the other tenants in <br />the area such as the VA. <br />Economic Development Authority/February 5, 2015 <br />Page 2 of 7 <br />