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Member Hardin stated there are, some of the surrounding communities have been involved and <br />the cost has been less but this year they are asking everyone for $5,000. <br />Member Brunt asked if there has been any kind of plan from the group. He indicated he has <br />talked to Councilmember LeTourneau at length about this because in California, in the past, had <br />these type of technical groups that were strictly formed for manufacturing elements to address <br />some of these issues. He was interested in supporting this because manufacturing is something <br />that is critical to the City as they go forward but the problem is determining what they can do to <br />help the manufacturers get workers. They had these kind of problems in California. There is a <br />disconnect between the entry level workers and the skilled workers. He thought $5,000 might be <br />a reasonable investment. He stated there needs to be an assessment done and tie-ins with the <br />schools and the manufacturers need to come forward with their concerns and needs. He stated he <br />would be in favor of trying to help them out but Member Hardin had a good point of what the <br />payback would be for the City. <br />Member Riley stated the topic seems very appropriate for the EDA. This is a general thing to <br />help the community and the manufacturing sector has been a focus of the City. He was <br />concerned about the comments because it starts to sound like "I am here from the Government <br />and I am here to help you." They cannot push an issue. He wanted to make sure the businesses <br />that have a vested interest are interested but it does seem like the appropriate thing for the City fo <br />be involved with, the EDA specifically. This is a specific program that would be helping the <br />manufacturers. If they were to do this they would have to do a lot of disclosure, due to the <br />partnership between Councilmember LeTourneau and the Anoka Chamber and CO2 Partners. <br />Member Skaff stated he was in favor of supporting this. He wondered if they wanted to take <br />action or have a presentation made. <br />Member Williams stated she would really like to hear some more information about this and the <br />points that Member Hardin raised about a declining representation of manufacturers. She was <br />very much in favor of supporting the manufacturers but if the organization they are choosing to <br />support is not supporting those manufacturers, then their dollars and resources are not being <br />spent appropriately. She asked with respect to Councilmember LeTourneau's participation, <br />would the $5,000 in any way allow the EDA or the City of Ramsey to influence the Chamber's <br />decision to hire that particular representative of the CO2 partners or would that remain with the <br />Chamber. <br />Economic Dev. Mgr/Assistant City Administrator Brama stated they do have control of the <br />outcome of the group but he did not want to oversell it because there are so many people <br />involved and they are all trusted partners. This Chamber has indicated they want the direction <br />and feedback from this group and want a list of expectations because they want to make sure <br />they provide a return on investment. <br />City Administrator Ulrich added that there is a clear separation because this money does go to <br />the Anoka Chamber and the Chamber Board makes the decision on hiring the CO2 Partners. <br />That will not be the EDA choice, they will have input but the decision will be the Board's. <br />Economic Development Authority/October 8, 2015 <br />Page 6 of 8 <br />