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meet as a group and collaborate. They intentionally kept the group small for better discussion. <br />The meetings have been self -populating and this is not having an issue of waning. <br />Chairperson Steffen asked whether there are members and do they pay dues. <br />Mr. LeTourneau stated this group is all inclusive and anyone in the manufacturing business can <br />attend and hopefully will join the Chamber. <br />Member Skaff asked what the EDA's $5,000 would do for the coalition. <br />Mr. LeTourneau reviewed what the Chamber would do to help the manufacturing businesses in <br />Ramsey get qualified workers. <br />Member Burandt stated at Connexus Energy, they are members and they are carving time out of <br />their day to come to the meetings they are finding of value. <br />Chairperson Steffen asked outside of funding the staff, where would the $5,000 go. <br />There was discussion regarding where and how the $5,000 funding would be used. <br />City Administrator Ulrich thought Ramsey manufacturers are good attendees of this group. <br />Member Skaff indicated he had all of his questions answered and made a motion to support the <br />Anoka Area Chamber Manufacturers Coalition with a $5,000 donation. <br />Economic Dev. Mgr/Assistant City Administrator Brama stated when this item was discussed at <br />the last EDA meeting the Chamber was not at the meeting and this was intentional for the sake of <br />perception being that Councilmember LeTourneau is a member of the City Council and also <br />works for the Anoka Chamber of Commerce and he wanted to make sure that was transparent <br />and on the record. The last meeting the EDA asked for the Chamber to be present at the next <br />meeting so this item could be further discussed before a decision was madeso if the group <br />wanted to make a decision on this item they can excuse the Chamber before they get into the <br />discussion. <br />Chairperson Steffen asked Councilmember LeTourneau and Mr. Turok if they would leave the <br />meeting so the EDA could discuss this item further. Councilmember LeTourneau and Mr. Turok <br />left the meeting. <br />Further discussion: <br />Member Brunt stated this subject is near and dear to his heart because he was in manufacturing <br />all of his life. He thought this is a good thing and they need to partner with the schools. The <br />whole problem is the schools have gotten away from the manufacture training and trade schools <br />and they need to start focusing on this again. He thought the emphasis on the Tech schools is <br />training the students on manufacturing and right now the manufacturers are doing all of the <br />training. He thought this was a worthwhile project. <br />Economic Development Authority/November 5, 2015 <br />Page 3 of 8 <br />