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Member Skaff asked if they are assured this next deadline is going to be met or are they going to <br />be pushed back even further. <br />Economic Dev. Mgr/Assistant City Administrator Brama stated as far as the timeline this is not <br />something the City or the County can guarantee, the contractor is incurring penalties daily after <br />they passed up the original deadline which was October 30th and outside of that they do not have <br />any way to physically force them to get the job done. <br />Chairperson Steffen thought this was a perception case and tended to this being positive although <br />he did not know if the signs or postcards will make people shop at those businesses more. He <br />thought this was a goodwill effort and shows that the City of Ramsey is doing something to try to <br />help the businesses during the tough times. <br />Member Riley stated he agreed this would be a perception/goodwill item and he wondered if this <br />would buy any goodwill. He asked if sending out postcards and putting up signs make the <br />businesses any happier. He also wondered if they have asked the County EDA if they have any <br />ideas. <br />Economic Dev. Mgr/Assistant City Administrator Brama stated as far as if this will work or <br />address and provide goodwill, they cannot predict this and will not solve anything but from a <br />goodwill perspective they have had discussions with some of the businesses and they are very <br />appreciative of the fact that the City is trying to be proactive and do something. He stated he has <br />not checked with the County EDA to see if they could contribute something. <br />Member Burandt asked if the businesses have made any suggestions or recommendations when <br />they have called in to complain. <br />Economic Dev. Mgr/Assistant City Administrator Brama stated signage has been the biggest <br />complaint and request for improvement throughout the entire process. He stated they still <br />receive more requests and inquiries for additional signage. <br />City Administrator Ulrich stated the businesses are interested in the City playing a role in trying <br />to help keep their businesses going. <br />Economic Dev. Mgr/Assistant City Administrator Brama stated the number one request they <br />have received is for City financial assistance but the City is not in the position to do that. <br />Chairperson Steffen asked if they could use the postcard to inform residents in the City of the <br />opening of the bridge and also to visit businesses in the area. <br />City Administrator Ulrich thought that was a good idea. <br />Motion by Member Steffen, seconded by Member Brunt, to proceed with staff recommendation <br />of signage and postcards not to exceed $3,500. <br />Economic Development Authority/November 5, 2015 <br />Page 6 of 8 <br />