Agenda - Economic Development Authority - 12/08/2016

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RAMSEY WEAKNESSES/SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS: Suggestions made by multiple businesses: • Periodically businesses will have false alarms, and the Ramsey Police Department will be called out. In certain situations, the City charges Businesses for said visits/false alarms. Business owners are frustrated--being they pay significant property taxes(tens of thousands). Police visits should not be charged back to a property owner. Lastly,one business owner believes the City should call the contact provided to the City for business registration and communicate there was a visit/alarm/etc. (2) • A number of businesses are frustrated with the negative local politics in Ramsey; said issues create mistrust, second guessing of City policies and embarrassment for businesses. (5) • Keeping the local tax levy low is a major priority to Ramsey businesses,as their industries are very competitive. Businesses hope this is a priority to the City Council. (4) • Large County medians are a major inconvenience and frustration for employers and employees. Giving directions is difficult,access to nearby food and retail options is difficult. The City should be cognizant of boulevards' negative impacts. (2) • A lack in supply exists for qualified employees in the City's manufacturing sector. Some companies are interested in learning how to recruit locally. Additionally,a couple businesses have indicated they are interested in hiring veterans. (4) • Commonly,people dump waste and furniture in Ramsey Businesses' parking lots (without permission). Additionally,crime (theft)is common in parking lots; especially behind buildings. A number of businesses have requested more patrols. Issues are most common in the summer. (4) • Businesses are interested in the use of metal materials for construction of buildings in Ramsey. One business has requested the use of a metal pitched roof. One business believes the City's tree/planting requirements are too ridged and don't account for"real world" scenarios. The City should be more flexible in calculating tree requirements. (2) Suggestions made by one business: • One business has successfully used the program known as"Economic Gardening"and strongly suggests the City consider offering said service to Ramsey businesses. • The City's sign regulations are too strict in the COR. The City should allow additional signage than the code provides today. • The City should consider improving their business expo. It is not professional enough, the traffic is too low and they should not allow merchant vendors to attend. • The City should consider redevelopment of the old HealthQuest property as a biotech incubator.