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Chairperson Steffen stated that those retail brokers could bring their clients to Ramsey now and <br /> would not have to be the broker for Ramsey. He stated that brokers for retailers should be aware <br /> of available listings whether or not they hold those listings. <br /> Councilmember Riley agreed that brokers representing those retailers are aware of the City but <br /> explained that real estate is about relationships and therefore there can be benefit from using a <br /> specific broker. <br /> Councilmember LeTourneau stated that perhaps when staff is reviewing the work CBRE is doing <br /> are they reviewing the amount of work that is being focused on retail. He suggested that perhaps <br /> CBRE is directed to focus on building retail relationships and could include the City in those <br /> conversations so that staff can also hear that input. <br /> Asst. City Administrator/Economic Development Manager Brama stated that he connects with <br /> CBRE on a weekly, or almost daily basis, with the direction that there is a high demand for retail <br /> and restaurant users. He stated that one thing that is hard to measure about relationships is that <br /> someone can say that a conversation was had on a spreadsheet but it can be difficult to measure <br /> the tone, duration, and the direction of those conversations and therefore there has to be an <br /> element of trust. He stated that any time he has the opportunity to meet with a retail developer, <br /> he is doing that directly, outside of CBRE in attempt to build additional relationships. <br /> Councilmember LeTourneau stated that he is unsure that the City would be able to learn <br /> anything different until something changes in the market. He stated that changing brokers would <br /> not necessarily change the interest the City is seeing. <br /> Councilmember Williams stated that she disagrees as it helps to have someone that is excited <br /> about the location and the City and is able to market that direction. She stated that it is difficult <br /> to believe that the current broker has that level of enthusiasm for Ramsey when they represent <br /> communities across the metro including Elk River and Anoka. She used the example of <br /> development that occurred because of a passionate developer that connected with a passionate <br /> broker. She stated that they were able to work together to sell that location and build a <br /> development from the ground up. She stated that she believed that element is missing with the <br /> current broker. <br /> Mayor Strommen stated that she would agree with exploring other brokerage options to <br /> determine what those options may be. <br /> Councilmember LeTourneau agreed that the City is in search of that passionate broker and would <br /> support those type of inquiries being made. <br /> Member Burandt asked if that needle in the haystack actually exists; a broker with that passion <br /> that does not have conflicts of interest with neighboring cities that also have sufficient contacts. <br /> Councilmember Williams believed that would exist. She felt that perhaps the group did a <br /> disservice in the way the interview process occurred noting that instead of asking what could be <br /> City Council Work Session/September 26, 2017 <br /> Page 4 of 6 <br />