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Member Kiefer stressed the need to contact the businesses about one month before the meeting. <br />Associate Planner Wald replied the Business Connection goes out one month before the meeting, <br />and the phone calls are important as a reminder. <br /> <br />Acting Chairperson Steffen suggested the name of the business owner be included on the contact <br />list. <br /> <br />Member Gromberg inquired if the contact information could be obtained through the business <br />licensing information. Associate Planner Wald replied this will have to be determined, as it was <br />stated the information provided would not be given out or re-used. <br /> <br />Case #5: Staff Update <br /> <br />The EDA reviewed the staff update. <br /> <br />Member Strommen stated Coburn's received final plat approval at the City Council meeting last <br />night. <br /> <br />Economic Development/TIF Specialist Sullivan reviewed the new business prospects. <br /> <br />Associate Planner Wald reviewed the new developments. She provided the EDA with <br />information regarding the NAIOP survey of development costs. She explained Member <br />Gromberg noticed Ramsey's building permit fees were significantly higher than the other <br />communities in the NAIOP survey. It has been determined there was a computer glitch that <br />caused the cost of the building permits to be calculated incorrectly after a change in computer <br />programs in 2003. The incorrect rate has been charged for one year, although the 1997 rates <br />were approved by the City Council. Staff has gone through every commercial permit for the past <br />year and will be refunding about $74,000. She noted staff has not received any complaints about <br />this. <br /> <br />Member Gromberg stated the complaints come to people like him about how expensive it is to <br />do business in the City of Ramsey. <br /> <br />Associate Planner Wald indicated she contacted NAIOP to see if this survey will be used any <br />more. NAIOP indicated they will not be posting this on the website or using it anymore. <br />NAIOP will be doing another survey in March and will re-send it to all the cities that participate. <br />They will also be having a meeting on Friday with city administrators to see how things can <br />become more efficient from the point of the builders and the cities. <br /> <br />Member Strommen stated the Council discussed this, and it was suggested that staff receive a <br />membership list from NAIOP and send out a correction notice. <br /> <br />Member Gromberg stated in addition to sending out a correction, it would be beneficial for staff <br />to review the cost to do a specific project in all communities and determine ifRamsey is in the <br /> <br />Economic Development Authority/November 10, 2004 <br /> Page 6 of 7 <br /> <br /> <br />