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The meeting reconvened to open session at 8:43 a.m. <br />Economic Dev. Mgr./Assistant City Administrator Brama confirmed the consensus of the Board <br />with the pricing strategy as proposed. <br />5. MEMBER / STAFF UPDATE <br />5.01: 2017 Business Retention and Expansion Program Report <br />Econ. Dev. Mgr/Assistant City Administrator Brama reviewed the staff report, reviewing the <br />business retention and expansion program activity for 2017. <br />Member Burandt asked if additional background information will be given to the City Council <br />regarding certain comments, using Highway 10 as an example. <br />Economic Dev. Mgr./Assistant City Administrator Brama confirmed that additional background <br />information is available. <br />Chairperson Steffen asked the official response regarding additional low-income housing. <br />Economic Dev. Mgr./Assistant City Administrator Brama stated that there is not an official <br />response. He noted that unofficially, he has observed the City may potentially be reaching their <br />limit on low income housing specifically located on City owned land within The COR. He <br />stated that on privately owned property, the City would not have control as long as the property <br />owner has entitlement to the property and is not requesting City assistance. <br />Chairperson Steffen asked if there is a list of businesses to visit in 2018. <br />Economic Dev. Mgr./Assistant City Administrator Brama stated that the list has not yet been <br />generated. <br />Chairperson Steffen stated that he would like to see the list once generated, noting that he likes to <br />attend the visits with staff. <br />Member Skaff noted that he would also be interested. <br />Member Riley stated that he would like to see this information presented to the City Council in a <br />worksession with multiple years of data so that discussion can occur. He asked if the comments <br />regarding low-income housing are coming from the businesses and whether the businesses feel <br />that is hurting their business. <br />Economic Dev. Mgr./Assistant City Administrator Brama provided inputs that he has received. <br />He noted, he was told by businesses that if there is too high of a concentration of low-income <br />housing in one area, it can deteriorate the perception of the community, and it can deteriorate the <br />perceived value of properties in an area, and Ramsey business owners have invested a lot in their <br />properties, and have a lot of pride in their properties. He noted that he also hears that some <br />Economic Development Authority/January 11, 2018 <br />Page 5 of 7 <br />