Minutes - Council - 05/11/2021 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Motion by Councilmember Musgrove, seconded by Councilmember Woestehoff, to authorize the Infrastructure Study by Bolton and Menk for the Trott Brook North Planning Area with a cost share from the Makowsky Addition and Hunt Addition. A roll call vote was performed: Councilmember Heineman aye Councilmember Woestehoff aye Councilmember Specht aye Councilmember Musgrove aye Councilmember Howell aye Councilmember Riley aye Mayor Kuzma aye Motion carried. 7.02: Adopt Resolution #21-131 Approving Selection of Dynamic Display Billboard Vendor for Retail Advertising on Highway 10 Near the COR Deputy City Administrator Gladhill reviewed the staff report and stated that the EDA met on April 8, 2021 and made a formal recommendation to the City Council to further investigate and approve the concept of a digital billboard on Highway 10 with the EDA preference for vendor as iDigital Outdoor. EDA Chairperson Jim Steffen stated that this concept has been discussed by the EDA for the past year or so. He stated that the role of the EDA is to support the business community and ensure those businesses have the tools to be successful. He stated that the EDA feels that this would be a tool that would assist in allowing them to be successful. He stated that a billboard would provide Ramsey businesses with additional eyes on Highway 10 and additional advertising opportunity. He noted that this vendor would provide a reduced rate for Ramsey businesses. He stated that in terms of economic development and recruitment of new businesses it has been stated repeatedly that visibility to Highway 10 is important. He noted that a majority of businesses within The COR are not visible from Highway 10 and therefore the vacant sites are not attractive to retailers and restaurants because they are not visible from Highway 10. He stated that an electronic billboard would provide that opportunity to be visible from Highway 10. He stated that many things have been learned about The COR in the past few years related to the Armstrong interchange, the increase in population, and all the other things they thought would attract national brands. He believed that this sign would help to increase visibility and attract additional retailers and restaurants to The COR. He stated that this would be a no cost option to the City. He stated that the City currently has a digital sign which it invested funds in. He noted that this sign would not have a cost to the City but additionally would generate revenue for the City. He commented that there are billboards along Highway 10, although not currently in Ramsey, and therefore this would not be out of place in the corridor. He stated that the nicest billboard along the TH 169 corridor is the new digital billboard installed in Champlin. He stated that the EDA unanimously supports this action. City Council / May 11, 2021 Page 12 of 20