Minutes - Council - 02/22/2022 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Business Motion by Councilmember Riley, seconded by Councilmember Specht, to introduce Ordinance st #22-13 Vacating Drainage and Utility Easements at 5280 161 Ave NW and Adopt Resolution #22-036 Approving the Final Plat of Rices Rum River Acres (Project #22-103) Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Kuzma, Councilmembers Riley, Specht, Heineman, Howell, Musgrove, and Woestehoff. Voting No: None. 7. COUNCIL BUSINESS 7.01: Adopt Resolution #22-045 Approving Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce Manufacturers Cohort 2021-2022 Renewal Economic Development Manager Sullivan reviewed the staff report and recommendation to approve the renewal of Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce Manufactures Cohort proposed resolution to consider of renewal of payment for the 2021-2022 manufacturing cohort season. He stated that Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce President Pete Turok was in attendance to answer questions. Councilmember Heineman asked Mr. Turok to give a quick overview of events that were put on this year and what he saw come from them. Pete Turok, Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce President, replied the Cohort typically gets together eight to ten times a year. He stated that a lot of work was done on workforce issues and one of the things was the acquisition, alternative group opportunities, which were explored. One big thing that they were able to do was to put tools at Anoka High School and they are looking to expand that into other high schools in the region to get the word out about the jobs that exist. He stated a lot of work was also done on the dual pipeline grant. He has been working with the State who he stated is interested. Councilmember Howell referenced the staff report and read the successful business interactions that took place in 2021 with three specific examples and were told that one was the dual training pipeline grant, another was the work first project, and the third was special connection to the manufacturers by facilitating and providing an opportunity to have access, safety, and certifications relating to equipment. She stated those are all noble goals but she asked to see tangible evidence of the last two, that those things have taken place at businesses in Ramsey. She stated that the pipeline grant is tangible. She stated that her research showed that businesses have the opportunity to apply for it on their own. In 2019, three businesses in Ramsey all received grant money totaling $36,000. She stated now Mr. Turok is here asking for more money. She emphasized that the $120,000 Minnesota Dual Pipeline Grant that the Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce received looks impressive but Ramsey has only received 10%, $12,000, to two Ramsey businesses. She stated the businesses that got grant money in 2019 were more successful on their own than with help. She stated in looking at the grant money, 75% of the dollars went to cities that don’t belong to the Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce. She doesn’t understand why they are subsidizing not only other cities that are members of the Chamber, but other cities as well. She questioned why Mr. LeTourneau wasn’t present himself and stated she didn’t understand what City Council / February 22, 2022 Page 5 of 34