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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />d) Joint Planning and Zoning/Economic Development Subcommittee - <br /> <br />No report at this time. <br /> <br />Case #3: Discussion Reiarding Business Retention Proiram: <br /> <br />Chairman Greenberg stated that Commissioner Ippel happened to meet with <br />Duane Lundeen of Chips on 10 regarding Council's denial of his request to <br />use the upper level of his business expansion as a residence. Chairman <br />Greenberg stated that he will also meet with Mr. Lundeen regarding that <br />situation and other options available to him in Ramsey. <br /> <br />Ms. Norris stated that the business retention program is one of the star <br />city tasks intended to have been completed by the economic development <br />intern. Council has tabled hiring the intern and directed that Mr. Paul <br />Fournier be approached to work on Ramsey's star city tasks. <br /> <br />The Commission directed that Mr. Fournier's response be obtained as soon <br />as possible so as not to delay star city work any longer. The Commission <br />also directed that by the next regular meeting, a business retention survey <br />form should be drafted and the list of Ramsey businesses to be visited will <br />be divided up among the commissioners. <br /> <br />Ms. Norris was directed to research whether or not there should be two <br />separate survey forms for the business survey and the business retention <br />survey. <br /> <br />Case #4: Discussion Reiarding Business Incubator Concept: <br /> <br />Commissioner Kurak brought up the subject of using rent assistance versus <br />investing in a building as a way of carrying through the business incubator <br />concept. This concept would promote development of rental space in Ramsey <br /> <br />Chairman Greenberg noted that if a business is going to fail, it will most <br />likely be within it's first five years of operation. Offering cash rent <br />assistance has the potential for a loss on the City's part. <br /> <br />Ms. Norris stated that she doesn't believe the City can subsidize rent <br />fees; the City could use tax increment financing to write down the cost of <br />land so that developers of rental space will be able to afford to charge <br />lower rent rates. <br /> <br />Motion by Commissioner Hardin and seconded by Commissioner Wagner to <br />establish a Business Incubator Subcommittee and to appoint Commissioners <br />Kurak, Muller, Fults and Ippel to the Subcommittee with Commissioner Kurak <br />serving as Chairman. The Business Incubator Subcommittee is directed to <br />research funds available for an incubator project, average space rental <br />fees in the area and funds necessary to initiate an incubator program. The <br />subcommittee should report back to the Commission at it's next regular <br />meeting. <br /> <br />Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairman Greenberg, Commissioners Kurak, <br />Muller, Fults, Hardin, Wagner and Gorecki. Voting No: None. Absent: <br />EDC/July 8, 1987 <br /> <br />Page 3 of 5 <br />