Agenda - Council - 03/27/2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Member Strommen noted beyond marketing there may be a facilitation role the EDA can play with Town Center. She asked if the EDA members have an interest in moving into commercial /retail in addition to industrial development in the City. Consensus of the EDA was that the EDA should be involved in both industrial and commercial /retail development in the City. Member Strommen indicated this topic should be discussed on a Council agenda as soon as possible. A policy decision is needed from Council, and this group can then move forward to discuss marketing and specifics. Chairperson Riley suggested the HRA should consist of a different group of people other than the Council. Member Strommen replied it has been the plan to transition the HRA from Council to another body. Economic Development Coordinator Sullivan suggested the EDA recommend the 2007 Work Plan be forwarded to the Council with the addition of the following items: Marketing ➢ Ramsey Town Center marketing /coordination Miscellaneous ➢ Broaden focus to include commercial /retail development Motion by Chairperson Riley, seconded by Member LeTourneau, to send a message to the City Council and Administration that the EDA should take a more active role with commercial /retail development, and should be involved in all economic development activity in the City. Further discussion: Member Schindel asked if this motion will circumvent the initial reason for a separation between the EDA and Town Center. Member LeTourneau replied the EDA's involvement at that time was not an appropriate fit with the culture on deck. The culture has changed enough that the EDA can now be more of a participant. Member Elvig noted in the past there was a strong Town Center master planner; that person has passed away and this will now drift. Member Schindel asked if the group of Town Center business owners is a formed group. Member Letourneau replied the group does not really consist of anyone outside of Town Center. He explained there were certain things the master developer was to do under the development agreement. One of those things was monument signs, and that is not getting done. The focus of this group has been to get back to the monument signs to draw attention to Town Center. Member Elvig indicated there will be 20 x 18 signage located in front of Coborn's, and another monument sign on the south end of Coborn's. There is some signage at the gateways being discussed because of changes being proposed on Armstrong Boulevard. Economic Development Consultant Mulrooney advised there is justification for the EDA to get involved from the standpoint that the landscape has changed a lot. When Ramsey Town Center started out it was primarily a private sector project with some City involvement in utilities and streets. That has all changed. Now the City is not only a stakeholder in the sense that Town Center is in the community and a stakeholder in the public improvements; the City is also a landowner in Town Economic Development Authority /January 11, 2007 Page 5 of 11