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Consensus of the Board was to direct staff to request that El Tinklenberg speak at the event if Governor Pawlenty or Congressman Oberstar is not secured as a speaker by Friday, April 23rd, with a preferred date for the event of May 22nd or May 2lh. Economic Development Consultant Mulrooney commented that Mr. Tinklenberg has a former transportation commissioner title, and he could also quell rumors about Highway 10. He explained there was a company that was going to move to Ramsey but decided against it after hearing that the interchange at Thurston would be going in and that the construction would cause traffic problems. The Board discussed the financing of the event as outlined in the case and shifting some of the costs from the Ramsey Rotary to the Anoka County Partners. Motion by Member Kiefer, seconded by Member Steffen, to direct staff to request that Anoka County Partners pick up the cost of food and beverages for the 2007 Business Connection Meeting, and that the cost of the invitations be split between the Ramsey Rotary and the Ramsey EDA, with a preferred date for the event of May 22nd subject to the availability of speakers. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Riley, Members Kiefer, Steffen, Elvig, and LeTourneau. Voting No: None. Absent: Members Schindel and Steffen. Case #3: 167th and Hwy 47 Commercial Node Economic Development Coordinator Sullivan reviewed that in 2003 the EDA initiated a redevelopment study for the 167th A venue/Hwy 47 Commercial Node. The study was completed in July of 2003 and the findings showed that this area has the potential for business success. The findings and recommendations from the Rum River Commercial Area Retail Market Analysis done by the McComb Group are included in the Board's packet. Also included in the packet are past cases. This case is meant to spark discussion about how the EDA should take care of existing businesses and to identify ways to create a better business climate in the City. Member Elvig stated his efforts have been to keep this commercial node alive; the people there are very interested in keeping it alive. In the Ramsey3 planning process it has been discussed that good planning includes planning neighborhoods with commercial areas nearby that can be walked or biked to. More importantly he recently put out a survey to the business community regarding the hiring of the new city administrator. The major comment that came back is that the City works hard to chase new smokestacks and forgets about the existing businesses. There are traffic concerns, access concerns, and a business environment that is local and ongoing and is asking for more support from the City to existing businesses. He has also received phone calls from that area saying they are struggling. He asked if there is anything they can do as a City to help support the existing businesses in this commercial node. Economic Development Coordinator Sullivan reviewed the findings and recommendations from the Rum River Commercial Area Retail Market Analysis. He indicated the study was contentious, but it came up with suggestions on how the commercial node could be improved. Economic Development Authority/April 19, 2007 Page 3 of7