2015.09.02 EDC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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community survey. Mr. Kruse encouraged the City to not focus conversations on taxes, but rather sales or economic growth. Gundlach believed that business visits were not about asking people questions, but rather about establishing relationships and a rapport between the City and local business owners. She discussed the importance of the City reaching out to its business community in order to get to know who they are. She firmly believed that the City needed to better understand the business community and what their actual needs were. She explained that engaging with the Chamber of Commerce may assist the City with filling this void. Chair Zisla provided comment on a conversation he held with Bruce Knight regarding the business community. A member agreed it would be nice for the City to have a relationship with local businesses. Councilmember Jacobsen commented on the community survey and how the information gathered assisted the City Council. Commissioner Garcia -Perez discussed the differences between a resident needs versus local business needs. It was her opinion that if the City were to grow relationships between the City and local business owners, additional information would be passed from businesses to the City in times of need. Chair Zisla questioned what direction the EDC wanted to go. Commissioner Beach indicated that the City was on the cusp of some exciting new development in the region with Rice Creek Commons. He recommended that the City have a well-placed, well-planned luncheon for local businesses in order to create an environment of conversation regarding local issues. Commissioner Murlowski supported this recommendation. Chair Zisla looked forward to discussing this further at an upcoming EDC meeting. Adi ourn Meeting adjourned at 9:07 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Janice Gundlach Assistant Director of Community Assets and Development/Director of Planning