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Harry Carter believed it was important for commission members to be informed and impartial. <br />Councilmember Burg asked why Mr. Carter would be a good person to represent the opinions and concerns of <br />the City New Brighton. <br />Mr. Carter stated he has lived in New Brighton for the past 17 years. He indicated he had been involved in the <br />other communities he lived in, noting he served on the Board of Appeals in Rochester. He saw the value of <br />residents being engaged in the community. He discussed the positive influence Councilmember Jacobsen has <br />had on him. <br />Mayor Johnson explained the Council was interested in placing Mr. Carter on the EDC. Given that <br />information, she asked what Mr. Carter knew about economic development in New Brighton and what <br />successes and/or challenges the City has had. <br />Mr. Carter stated he studied the City's website and briefly tried to understand the economic development <br />projects that have occurred. He provided comment on the New Brighton Exchange. He discussed how his <br />career led him to deal with Planning Commission or Economic Development Commission's. <br />Mayor Johnson asked what it would take to entice a business to come to the City of New Brighton. <br />Mr. Carter stated having entered many cities as a business, he understood there was a wide range of welcome <br />programs. He discussed the positive interaction he had with the City of Plymouth, Bloomington and Maple <br />Grove. He indicated this experience was based mainly on the organization of the City and their welcoming <br />atmosphere. He stated in the end, he believed it came down to how flexible the cities were to working with <br />new businesses to meet the City's rules and regulations. <br />Councilmember Bauman appreciated Mr. Carter's background and believed his experience would serve the <br />City well. She thanked Mr. Carter for being willing to serve. <br />Mayor Johnson thanked Mr. Carter for his time and noted she would be in touch. <br />Haarstad reviewed the open positions in need of candidates with the Council. She noted the EDC had two <br />openings and noted there were one too many candidates for the Planning Commission. <br />Mayor Johnson suggested Ms. Miwa be moved to the EDC. Haarstad commented Ms. Miwa was not available <br />for morning meetings, but Mr. Allen was. <br />Mayor Johnson requested Mr. Allen be asked to serve on the EDC. <br />Councilmember Strub believed this was the best course of action as it would allow all of the candidates to <br />serve. If he was not interested in serving on the EDC, the Council would have to make a determination on Ms. <br />Murphy. <br />Councilmember Bauman agreed with this recommendation. <br />Councilmember Burg stated she would be less inclined to appoint Ms. Murphy to the Planning Commission <br />given the need for a good fit on this Board. She commented that if Mr. Allen was not interested in serving on <br />the EDC, she would like to see Ms. Miwa and Mr. Allen on the Planning Commission. <br />