2023.05.03 EDC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Councilmember Dunsworth questioned if a liaison from the school district should be invited to attend future EDC meetings. She supported the City being involved in a City-centric job fair for students. Commissioner Sauter commented on the manufacturing cohort that was being pursued by the Chamber of Commerce. She reported a Ramsey County Recruitment Resource Fair would be held at the Roseville Skating Center on Thursday, April 13. Councilmember Dunsworth stated she would like the focus to be on addressing issues that have overlap with other Commissions in order to make huge impacts for the community. Commissioner Norman suggested contact information for the schools be included in the City newsletter. She believed this would greatly benefit families and businesses in the community. Commissioner Zisla recalled that Ramsey County had a workforce solution department and they would have programs or resources available to residents of New Brighton. Councilmember Allen believed it would benefit the City to have a lot of partners to address jobs and career opportunities in the community. He then asked where the city was with monument signs. Gozola reported the EDC looked at where the monument signs were located and what were the main entrance points into the community. He stated this work was put on hold given the fact PREC was working on a parks master plan and the EDC wanted these signs to have a unified theme. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas questioned if the City had funding set aside for the new park signs. Massopust reported the parks master plan did include funding for new signs. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas explained she supported all four of the focal points for the EDC. She discussed how the Council has been reviewing the housing study and she believed it would be beneficial for the EDC to review this study as well. She commented further on how Old Highway 8 was ready for redevelopment and the Council would benefit from feedback on this corridor. Massopust stated another topic for the EDC to consider was local workforce solutions, noting this may fit under business retention and expansion. Councilmember Dunsworth indicated she supported the four main initiatives for the EDC as proposed by staff. Councilmember Allen explained another item to consider for the EDC would be to incorporate local businesses into the climate action plan. Councilmember Abdulle supported the EDC continuing to pursue business retention/expansion and sense of place initiatives. He questioned what type of work the EDC did to address housing programs. Commissioner Zisla commented on how the EDC can address housing themes or zoning issues for the City. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas supported the EDC reviewing the recent housing study and providing feedback to the City Council.