Loading...
2020 10 13CHANHASSEN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 13, 2020 Greg Sticha called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Stephen Stamy, James Ebeling, and Adam Schafer. Kathleen Donovan arrived late for the meeting. MEMBERS ABSENT: Jim Sanford STAFF PRESENT: Greg Sticha, Finance Director; Bob Generous, Senior Planner; and Jake Foster, Assistant City Manager PUBLIC PRESENT: Vernelle Clayton Buy Chanhassen Darren Noble Southwest Metro Chamber of Commerce APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Stamy moved, Ebeling seconded to approve the summary Minutes of the Economic Development Commission meeting dated September 8, 2020 as presented. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 3 to 0. JOINT DISCUSSION WITH SOUTHWEST CHAMBER AND BUY CHANHASSEN. Greg Sticha introduced Vernelle Clayton with Buy Chanhassen and Darren Noble with Southwest Metro Chamber of Commerce to discuss possible partnerships between the City and local businesses. Commissioner Ebeling explained that the commission would like to see a directory formulated of local businesses. Commissioner Stamy asked Vernelle Clayton and Darren Noble to provide background information of their organizations. Vernelle Clayton discussed that the best way to improve communications is to work together with local businesses with Buy Chanhassen and buying local and discussed changes being made in the Villager newspaper. She explained the possibility of having articles in the Chanhassen Villager explaining what the Economic Development Commission is doing. Greg Sticha discussed what the Economic Development Commission has been doing since it’s inception which is mostly education and formulating goals with the goal of setting up a business subsidy program and the need to find a funding source in the future to improve communication between local businesses and the City. Vernelle Clayton discussed that the commission needs to be wary of not becoming a complaint commission and tax increase impacts on small businesses. Greg Sticha discussed the need to build trust between local businesses and City Hall. He explained that if small businesses have issues with their tax valuations they need to meet with the Carver County Assessor’s Office. Darren Noble discussed on ways to improve communications between the Economic Development Commission – October 13, 2020 2 City and small local businesses explaining his background in public and private businesses and the advantages of incorporating apps such as Next Door, meeting in person, and sharing articles in local newspapers. Commission Stamy asked what benefits local businesses have had with Buy Chanhassen and Southwest Metro Chamber of Commerce. Commissioner Schafer asked for clarification about accessibility to emails and newsletters going out from Southwest Metro Chamber of Commerce and Buy Chanhassen. Vernelle Clayton asked about the results of the CARES Act grant program. Commissioner Donovan discussed the need to increase communications with local businesses. Greg Sticha explained that the City can start sending a link to the Economic Development Commission agendas and Minutes to Vernelle and Darren. FOLLOW UP DISCUSSION ON COMMUNICATION PLATFORMS. Greg Sticha discussed actions taken by the Communication committee which has been investigating apps i.e. Next Door, and maybe the best option is creating a private Facebook page. Jake Foster explained that the City is looking into apps such as Civic Engage that could be used by the EDC. Commissioner Donovan thinks Next Door is a good choice for an app and asked how local businesses would feel about being involved with that app and problems that can be associated with using social media apps. Greg Sticha discussed that that could be a conversation Buy Chanhassen and Southwest Metro Chamber of Commerce could have with their membership to ask about their preferred method of communicating with the Economic Development Commission in the future. Darren Noble stated he will have a conversation with a connection who is on the cutting edge of technology on possible apps. Greg Sticha explained that the EDC group is interested in setting up a local lodging tax and asked Vernelle Clayton to begin discussions working with the Meet Minneapolis group to formulate a more detailed plan to bring to the City Council. Vernelle Clayton provided an update on the work that’s been done with Buy Chanhassen and Meet Minneapolis and the possibility of bringing that information back on the EDC’s December meeting. Vice Chairman Donovan thanked Greg Sticha for his work in getting this commission established and wished him well in his new job. Bob Generous explained what new information he will be providing the Economic Development Commission in the future as he takes over his role with the commission. Stamy moved, Schafer seconded to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 4 to 0. The Economic Development Commission was adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Submitted by Greg Sticha Finance Director Prepared by Nann Opheim