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1 <br /> CIWOF <br /> FRIDLEY <br /> FRIDLEY MUNICIPAL CENTER • 6431 UNIVERSITY AVE.N.E.FRIDLEY,MN 55432 <br /> (763)571-3450 • FAX(763)571-1287 • TTD/TTY(763)572-3534 <br /> TO: Tim Cruikshank, City Manager, Anoka <br /> Ron Moorse, City Administrator,Arden Hills <br /> Clark Arneson, City Manager, Blaine <br /> Matt Fulton, City Manager, Coon Rapids <br /> Doris Nivala, City Administrator,Ham Lake <br /> Gordon Heitke, City Administrator,Lino Lakes <br /> Jim Ericson, City Administrator,Mounds View <br /> Dean Lotter, City Manager,New Brighton <br /> Terry Schwern, City Manager, Shoreview <br /> FROM: William W.Burns, City Manager itifIV <br /> DATE: February 9,2009 <br /> Re: Meeting of Cities on the East Side of Mississippi River Pertaining to Convention <br /> and Visitors Bureau <br /> • <br /> Visit Minneapolis North(VMN)is a convention and visitors bureau representing 11 cities on the <br /> east and west side of the Mississippi River that is funded by a city-imposed lodging tax. The 11 <br /> member cities have adopted an ordinance allowing for the lodging tax and have signed <br /> agreements with VMN for them to provide marketing services for the cities. <br /> There has been a lot of discussion in the past year about the partnership between VMN and the <br /> National Sports Center(NSC), including the future direction of the NSC. While the VMN Board <br /> has fought to keep the organization together, four cities have opted out(Arden Hills,Blaine, <br /> Coon Rapids and Shoreview)and it may be inevitable that the organization change results in the <br /> incorporation of a new convention and visits bureau. <br /> VMN has had a task force meeting to address some of these issues. While the VMN Board of <br /> Directors voted in December to keep the 11-City organization together,the task force has come <br /> to the conclusion there may be too much dissention and it is time for cities to discuss some of <br /> these issues. It was recommended at the last VMN task force meeting that cities east of the <br /> Mississippi River meet to discuss what might be in the best interest of their city and lodging <br /> properties. <br /> As a result, a meeting has been put together for the cities on the East side of the River to review <br /> and discuss the issues and to come up with a plan of action. The meeting has been scheduled for <br /> Wednesday,February 18,2009 at 7:30 a.m. at Coon Rapids City Hall. If you cannot attend, <br /> please contact Deb Skogen.at 763-572-3523 or skogend@ci.fridley.rrm.us ci.fridley.mn.us with your concerns or <br /> • ideas. I look forward to meeting with you on the 18th <br />