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Mounds View EDA February 23, 2009 Regular Meeting Page 2 8. REPORTS A. Update on 2009 EDC Priorities Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz presented the five EDC 2009 priorities as follows: 1) Development/redevelopment along CR10 Corridor; 2) Incorporate the Risdall Branding Study and Project; 3) Monitor and Assist City-Wide Housing Issues and Projects; 4) Support the Implementation of City’s Street and Utility Improvement Project; and 5) Skyline Motel Redevelopment. Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz stated the EDC appreciates the Council will consider these priorities at its February 28, 2009, Council Retreat. 7. EDA BUSINESS A. Mounds View Branding Project – Discovery Findings Reports and Preliminary Brand Strategy. Patrick Bettenburg, Risdall Marketing Group, advised the group about the process used to gather information through interviews to create the resident survey and business operator’s survey. He reviewed the Findings Report, highlighting developer interviews, secondary research of City documentation, and forms of communication. During this research, they uncovered that the CR10 corridor had been studied on several occasions, starting in 2002. Those studies contained information on which to plan actions and gave insight on the City’s priorities to improve the overall “brand” of Mounds View. Risdall found several key insights that were generally positive. However, one real concern was the image of Mounds View as negatively connected to CR10. There was a strong showing in statistical research that residents were concerned about the low level of improvements made to CR10. That perception also affects the reputation of Mounds View by the outside world so different strategies have been included to address that perception. Commissioner Mueller asked Risdall to further develop their insight related to effective communication through Mounds View Matters, the City’s newsletter. Mr. Bettenburg noted that is addressed in Phase 4, the Visibility Phase. President Flaherty commented on the positive feedback from residents and business owners and, more importantly, that they identified areas that can be worked on such as the CR10 corridor. He stated this information would be addressed at the Council’s retreat, which is open to the public. Mr. Bettenburg advised that one topic intentionally not covered was the Medtronic transaction. This was done strategically, since the beginning of the process, based on interviews with key leaders indicating it may be a decisive issue. Risdall decided to see if that topic came up naturally through the survey process, which offered ample opportunity to write in comments. However, not much concern was expressed related to the Medtronic transaction. Mr. Bettenburg stated it should be safe to say that residents feel it is time to move on.