Laserfiche WebLink
Mounds View EDA May 26, 2009 <br />Regular Meeting Page 3 <br /> <br /> <br />The EDA agreed the matter should be opened to the public for their input, discussed methods of <br />obtaining suggestions, and whether a contest should be organized and a prize given for the <br />winning tagline. It was agreed that suggestions would be solicited from the public, schools, <br />DECA Program, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and during Festival in the Park. <br /> <br />Vice President Stigney stated he does not support an organized contest because then a “winner” <br />of the submitted names is created. However, he does support asking for suggestions and does not <br />object to awarding a citation or prize for the winning tagline. <br /> <br />Majority consensus was reached that a contest would be considered and the matter will be further <br />discussed at a future workshop meeting. <br /> <br />Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz stated staff will present a Marketing Plan and <br />reminded the EDA that Falcon Heights had received some inappropriate tagline ideas when <br />soliciting public suggestions. However, they did receive two good taglines for consideration. <br /> <br />B. Discuss Business Improvement Partnership Loan Program. <br /> <br />Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz stated this item was discussed at the last meeting <br />when a dentist asked whether the EDA would consider waiving the criteria to allow for a start up <br />business to receive a Business Improvement Partnership Loan. The EDA talked about <br />reevaluating the loan program criteria, which has been in place for about 14 years. She advised <br />of past low-interest loans that had been granted and noted a summary of this program is <br />contained in the Mounds View tool box. She also noted that city staff has not been aggressively <br />promoted at the direction of the Council. Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz <br />recommended the EDA authorize the program to be promoted and that if interest has not <br />increased within a year, the EDA reevaluate the program so that it better fits the needs of <br />businesses and the City. <br /> <br />Commissioner Gunn questioned why the loan program had not been promoted since the City <br />wants to attract businesses. <br /> <br />Commissioner Mueller explained the EDA felt there was a need to look at other programs to <br />attract business without resorting to TIF as the number one resource. In addition, the EDA <br />wanted the City to be at least an equal partner with the developer and not be subject to the <br />developer’s demands. <br /> <br />Vice President Stigney stated the tool box gathered all program information into one document <br />and identified that TIF would not be used as the first tool. Rather than the developer seeing what <br />they can get from Mounds View, the City could work with the developer to direct them to other <br />resources.