10-26-2020 CC (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mounds View City Council October 26, 2020 Regular Meeting Page 2 Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 6. PUBLIC COMMENT Joe Sullivan, 7875 Woodlawn Drive, stated with the YMCA contract not being renewed there were questions about youth sports activities. He reported he represents the Irondale Youth Baseball board. He explained he had interest in helping with future youth baseball programs. He questioned who he should reach out to for future discussions. Mayor Mueller encouraged all questions to be directed to Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson. Michael Hanson, 2401 Mounds View Boulevard, stated he represented the Irondale Baseball Association. He explained his organization was interested in moving its youth teams over to the City’s parks and recreation program. He reported in the past three years his association has paid over $10,000 in field costs. He commented this was a concern to him given the condition of the fields. He stated there was some work that needed to be done to the City’s fields. 7. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS A. Resolution 9322, Recognizing Twin City Gateway Executive Director Steve Markuson. Steve Markuson, Executive Director of Twin Cities Gateway, thanked the Council for their time. He provided the Council with a presentation on this most unusual year and discussed how the tourism industry has been impacted. He provided an overview on the impact tourism has on the State of Minnesota noting pre-COVID this was a $16 billion industry with 69% of Minnesota’s visitor spending occurring in the metro area. He described how economic development and jobs follow tourism. He discussed the new website that was constructed in the last year. He reviewed the print publication resources that were invested in for marketing purposes, noting there were a number of digital and online tactics in place. He stated one of his goals was to enhance non-peak period business, especially in the third and fourth quarter. He noted Al Stauffacher participated in a tourism and leadership course from the U of MN. Al Stauffecker discussed how the sports world had been impacted in 2020. He reported the majority of the events had been postponed versus being canceled. He commented on the US Figure Skating event that would be held at the Super Rink in November. He indicated he had been marketing events virtually due to COVID. He discussed the events that were being bid on and noted the 3M Open would be brought back to Blaine in 2021. Mr. Markuson thanked Council Member Meehlhause for representing Mounds View well at Twin Cities Gateway. Council Member Meehlhause requested an update on the Twin Cities Gateway staffing model going forward. Mr. Markuson reported he would be hanging up his hat on December 31, 2020. He explained this had been a tremendous career opportunity for him and he was looking forward to retirement. He indicated Al Stauffecker would be replacing him as the Executive Director