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MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF JUNE 21, 2016 <br />Chair Weidt called the meeting to order at 5:04 pm. <br />PRESENT: Denaway, Gallivan, Houle, Klein, Petty, Puleo, Weidt. <br />ABSENT: None. <br />STAFF: Bryan Bear, City Administrator <br />Rachel Juba, Planner <br />Rachel Leitz, Community Development Assistant <br />APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF May 17, 2016 <br />Klein made motion, Gallivan seconded, to approve minutes for the EDA meeting of May 17, 2016. <br />All Ayes. Motion carried. <br />WASHINGTON COUNTY UPDATE <br />Fran Miron, Board Chair of Washington County Commissioners spoke to the EDA. Miron spoke on <br />general county information, tax base and population growth, residential survey, road construction and <br />maintenance, aquatic invasive species grant, resource recovery, economic development & bonding, and <br />public health. In regards to economic development, he stated that the County has been increasing its <br />role in economic development. Miron stated that Washington County knows that that it is important to <br />help both businesses that are already located in our County and those that might be looking to move <br />here. Miron described that having more jobs and good jobs in our communities is vital to our economic <br />health at the city and county level. He stated that Washington County will not be duplicating what cities <br />already do, but will be in a support role to help communities that may not be large enough to have their <br />own economic development staff. Miron stated that Washington County asked the Legislature to grant <br />their Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA), which are additional powers related to economic <br />development. Washington County believed that was a more efficient way than creating an entirely new <br />organization to do economic development. The HRA already has much of the infrastructure and support <br />to bring in this new function and is more cost effective for our taxpayers. That bill was passed and <br />signed by the Governor so Washington County continues to move forward and has since hired an <br />Economic Development Director, Chris Eng. <br />DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT <br />Staff provided an update to the EDA on downtown redevelopment. <br />ADJOURNMENT <br />Klein made a motion, seconded by Puleo, to adjourn at 6:24 p.m. <br />All ayes. Motion carried. <br />