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MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF JUNE 20, 2017 <br />Weidt called the meeting to order at 5:02 pm. <br />PRESENT: Denaway, Gallivan, Houle, Klein, Petty, Weidt. <br />ABSENT: Puleo <br />STAFF: Bryan Bear, City Administrator <br />Rachel Juba, Planner <br />Sarah Rumppe, Community Development Intern <br />APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF March 21, 2017 <br />Klein made a motion, Gallivan seconded, to approve minutes for the EDA meeting of March 21, 2017. <br />All Ayes. Motion carried. <br />APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF MAY 16, 2017 <br />Klein made a motion, Houle seconded, to approve minutes for the EDA meeting of May 16, 2017. <br />All Ayes. Motion carried. <br />DISCUSSION ON URBAN LAND INSTITUTE (ULI) WORKSHOP <br />Juba gave a recap of the ULI workshop. Juba discussed how the feedback from the workshop relates to the <br />comprehensive plan. Before opening the discussion to the EDA, Juba stated a focus on communication will be <br />important when working with developers. <br />Klein noted feeling surprised by companies in which are may not provide wages high enough to support living <br />in Hugo. <br />Denaway discussed the difficultly of attracting development in Hugo. "There is a story here that is not being <br />told", he stated. Denaway expressed the belief that development is not seeing the potential in Hugo because <br />quick drive-by tours or demographic studies fail to tell the City's story. He urged the importance of finding <br />ways to tell Hugo's story to the development community. <br />Houle noted there is a difference between understanding the community's demand for commercial services, <br />versus the considerations of developers. Houle stated development may be more successful if the city puts <br />itself in the mindset of the developers, and markets from that position. <br />Petty stated the ULI's suggestion not to force development is conflicting, because it seems the city needs to <br />actively market to developers, rather than wait for them to come on their own. <br />Juba noted the market is evolving, and modes of buying and selling are transitioning away from traditional <br />retail models. <br />Bear questioned how the city should position itself for economic development if the market is changing. He <br />stated Hugo is not overcrowded with retail, which may be an advantage if the market is changing. Bear noted <br />commercial spaces built from now on will likely be different from what was built before. Bear eluded to Hugo's <br />opportunity to develop towards a new retail model, instead of building something the market may be <br />abandoning. <br />