EDA Packet 07.15.17 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF JUNE 20, 2017 Weidt called the meeting to order at 5:02 pm. PRESENT: Denaway, Gallivan, Houle, Klein, Petty, Weidt. ABSENT: Puleo STAFF: Bryan Bear, City Administrator Rachel Juba, Planner Sarah Rumppe, Community Development Intern APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF March 21, 2017 Klein made a motion, Gallivan seconded, to approve minutes for the EDA meeting of March 21, 2017. All Ayes. Motion carried. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF MAY 162 2017 Klein made a motion, Houle seconded, to approve minutes for the EDA meeting of May 16, 2017. All Ayes. Motion carried. DISCUSSION ON URBAN LAND INSTITUTE (ULT) WORKSHOP Juba gave a recap of the ULI workshop. Juba discussed how the feedback from the workshop relates to the comprehensive plan. Before opening the discussion to the EDA, Juba stated a focus on communication will be important when working with developers. Klein noted feeling surprised by companies in which are may not provide wages high enough to support living in Hugo. Denaway discussed the difficultly of attracting development in Hugo. "There is a story here that is not being told", he stated. Denaway expressed the belief that development is not seeing the potential in Hugo because quick drive-by tours or demographic studies fail to tell the City's story. He urged the importance of finding ways to tell Hugo's story to the development community. Houle noted there is a difference between understanding the community's demand for commercial services, versus the considerations of developers. Houle stated development may be more successful if the city puts itself in the mindset of the developers, and markets from that position. Petty stated the ULI's suggestion not to force development is conflicting, because it seems the city needs to actively market to developers, rather than wait for them to come on their own. Juba noted the market is evolving, and modes of buying and selling are transitioning away from traditional retail models. Bear questioned how the city should position itself for economic development if the market is changing. He stated Hugo is not overcrowded with retail, which may be an advantage if the market is changing. Bear noted commercial spaces built from now on will likely be different from what was built before. Bear eluded to Hugo's opportunity to develop towards a new retail model, instead of building something the market may be abandoning.