5. EDSR 06-12-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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EDA Marketing Committee I~linutes May 15, 2006 Page 2 Committee recommends the EDA/City try to attract She indicated it would be premature for the EDA to acquire land without a specific use ox target industry in mind and suggested the Committee, through the plan update, discuss whether the City continue to recruit the small to medium light industrial companies (20,000 SF machine shops) ox consider recruiting and marketing fox a higher level of industrial development or both since the marketing techniques axe different fox each. The Coxntttittee discussed the three proposals that were submitted as a result of the RFP: Duckox and Associates, Wolf Marketing and Media and Barsness Consulting Services. Committee member Gary Santwire commented that he saw no tie between the work Duckox and Associates completed fox the past two plans and the progress that the EDA has made regarding industrial development. He added that he is concerned about Ms. Duckox's lack of real estate experience. He stated that real estate experience is key to marketing fox industrial development Mr. Santwire indicated that it is time to hire someone new to complete the update of the plan, that he is impressed with both Wolf Marketing and Media and Barsness Consulting Services but that Wolf Marketing's experience in real estate marketing is the EDA's "best bet" in completing a successful plan. He added that the City's current relationship with Wolf Marketing is either a plus ox a minus. Catherine Mehelich mentioned that the City has been working with Wolf Marketing fox a couple of years on various marketing activities, namely the Economic Development newsletter. Committee member Chris Carlson asked the Committee if past marketing efforts assisted the City in recruiting industrial companies. Committee member Jim Barthel commented that the efforts had helped because the original plan and the 2002 update changed the City officials' and staffs attitude toward industrial development. He stated that the two plans were a starting point to attract the small to medium- sized companies, which will help attract large companies someday. He added that there was available land several years ago but that it was the price of the land that caused the lack of development. Gary Santwire and Chris Carlson concurred. Gary Santwire asked staff about the current availability of industrial land. Catherine Mehelich indicated that the City owns 60-net acres of commercial and industrial land located off of 171" Avenue but that the property is not immediately ready for development and the amount of wetlands on the site will limit the amount of developable acres. She added that the gravel mining area may be an option fox a portion to be industrial. Gary Santwire inquired about the City's realistic market fox industrial development. Member Dan Tveite stated that the City should ease into changing its marketing efforts and noted the EDA's recent discussion regarding its "value goal" fox industrial development: market value ox job creation. Heidi Steinmetz added that this topic would be an excellent addition to the marketing plan update. Dan Tveite added that "new eyes" axe needed for the update to avoid stale information.