Approval of 2022 Business Network Meeting 

The purpose of this case is to allocate a budget, approve the program, and to select a date for the 2022 Business Network Meeting.

Staff was directed to begin planning for the 2021-2022 Business Network Event.  The EDA identified the Hwy 10 Corridor Construction projects and its impact on Ramsey Businesses as the featured topic for the 2021-2022 meeting.  The City would also provide a development / city update as part of this meeting.  The EDA was also open to find a keynote speaker if Staff was able to identify one that would complement the presentation.  Unfortunately, Staff was not able to identify a keynote speaker for this year's event. As such, Staff is asking the EDA to keep this year's event simple and provide a breakfast, networking opportunity,  a robust Hwy 10 update, with Q & A (led by County Engineer Joe MacPherson and his team), a Commercial/Industrial Market Report by CBRE and, of course, a City Update. The event has been pushed to January due to some key approvals (preferred layout, environmental review) for the Hwy 10 project not being completed until  late December.  Staff wanted to give sufficient time to Mr. MacPherson to put together a meaningful presentation.

N/A

Staff is excited to go back to an in person event.  Traditionally, the event has been held at the Fountains of Ramsey and this venue has served the event well. Staff looked at other venues (i.e. Adrenaline) but felt that this one provided a comfortable atmosphere fitting for the networking event.  In addition, the onsite catering (Kitchen Table) makes this an easy venue to manage. The only city cost for this event is the venue and breakfast.   Based on previous cost and past attendance of about 130 people at this venue, staff is asking for an allocation of $5,000 for this event to have flexibility if the number of attendees exceed 130 and if an audio system needs to be rented (See proposed budget and invoice).  

The Business Network Event has traditionally has a start time of 8 AM and usually runs for just over an hour.  Staff has consulted with County Engineer, Joe MacPherson and Brian Pankratz from CBRE and they are available the week of January 24, 25 and 26. The Hwy 10 presentation would include timing for all aspects of the project in Anoka and Ramsey as well an opportunity to ask questions. Traditionally this event has been held on a Tuesday but Staff and Mr. MacPherson are open to other days of the week. 

City Staff (Sullivan, Ulrich, Others) would also put together a City presentation and be available for some questions on relevant topics.  Included in the City presentation, or potentially separate, a Commercial Industrial Market report from Brian Pankratz from CBRE would also be given.

Staff is proposing the following agenda:
1. Networking & Breakfast - Will have displays set up with Hwy 10 intersections and alignments
2. Welcome & Introductions
3. City Update – City of Ramsey - City Staff
4. Market Update - Brian Pankratz - CBRE (Could be included in City update)
5. Highway 10 Presentation and Q & A: - Joe MacPherson – Anoka County Highway Engineer and Team
6. Closing Remarks

EDA allocation of $5,000 from 9230-6249 (Operating) and 9230-6246 (Marketing)

Staff recommends the following actions:

1) Allocate $5,000 for the 2022 Business Network Meeting.
2) Approve the proposed Agenda
3) Select Business Network Meeting date of January X, 2022 

Motion to:
1) Allocate $5,000 for the 2022 Business Network Meeting
2) Approve the proposed Agenda
3) Select Business Network Meeting date of January X, 2022