02:56A primary topic of discussion was the council’s collaboration with the Minnesota Housing Partnership and their housing institute to explore strategies for community organization around housing development. The council highlighted Aurora as a key area for development, due to its readiness with utility hookups and pre-planned construction zones. The closure of an after-school program was identified as a potential opportunity to free up space for new developments. The council acknowledged the advantage of establishing a developer’s presence in the area, as it facilitates further construction projects.

12:47The council also discussed economic development efforts led by Sean Haney from Northspan, an economic development nonprofit. Haney emphasized the importance of the East Range Joint Powers Board as a model for regional collaboration, focusing on attracting resources and visitors to spur economic growth. Discussions underscored the significance of housing and childcare as essential components for successful economic development, along with the need for effective communication and collaboration among community stakeholders.

To support local businesses, the council noted the availability of a revolving loan fund, intended as a secondary loan option to complement primary loans from local banks. The fund has a soft cap of around $50,000, aimed at enhancing local business capacity. Six businesses have reportedly benefited from loans used for renovations, digital marketing, and technology upgrades.

Additionally, the council addressed the use of technology to gather data on visitor patterns. In a partnership with the University of Minnesota Extension and their Placer AI software, the city can track geographic movement and gain insights into which events attract the most visitors. Data revealed that the Masabi Beast’s Nordic Steve Invitational drew a larger turnout than initially assumed, with approximately 900 competitors and their families, highlighting the event’s potential economic impact.

47:27Efforts to improve communication about local resources and events were also discussed. There was recognition of the need to enhance visibility for community activities and improve attendance through digital marketing strategies. The council plans to distribute trail maps for biking and ATV trails in the East Range area to further engage residents and visitors.

40:42The council announced the upcoming East Range Summit, set for June 2nd, which aims to bring community members together to discuss regional projects and collaboration opportunities. The event will feature Ben Winchester from the U Extension, specializing in rural economic development, and will include a panel on ongoing initiatives. Free lunches will be provided to attendees, and invitations will be distributed digitally.

On the infrastructure front, City Administrator Wider updated the council on the arena project, which is undergoing inspections for 2024. The Recreation Director reported challenges with a frozen water line affecting the golf course, with hopes that recent rain would resolve the issue. Public Works reported that the Aita project is ahead of schedule, with new front doors installed and ongoing work to complete the project.

44:03The council also addressed a variance request for a property on Drive, pertaining to distance requirements for a new garage. After a public hearing and recommendation from the planning commission, the council approved the variance request unanimously.

In terms of community engagement, the council announced volunteer cleanup days scheduled for June 7th at 5:00 p.m., with an alternative date in May in case of inclement weather. Volunteers will meet at the community building, with materials provided by the city, and the event will be widely publicized through social media and local publications.