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Business Retention and Development Committee <br />Meeting Minutes <br />November 2, 2020 <br />Page 2 of 2 <br />Committee asked Director Pierce about anonymity vs. confidentiality in a survey. <br />Director Pierce explained it is a best practice not to indicate anonymity because <br />that is a very high bar to achieve and may also limit the ability to analyze and act <br />on information provided. The survey administration is anticipated to be a three to <br />four month process. <br />• Discussion- Business Retention Visit Update: Committee members discussed <br />the learnings from retention visits conducted in October: Creative Framing Art <br />Gallery, Omni Promotional, Otak, and Organic Sandwich Company. A common <br />theme from the visits was lack of labor force. Participants noted that <br />unemployment payments have been higher than entry level wages —making it <br />difficult to find and keep employees. <br />Mr. Oberholzer also informed the Committee about the change in the Recovery & <br />Improvement Grant program that was made at the most recent Economic Vitality <br />Committee that allowed The Huckleberry and Zucca to receive full grants. <br />• Discussion/Direction- 2020/2021 Committee Work Plan: Director Pierce shared <br />an updated Work Plan for BRaD. Mr. Oberholzer relayed a conversation he had <br />with Councilmember Dickinson about the potential revamping of some Committees <br />and how BRaD might be affected. Committee members discussed that the <br />relevancy of BRaD has changed without a City Council liaison. <br />The Committee briefly discussed a spring Business Forum. The preference is still <br />not to conduct this virtually, and it was discussed what might be permissible for <br />small groups. <br />VII. STAFF REPORT: Director Pierce shared a new memo in the packet, which will <br />provide updates on recent staff activity. The November report included Business <br />Assistance Program packages, recent openings and closings for businesses, as well <br />as the draft Economic Vitality Strategic Plan. <br />Vill. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEE MEMBERS: None. <br />IX. ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: The next regular BRaD meeting will be Monday, <br />December 7 @ 8 AM. Planned agenda items include: business e-newsletter <br />feedback, business satisfaction survey, spring 2021 business forum, and retention <br />visits update. <br />X. ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Oberholzer moved to adjourn the meeting; Mr. Erickson <br />seconded the motion. Motion passed and meeting adjourned at 9:30 AM. <br />Agenda Packet P. 3 <br />