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EDC Minutes September 17, 2019 Page 3 of 7 ----------------------------- reach out to which includes Facebook, the newspaper, press releases, email blasts, a utility billing mailer, the School, the Chamber, the City's website, community sign, various bulletin boards and internal calendars. Commissioner Lelwica asked if they could get signs to put up around town in high traffic areas to help notify the public of the meetings. She also questioned how that could be paid for. Ms. Malecha said that she would have to look into it. City Council Liaison Scott Pederson thank Nathan Norton with ICS Consulting for donating his time and also suggested that the $3,500 in the EDC budget be used to pay for the signs. Discussion ensued about keeping the focus about what the goals of the listening sessions are. It was discussed that the goals of the EDC are increasing economic activity and revenue in the City Pequot Lakes and fulfilling the Schools need for athletic fields. Also discussed was engaging the public and their vision. 6. Intelliqent Communitv Forum Assessment— Shawn Commissioner Crochet talked about a broadband conference that he attended where concerns, desires, and ambitions with broadband were expressed by a group of people. They discussed what broadband can do to help communities by gaining new businesses, growth, and new housing developments. He recommended we apply to get ranked as an Intelligent Community as the Brainerd lakes area instead of an individual city. Commissioner Crochet stated it would be interesting to see how we would compare to other communities and it would help the area see where we are and what improvements are needed to become the top twenty of Intelligent Communities. Sheila Haverkamp from BLAEDC talked about six primary areas the community needs to focus on to be considered an Intelligent Community. She said there is a conference coming to the area in October and the leader of the Intelligent Community Program will be a keynote speaker. Ms. Haverkamp believes this is an opportunity to continue learning and we should continue to pay attention on how to make our area as robust as possible when it comes to broadband and fiber communications. Commissioner Crochet talked to contractor with a home north of Leech Lake and that the contractor said he is able to get higher speed fiber there that is faster than speeds in Silicon Valley in California. The contractor stated that he has been working from home more that in California due to this. Commission Crochet stated that if we can get higher speeds in the Lakes Area will get more people that are working from home or telecommuting and he believes this is the way of the future. Discussion ensued that the goal of the assessment is to help direct us to where we need to be and to try to get the Intelligent Community designation. Ms. Haverkamp stated that there is no monetary value that comes with the designation but it is a way to focus on remaining intelligent, to see how we